It’s good to learn from your mistakes… but far better to learn from someone else’s first. Travelling is no different and seeing the best bits (and avoiding the tourist traps!) is heaps easier when you can talk to those who’ve been there and done Kiwi tours before.
Check out the great information and travel tools on this website to help you plan your tours. Here’s a quick summary of the most popular ones:
Community pages
For real and honest traveller insights look no further than our own Kiwi Experience backpacking community pages. Here you’ll be able to see what others have liked, loved and loathed about New Zealand and their Kiwi tours. There are photos, videos, stories and more.
Interactive map
We’ve harnessed the power of Google mapping technology to provide you a leading interactive New Zealand map experience. See where we go, where we stop and add the best looking places/activities to your favourites list. This can then be emailed to yourself or friends, or even used to automatically recommend a pass for you!
Customer comments
Read testimonials from thrilled customers to see what they did and why they loved their Kiwi tours so much.
Driver profiles
See what each Driver Guide recommends as New Zealand’s best places and best activities.
Contact us
If you’re still not sure on the best pass for you then feel free to contact us or come visit us face to face in our Auckland office. We’re here to help.
Just by being on the bus Kiwi Experience passengers get insights not available to regular backpackers and get better discounts than the locals. You’ll be taken to unique New Zealand destinations; receive flexible travel options you just can’t get on a smaller travel network; and can be assured of making the very most of your time while here. We suggest you make the most of those on your Kiwi tour by asking your Driver Guide questions, sharing tips with fellow passengers, or reading our comprehensive “Kiwi Exposed” New Zealand guide book (free with every pass).
Top 10 North Island places and activities
According to the hundreds of thousands of travellers who’ve done Kiwi Experience tours before, these are the North Island’s top 10 must-do places and activities:
- Tongariro Crossing: spectacular mountain hike, “Mt Doom”, and the first world heritage site. If the weathers right make sure you don’t miss it!
- Cathedral Cove and Hotwater Beach: voted many times New Zealand’s best beach and New Zealand’s most unique beach respectively
- Bay of Islands: 144 islands - a fisherman’s, boat owner’s, and beach lover’s paradise
- East Cape: remote beaches, untouched land, and rich maori culture – voted by many as New Zealand’s best kept secret
- Black Water Rafting in Waitomo: a labyrinth of dark caves, underwater rivers, and millions of glow worms
- Skydiving in Taupo: freefall over this iconic lake and take in the landscape from all over New Zealand
- Te Puia: in the heart of Rotorua’s geothermal zone and home to New Zealand’s largest geyser
- River Valley: a remote adventure lodge with amazing whitewater rafting. You couldn’t find this a place like this again if you tried.
- Tamaki Tours: A Maori cultural and food experience you won’t get anywhere else. Not your average sit down show!
- Wellington: A cosy, culturally rich and artistic city with plenty of personality and an abundance of great restaurants and bars
Top 10 South Island places and activities
Those same hundreds of thousands of travellers who’ve done Kiwi Experience before, gave us an idea of their favourite South Island places and activities too
- Milford Sound: imposing cliffs, towering peaks, cascading waterfalls and calm tranquil waters. Recently voted the worlds #1 must see place!
- Queenstown: the adventure adrenalin capital of the world and home of the bungy
- Bungy jump: where else to do it but the place where it all began – Queenstown.
- West Coast: home to Pancake Rocks, giant glaciers, rain forests, rugged coastline, and the legendary Poo Pub
- Kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park: home to hundreds of gorgeous bays and golden beaches perfect for kayaking
- Kaikoura: surf in the morning, ski in the afternoon. When are you going to get time to fit in dolphin swimming and whale watching as well?
- Canyon Swing – another Queenstown legend, arguably an even bigger thrill than a bungy!
- Franz Josef Glacier: the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier is widely regarded as the gem of New Zealand’s West Coast Glaciers. Experience the most spectacular glacier environment available to the general public anywhere in the world.
- Stunning scenic walks: even non-walkers out there will want to see what’s at the end of the hundreds of scenic walks we offer!
- Stewart Island: if you’re lucky enough to head to the deep south definitely spend another day exploring this incredible place!