I just got to NZ and am staying in Auckland for a few days while I try to figure out which bus tour to take around both islands. I keep reading great things about K. E. and Magic but I'm not sure which to go with. I keep hearing that K.E. is the party bus with mostly 18-21 year olds that want to drink every night and Magic usually has travellers in their mid-twenties who aren't as interested to go out to the bars every night. I'm 32 and like to party, but I also want to see all the sites NZ has to offer. I'm leaning towards K.E. I guess, but don't want to be the oldest person on there by a decade. Anybody have any suggestions or reviews of their experiences on either bus?
Kiwi Experience or Magic for a bus tour of NZ???
I'm 30. I did KE. I was probably the oldest person on the bus most of the time, but there were a lot of people around 25/26/27.
I had a great time.
When I was 25 I did the Magic bus and had a fantastic time. The group was a great laugh and all looking to get as much out of the trip as possible. We did some drinking and stayed in hostels where we cooked as a group of 12 quite often throughout the whole country. Age range was from a few 20 year olds to some 35-40 year olds. A good mix which cater for everyone. I heard the K.E was just a party bus where NZ would just be a blurr and day were you wanted to experience the country was spend in bed hung over.... Magic bus all the way!
i did kiwi bus 3 years ago,was great fun,we had some people in they 40s on bus,if u wana go out and party you can,but they also take you too a lot of nice places aswell,i think backpackers are not botherd by age as your all in the same boat!
I did the Magic bus in my mid-twenties and had a great time. There was a range of ages on the bus - I guess I was somewhere in the middle. I also did a shorter trip up to the Bay of Islands with Magic last year and although I'm now 34 I didn't feel out of place; it really doesn't matter what age you are on Magic (or Stray, which I have also used and would recommend) because it's really just a way of getting to A to B and you can get involved with social activities if you like without there being any obligation.
thanks for all the info!!