Magic Bus tours are a kick for all ages

With my “Birdies, Bogeys and Kiwis” book and the “New Zealand Golf Guide” in hand, Rod toured New Zealand on the Magic Bus with his 27 lb. bundle of golf clubs. He gives us the “skinny” on the fun of sightseeing with fellow backpackers on a budget.Rod lives near Ottawa, in Canada and has now visited New Zealand twice in the past two years. Here’s his experience as a senior, or as we now say in Canada – a Zoomer!

“My first visit in November 2007 was on a strict budget yet I was able to tour New Zealand from top to bottom and everywhere in between, including Stewart Island in the extreme south, and Cape Reinga – the most northerly destination on the North Island. Side trips included Milford Sound on the South Island, the Coromandel peninsula and the Ninety-Mile Beach on the North Island.”

Follow Rod on the Magic Bus Southern Discovery route. At the time of writing, the nine-day trip cost was NZ$549 per person, but specials are often offered.

“In the intervening years I ‘invested’ in our Lotto 649 and the UK National Lottery twice a week with the hope, one day, of flying to New Zealand in Business Class. As this did not materialize, in March 2010 I flew super economy Air Canada/Air New Zealand to Auckland out of Vancouver, British Columbia. From there I flew directly to Nelson on the South Island, and right on schedule the following morning, the Magic Bus driver picked me up to begin my tour of the South Island.

“I booked with Magic Bus to tour and see the sights on both occasions. They cater predominantly to backpackers, thankfully of all ages, as that included me. Their service was faultless. They never missed a pickup — well except a few of those who’d over-celebrated St. Paddy’s Day. Each morning the driver reviews his computerized sheet and checks the roll call and notes no-shows, when appropriate.”

Follow Rod on the Magic Bus Northern Discovery route: This six-day trip cost was NZ$439 per person, but specials are sometimes offered for combining both North and South Island trips.

“On the approach to Lake Taupo one day on my first trip, our driver reeled off the attractions which included skydiving at 15,000 feet. Looking straight at me, he said: ‘Folks, skydiving should be on everybody’s Bucket List no matter your age, and Lake Taupo is the place to do it!’ – to which I replied, “My Bucket seems to have a dent in it.’ Heck, I’m pushing 67 and you don’t get to that age by jumping out of airplanes at 15,000 feet, I can tell you!!

“This latest visit was more basic. I didn’t spend the time and money on extraneous sightseeing as I took golf clubs with me, playing eight times during my four-week visit to New Zealand. Perhaps I was a bit unique in this regard, as GOLF does not appear on any of Magic’s ‘to do’ list, but it was on my Bucket List. I did it and enjoyed it enormously. There’s not too many Canadians that can say they’ve played golf in March, I can tell you!

“On the whole, Magic’s clientele are the younger, typical backpacking generation – but there were some others of my vintage using their services so I would recommend Magic Bus to anyone wishing to have fun while travelling and sightseeing New Zealand on a budget.”