New Zealand

A self-launched 21-day adventure through New Zealand's North and South Islands — covering geothermal Rotorua, Māori culture, the volcanic plateau, Wellington, the Cook Strait ferry, Kaikōura wildlife, Franz Josef Glacier, Queenstown thrills, Milford Sound, and the Dark Sky reserve at Lake Tekapo. All the same iconic stops as the Gap 360 group tour, done independently using intercity buses (InterCity/FlixBus NZ), the Interislander ferry, budget hostels, and self-bookable activities via GetYourGuide and direct operators. Costs are approximate estimates per person based on current backpacker rates.

Travel Crew

~£1,390

Skip the £1,299 Gap 360 group tour and do the same iconic North Island route independently — Hobbiton, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo, and Wellington — for a fraction of the cost. All the headline attractions are self-bookable via GetYourGuide or direct, transport is covered by InterCity coaches and the Overlander bus network, and the working-holiday admin (IRD number, Kiwi bank account, NZ SIM) is completely free to sort yourself. This itinerary covers the same 9-day sightseeing arc, then leaves you ready to find work on your own terms. Costs are estimated per person and are approximate.

Travel Crew

~£685

This self-launched 12-day South Island adventure follows the same incredible route as Intrepid's group tour — from Christchurch to Wellington via Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Franz Josef Glacier, Punakaiki, and Abel Tasman — at a fraction of the cost. You'll swap the private tour vehicle for InterCity coaches and shuttles, book hostels directly, and self-arrange all the same iconic experiences. New Zealand rewards independent travellers brilliantly: public transport connections are solid, hostels are world-class, and most activities can be booked directly or via GetYourGuide and Klook. All costs are approximate estimates per person in GBP and assume a budget-conscious but comfortable travel style.

Travel Crew

~£905

Explore the best of New Zealand's North and South Islands independently — from Rotorua's geothermal wonders and Waitomo's glowworm caves to Queenstown's adrenaline, Milford Sound's fiords, and Tekapo's dark skies. This self-launched version follows the same iconic route as Gap 360's 21-day group tour but replaces guided group transport with buses and shuttles, swaps lodge packages for quality hostels, and lets you book activities directly — saving you over £1,300 per person. All cost estimates are approximate and based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£1,450

Explore the best of New Zealand's South and North Islands independently — from the glaciers and fjords of the south to the geothermal wonders and Maori culture of the north. This self-launched equivalent of Intrepid Travel's Epic New Zealand tour follows the same iconic route (Christchurch → Lake Tekapo → Queenstown → Franz Josef → Westport → Abel Tasman → Wellington → Taihape → Rotorua → Tauranga → Auckland) using InterCity coaches, the Interislander ferry, and a mix of budget hostels and guesthouses. All key activities — gondola rides, zorbing, Maori village tours, glacier walks — are bookable directly or via GetYourGuide/Klook. Estimated cost is approximately £1,450–£1,650 per person, saving you over £700 versus the Intrepid group tour. All costs are approximate estimates.

Travel Crew

~£1,480

Explore the best of both islands independently — from Auckland's harbour and the magic of Hobbiton, through Rotorua's geothermal wonders and Wellington's culture, to the South Island's jaw-dropping landscapes at Mount Cook, Wanaka, Milford Sound and Queenstown. This self-launched equivalent mirrors Gap 360's 17-day group tour but cuts out the operator markup entirely. You'll use public InterCity coaches, the Interislander ferry (or a budget domestic flight), and self-book all activities directly or via GetYourGuide/Klook. Staying in comparable hostel dorms throughout, you can expect to spend roughly £950–£1,100 per person — saving over £1,400 on the commercial price. All cost estimates are approximate and based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£1,050

Explore the best of New Zealand's North Island independently — from Wellington's café culture and Taihape's adventure trails to Rotorua's geothermal wonders, Maori culture, Mount Maunganui's surf beaches and Auckland's vibrant city life. This self-launched route follows the same northbound journey as Intrepid's group tour, swapping private transport for intercity buses and shuttles, and guided group inclusions for self-bookable experiences. All estimates are approximate and based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£535

The South Island of New Zealand is one of the world's great road-trip canvases — glaciers, fiords, golden beaches, and mountain passes all within a loop you can absolutely do yourself. This self-launched itinerary mirrors Stray Travel's popular Takahe Select route, swapping the guided coach for a mix of InterCity buses, shared shuttles, and a rental car stretch where it makes sense. You'll hit every landmark on the original — Abel Tasman, the West Coast, Franz Josef Glacier, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Aoraki/Mount Cook, and Lake Tekapo — staying in equivalent hostels and budget hotels at a fraction of the guided-tour price. All activities are self-bookable via GetYourGuide, Klook, or direct with local operators. Costs below are approximate per-person estimates for a solo budget traveller sharing accommodation where possible.

Travel Crew

~£980

This self-guided 12-day South Island adventure follows the same incredible route as Intrepid's group tour — from Christchurch to Wellington via Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Franz Josef Glacier, Punakaiki, and Abel Tasman — at a fraction of the cost. You'll swap the private tour vehicle for InterCity coaches and shuttles, book hostels directly, and self-arrange all the same iconic experiences. New Zealand rewards independent travellers brilliantly: public transport connections are solid, hostels are world-class, and most activities can be booked directly or via GetYourGuide and Klook. All costs are approximate estimates per person in GBP and assume a budget-conscious but comfortable travel style.

Travel Crew

~£905

Explore the best of New Zealand's South and North Islands independently — from the glaciers and fjords of the south to the geothermal wonders and Maori culture of the north. This self-guided equivalent of Intrepid Travel's Epic New Zealand tour follows the same iconic route (Christchurch → Lake Tekapo → Queenstown → Franz Josef → Westport → Abel Tasman → Wellington → Taihape → Rotorua → Tauranga → Auckland) using InterCity coaches, the Interislander ferry, and a mix of budget hostels and guesthouses. All key activities — gondola rides, zorbing, Maori village tours, glacier walks — are bookable directly or via GetYourGuide/Klook. Estimated cost is approximately £1,450–£1,650 per person, saving you over £700 versus the Intrepid group tour. All costs are approximate estimates.

Travel Crew

~£1,480

Explore the best of New Zealand's North Island independently — from Wellington's café culture and Taihape's adventure trails to Rotorua's geothermal wonders, Maori culture, Mount Maunganui's surf beaches and Auckland's vibrant city life. This self-guided route follows the same northbound journey as Intrepid's group tour, swapping private transport for intercity buses and shuttles, and guided group inclusions for self-bookable experiences. All estimates are approximate and based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£535

This self-launched version of Stray Travel's iconic Hihi 10-day North Island route takes you from Auckland to Wellington independently — hitting every major stop from Hot Water Beach and Hobbiton to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing — at a fraction of the group tour price. You'll travel by intercity bus (Intercity or FlixBus NZ), stay in the same hostel networks (Haka House, Base Backpackers), and book activities directly or via GetYourGuide. All costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£845