Where will you be sleeping tomorrow night? Travel with Kiwi Experience and it could be a remote adventure lodge, a historic West Coast pub with its own secluded beach or an isolated farm owned and run by local Maori. Rather than sticking just to New Zealand backpackers and hostels, we take you to ‘out there’ places where you can get amongst the locals and experience Kiwi hospitality at its best.
Finding somewhere great to stay is never a problem with us and neither is booking it. We can guarantee your first nights accommodation at every overnight stop even in the height of summer, and our Driver Guides can even book it for you. Too easy! Did we mention the accommodation discounts?
After 18 years in the game we reckon we know where all the great New Zealand backpackers and hostels are. Travel with Kiwi Experience and you’ll get to stay in some awesome places that you wouldn’t find by yourself. Here are a few examples of the kinds of places you’ll only see with us:
Te Kaha Homestead Lodge
The Homestead Lodge at Te Kaha is right on the beach and has to be seen to be believed. The O’Brien whanau (family) are known for their legendary hospitality and you’ll definitely feel welcomed here. There’s also a hot tub which is fantastic to chill out in (or warm up in) while watching the sun set and the stars come out.
Eastender Farmstay, Rangitukia
Rangitukia is a long, long way from all the hustle and bustle of the city, and is renowned for its scenery, hospitality and friendly environment. Get involved in farming activities like feeding the pigs and horses, and shifting cows and sheep on horse back. See breathtaking views of untouched coastal beaches, native bush and hill country farmland.
River Valley Adventure Lodge, Taihape
River Valley is an adventure lodge, offering outdoor adventures and activities including rafting, horse trekking, river journeys, kayaking, and the River Valley Spa complex. It’s a combination of everything - adventure, atmosphere, fun, great food, beautiful surroundings and friendly staff. Get outside, explore, take part, immerse yourself in the surroundings and enjoy the River Valley culture.
Mahinapua Hotel
A legendary West Coast pub with 83 year old Les as your host. This is definitely an experience you will remember when you’re as old as Les and no doubt stories from the dress up party, group dinner, glow-worm walks and wild Mahinapua beach will become an essential part of your ‘when I was in New Zealand’ story. An experience only Kiwi Experience passengers will have.
Great New Zealand backpackers & hostels
In addition to the unique accommodation above Kiwi Experience also stops at more popular (and populated) towns and cities. Here we recommend some of the best New Zealand backpackers and hostels the country has to offer. With the entire bus getting along great guns all the passengers usually decide to stay together at the same place. However, you’re always more than welcome to stay somewhere else and our Driver Guides can help you with this.
Kiwi Experience has guaranteed accommodation in every overnight stop every time we go there. This means that even when the rest of the world seems to be travelling through New Zealand, we can still guarantee every backpacker and traveller who travels with us a bed. That’s pretty important since you’ll need to be well rested for tomorrow, where there’ll be heaps of great experiences ahead.
When you travel with Kiwi Experience you can book accommodation yourself or sit back and relax as your Driver Guide rings ahead and does it for you.
To put the icing on the cake, your fantastic New Zealand backpackers hostel - and guarenteed bed - also usually come with a discount on top. If you're lucky there will probably also be a cheap meal deal on offer too with some local produce or latest catch fron the sea.