Some Packages That Ease Your Way Into New Zealand

The Youth Hostel Assn. of New Zealand (YHANZ) has introduced budget gateway packages to help travel-weary international adventurers land softly in New Zealand.

If you are arriving via Auckland, the Auckland City Discover Pass, which costs $65, provides transportation from the airport to the 153-bed, centrally located City YHA; three nights’ accommodation in a twin-share room; an Explorer Bus Pass (the bus travels on an hourly circuit of the city, stopping at 10 major tourist sites); plus a return ferry ride to the village of Devonport, where there are shops and restaurants.

The Christchurch City Discover Pass, which costs $60, includes transportation from the airport to the 127-bed modern Central YHA, three nights’ accommodation in a twin-share room, a day pass for the historic sightseeing trams that circle the city (stopping at major attractions every 20 to 30 minutes) and a pass for a scenic gondola ride.

YHANZ is a national network of 59 budget-accommodation hostels affiliated with Hostelling International. The YHANZ network is considered one of the best in the world. In addition to gateway packages, YHANZ also has arranged packages that incorporate coach and rail, car rental or backpacker bus transportation with vouchers for use in any of its hostels. The idea is to provide basic accommodation and transportation but leave the independent traveler with lots of flexibility.

You can purchase a package with youth hostel accommodations and a pass for the national backpacker bus service, Magic Travellers Network (https://www.magicbus.co.nz). The vouchers can be used in any of the YHANZ hostels whenever you want, and the bus pass is valid for six months. The package also includes transportation from the international airport when you arrive.

Magic’s passengers are picked up and dropped off at hostel doors. But the company provides more than transportation; the driver-guide also makes stops at tourist sites en route. You can take up to six months to complete your journey. Buses serve each stop at least twice a week (more often in summer).

The main competitor to Magic Travellers Network is Kiwi Experience (https://www.ozex.com.au), which tends to draw younger independent travelers and can, because of its size, provide more route options and, depending on the route, more frequent service.

The “Full New Zealand” package with a voucher for 14 nights’ accommodation and a Magic transportation pass valid at key destinations on both islands is $380. For 21 nights it’s $476, and for 28 nights it’s $535. Versions with more limited transportation routes also are available. Rates will drop about $21.50 per week starting in April.

The YHANZ packages must be purchased before you arrive in New Zealand, and you must be an affiliated member of Hostelling International. For more details or information, or for information on YHANZ car rental, coach/rail packages or three-day hiking/sea kayaking trips, contact YHANZ National Reservation Centre, P.O. Box 68-149, Auckland, New Zealand; telephone 011-64-9-303-9524, Internet https://www.yha.org.nz.