If you are planning a New Zealand North Island itinerary, 14 days is the ideal amount of time. New Zealand is a beautiful country that enjoys that enjoys year-round tourism.
I spent several months living, working and backpacking in New Zealand. I discovered that the Stray bus tour is an excellent way to explore this country, if you’re a solo traveller like me. You can buy a fully flexible pass allowing you to hop on and off where you like on your route. It’s also a lot of fun.
Here’s my experience of the North Island Stray bus tour.
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Preparing for a New Zealand North Island itinerary of 14 days
Looking out of the aeroplane window as we prepared for our descent into Auckland, I was gobsmacked. New Zealand was giving me velvety green rolling hills, dark mossy trees and mile-long stretches of blonde beaches.
Having flown to Auckland from London via Hong Kong, this flight had taken me halfway around the world. Once at my hostel, I had to navigate my new surroundings while feeling spaced-out and woozy thanks to jetlag. Then I took a ‘power nap’ that lasted 13 hours (whoops). Finally, I was refreshed and ready to get started. I had booked a bus tour departing the next day, to take me on a multi-stop trip to explore New Zealand’s North Island for 14 days.
There’s a great group atmosphere on the Stray New Zealand bus tour with about 30 travellers, aged around 25-35. You’re looked after by a driver full of personality and local knowledge (and sometimes ludicrously bad jokes). Stray organises all the accommodation, trips and activity options, including scenic stops and even a gumboot throwing competition en route.
For two weeks, I explored the North Island. Here are some highlights – and some memorable incidents.
Lazing in a hot water beach at the Coromandel Peninsula
First, we landed on Hot Water Beach. Toe-hoppingly steaming hot water springs give the beach its name. We took shovels and crafted a carefully engineered wall of sand to keep the hot springs inside.
Our hard work was rewarded as we luxuriously bathed in our warm pool in the sunshine. Then we dried off with a stroll to the gorgeous neighbouring Cathedral Cove, named after its natural arches of stone.
Whitewater rafting in Rotorua
This was something I’d always wanted to do, even though I was nervous.
As we plummeted down New Zealand’s highest whitewater rafting waterfall, I managed to split open my eyebrow. It bled profusely and I looked like an extra from a horror movie for a while.
The Stray driver gave me first aid and made sure I was OK. Now I have a small scar, or life-mark as a barman nicknamed it a few days later. A visible memento of my Kiwi adventures.
Despite everything, it was a fun day. I even tried whitewater rafting again on the South Island, which you can read about here.
Gazing at glow-worms in the Waitomo Caves
During a guided walk through one of the caves, a local expert introduced us to their famous glow-worm inhabitants and given a little history about the area.
On our way to another one we saw the area’s resident – a surprisingly huge long-finned eel – before sailing gently through this cave on a boat. Blue-hued dots of glow-worms all around us lit our way, which was simply magical.
The tour was called Spellbound, and that we were. We all started singing Coldplay songs in the eerie darkness as we waited for the next boat to return, which I’m sure the worms appreciated.
Learning about Maori culture at Lake Aniwhenua
After an introduction to Maori culture the evening before, complete with haka and dance demonstrations, we had a more intimate cultural insight on our next stop.
At Lake Aniwhenua, we met Morris, a Maori tribe elder. He talked about the land our bus was driving through and showed us 900-year-old ancestral rock carvings.
We stayed with his welcoming family at their home by the beautiful lake. They cooked us a traditional Maori dinner cooked in a hangi dug into the earth and heated by hot rocks.
As the sun set, Morris sat and told us tales of his tribe’s history. This including their penchant for eel hunting and scoffing the brains of their rivals in battle. He kindly answered all our questions.
It was a very peaceful and enriching stop on an otherwise fairly hectic tour.
Cycling around Lake Taupo
At Lake Taupo, I hopped off the bus to relax for a couple of nights. A friend from home had raved about this charming town, so I wanted to check it out.
The sun was shining as I indulged in a massage to soothe my backpack-carrying muscles. I also took a Pilates class.
Then, I cycled round the stunning Lake Taupo, passing young families and dogs playing at the water’s edge.
Hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Despite my initial worries about tiring out halfway through, I comfortably completed the 19.4km Tongariro Alpine Crossing hike.
It took us up the steep ‘Devil’s Staircase’, over the 1900 metre high Mount Tongariro. Its giant red craters looked like the surface of Mars.
We passed luminous blue lakes and through steaming geo-thermal grassy valleys, forests and streams. On the way, we encountered sunshine, hail showers and plenty of fog mysteriously shrouding everything around us.
After this epic walk, the team gave us chocolate and beers. It has never tasted so good.
A few days later, I was horrified when both of my big toenails fell off. The Stray driver assured this is normal for long distance hikers. It could be partly down to my new hiking boots that I hadn’t worn in yet. Thankfully, my nails grew back pretty quickly.
Side trip to the South Island: Wellington
My return visit to New Zealand’s capital really warmed me to the place. It was no doubt to do with the summer weather (give me a bit of blue skies and sunshine and I’m happy). Also the new friends I’ve made here. I took some time out to enjoy the city’s rich café and bar culture and soak up its alternative, artsy scene.
Final thoughts on the New Zealand North Island itinerary: 14 days
What a ride! I loved the Stray bus adventures – seeing and doing things I’ve never done before. It’s really a great way to go backpacking New Zealand alone, because your fellow passengers become your friends.
After all the excitement, I put the rest of the planned itinerary and high octane activities on hold for a while, in favour of relaxing and recuperating in the warm, windy city of Wellington.
This is the beauty of the Stray New Zealand passes. There are no obligations and you are free to hop on and hop off as you please as you explore this wonderful country.
Now, read about my adventures on New Zealand’s South Island here.