Backpacking New Zealand Bus Travel Passes – NZ Backpacker Adventure Tours

New Zealand bus travel timetable 

Catlins, South Island, New Zealand
Bushmans Centre, West Coast, New Zealand
Stewart Island, New Zealand

Our New Zealand bus travel timetable will help you navigate your way around our comprehensive travel network. It shows pick-up days, pick-up points, and approximate pick-up times (remember that any pick-up point is a drop-off point too).

During summer most of our bus stops have daily pick-ups/drop-offs. In winter each location will have at least 3-4 departures per week. Contact our friendly Kiwi Experience crew for more information on +64 9 336 4286.

To see what days the bus departs each scheduled overnight stop view our timetable

pdf Timetable - valid from 12th April - 2nd June 2013
pdf Timetable - valid from 3rd June - 30 September 2013
pdf Timetable - valid from 30 September - 31st December 2013

 

When jumping off just let your Driver Guide know and make sure you grab your ticket. When you want to jump back on and continue your New Zealand bus travel adventure, contact us in advance so that we can make sure there is a spare seat waiting for you. This is a really important point – if you don’t call us we won’t know where or when to pick you up from. Everyone wants to travel with Kiwi Experience, especially in summer, so the more time you can give us the better!

    *
  • For the ‘Unlimited Travel’ option of this pass, the whole route needs to be completed before any sector can be repeated.
  • When starting this pass in Christchurch, you should travel north and complete the North Island route before travelling south to complete the South Island route. This way you can complete the whole route and then repeat the sectors that you want with the ‘Unlimited Travel’ option.
  • If you wish to repeat the Christchurch to Picton sectors of this pass before you have completed the whole route, the standard Christchurch to Picton sector prices will apply.
  • Please see point 19 of our Terms and Conditions for all Terms and Conditions specific to ‘Unlimited Travel’.

* The pick-up times below are approximate only and are subject to change. Always check with your Driver Guide or our reservations team the day before departure to confirm departure point and time.

Comprehensive pick-up point timetable

 

NZ - North Island Timetable

Auckland to PaihiaAuckland to Paihia
Main pick-up points:
• The Oakleys shop on Queen Street 7:30am
   Pick-up point for Nomads, Queen Street Backpackers and Fat Camel
• Kiwi Experience Office, 85 Beach Road 7:00am
   Includes pick-up for Albert Park Backpackers, Frienz and Surf and Snow
Other pick-up points (you must phone us for these locations otherwise the bus won't stop)
• Auckland Central Backpackers (Base Auckland), bus stop at 237 Queen Street 7:20am
   Includes pick-up for Albert Park Backpackers, Frienz and Surf and Snow
• Uni Otago House, bus stop at 385 Queen Street 7:10am
   Includes YHA Auckland International and YHA Auckland City
• Honey Centre - Warkworth 8:30am
• Info Centre - Whangarei 10:15am

Paihia to Cape Reinga to PaihiaPaihia to Cape Reinga to Paihia
Main pick-up point:
• Pipi Patch Lodge 7:15am
   Includes pick up for YHA Lodge 11, Mousetrap, Peppertree, Pickled Parrot, Saltwater Lodge
Other pick-up points (you must phone us for these locations otherwise the bus won’t stop)
• Awesome Adventures Wharf 7:15am
   Includes pick up for Capt’n Bob’s Beachhouse, Centabay and Mairfair Lodge
• Beachside Holiday Park 7:15am
• Waitangi Motor Camp 7:15am

Paihia to AucklandPaihia to Auckland
Main pick-up points:
• Pipi Patch Lodge 3:00pm
   Includes pick up for YHA Lodge 11, Mousetrap, Peppertree, Pickled Parrot, Saltwater Lodge
• Awesome Adventures Wharf 3:00pm
   Includes pick up for Capt’n Bob’s Beachhouse, Centabay and Mairfair Lodge
Other pick-up points (you must phone us for these locations otherwise the bus won’t stop)
• Info Centre Whangarei 4:00pm
• Warkworth 5:25pm

Auckland to Hot Water BeachAuckland to Hot Water Beach
Main pick-up points:
• The Oakleys shop on Queens Street 8:50am
   Includes pick up for Nomads, Queen Street Backpackers and Fat Camel
• Kiwi Experience Office, 85 Beach Road 9:00am
Other pick-up points (you must phone us for these locations otherwise the bus won't stop)
• Auckland Central Backpackers (Base Auckland), bus stop at 237 Queen Street 8:40am
Includes pick up for Albert Park Backpackers and Frienz
• Ponsonby Backpackers 8:10am
• Brown Kiwi Travellers Hostel 8:10am
• Uenuku Ponsonby Backpackers 8:10am
• Surf and Snow 8:20am
   Pick up is at Mexican Cafe
• Uni Otago House, bus stop at 385 Queen Street 8:30am
   Includes YHA Auckland International and YHA Auckland City
• Burger Fuel Parnell 9:00am
   Includes pick up for Lantana Lodge, City Garden Lodge, Leadbetter Lodge, International Backpackers
• Information Centre - Bombay 10:45am
• Thames 12:30pm
• Tairua 1:30pm

Hot Water Beach to WaitomoHot Water Beach to Waitomo
Main pick-up point:
• Hot Water Beach Holiday Park 7:30am
• Otorohanga 11:30am

Waitomo to RotoruaWaitomo to Rotorua
Main pick-up points:
Pick ups may be delayed due to activities.
• Kiwiwpaka - Waitomo 9:00am
• Black Water Cafe 8:45am
   Includes pick up for Junos

Waitomo WandererWaitomo Wanderer
Main pick-up points:
• Base Hot Rocks, Rotorua 7:15am
   Includes pick up for Treks YHA
• Taupo Urban Retreat 7:15am
Other pick-up points (you must phone us for these locations otherwise the bus won’t stop)
Rotorua:
• Kiwipaka 7:15am
• Tourism Rotorua 7:25am
   Includes pick up for Rotorua Central Backpackers and Rotorua Planet Backpackers
• Corner of Hinemoa and Fenton Streets 7:30am
   Includes pick up for Spa Lodge Backpackers, Crank and Crash Palace
• Funky Green Voyager 7:40am
Taupo:
• Berkenhoff's 7:15am
• YHA Taupo 7:15am
• Rainbow Lodge 7:15am
• Tiki Lodge 7:15am
• Info Centre - Taupo 7:15am

Rotorua to TaupoRotorua to Taupo
Main pick-up point:
• Base Hot Rocks 8:45am
   Includes pick up for Treks YHA and Cactus Jacks
Other pick-up points (you must phone us for these locations otherwise the bus won’t stop)
• Corner of Hinemoa and Fenton Streets 8:50am
   Includes pick up for Rotorua Central Backpackers, Spa Lodge Backpackers, Crank and Crash Palace
• Rotorua Downtown/Info Centre 8:50am
• Funky Green Voyager 8:55am
• Kiwipaka 9:00am

Taupo to River ValleyTaupo to River Valley
Main pick-up points:
• Base Taupo 9:30am
   Pick up is at Breakers Cafe
Other pick-up points (you must phone us for these locations otherwise the bus won’t stop)
• Taupo Urban Retreat 9:25am
• Tiki Lodge 9:25am
• YHA 9:25am
• Go Global 9:30am
• Berkenhoff’s 9:35am
• Rainbow Lodge 9:40am
• Blackcurrent Backpackers 9:40am
• Sunset Lodge 9:45am
* TIMES MAY VARY FOR THE FOLLOWING PICKUPS SO ALWAYS RECONFIRM WITH KIWI EXPERIENCE BEFORE DEPARTURE.
• Turangi 10:55am
• Information Centre - Whakapapa 2:00pm
• National Park 2:30pm
• Alpine Motel Ohakune 3:00pm

River Valley to WellingtonRiver Valley to Wellington
Main pick-up point:
• River Valley 1:00pm
Other pick-up points (you must phone us for these locations otherwise the bus won’t stop)
• Levin 3:30pm

Wellington to Picton and KaiteriteriWellington to Picton and Kaiteriteri
PICKUP TIMES CAN VARY DUE TO THE INTERISLANDER FERRY SCHEDULE
Main pick-up point:
• Wellington YHA 7:15am
   Includes pick up for Base Backpackers, Beethovens, Rowena’s, Maple Lodge, Wellywood Backpackers, Trekkers
Other pick-up points (you must phone us for these locations otherwise the bus won’t stop)
• Nomads Capital 7:20am
• Wide World Backpackers 7:20am
   Pick Up is at Bus Stop outside UStay Apartments 237-243 Willis Street (near the church on the corner fo Dixon Street)
   Includes pick up for Rosemere
• Lodge in the City 7:20am
• Downtown Backpackers 7:25am
• Picton Ferry Terminal 12:00pm
• Nelson i-site 2:00pm

Wellington to TaupoWellington to Taupo
Main pick-up point:
• Wellington YHA 8:00am
   Pick up is at the YHA on Cambridge Terrace Includes pick up for Base Backpackers, Wellywood Backpackers, Cambridge Hotel, Maple Lodge and Beethoven’s and Trekkers
Other pick-up points (you must phone us for these locations otherwise the bus won’t stop)
• Nomads Capital 8:05am
• Lodge in the City 8:05am
• Wide World Backpackers 8:15am
   Pick Up is at Bus Stop outside UStay Apartments 237-243 Willis Street (near the church on the corner fo Dixon Street)
   Includes pick up for Rosemere
• Downtown Backpackers 8:20am
• Paraparaumu Bus Stop 8:45am
• Countdown (Ngaio Rd) - Waikanae 8:55am
• Info Centre - Otaki 9:05am
• Info Centre - Levin 9:20am
• Bulls 10:00am
• Sanson 10:30am
• Info Centre - Taihape 11:30am
• Turangi 1:45pm

Taupo via Rotorua to AucklandTaupo via Rotorua to Auckland
Main pick-up point:
• Base Taupo 8:55am
   Pick up is at Breakers Cafe
 
Other pick-up points (you must phone us for these locations otherwise the bus won’t stop)
• Sunset Lodge 8:30am
• Taupo Urban Retreat 8:50am
• Go Global 8:55am
• Tiki Lodge 9:00am
• Taupo YHA 9:05am
• Rainbow Lodge 9:10am
• Berkenhoff’s 9:10am
• Blackcurrent Backpackers 9:10am
• Rotorua Hostels 10:35am
• Matamata Info Centre 12:00pm

NZ - South Island Timetable

Kaiteriteri to WestportKaiteriteri to Westport
Main pick-up point:
• Kaiteri Lodge 12:30pm

Westport to Lake MahinapuaWestport to Lake Mahinapua
Main pick-up point:
• YHA Bazils 9:00am
Other pick-up points (you must phone us for these locations otherwise the bus won’t stop)
• Trippins 9:00am
• Punakaiki Hostels 12:00pm
• Greymouth Railway Station 2:00pm
• Greymouth Info Centre & Hostels 2:00pm
• Hokitika Info Centre 3:15pm

Lake Mahinapua to Franz JosefLake Mahinapua to Franz Josef
Main pick-up point:
• Mahinapua Hotel 9:30am

Franz Josef to WanakaFranz Josef to Wanaka
Main pick-up point:
• Rainforest Retreat 7:30am
Other pick-up points (you must phone us for these locations otherwise the bus won’t stop)
• Chateau Franz 7:30am
• Glowworm Cottage 7:30am
• Montrose 7:30am
• YHA 7:30am
• Fox Glacier Alpine Guides 8:30am
• Ivory Towers 8:30am
• Copland Track 11:00am
• Info Centre - Haast 11:00am

Wanaka to QueenstownWanaka to Queenstown
Main pick-up point:
• Base Wanaka 9:00am
   Includes pick up for Purple Cow YHA
Other pick-up points (you must phone us for these locations otherwise the bus won’t stop)
• Holly’s Hotel 9:00am
• Wanaka Hostel 9:00am
• Wanaka Campground 9:00am
• Matterhorn South 9:05am
• Wanaka Backpackers 9:05am
• Puzzling World 10:45am

Milford ExplorerMilford Explorer
YOU MUST RECONFIRM YOUR PICKUP LOCATION FROM QUEENSTOWN TO ENSURE WE HAVE YOUR CORRECT DETAILS
Main pick-up point:
• Nomads Queenstown 7:45am
• Base Discovery Lodge 7:55am
   Includes pick up for Info and Track Centre, YHA Central, Downtown Backpackers, Last Resort, Southern Laughter, Alpine Lodge, Hippo Lodge
Other pick-up points (you must phone us for these locations otherwise the bus won’t stop)
• Creeksyde Top10 Holiday Park 7:40am
   Includes pick up for Pinewood Lodge and Flaming Kiwi
• YHA - Lakefront 7:45am
• Crown Plaza (for Bumbles Backpackers) 7:45am
• Stanley Street bus stop 8:00am
   Includes pick up for Bungi Backpackers and The Black Sheep
• Frankton Bus Shelter 8:10am
• Te Anau – Pop Inn Café 10:30am
• The Divide (towards Milford Sound) - Routeburn 12:00pm
• Milford Sound Wharf 3:55pm
• The Divide (towards Te Anau) - Routeburn 4:15pm
• Te Anau - Pop Inn Café 5:00pm

Queenstown to Dunedin (Bottom Bus)Queenstown to Dunedin (Bottom Bus)
Main pick-up point:
• Base Discovery Lodge 10:30am
   Includes pick up for Southern Laughter, YHA Central, Downtown Backpackers, Alpine Lodge and Last Resort
Other pick-up points (you must phone us for these locations otherwise the bus won’t stop)
• Pinewood Lodge, Alpine Lodge, Decos, Butterfly Lodge From 10:30am
   Includes pick up for Flaming Kiwi
• Nomads Queenstown From 10:30am
• YHA Lakefront, Bumbles From 10:30am
• Black Sheep From 11:00am
   Includes pick up for Bungy Backpackers
• Cromwell Tour Park 12:15am
• Info Centre Alexandra 12:45am

Dunedin via Curio Bay to InvercargillDunedin via Curio Bay to Invercargill
Main pick-up points:
Pick ups must be confirmed day before departure.
• Manor House, YHA Dunedin, Pennys, Chalet 7:30am
• Elm Lodge, Hogwartz Backpackers 7:35am
• Next Stop, Visitors Centre 7:40am
• On Top Backpackers, Dunedin Central 7:45am
• Dunedin Railway Station 8:00am
• Balclutha I-site 9:00am
• Kaka Point Store 10:00am
• Owaka Pub 1:00pm
• Papatowai Store From 1:30pm
• McLean Falls: Whistling Frog Cafe From 2:30pm
• Curio Bay Campground From 5:30pm

Invercargill to Milford to QueenstownInvercargill to Milford to Queenstown
Main pick-up points:
• Southern Comfort Backpackers, Invercargill I-site 7:15am
• Kackling Kea 7:25am
• Tuatara Backpackers 7:30am
• Five Rivers 9:15am
• Te Anau: Pop Inn Cafe 10:15am
• Milford Sound: The Wharf 4:00pm
• Te Anau: Pop Inn Cafe 5:00pm

Queenstown to ChristchurchQueenstown to Christchurch
YOU MUST RECONFIRM YOUR PICKUP LOCATION FROM QUEENSTOWN TO ENSURE WE HAVE YOUR CORRECT DETAILS
Main pick-up point:
• Nomads Queenstown 8:10am
• Base Discovery Lodge 8:30am
   Includes pick up for Info and Track Centre, YHA Central, Downtown Backpackers, Last Resort, Southern Laughter
Other pick-up points (you must phone us for these locations otherwise the bus won’t stop)
• Creeksyde Top 10 Holiday Park 8:00am
   Includes pick up for Pinewood Lodge and Flaming Kiwi
• YHA - Lakefront 8:10am
• Crown Plaza (for Bumbles Backpackers) 8:20am
• Stanley Street bus stop 8:35am
   Includes pick up for Bungi Backpackers and The Black Sheep
• Frankton Bus Shelter 8:45am
• Cromwell Tour Coach Park 9:30am
• Info Centre - Twizel 11:30am
• Tekapo Shell Station 12:30pm
• Info Centre - Geraldine 2:00pm

Christchurch to KaikouraChristchurch to Kaikoura
Pick-up points (you must call Kiwi Experience Reservations if you wish to be picked up from these locations):
• Jailhouse 7:20am
   Pick up is at bus stop on corner of Bernard St and Lincoln Road
• YMCA and YHA pick-up Montreal St. (opposite Art Gallery) 7:35am
• Bus stop At The Right Place 7:40am
   Includes pick up for Kiwi Basecamp, At the Right Place, Rucksacker and Dorset house
• Around the World 7:45am
   Includes pick up for Vagabond and Chester Street Backpackers
• Old Country House 7:50am
   Includes pick up for Kiwi House and Drifters
This service will meet up with the Queenstown to Christchurch service at Denton Park, Hornby Junction, before continuing to Kaikoura.

Kaikoura to WellingtonKaikoura to Wellington
Main pick-up point:
• Top Spot 8:40am
Other pick-up points (you must phone us for these locations otherwise the bus won’t stop)
• K's Backpackers 8:40am
• Albatross Backpackers 8:40am
• Dolphin Lodge 8:40am
• YHA - Maui 8:45am
• Info Centre 9:15am
• Fish Tank Lodge 8:50am
   Includes pick up for Adelphi Lodge
• Lazy Shag 9:00am
• Moby Dix 9:00am
• Dusky Lodge 9:00am
• Blenheim Railway Station 11:00am


Amazing photos
Kiwiana

One of the first things you’ll notice about arriving in New Zealand is our local slang. Much of it originates from our unique rural and Maori heritage. Here’s one to get you started:

PHRASE:
Tiki-tour

TRANSLATION:
A sightseeing drive without any formal plans

Current special!
Current special offer
Offer ends 3rd June
Travel FAQ

Is it safe to hitch-hike?
Despite the friendly Kiwi nature we strongly advise against hitch-hiking. It just makes sense to eliminate any possible risk.