Here at Stray, we don’t just provide awesome, off-the-beaten track experiences for our passengers but we also encourage our team to get out there and ‘walk the walk‘ too. This time around, we swapped walking for kayaking and ventured north of Auckland to Puhoi, where we paddled along the river to Wendeholm Regional Park.
Tara
Originally from Birmingham, UK. Favourite Stray stop: Tongariro National Park. Fun fact: she has done every Bungy Jump in New Zealand.
Stray Days: Straying with Thomas and Lynn
This month we’re Straying with Thomas and Lynn from Belgium. They used their Everywhere Passes to see the whole of New Zealand from top to bottom. Check it out…
The Ultimate Guide to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing, voted New Zealand’s best day hike, is a backpacker favourite. Don’t be fooled, however! The terrain can be tricky and weather conditions can be unpredictable, which means you need to be prepared and pack wisely. Luckily for you, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to answer all of your questions and […]
Stray together, stay together!
Ever wondered what it’s like to Stray with your other half? We caught up with an awesome couple: Kaya Bulbul from Turkey and Amelie Krug from Sweden. They made the most of their 2 week university break and used Stray’s Peter Pass to see the best of the North Island.
Top 5 Stargazing Spots in NZ
We could list a thousand reasons why New Zealand should be your number 1 spot for stargazing, but instead we’ve narrowed it down a little… With plenty of remote locations and limited light pollution, there’s no shortage of glittering constellations to be found here.
Things to do in Franz Josef (other than heli-hiking!)
Franz Josef is one of the most talked about Stray stops and there’s no secret as to why. It’s the land where glaciers meet the rainforest and thanks to the incredible blue ice formations going viral on social media, the heli-hike has become the ultimate Franz Josef icon. Being able to walk through these magnificent […]
The Best Walking Tracks in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
Most people fall in love with Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park as soon as they drive in – the road is famous for its stunning views of the Southern Alps and Lake Pukaki. Here are 6 awesome trails to check out while you’re there:
The Adrenaline Junkie’s Guide to Queenstown
The Stray bus pulls into Queenstown… Stop number 1? The Kawarau Bridge bungy, home of the world’s first commercial bungy jump. The faint sound of screams as people jump, leap, dive or just fall off the platform will greet your ears and mark the beginning of your adventure in NZ’s adrenaline capital.
Why you should hop off in Taupo!
Taupo – One of the North Island’s most beautiful townships and also home to New Zealand’s largest lake. It might not be one of our designated Stray overnight stops, but for those with spare time to play with, we would 100% recommend hopping off the bus to explore. Here’s why:
10 Reasons to visit the Bay of Islands
One of the perks of interning for an adventure travel company is the opportunity to get out there and do really cool tours around this gorgeous country of ours. In November, we sent our lovely graphic design intern, Maartje, who hails from the Netherlands, up north to check out Paihia and the Bay of Islands […]
48 Hours in Bangkok
Have just 48 hours in Thailand’s City of Angels? Our Stray team superstar Chris Deane weighs in with his tips for a great two days! Having been living out in Asia for a few months, a common misconception I hear when speaking to travellers who have just arrived in Bangkok is they must leave […]
Living the dream in Southeast Asia
About 4 months ago I was offered a chance to live a long-standing dream and come to live and work in Asia. Ever since I first stepped foot on Asian soil 6 years ago I have been captivated by the hustle and bustle of the big cities, enchanted by the local people and their culture, and amazed […]
Stray Passengers Find Love on the Bus
We always like to hear that our travellers had a fantastic time with us and made heaps of friends! But finding the love of your life on the bus is truly special. Here’s an email we received this week… Congrats guys! Hello Stray! Five years ago I was travelling around Australia and New Zealand with […]
Visiting Doubtful Sound with Stray Journeys
In January 2014 I had the privilege of guiding a group of Stray Journey-ers around New Zealand. I have been a Stray driver since 2012 but, as I normally drive the “HOHO” (hop-on hop-off) circuit, this was my first chance to experience the Stray Journeys‘ itinerary. One of the many differences between the two itineraries […]
Welcome to Lake Aniwhenua!
Kris works in our Stray head office and recently embarked on an adventure to the newest Stray stop, Lake Aniwhenua. You don’t get much more remote than this! I am a Kiwi (New Zealander, not a flightless bird) and this stop is definitely off the beaten track, even for me. To be honest, if I […]