Best of the South Pacific: Self-Launched Australia & New Zealand

Fly into Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport and make your way to your hostel in the CBD or inner suburb. Take the Airport Link train directly to the city (approx. £13). Spend the evening settling in and exploring the neighbourhood. Book a bed at Wake Up! Sydney CBD or Sydney Harbour YHA — both are centrally located, social, and well-rated.

🚌Airport Link train: Sydney Airport to City Centre (~£13)

🛏Wake Up! Sydney CBD or Sydney Harbour YHA (dorm ~£30-40/night)

• →Airport Link train from Sydney Airport to City (~£13)
• →Check in to Wake Up! Sydney CBD or Sydney Harbour YHA
• →Evening stroll around the CBD and Circular Quay

Start with a self-guided walking tour of Sydney's iconic landmarks — the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and The Rocks. Head to Circular Quay and catch the public Manly Ferry across the harbour (£5 each way — one of the world's great commutes). In Manly, walk the stunning coastal path to Shelly Beach and grab fish and chips on the waterfront.

🚌Manly Ferry from Circular Quay (Opal card, ~£5 each way)

🛏Wake Up! Sydney CBD or Sydney Harbour YHA (dorm ~£30-40/night)

• →Self-guided walk: Opera House, Harbour Bridge, The Rocks
• →Public Manly Ferry from Circular Quay (~£5 each way)
• →Manly to Shelly Beach coastal walk (free)
• →Fish and chips at Manly beachfront (~£10)

Morning free to explore Sydney further — consider the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk (free) or the free entry to the Art Gallery of NSW. Catch an afternoon domestic flight to Ayers Rock Airport (Connellan). Budget carriers Jetstar and Rex operate this route; book in advance for around £100-130. Transfer to your accommodation near the resort area.

🚌Domestic flight Sydney → Ayers Rock (~£110); airport shuttle (~£10)

🛏Outback Pioneer Hotel & Lodge (budget room ~£50-70) or Ayers Rock Campground (cabin ~£35)

• →Optional: Bondi to Coogee coastal walk (free)
• →Optional: Art Gallery of NSW (free entry)
• →Domestic flight Sydney to Ayers Rock Airport (~£110 with Jetstar/Rex)
• →Transfer to Outback accommodation

Rise before dawn to witness sunrise over Uluru — one of Australia's most iconic moments. Join a self-guided or guided base walk around Uluru (10.6km, free entry with park pass). In the afternoon, explore the Cultural Centre to learn about the Anangu people. As evening falls, head to the designated sunset viewing area with a glass of sparkling wine — a tradition that mirrors the G Adventures experience, done independently.

🚌Resort shuttle buses connect accommodation to key sites (~£10/day pass)

🛏Outback Pioneer Hotel & Lodge or Ayers Rock Campground (cabin ~£35-70/night)

• →Uluru sunrise viewing (free with park pass)
• →Uluru base walk — self-guided (10.6km, free with park pass)
• →Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre (free)
• →Sunset viewing area with sparkling wine (~£8 from resort bottle shop)

Explore Kata Tjuta — the equally spectacular but less-visited domed rock formations nearby. The Walpa Gorge walk (2.6km return) winds between towering conglomerate domes and is stunning at any time of day. For a longer hike, tackle the Valley of the Winds loop (7.4km). Entry is covered by your Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park pass (£25/person for 3 days).

🚌Resort shuttle or hire car to Kata Tjuta (~35km from Uluru, shuttle ~£10)

🛏Outback Pioneer Hotel & Lodge or Ayers Rock Campground

• →Kata Tjuta — Walpa Gorge walk (2.6km, free with park pass)
• →Valley of the Winds loop walk — optional (7.4km, free with park pass)
• →Photography and exploration of the domed rock landscape

Fly from Ayers Rock Airport to Melbourne (usually via Sydney connection). Book with Jetstar well in advance for the best fares (~£100-150). Arrive in Melbourne and head to your hostel in Fitzroy, Collingwood, or the CBD. Melbourne is a city made for wandering — spend the evening exploring laneways and grabbing dinner in one of the city's legendary restaurants.

🚌Flight Ayers Rock → Melbourne (~£120); SkyBus from Tullamarine Airport (~£15)

🛏Space Hotel Melbourne or Nomads Melbourne (dorm ~£28-38/night)

• →Morning flight from Ayers Rock to Melbourne (~£120 with Jetstar)
• →Check in to Space Hotel Melbourne or Nomads Melbourne
• →Explore Melbourne's famous street art laneways (Hosier Lane, ACDC Lane — free)
• →Dinner at Queen Victoria Market night market (seasonal) or South Melbourne Market (~£12)

Join a shared day-trip tour along the legendary Great Ocean Road — the most practical way to see the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and the Otway rainforest without a car. Book via GetYourGuide or direct with operators like Bunyip Tours or Go West Tours (approx. £60-80/person including transport from Melbourne). A classic highlight of any Australia itinerary.

🚌Included in day tour from Melbourne (~£70 total)

🛏Space Hotel Melbourne or Nomads Melbourne (dorm ~£28-38/night)

• →Great Ocean Road shared day tour via GetYourGuide/Bunyip Tours (~£70)
• →12 Apostles limestone stacks viewpoint
• →Loch Ard Gorge
• →Otway Ranges rainforest walk

Spend a full day discovering Melbourne at your own pace. Ride the free City Circle tram around the CBD. Visit the Melbourne Museum or the Ian Potter Centre: NGV (free entry to Australian collection). Explore Fitzroy's café culture and Brunswick Street street art. In the evening, catch a live music gig — Melbourne has one of the world's best live music scenes with many free or cheap entry shows.

🚌Free City Circle tram; Myki card for other tram/train rides (~£5/day)

🛏Space Hotel Melbourne or Nomads Melbourne (dorm ~£28-38/night)

• →Free City Circle tram around the CBD
• →Ian Potter Centre: NGV — Australian art collection (free)
• →Fitzroy laneways and café culture
• →Optional: Evening live music gig (~£5-15 entry)

Today you cross the Tasman Sea to New Zealand. Fly from Melbourne (or Sydney) to Auckland — multiple airlines including Air New Zealand, Jetstar, and Qantas operate this route. Book well ahead for fares around £100-180. Arrive in Auckland, clear immigration and customs, and check in to your hostel in the CBD or Ponsonby.

🚌International flight to Auckland (~£150); AirBus from airport to CBD (~£12)

🛏Base Backpackers Auckland or Haka Lodge Auckland (dorm ~£25-35/night)

• →Flight Melbourne or Sydney to Auckland (~£130-180 with Jetstar/Air NZ)
• →Auckland immigration and customs
• →Check in to Base Backpackers Auckland or Haka Lodge
• →Evening: Explore Viaduct Harbour or Ponsonby Road (~free)

Explore New Zealand's largest city. Walk up the Auckland Domain and visit the Auckland War Memorial Museum (£18 entry) for an outstanding Maori cultural experience including a performance. Take the free Link Bus to Ponsonby and Parnell. Optional: take the public ferry to Waiheke Island (£20 return) for beaches and vineyards.

🚌AT Hop card for buses and ferries (~£5-20 depending on activities)

🛏Base Backpackers Auckland or Haka Lodge Auckland (dorm ~£25-35/night)

• →Auckland War Memorial Museum — Maori cultural performance (~£18)
• →Auckland Domain park walk (free)
• →Ponsonby and Parnell neighbourhood exploration
• →Optional: Waiheke Island public ferry day trip (~£20 return)

Board an InterCity bus from Auckland to Otorohanga (approx. 3 hours, ~£20), then a short local connection or taxi to Waitomo. In the afternoon, book your Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour directly with Waitomo Caves (£40-55/person) — the illuminated underground caverns are genuinely magical. Alternatively, for a more adventurous experience, book the Black Abyss abseil tour.

🚌InterCity bus Auckland → Otorohanga (~£20); local taxi/shuttle to Waitomo (~£10)

🛏Waitomo Top 10 Holiday Park (dorm/cabin ~£25-35/night) or Juno Hall Waitomo Backpackers

• →InterCity bus Auckland to Otorohanga (~3hrs, ~£20)
• →Waitomo Glowworm Caves guided tour (book direct, ~£45)
• →Optional: Black Abyss abseiling adventure (~£130)
• →Waitomo village exploration

Morning free to relax or take an optional second Waitomo activity. Then board an InterCity bus or shared shuttle to Rotorua (~3 hours, £20-25). Arrive in the geothermal city and immediately notice the sulphur smell — part of the charm! Visit the free Kuirau Park geothermal area, with bubbling mud pools and steam vents. Tonight, consider a hangi dinner experience.

🚌InterCity bus/shared shuttle Waitomo → Rotorua (~£22)

🛏Base Backpackers Rotorua or Crash Palace Hostel (dorm ~£22-30/night)

• →Bus/shuttle Waitomo to Rotorua (~3hrs, ~£22)
• →Kuirau Park geothermal area (free)
• →Rotorua lakefront walk (free)
• →Optional: Tamaki Maori Village hangi dinner (~£90) or Mitai Maori Village (~£70)

Spend a full day immersing yourself in Rotorua's geothermal wonders and Maori culture. Visit Te Puia (£35) for geysers including Pohutu — the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere — and the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. In the afternoon, soak in the Polynesian Spa's lake-edge mineral pools (£22 for public pools).

🚌Local buses and walking within Rotorua (~£5)

🛏Base Backpackers Rotorua or Crash Palace Hostel (dorm ~£22-30/night)

• →Te Puia geothermal park and Pohutu Geyser (~£35)
• →New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute at Te Puia
• →Polynesian Spa mineral pools (~£22)
• →Optional: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland day trip (~£25 entry + transport)

Take an early InterCity bus or the Northern Explorer train south to Wellington (approx. 5-6 hours). Arrive in New Zealand's compact and vibrant capital. Head straight to Te Papa Museum on the waterfront — New Zealand's national museum is a must-see, packed with Maori taonga (treasures) and fascinating exhibits on the country's history, culture, and geology. Entry is free.

🚌InterCity bus Rotorua → Wellington (~£30)

🛏YHA Wellington City or Nomads Wellington (dorm ~£28-38/night)

• →Bus or train from Rotorua to Wellington (~5-6hrs, bus ~£30)
• →Te Papa Tongarewa Museum (free entry)
• →Wellington waterfront walk (free)
• →Cuba Street café and bar scene exploration

Morning in Wellington — take the historic Kelburn Cable Car (£5 return) up to the Botanic Garden for panoramic city views. Visit the Carter Observatory or explore the vibrant Courtenay Place food scene. In the afternoon, board the iconic Interislander or Bluebridge ferry from Wellington to Picton across Cook Strait (~3.5 hours, £35-50). A spectacular crossing past Queen Charlotte Sound.

🚌Interislander/Bluebridge ferry Wellington → Picton (~£40)

🛏The Wedgewood House Picton or Sequoia Lodge Backpackers (~£25-35/night)

• →Kelburn Cable Car to Botanic Garden (~£5 return)
• →Wellington Botanic Garden (free)
• →Interislander or Bluebridge ferry Wellington to Picton (~3.5hrs, ~£40)
• →Arrive Picton — gateway to the South Island

Spend the day exploring the stunning Marlborough Sounds. Book a dolphin watching cruise directly with Dolphin Watch Ecotours Marlborough (~£60-80) — you may get the chance to swim with wild dusky dolphins, depending on conditions. In the afternoon, kayak in the Queen Charlotte Sound (hire from about £30 for a half day) or walk the first section of the Queen Charlotte Track.

🚌Local water taxis for Sounds exploration (~£15-25)

🛏The Wedgewood House Picton or Sequoia Lodge Backpackers (~£25-35/night)

• →Dolphin watching and swim tour — Dolphin Watch Ecotours (~£70)
• →Optional: Sea kayak hire in Queen Charlotte Sound (~£30 half day)
• →Optional: Queen Charlotte Track walk section (free)
• →Marlborough wine region — pick up a local Sauvignon Blanc (~£10-15)

Take a combination of InterCity buses via Lewis Pass through the dramatic Southern Alps to Franz Josef on the West Coast (~7-8 hours, £45-55). The journey itself is spectacular — rugged mountain passes, native beech forests, and the wild West Coast. Arrive in the small glacier town and settle in for two nights. Franz Josef is a base for some of New Zealand's most thrilling outdoor experiences.

🚌InterCity bus Picton/Nelson → Franz Josef (~£50)

🛏Franz Josef YHA or Chateau Franz Backpackers (dorm ~£25-35/night)

• →InterCity bus Picton/Nelson to Franz Josef via Lewis Pass (~7-8hrs, ~£50)
• →Arrive Franz Josef village — explore the main strip
• →Check in and plan glacier activities for tomorrow
• →Dinner at a local café (~£12-18)

Today is all about the glacier. Book a helicopter scenic flight with snow landing directly with Glacier Helicopters or The Helicopter Line (~£180-220/person) — a once-in-a-lifetime experience hovering over the icefields and stepping out onto the snow. Alternatively, for free hiking, walk the Sentinel Rock Track or Roberts Point Track for dramatic glacier valley views. If weather closes in (common), use the day to visit the Westland Tai Poutini National Park visitor centre.

🚌Walking to glacier walks (free); helicopter transfers included in flight price

🛏Franz Josef YHA or Chateau Franz Backpackers (dorm ~£25-35/night)

• →Franz Josef Glacier helicopter scenic flight with snow landing (~£200 — book direct with Glacier Helicopters)
• →Alternative: Roberts Point Track glacier valley walk (free, 4-5hrs return)
• →Sentinel Rock Track easy walk (free, 30 mins)
• →Westland Tai Poutini National Park Visitor Centre (free)

Board an InterCity bus or shared shuttle from Franz Josef south to Queenstown (~5-6 hours, £45-55). The drive hugs the West Coast, passes Fox Glacier viewpoints, and crosses Haast Pass into Otago — among the most scenic road journeys in the world. Arrive in Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world, and get settled.

🚌InterCity bus or Intercity/Naked Bus Franz Josef → Queenstown (~£50)

🛏Nomads Queenstown or Base Backpackers Queenstown (dorm ~£28-40/night)

• →InterCity bus or shared shuttle Franz Josef to Queenstown (~5-6hrs, ~£50)
• →Scenic Haast Pass and West Coast views en route
• →Arrive Queenstown — explore Shotover Street
• →Queenstown waterfront and Lake Wakatipu sunset walk (free)

Queenstown is the world's adventure capital — choose your own thrill. The iconic Shotover Jet boat ride (£80) is a classic, or bungee jump from the Kawarau Bridge — the world's first commercial bungee (£145). For a budget option, the free Bob's Peak hike offers staggering views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range. The Queenstown Gardens are also free and beautiful.

🚌Walking within Queenstown; local Orbus buses (~£2-3)

🛏Nomads Queenstown or Base Backpackers Queenstown (dorm ~£28-40/night)

• →Shotover Jet boat ride (~£80, book direct or via GetYourGuide)
• →OR Kawarau Bridge Bungee Jump (~£145, book direct with AJ Hackett)
• →Bob's Peak hike for free panoramic views (free, ~1hr return)
• →Queenstown Gardens walk (free)
• →Evening: Queenstown bar scene on Beach Street

Take a shared day tour from Queenstown to the legendary Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) — one of the world's most dramatic fiords. Book via Real Journeys or GetYourGuide (~£80-110 including bus transfer and 2-hour cruise). The cruise passes towering peaks, Stirling Falls, and seals on the rocks. Alternatively, stay overnight in Te Anau as a base for exploring Fiordland more deeply.

🚌Shared Milford Sound day tour coach from Queenstown (~included in £95 tour price)

🛏Nomads Queenstown (return) OR Te Anau YHA/Backpackers (~£25-35/night)

• →Shared day tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound (~£95 including bus + cruise)
• →Milford Sound/Piopiotahi boat cruise (included in tour)
• →Mitre Peak and Stirling Falls viewpoints
• →Optional: Stay overnight in Te Anau for Kepler Track section hiking

Travel from Queenstown to Christchurch — fly (£60-90 with Air New Zealand) or take an InterCity bus via the Lindis Pass (~6 hours, £45). Arrive in the rebuilt, creative city of Christchurch. Spend the evening exploring the revitalised Christchurch Botanic Gardens, the Re:START shipping container mall, and the riverside Avon promenade. The Cardboard Cathedral is free to visit.

🚌Flight Queenstown → Christchurch (~£75) or InterCity bus (~£45)

🛏Foley Towers or Base Christchurch (dorm ~£25-35/night)

• →Flight Queenstown to Christchurch (~£75 with Air NZ) or bus (~£45, 6hrs)
• →Christchurch Botanic Gardens (free)
• →Christchurch Cardboard Cathedral (free to enter)
• →Riverside Market and Avon promenade walk

Spend a full day exploring the Garden City. Visit the free Canterbury Museum for excellent Maori and Antarctic explorer exhibits. Take a punting tour on the Avon River (~£22). The International Antarctic Centre is worth a visit if you're curious about New Zealand's role as a gateway to Antarctica (~£28 entry). In the evening, head to the revitalised Little High Eatery food hall or Riverside Market for your last NZ dinner.

🚌Metro bus card for city transport (~£5); walking

🛏Foley Towers or Base Christchurch (dorm ~£25-35/night)

• →Canterbury Museum (free entry)
• →Punting on the Avon River (~£22)
• →Optional: International Antarctic Centre (~£28)
• →Little High Eatery or Riverside Market for dinner (~£12-18)
• →Final evening walk through the Botanic Gardens

Your 24-day South Pacific adventure wraps up in Christchurch. Take the Purple Line bus to Christchurch Airport (~£8). Depart at any time. If you have time before your flight, revisit the Botanic Gardens or grab a farewell flat white at C1 Espresso. New Zealand — and Australia — will be calling you back before long.

🚌Purple Line bus to Christchurch Airport (~£8)

• →Purple Line bus to Christchurch Airport (~£8)
• →Final flat white at a local café (~£4)
• →Depart Christchurch