Jetsettersblog

Kiwi Experience, the home-grown New Zealand company that pioneered hop-on, hop-off bus adventures, celebrates 20 years on the road this month and is looking for a legend to be the life and soul of the party.

The adventure travel specialist is running an online competition where one lucky traveller and a mate will win flights to New Zealand, a 20 day ‘Funky Chicken’ trip and 20 of Kiwi Experience’s favourite experiences. All entrants need to do is tell Kiwi Experience why they’re a legend via video or photo and text post on www.kiwiexperience.com

Would-be legends can increase their chances of taking out the prize by encouraging family and friends to vouch for their legendary status on the Kiwi Experience website.

So get forwarding your entry via Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and email, or jump onto to www.KiwiExperience.com  to post a message in support of your favourite legend.

Kiwi Experience Marketing Manager Tara Baskerville says:

“We wanted to mark this milestone with an awesome competition that reflects Kiwi Experience’s fun, adventurous personality and, at the same time, give someone the opportunity to win an amazing trip around New Zealand – on us.”

“We’re celebrating two decades as legends of the road… now all people need to do is tell us why they’re also a legend to be in to win the trip of a lifetime.”

Kiwi Experience estimates more than 400,000 people have experienced New Zealand its way since the first bus set off in 1989. Since then it’s won numerous tourism awards, survived a few of Peter Jackson films and an onslaught or two from the British Lions and the Barmy Army.

The Kiwi Experience team has grown significantly to keep up with the demand but has retained the original vision of giving each and every traveller a mind-blowing experience while in New Zealand, Ms Baskerville says.

“The range of travel passes has also evolved and grown to 20 over time to ensure Kiwi Experience continues to reach the best parts of the country – the must-see New Zealand icons, the best beaches, the hidden gems off the beaten track – while immersing travellers in New Zealand culture. In the past year, we’ve added the surfing mecca of Raglan to the route with great success.”

Since Kiwi Experience first hit the road, the Driver Guides have been the heart and soul of the operation.

“We choose our drivers for their personalities, as well as their skills.

They’re Kiwi characters from all walks of life who do everything from booking accommodation and activities, to providing travel advice and manoeuvring the big green buses around New Zealand,” says Ms Baskerville.

In this, their 20th year, Kiwi Experience has relaunched its website with a community section and interactive map so people planning their visit can go online and get helpful real-time tips from the Kiwi Experience team and the travellers that have gone before them.

In addition to the 20th Birthday competition Kiwi Experience is offering 25% discounts on some of its most popular trips – Funky Chicken, Back Paddock and East As.

The 20 day Funky Chicken takes in the major sights of both North and South Islands, including the iconic Waitomo Glowworm Caves, white water rafting, glaciers and Queenstown.

Back Paddock is an eight day pass which takes in the top sights of the South Island, starting and finishing in Christchurch, while East As showcases the unique experience of the East Cape and Rotorua over four days.

More details are available on the website www.kiwiexperience.com