Going to New Zealand on May. Any general tips? I have 12 days

InterCity buses are the go. have used them before when my truck was broken down. Hitching is also popular and generally safe.

>>1210172
This, I bummed around NZ for six weeks using Newman's/Intercity. Aside from being a good way to get around, the drivers were all really friendly and gave good advice on fun things to see and do.

Hitchhiking is alright here, west coast, New Plymouth and Tauranga are decent.

OP here, thanks for tips. Are there any travel passes in NZ for intercity rides?

When I was down there you could pre-pay travel time on Newman's coaches and I think Intercity as well.

>>1209979
Very possible. Getting around New Zealand like this is fairly cheap. In fact, it's probably cheaper than renting a car, so this is a good option.

>>1209979
Go to Hawkes Bay on the North Island. Avoid places like Flexmere tho, it's ghetto tier there. Or go there and great mah nigs.

File: IMG_20170208_115004.jpg (3MB, 4032x3024px) Image search: [Google]

3MB, 4032x3024px

Why doesn't everyone live here? I have never been but I'm planning on going here or Thailand as my first international trip, it seems like a Pro-version of Hawaii where I'm from, what are the cons keeping this place from being an enormous clusterfuck of people like Oahu has been becoming?
Pic was from todays flight over the part of Maui I grew up in

>>1210331
This is probably your best bet. They're the biggest budget coach company in the country. https://nakedbus.com/nz/passport/cheap-bus-pass/

My advice to you on such a limited time frame, would be to spend a day exploring round the Auckland area, then take a flight to Christchurch and get on a coach from there. You can then go onwards to Dunedin - Queenstown and Milford Sound. If you do the North Island as well you're going to spend your whole trip sitting on the bus.

>>1212171
Another option (But pressing for time) is fly to Wellington from Auckland, then take the ferry over to Picton. You could then see Nelson + Marlborough Sounds before going down to Queenstown/Milford.

>>1210827
This is the biggest shitpost I've seen in months. You can't even be this badly mistaken; you must be lying.
NZ buses are gut-bustingly expensive, and the trains are about as cost-efficient as flying first class.
As for renting a car, gas prices will make you weep.
There's a reason everyone hitchhikes there.

>>1212196
Buses depend on the route. I just checked on the Naked Bus site and a bus from Auckland to Wellington direct only costs $30