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New Zealand

Your starting point for planning your New Zealand tour. How many weeks to plan for a New Zealand holiday? What to do and where to go? The Stray team will take you on a virtual tour through New Zealand.

We’re a bunch of adventurous & fun travellers ourselves, so we know all the best places. Must-see places throughout New Zealand, amazing activities that will leave even seasoned thrill-seekers in awe and off the beaten path & hidden gem locations.

Hop onboard our New Zealand travel blog and start planning the best trip ever. And we’re looking forward to seeing you onboard one of our New Zealand tours so we can show you the best places of New Zealand ourselves.

What makes South Island’s Glacier Country Kayak Adventure so magical?

By Bhavisha / 3 February 2020

Your Stray tour of South Island can present a unique kayak or stand up paddleboard adventure just minutes from the stunning Franz Josef Glacier. Feel the magic as you settle into your kayak, or hop on your SUP and smoothly glide across Lake Mapourika’s mysterious reflective waters while enjoying the spectacular views of the country.

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7 Reasons why the Hahei Explorer is the best way to see Cathedral Cove

By Bhavisha / 20 January 2020

The Hahei Explorer is a scenic boat trip like no other and the best way to see the iconic Cathedral Cove . You’ll cruise through the Hahei Marine Reserve and travel 14km along the spectacular coastline.

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KJet

Thrills and Spills in Queenstown – Jet boating with KJet

By Bhavisha / 7 January 2020

Queenstown is a stunning town in New Zealand’s South Island, located on beautiful Lake Wakatipu. But there’s nothing sleepy about this scenic lakeside town. It is known for its seemingly endless adventure activities, so if you’re looking for thrills and spills in Queenstown, blast-off on a jet boat with KJet!

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7 Reasons Why Abel Tasman is NZ’s Most Scenic Skydive Location

By Emily / 2 April 2019

It’s a no-brainer that the Abel Tasman features on the list of best places to skydive in New Zealand. But when it comes to stunning scenery, the region is arguably in a league of its own.

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The Ultimate NZ Packing List

By Lisa T / 22 March 2019

Decided to visit New Zealand? ✔ Booked your flights? ✔ Chosen Stray as the best way to see the country? ✔✔✔ Now all you need to do is pack your bag and you’re away! But what to bring?

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The Easiest Way to Travel New Zealand

By Emily / 5 February 2019

How Stray works, tips on using the app, and getting the most out of your experience in New Zealand!

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3 Days in the Bay of Islands

By Tara / 17 December 2018

North of Auckland lies a paradise with golden beaches, endless sunshine and tons of native wildlife. Welcome to the Bay of Islands!

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Jess Finds Out The Truth About Travelling the South Island in Winter: Freezing Cold or Unforgettable Experience?

By Emily / 29 November 2018

We wanted to find out the truth about Queenstown and South Island. What happens when Kiwis experience Queenstown for the first time? Are they as blown away by the scenery and as excited about Ferg Burger as people from other countries? And what about the rest of the South, is the landscape really that awe-inspiring? […]

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The 2019 Stray Travel Guide is HERE!

By Tara / 5 October 2018

Hot off the presses, the brand spanking new 2019 Stray New Zealand Travel Guide has landed!

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New Zealand phone plans, data and internet: Everything you need to know!

By Emily / 10 September 2018

Most backpackers coming to New Zealand won’t want to rely on finding free wifi to stay connected. While free wifi exists (see the list at the bottom of this article), if you’re heading off the beaten track it’s much harder to find, and that’s where all the Instagram worthy photos come from! Check out our […]

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24 Hours on Stewart Island

By Tara / 14 August 2018

New Zealand’s third largest island doesn’t always make it onto every traveller’s itinerary but, here at Stray, we’re here to change that. Travel blogger, Krysti Jaims, jumped on the Stray bus in search of adventure on Stewart Island and, boy, did she find it! Please note: Stewart Island isn’t included in our current range of […]

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Should you travel New Zealand in winter if you’re a fan of sunshine and warmth?

By Travel Mate (guest blogger) / 20 July 2018

What happens when you take an Island girl, used to tropical temperatures, and send her on the Stray bus in the middle of winter in NZ? Was it a recipe for disaster or an unexpected match made in heaven? Let’s find out!

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Making a Difference with Auckland City Mission

By Tara / 11 July 2018

If you’re in New Zealand over winter, you might have noticed that it’s getting a bit chilly! The mountains are snow-capped, the chairlifts are cranking at the ski resorts and the air is crisp. Whilst it may be a beautiful time of year to visit NZ as a traveller, we know that this season isn’t […]

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New Zealand’s Best Ski Resorts

By Tara / 10 June 2018

Winter is an amazing time to travel in New Zealand, especially for true mountain enthusiasts with a love of fresh, white pow pow! It’s time to strap into your snowboard and clip into your skis and experience how we get down in the Southern hemisphere…

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A Traveller’s Guide to Matariki

By Tara / 31 May 2018

Want to know more about Matariki – a.k.a the Māori new year? You’re in luck! We’ve put together a guide that will answer all of your questions, from What is Matariki? to Where can I see it? and How can I celebrate it? – we’ve got you covered…

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Plan ahead with our New Zealand blog

You can use our New Zealand travel blog to help you plan your trip. For example, in the blog, you’ll find information and tips on what to pack and how to plan your trip. You can get ahead of the game while you’re still at home!

Most of our travel blog posts have been written either by members of our Stray team or actual travellers from their own experiences. Either way, you’re getting your travel tips from an expert, who’s been there, seen it, done it and got several tee shirts!

Right place, right time!

The blog has info and advice on the different times of the year to visit New Zealand. If you love your skiing, you don’t want to be staying in Auckland in January, but you might want to plan a trip to Queensland for June.

And if you want to do some whale watching, you can find out not just the best places to spot whales, but also the best time to catch them on their annual migratory travels.

Make sure you get a piece of the action

You’ll also find all the info you need on a host of adventure activities in our New Zealand travel blog. Whether it’s adrenaline, white knuckle rides in Queenstown or the calm tranquillity of a kayak on a glacial lake, it’s all in there.

If you want to discover NZ’s cities while you’re over here, we have blogs written by locals. It’s only after living in a place for a while that you get to know the best bars and coolest hang-outs. Live like a local and not just a tourist.

Everything you need to know about New Zealand – all in one travel blog

So take a browse through our blog posts on New Zealand. There’s a lot to learn and discover. You’ll read about the best National Parks for a hike, where to enjoy thermal hot springs, go bungy jumping or white water rafting, NZ’s top sky diving locations and of course, the best beaches, cities and sights that New Zealand has to offer.

Tell us what you think of our travel blog

Please share your comments at the bottom of each blog post. You might have a question one of our readers or team could answer, or you might know about a fantastic, secret, must-see destination from a previous visit. Either way, we’d love to hear from you and share your experiences with our Stray community.

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