Pack for all four seasons - New Zealand weather can change fast, even in summer. Layers are your best friend. Essentials include: a waterproof jacket, sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots, sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, and a daypack for activities. A good pair of earplugs never goes astray in shared accommodation either. A full packing list is available on our [Travel Info page]

Stray carefully selects quality places as our accommodations included, no matter which is a hotel, resort, lodge, farming station or backpacker. This means our accommodations are popular and easy to be booked out by the time you travelling. If you're a solo traveller and considering to have your own private rooms during the whole trip, or worrying about being paired up with a unknown stranger that might impact your travel experience, we would highly recommend you secure the private rooms at the time of booking.

Stray carefully selects quality places as our accommodations included, no matter which is a hotel, resort, lodge, farming station or backpacker. This means our accommodations are popular and easy to be booked out by the time you travelling.
If you're a solo traveller and considering to have your own private rooms during the whole trip, or worrying about being paired up with a unknown stranger that might impact your travel experience, we would highly recommend you secure the private rooms at the time of booking.

Your tour starts in Auckland and ends in Christchurch, so we recommend arriving in Auckland at least a day early to recover from any jet lag and explore the city. After your tour, Christchurch is well worth a couple of extra days - the city has reinvented itself beautifully since the 2011 earthquake. Need accommodation suggestions? Check out our [Auckland] and [Christchurch] destination guides.

Most of our hotels and lodges offer Wi-Fi, though connection speeds can vary - especially at our more remote stops like Blue Duck Station and Kohutapu Lodge. Think of those as a welcome digital detox. We recommend downloading offline maps, playlists and podcasts before you leave the cities.

Yes - your Bluebridge Ferry crossing from Wellington to Picton is included in your tour price. If the weather plays ball, grab a spot on the deck for some of the most spectacular scenery of the whole trip through the Marlborough Sounds.

Absolutely - travel insurance is compulsory for all Stray tours. It needs to cover medical expenses, emergency evacuation, cancellation and personal liability. New Zealand is an adventure destination and things can happen - please don't travel without it. If you need help finding the right policy, our team is happy to point you in the right direction.

It depends on your nationality. Most travellers from the UK, USA, Australia, Canada and Europe can enter New Zealand visa-free for up to 90 days, though some nationalities require an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) which can be applied for online. We recommend checking the [Immigration New Zealand] website for the most up-to-date requirements for your passport.