Stray New Zealand Essentials - Freestyle Travel Pass

Stray New Zealand Essentials - Freestyle Travel Pass

If you want to see all the Essential parts of New Zealand, and you've got 22+ days to explore, then the Essentials Freestyle Pass is for you! Starting from Auckland, you'll dig your own spa pool at Hot Water Beach, see bubbling mud and hobbits in Rotorua, hike NZ's best day walk at the Tongariro Crossing and explore the culture of the world's coolest little capital in Wellington.

Heading to the South Island, you'll relax on the golden sand beaches of Abel Tasman National Park, before discovering the glaciers and rainforest of the wild West Coast. See the stunning views of Wanaka, before living out your wildest dreams in Queenstown. Heading up to Mount Cook, stay at the base of NZ's highest mountain. Go white water rafting or horse riding in Rangitata and explore street art in Christchurch. Check out the wildlife mecca of Kaikoura before heading back up to finish in Auckland!

You can hop on and off the route anywhere you like for up to 12 months, so you can see more and do more!

Auckland to Hahei

Depart Auckland to Hahei, Coromandel

Free Day Hahei

Hahei to Rotorua

Leaving Hahei we head to Rotorua, an area rich in Maori heritage

Free Day Rotorua

Rotorua to Lake Aniwhenua

Stay at the stunning Lake Aniwhenua and learn more about Maori traditions as well as how to prepare a ‘Hangi’

Lake Aniwhenua (via Taupo) to Blue Duck Station

Our destination is Blue Duck Station, a remote high country conservation farm 

Free Day Blue Duck Station

Blue Duck Station (via Tongariro) to Raetihi

Today, hike the epic Tongariro Alpine Crossing and spend the night in an historic Nurses Home in Raetihi

Raetihi to Wellington

Depart to the vibrant Capital City!

Wellington to Marahau (Abel Tasmann)

Catch an early Bluebridge Ferry to Picton then we'll make our way to Marahau, right on the edge of Abel Tasman

Free Day Marahau (Abel Tasman)

Marahau (Abel Tasman) to Franz Josef

Depart early for a full day of sight seeing and then head to the home of the mighty Franz Josef Glacier 

Free Day Franz Josef

Franz Josef (via Fox Glacier) to Wanaka

Today, travel through the mountainous Haast Pass and Makarora towards Wanaka

Wanaka to Queenstown

Travel to Queenstown, known in New Zealand as the ‘Adventure Capital of the World’

Free Day Queenstown

Queenstown (via Milford Sound) to Gunn’s Camp

Milford Sound is one of NZ’s most famous destinations, sometimes referred to as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’. Later we go to our Stray overnight stop, Gunn’s Camp.

Gunn’s Camp to Invercargill/Stewart Island

Travel further south to Invercargill and on to Bluff, where you can catch a ferry to Stewart Island

Invercargill/Stewart Island to Queenstown

In the late afternoon we take an express journey back to Queenstown.

Queenstown to Aoraki/Mt Cook

Head to New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki/Mt Cook

Mt Cook (via Tekapo) to Rangitata

Continue to our overnight stop in Rangitata Peel Forest.

Rangitata to Christchurch

Find some of New Zealand’s most modern architecture nestled next to some of our oldest buildings in Christchurch

Christchurch to Kaikoura

Travel up the coast to the incredible marine world of Kaikoura

Kaikoura (via Picton) to Wellington

Those heading to Wellington will catch the Ferry

Wellington (via Raetihi) to Auckland