New Zealand’s Busing Issues

In New Zealand, backpackers are recognized as such a valuable segment of the tourism industry that more and more services are being developed to cater to their needs, including special buses.

The ICE bus service provides point-to-point transportation for backpackers between popular tourist sites throughout the country. One of the perks offered to passengers is getting accommodations pre-booked at hostels en route . The ICE buses drop off and pick up passengers at the hostels.

Between Auckland and the thermal region of Rotorua the fare is $35.25. Travel between Christchurch and Queenstown costs from $34.65, depending on the route you choose. These prices are valid until April 1, 1995.

Kiwi Experience is a backpacker’s bus service that offers tickets for specific routes. Passengers can stop en route , taking three and six months to complete their journeys. The 41-passenger Kiwi Experience buses also drop off and pick up at backpacker hostels where beds are available at an average rate of $6.30 to $10 per night.

Kiwi Experience packages are available with and without backpacker accommodations. For example, the “Dog Leg” package takes passengers from Auckland, Rotorua and Taupo on the North Island to Christchurch, Queenstown and the Franz Josef Glacier on the South Island for $205. The minimum time you would need to cover this route using the bus service is 13 days (you could take up to six months to complete the journey if you want). If you want to pre-purchase 14 nights of backpacker accommodations, the cost would be an additional $151. These prices are valid until October.

For more information on the ICE bus service or Kiwi Experience, contact them at 36 Custom St., P.O. Box 1553, Auckland, New Zealand; telephone 011-64-9-366-1665.

The Youth Hostel Assn. of New Zealand (YHANZ) offers two types of packages that combine hostel accommodations and economical transportation.

The YHANZ Travelpass package allows you to use the services of InterCity Coachlines, New Zealand Rail passenger services and the Interisland ferry. A Travelpass for eight days of travel within a three-week period plus 14 nights hostel accommodations costs $425. A Travelpass for 15 days within a five-week period plus 21 nights accommodation is $557. A Travelpass valid for 22 days of travel within eight weeks plus 28 nights of accommodations is $748. Rates may rise in April.

The Magic Network packages include passes that are valid for six months of coach travel along a route covering both islands and YHA accommodations. The full network pass (valid up to six months) with 14 nights accommodations is $384, with 21 nights, $454, and with 28 nights, $519. Prices will decrease slightly in April because it is low season.

For details, contact the YHA Holiday Shoppe, P.O. Box 1687, Auckland, New Zealand; tel. 011-64-9-379-4224.