Kiwi Experience Adds Surf Town

8 October 2008

Kiwi Experience Adds World-Renowned Surf Town Raglan To Its Route

New Zealand’s legendary hop-on, hop-off backpacker tour bus operator, Kiwi Experience is now including world-renowned surf-spot Raglan in a number of its passes.

Kiwi Experience prides itself on being ‘Kiwi to the core,’ including Raglan as a destination where travellers can experience the very best of Kiwi surf and beach culture. The Raglan routes start this month, in time for passengers to visit the coastal hot-spot over the New Zealand summer.

Raglan has one of the best right-hand surf breaks in the world, playing host to a number of surfing competitions. It’s also home to a popular surf school where Kiwi Experience passengers can go for a lesson before testing their skills at Manu Bay, Whale Bay or The Indicators.

Other activities offered at Raglan include kite-surfing, fishing, skydiving, paragliding and blow-carting making it a mecca for travellers wanting to try out beach and extreme sports. Nature enthusiasts can walk to the summit of Mount Kariori, or take a short hike alongside the Pakoka River up to the spectacular 55 metre high Bridal Falls.

Raglan also offers a great surf village with boutique clothing, art and jewellery stores, as well as excellent café dining.

Raglan now features in four of Kiwi Experience’s most popular national passes including The Full Monty, Kitchen Sink, Top Dog and The Whole Kit and Caboodle.

The new destination is also the focus of two new passes, the Raglan Wave Runner which runs from Waitomo to Raglan return, and the Caves and Waves pass where passengers can jump on at Taupo or Rotorua, visit Raglan and Waitomo, before returning to either pick-up point.

The Raglan Wave Runner offers Kiwi Experience travellers a true New Zealand west-coast beach experience, and can be taken as either a day trip or an overnight stop, with accommodation options available.

The inclusion of Raglan is a reflection of just how much the town has increased in popularity as it has grown from a tiny surfing-village to a vibrant beachside getaway, says Kiwi Experience General Manager, Brendon Pope. “Raglan is now a sought after travel destination for Kiwis and international tourists, and to ensure our passengers get a taste of the action, we’ve made it the focus of two new passes, as well as a feature stop in four of our main passes.

“We are very pleased to offer passengers the chance to encounter one of our most spectacular beaches by putting Raglan on the Kiwi Experience map”, says Pope.

-ENDS-

Kiwi Experience Passes that include the new Raglan stop: National Passes:

The Full Monty – Start anywhere – Finish where you started Standard – NZD $1999

Kitchen Sink – Start Auckland – Finish Christchurch Standard – NZD $1429

Top Dog – Start Christchurch – Finish Auckland Standard NZD $989

The Whole Kit & Caboodle – Start anywhere – Finish where you started Standard NZD $1649

North Island Passes:

Raglan Wave Runner – Start Waitomo – Finish Waitomo Standard NZD $45

Caves and Waves – Start Rotorua/Taupo – Finish Rotorua/Taupo Standard NZD $110

For more information on Kiwi experience products visit www.kiwiexperience.com

About Us: Kiwi Experience is New Zealand’s legendary hop-on, hop-off bus tour operator for backpackers and independent travellers. Operating for nearly 20 years, Kiwi Experience is part of the Tourism Holdings Limited (listed NZX:THL on the New Zealand Stock Exchange) portfolio. Founded in 1986 as a The Helicopter Line, specialising in scenic South Island routes, Tourism Holdings Ltd owns and operates all EX Group companies. The EX Group is one of the three major divisions of THL, which Kiwi Experience, Feejee Experience, Tourism Transport Fiji and campervan rental company Explore More fall under. The EX Group focuses on youth and adventure. This comprehensive spectrum offers every type of tourist the opportunity to explore the magic and majesty of New Zealand and Fiji. Whether it’s an adrenal-fuelled rush or a mellow meander – the THL Group provides the entire New Zealand experience at whatever price or pace you prefer.

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