Reviews and travel ratings on Kiwi Experience in New Zealand (74% from 84 reviews) Your legendary hop-on, hop-off bus adventure
North Island > Auckland > Auckland City
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Kiwi Experience is New Zealand's original hop-on, hop-off backpacker bus tour operator.
We have an extensive network, with lots of great inclusions and some of the greatest Driver Guides in the industry. We don't call ourselves "legends of the road" for nothing!!!
We're 20 this year, and we're quite chuffed about. As part of the celebrations, we've re launched our website: http://www.kiwiexperience.com/ check out our gnarley prizes up for grabs!!!
***Specials***
This one is a bit of a mouth full but the gist of it is you'll get to travel nearly the whole of New Zealand for only $549.
When you buy a Southern Round Up for only $549 (discount of $50), we'll give you the Northern Round Up and the Awesome passes FREE!
Save $698! - Find out more:http://www.kiwiexperience.com/nz-bus-travel-specials.aspx
***facebook***
If you're a facebook officianado, then look us up. We have a brand new Fan page at http://www.facebook.com/officialkiwiexperiencefanpage
We look forward to reading your posts!
If you've been here before, or coming here soon - we hope that your New Zealand experience is a Sweet As one!
Email: [email protected]
Website: Kiwi Experience
Phone: 09 336 4286
Phone (intl): +64 9 336 4286
Auckland City Address:
85 Beach Road Auckland 1140
Rangitoto Island Scenic Reserve walk
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86%(out of 100)
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Muriwai Gannet Colony
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73%(out of 100)
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Te Henga Walkway - Waimauku
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72%(out of 100)
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Goldie Bush Walkway - Waimauku
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72%(out of 100)
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Coast to Coast Walkway - Auckland
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68%(out of 100)
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Hillary Trail - Waitakere Ranges
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57%(out of 100)
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Mangatawhiri Challenge Track - Hunua Ranges
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51%(out of 100)
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Moumoukai Farm Track - Hunua Ranges
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Valley Loop Track - Hunua Ranges
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Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk
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Cape Reinga Walk
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90%(out of 100)
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Tongariro Alpine Crossing
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90%(out of 100)
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Mount Taranaki Summit Track - Egmont National Park
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90%(out of 100)
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Cape Kidnappers Walk
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89%(out of 100)
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Waitomo Walkway - Ruakuri Caves & Bush Scenic Reserve
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89%(out of 100)
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Ohakune Old Coach Road - NZ Cycle Trail
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86%(out of 100)
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The Redwoods - Mountain Bike tracks
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82%(out of 100)
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Mangapurua Track - Bridge to Nowhere - NZ Cycle Trail
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77%(out of 100)
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Ohakune Mountain Road - Cycling
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74%(out of 100)
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Rotary Ride: Spa Thermal Park to Huka Falls
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66%(out of 100)
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42nd Traverse - NZ Cycle Trail
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63%(out of 100)
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Wharariki Beach walking track - Farewell Spit & Puponga Farm Park
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Oparara Arch walk - Oparara Basin
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95%(out of 100)
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Split Apple Rock beach access track
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94%(out of 100)
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Purakaunui Falls walk - Catlins
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93%(out of 100)
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Milford Track - Fiordland National Park
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Nugget Point Walk
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92%(out of 100)
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Otago Central Rail Trail
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89%(out of 100)
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McLeans Island Park and tracks
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74%(out of 100)
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Queen Charlotte Track - Cycling
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71%(out of 100)
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Dun Mountain Mountain Bike Trail
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69%(out of 100)
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Rameka Track - Takaka Hill
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68%(out of 100)
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Hanmer Springs Mountain Bike Trails
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65%(out of 100)
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Miranda Hot Springs |
87%(out of 100)
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Waiwera Infinity Thermal Spa Resort |
60%(out of 100)
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Kaitoke Hot Springs Track
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46%(out of 100)
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Aquatic Park Parakai Springs |
39%(out of 100)
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Palm Springs Hot Pools |
7%(out of 100)
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New Zealand National Maritime Museum - Auckland |
88%(out of 100)
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Auckland Museum |
82%(out of 100)
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Auckland Museum of Transport and Technology |
63%(out of 100)
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BeesOnline Honey Centre & Cafe |
16%(out of 100)
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Crystal Mountain |
0%(out of 100)
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Miranda Holiday Park |
92%(out of 100)
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Whangateau Holiday Park |
85%(out of 100)
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Orewa Beach Top 10 Holiday Park |
82%(out of 100)
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Avondale Motor Camp |
79%(out of 100)
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Remuera Motor Lodge & Inner City Camping Ground |
78%(out of 100)
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Takapuna Beach Holiday Park |
78%(out of 100)
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Tawharanui Regional Park Camping Ground |
88%(out of 100)
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Te Haruhi Bay Camping Ground - Shakespear Regional Park |
77%(out of 100)
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Wenderholm Camping Ground - Wenderholm Regional Park |
70%(out of 100)
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Ambury Park Camping Ground - Mangere |
67%(out of 100)
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Medlands Beach Camping Ground - Oruawharo Creek Recreation Reserve |
66%(out of 100)
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Beach Front Camping Ground - Tapapakanga |
61%(out of 100)
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Miron & Hendrik
Ranking: 4/10
Do the little tours - big ones too expensive. Some booking problems.
Do the little tours - big ones too expensive. Some booking problems.
Jay Kenway
Ranking: 7/10
Enjoyed the Kiwi Experience a lot but there are a few things which mean I would think twice about doing it again.
1) Ne…
Enjoyed the Kiwi Experience a lot but there are a few things which mean I would think twice about doing it again.
1) Nelson and Queenstown are the bottle necks and it is very easy to get stuck there, kiwi don't care if you have a flight to catch or how long in advance you requested it. Some way to allocate you a seat on a $1000 bus pass! In the end despite trying to reserve a bus out of Queenstown a week in advance they put us on Standby and we had to pay extra to go with a different firm. Not good enough Kiwi.
2) I was absolutely shocked at the drivers behaviour He allowed people both to sit on the floor because the bus was full and also the courier seat was used nearly everyday, both of these are illegal and the driver even commented "no sitting on the floor tomorrow guys, you'll have to get a different bus, there is a good chance I'll get pulled going into Queenstown"
3) Don't pay the price on the website. You will probably get at least 30 percent off in NZ, both islands for $420 which is less than just a one island pass for example. Majorly pissed when I realised I was the only one who paid full price.
4) The activities they take you to and do are very very very expensive
Other than that, i think they take you to more places and show you more stuff and give a lot more commentary than people make out. Yes at night it is a party bus but this wasn't forced and many people opted out of the drinking and pub crawls and had a good time. Had a really good time and I'm giving them a 7, just wanted to highlight some of the problems you can have with them and I was genuinely suprised how such a big operator didn't seem to know what was going on re bus spaces and allocating you a day to travel and the whole having people on the floor/courier seats is absolutely ridiculous considering they charge top dollar.
NikW
Ranking: 6/10
Party bus. Really young crowd.
Party bus. Really young crowd.
DerrynL
Ranking: 4/10
They go everywhere and do alot of fun things but they rush it. I don't like the attitude of some of the other travellers…
They go everywhere and do alot of fun things but they rush it. I don't like the attitude of some of the other travellers and drivers onboard.
Sorry to hear that you didn't have a good time. We're a hop-on, hop-off service. You can take 12 months to finish your pass. Was this explained? Sorry if it wasn't. What pass did you take and when did you travel, we'll look into it for you.
AbigailB
Ranking: 5/10
Most buses are fully booked and you can have 10 day wait times - so you cant really "hop on hop off" at will.
Most buses are fully booked and you can have 10 day wait times - so you cant really "hop on hop off" at will.
Kia ora Abigail,
We're sorry to hear about that bro. When and where did you get stuck? We'll look into it and see if there was anything that we could have done better.
Haere ra,
Kiwi Experience
HelenP
Ranking: 8/10
So far (4 weeks) They are excellent at showing the main sites and a few out of the way places.
So far (4 weeks) They are excellent at showing the main sites and a few out of the way places.
BenM
Ranking: 7/10
Driver guides great, friendly and helpful. Some times felt activities were there just to make Kiwi experience money.
Driver guides great, friendly and helpful. Some times felt activities were there just to make Kiwi experience money.
Anna
Ranking: 9/10
Really great way to see & experience New Zealand. Getting a true Kiwi bus drivers perspective & meet great people.
Really great way to see & experience New Zealand. Getting a true Kiwi bus drivers perspective & meet great people.
Hayley
Ranking: 9/10
You get history information of the towns & places you're travelling through which is interesting.
You get history information of the towns & places you're travelling through which is interesting.
Abigail
Ranking: 9/10
Really friendly bus drivers. If ever we had a problem there was a 24hour helpline. Its a great way to meet new people.
Really friendly bus drivers. If ever we had a problem there was a 24hour helpline. Its a great way to meet new people.
Sarah
Ranking: 8/10
Good at organising activities & getting discounts.
Good at organising activities & getting discounts.
Philippa
Ranking: 7/10
Didn't stop in all the places expected along the route. Otherwise enjoyable.
Didn't stop in all the places expected along the route. Otherwise enjoyable.
Rob
Ranking: 9/10
Good crowd, helpful drivers. Great company - some office disorganisation but bus guides were excellent.
Good crowd, helpful drivers. Great company - some office disorganisation but bus guides were excellent.
Paul
19 November 2010.