Bus and Coach Services From Palmerston North

Explore New Zealand's North Island with its unique 7 unique geographical regions and diverse natural beauty, from soaring mountain peaks, fiords, lakes, rivers, native rugged bush, the majestic volcanoes of the North Island's central plateau to the central North Island skifields of Whakapapa and Turoa by bus and coach from Palmerston North.

Palmerston North (Māori: Te Papa-i-oea) (Pop: 82,400) is the main city of the Manawatu-Wanganui region. It is an inland city being the 11th-largest city in New Zealand, and the centre of the seventh-largest urban area.

Due to its central location in the sprawling Manawatu region, Palmerston North the focal point for a number of major routes; south to Palmerston North, north to Taupo and Auckland, southeast to Napier and northwest to New Plymouth.

A large proportion of its population consists of students attending Massey University, Universal College of Learning (UCOL) or International Pacific College during the student year. Over half of the city's population is under the age of 25 and the city has been marketed as 'Student City'.

A pleasant tree-lined city, the crossroads of the Manawatu, with many education and research institutions in the area, in particular Massey University.

The city's main streets are arranged in a grid around The Square, a seven-hectare park of lawn, trees, lakes, fountains, and gardens in the centre of the city. This park contains the city's war memorial, a memorial to Te Peeti Te Awe Awe, the Rangitāne chief who was instrumental in the sale of Palmerston North district to the government in 1865.

The International Pacific College, a private tertiary institution set up by a Japanese foundation, lies on the outskirts. Bledisloe Park and Pohangina Domain (32km) have native bush walks, swimming and picnicking. In The Square can be found the Info Centre, the Hopwood Clock Tower, gardens and fountains. The Manawatu Art Gallery, the Science Centre and Manawatu Museum are located on Main Street West.

History is found on Heritage Trails and in several specialist museums. Activities include trout fishing and jet boating on the river, horse trekking, or camping and tramping in the Ruahine and Tararua Ranges. The International Rose Trial Grounds are at The Esplanade Gardens, which also has picnic sites.  

Travelling from Palmerston North is in modern buses and coaches with InterCity Coachlines operating a fleet of eco-friendly air conditioned buses with reclining seats and heat rests. Great Sights and Newmans Coachlines operate premier services using a fleet of modern eco-friendly air conditioned coaches with reclining seats and head rests and onboard toilet/washroom facilities.

InterCity Coachlines operates the Starlighter overnight bus service between Palmerston North, Wellington, Taupo, Rotorua, Hamilton and Auckland, connecting with the Cook Strait ferry services from Palmerston North to Picton between the North and South Islands. The Starlighter service features reclining seats with foot and head rests, individual reading lights and air conditioning controls, onboard toilet/washroom facility and makes two refreshment/comfort stops on route.

If you want to explore and see New Zealand's unique scenic beauty from Palmerston North, there are a range of flexible 'Book As You Go' bus, scenic coach, ferry travel and sightseeing passes giving you value for money travel.

Your 'Book As You Go' flexible bus, scenic coach and ferry pass, allows you to travel through out New Zealand on New Zealand's largest regional and national bus, coach, scenic coach, ferry and sightseeing network, that includes Cook Strait ferry sailings between the North and South Islands, sightseeing tours - like dolphin watching cruises in the Bay of Islands and lots more. Travel is discounted, so you will be saving money, as you travel plus it gives you total freedom to alter your plans whenever you want.

Set your own itinerary and travel when you want, as your 'Book As You Go' flexible bus, scenic coach and ferry pass is valid for 12 months so you can stay a while and leave when you please.