Are you one of those people who have done Europe and Asia but still don’t know how amazing New Zealand is? Or maybe you’d like to travel, but it all just seems too nerve-wracking or expensive. Taking a bus tour around Godzone could be right up your alley.
Why take a bus tour?
There are plenty of reasons to tour New Zealand by coach or bus, the first one being that on lots of tours, everything is arranged for you – destinations, accommodation, meals, you name it. You’re also likely to have a tour guide who sorts out any problems, and gives an informative running commentary as you go.
Two more bus-touring benefits are making friends and keeping to a budget. You’ll sit with others as you travel, and you can mix and mingle until you find the right fit, and even make life-long friends. Coach tours range from low-cost to the height of luxury, so you have a wide choice. Whichever tour you take, you’ll know that souvenir-shopping aside, there won’t be any unexpected expenses, because you’ve paid for it all in advance.
Buses are cost-effective
Compared to other ways of touring, going by bus is easier on the wallet. It’s also a great way to visit family and friends – you can read or sleep while someone else drives. It’s also a much cheaper way to travel, especially when you compare all the mileage your car might do to those $1 tickets that pop up now and then!
The things you could see
New Zealand has more unique features and breath-taking scenery per square kilometre than anywhere else. A bus can take you where you want to go – Ninety Mile Beach up north, the Hobbiton Movie Set outside Matamata, the boiling mud pools of Whakarewarewa in Rotorua, North Island’s active volcano Ruapehu, the South Island’s majestic Southern Alps, gorgeous Milford Sound (where you might want to get out and walk), winery tours of Marlborough and Central Otago, the wilderness of Doubtful Sound, all that Queenstown has to offer, and so much more. Both islands boast stunning glow-worm caves, deep lakes, luxurious hot pools and any number of beaches. Or you can catch a bus to Kaikoura and go whale-watching.
Tips for choosing the right coach tour
Decide on your must-haves
Make a list of the aspects of a tour that are most important to you. Do you need privacy and comfort at night, or can you sleep in a tent? Would you like everything laid on, or do you prefer to stay independent with a hop-on hop-off type of tour? Do you have specific dietary requirements, or will fish and chips do? If your time’s limited, you might want to pack in as many sights and destinations as possible. Any of these considerations could make or break your holiday if you don’t think about them ahead of time.
What can you afford?
The level of luxury on your tour will obviously depend on what you can afford. On the other hand, it may be worth the money if the tour you choose takes you to all the right places and includes activities you love. In that case, cost takes a back seat to thorough enjoyment.
Where do you want to go?
This could be important if there are specific places you’ve dreamed about visiting. Tracing family history or tramping famous trails, wine-tasting or fruit picking – whatever you want to do, there’s probably a tour that includes it.
However, sometimes, you don’t know what you don’t know. Lots of New Zealand bus tours offer wonderful surprises, even to seasoned travellers, because this little country is packed with hidden beauties and astonishing marvels.
What about other travellers?
Touring companies often have a general age group they cater for. Some run tours that attract people over 50, and others include activities that suit families or young adults. Remember that you’ll be on a bus for some time most days, and other passengers can be like-minded – or not. You might prefer to travel with people of your own age, or you may like to mix things up a bit. Having younger people or children around can be energising, while older people can add an interesting layer of experience to a trip.
You’ve got your wish-list and budget – now what?
Talk to a professional
One way of finding exactly the right bus tour is to consult a travel agent. They have extensive access – not just to all the touring companies, but to any specials or one-off events. They’ll find you a tour to fit your budget and make all the arrangements. If you’re looking for a holiday with everything laid on, it’s a good way to start.
DIY planning
Maybe you’re a ‘Googler’, and prefer to do your own research. To start you off, you can try the Backpacker Guide – you don’t have to be a backpacker to find what you want! There are all kinds of options and plenty of advice if you haven’t travelled much.
Hop on board and go
However you choose to organise your coach tour, just reading to this point means you’ve taken the first step to a trip that can take you to beauties and marvels all around New Zealand. It could be just the affordable, unforgettable experience you’re looking for!