New Zealand & Australia: Bushwalks & Beaches (Self-Launched)

Land at Wellington Airport (WLG) and take the Airport Flyer bus (NZD ~12) or a shuttle into the city. Check into a central hostel (Nomads Capital or Haka Lodge are good budget picks). Wander the waterfront, then visit Te Papa Museum — free entry, and worth an hour in the earthquake-base foundations downstairs. In the evening join a hostel bar crawl or check out Cuba Street's bars and live music for that first-night-out vibe.

🚌Airport Flyer bus NZD ~12 into the city; walking

🛏Central Wellington hostel, 4–8 bed dorm (~£25)

• →Te Papa Museum (free)
• →Wellington waterfront walk
• →Cuba Street bars / hostel night out

Book the Interislander or Bluebridge ferry across the Cook Strait (book ahead — ~NZD 55–75 one way). Stand outside on deck as you enter the Marlborough Sounds. From Picton take an InterCity bus to Nelson and onward to Marahau (~4–5 hrs, NZD ~45–60). Settle into a Marahau hostel or holiday-park cabin right by the national park entrance.

🚌Cook Strait ferry NZD ~65; InterCity bus Picton–Nelson–Marahau NZD ~55

🛏Marahau hostel / cabin, dorm or shared room (~£27)

• →Cook Strait ferry crossing
• →Marlborough Sounds views

Self-book an Aqua Taxi from Marahau to Anchorage (~NZD 45–55), then walk the coastal track back to Marahau at your own pace (about 4 hrs, 12 km). Stop at Te Pukatea Bay and Apple Tree Bay for swims, and detour to Cleopatra's Pool if you have energy. Bring lunch and water. Kayak rentals are available in Marahau if you'd rather paddle.

🚌Aqua Taxi NZD ~50; walking

🛏Marahau hostel / cabin (~£27)

• →Aqua Taxi to Anchorage
• →Abel Tasman Coast Track walk
• →Beach swims at Te Pukatea & Apple Tree Bay

Take an InterCity bus south down the West Coast to Westport (~5 hrs, NZD ~45). If you're travelling in a small group, a shared hire car gives more flexibility for the Cape Foulwind stop — otherwise hop off at the Cape Foulwind walkway (NZD ~30 taxi return) to see the fur seal colony and lighthouse. Evening in Westport's historic coal-mining town centre.

🚌InterCity bus Marahau–Westport NZD ~45; local taxi/shuttle to Cape Foulwind

🛏Westport hostel or budget motel (~£27)

• →Cape Foulwind seal colony & walkway
• →Westport town wander

InterCity bus south with a stop at Punakaiki to walk the Pancake Rocks and blowholes loop (free, 20 min). Continue to Greymouth, then on to Franz Josef (~6 hrs total, NZD ~65). Check into a Franz Josef hostel, then do the easy Lake Matheson walk (~1.5 hrs return) for mirror reflections of Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman — best near sunset.

🚌InterCity bus Westport–Franz Josef with Punakaiki stop NZD ~65

🛏Franz Josef hostel, dorm (~£27)

• →Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & blowholes
• →Lake Matheson reflection walk

Free day. Pick your glacier adventure: a heli-hike with snow landing (~NZD 450–650, book direct with Franz Josef Glacier Guides or HeliServices), or save money with the free Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk to the terminal face (~1.5 hrs return). Other options: kayaking on Lake Mapourika (~NZD 150), or the Tatare Tunnels and Callery Gorge walks. Rainforest, waterfalls and hot pools fill a wet day nicely.

🚌Walking / hostel shuttle to trailheads

🛏Franz Josef hostel (~£27)

• →Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk (free)
• →Optional heli-hike with snow landing
• →Optional Lake Mapourika kayaking
• →Tatare Tunnels walk

The long scenic haul: InterCity bus Franz Josef to Queenstown via Haast Pass and Wanaka (~8 hrs, NZD ~70–85). Hop off in Wanaka for a couple of hours to photograph the famous Wanaka Tree and grab lunch. Arrive in Queenstown, home of the adventure capital, and check into a lakeside hostel (Nomads Queenstown or YHA Lakefront).

🚌InterCity bus Franz Josef–Wanaka–Queenstown NZD ~78

🛏Queenstown hostel, dorm (~£30)

• →Haast Pass scenic drive
• →Wanaka Tree photo stop

Pick one big-ticket thrill and book it direct or via Klook/GetYourGuide: Kawarau Bridge Bungee (~NZD 265), Shotover Canyon Swing (~NZD 295), Nevis bungee if you're brave (~NZD 350+), jet boating on the Shotover (~NZD 179) or tandem skydiving (~NZD 450–550). The afternoon is for the Skyline Gondola and luge (~NZD 66) and a lakeside recovery beer.

🚌Walking; operator shuttles included in activity price

🛏Queenstown hostel (~£30)

• →Bungee jump or canyon swing
• →Shotover jet boat
• →Skyline Gondola & luge

Slow morning on Lake Wakatipu, cafés and boutiques. If you want New Zealand's signature fjord, book a Milford Sound day trip with coach + nature cruise (~NZD 250–300, ~13 hrs door to door — book a day ahead). Otherwise hike the Queenstown Hill Time Walk (free, 2 hrs) or the Ben Lomond Track for big views.

🚌Walking; coach transfer included in Milford trip

🛏Queenstown hostel (~£30)

• →Milford Sound cruise (optional, NZD ~275)
• →Queenstown Hill Time Walk (free)
• →Lake Wakatipu waterfront

Cheapest route: the public Orbus to Glenorchy (NZD ~15 each way, 45 min) for Lord of the Rings scenery at the head of Lake Wakatipu, then walk the Glenorchy Lagoon boardwalk. On the way back, get off at Bob's Cove and walk the Bob's Cove Track (~1 hr return) for turquoise water and mountain views. Total day under NZD 35 if you pack lunch.

🚌Orbus Queenstown–Glenorchy return NZD ~30

🛏Queenstown hostel (~£30)

• →Glenorchy & Lagoon boardwalk
• →Bob's Cove Track

Take the Orbus or a shuttle from Queenstown to Arrowtown (~NZD 12), spend a couple of hours exploring the gold-rush main street and the Chinese Settlement. Then InterCity from Queenstown (or Frankton) to Lake Tekapo (~4 hrs, NZD ~55). Book two nights in a Tekapo hostel or holiday park. After dark, the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve is one of the best stargazing spots on earth — a Dark Sky Project session costs ~NZD 130, or just lie on the lake shore for free.

🚌Orbus to Arrowtown NZD ~12; InterCity Queenstown–Tekapo NZD ~55

🛏Lake Tekapo hostel, dorm (~£30)

• →Arrowtown historic village
• →Lake Tekapo lakeshore
• →Optional Dark Sky stargazing

Drive or take the InterCity/shuttle from Tekapo to Mt Cook Village (~1.5 hrs, NZD ~35 return with the Cook Connection). Walk the Hooker Valley Track — 10 km return, three swing bridges, icebergs and New Zealand's highest peak — about 3 hrs, free. Add the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre (~NZD 25) or the Tasman Glacier View track. Soak in Tekapo Springs hot pools (~NZD 40) back in town.

🚌Shuttle Tekapo–Mt Cook return NZD ~35

🛏Lake Tekapo hostel (~£30)

• →Hooker Valley Track
• →Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
• →Tekapo Springs hot pools

InterCity bus from Tekapo to Christchurch (~3.5 hrs, NZD ~45). Take an evening Jetstar or Air New Zealand flight Christchurch to Sydney (book early — one-way fares from ~NZD 250–350). Land in Sydney, catch the Airport Link train to Central (~AUD 20) and check into a hostel in Surry Hills or The Rocks.

🚌InterCity Tekapo–Christchurch NZD ~45; flight CHC–SYD ~£150; Airport Link train AUD 20

🛏Sydney hostel, dorm (~£28)

• →Trans-Tasman crossing

Free walking tour of The Rocks (tip-based, ~2 hrs) for the convict history, then walk the Sydney Harbour Bridge pedestrian path (free) and loop the Opera House forecourt. A self-guided Opera House tour is ~AUD 50 if you want inside. Ferry to Manly (~AUD 8 with an Opal card) for the harbour views and a beach swim — the best-value harbour cruise in the city.

🚌Opal card ferries & trains AUD ~20 total

🛏Sydney hostel (~£28)

• →The Rocks free walking tour
• →Sydney Harbour Bridge walk
• →Manly ferry & beach

Take the train from Sydney Central to Coffs Harbour (~9 hrs, AUD ~90) or fly to Coffs Harbour (~1 hr, from AUD 100) and shuttle up to Arrawarra. Check into Spot X Surf Camp — the backpacker surf camp that runs the surf lesson this trip is known for. Afternoon swim and beach time.

🚌NSW TrainLink Sydney–Coffs Harbour AUD ~90, or flight + shuttle

🛏Spot X Surf Camp dorm (~£25)

• →Beach swim at Arrawarra

Book the beginner surf lesson directly with Spot X (~AUD 60–70, includes board and wetsuit, ~2.5 hrs) — the same lesson G Adventures includes. Spend the afternoon practising, kayaking the estuary or just lazing on the sand. Camp dinner and a bonfire if you're lucky.

🚌Walking

🛏Spot X Surf Camp dorm (~£25)

• →Group surf lesson at Spot X
• →Estuary kayaking (optional)

Bus or train down to Byron Bay (~3 hrs, AUD ~30 with Greyhound/Premier). Check into a Byron hostel (Aquarius, Byron Bay YHA or The Arts Factory). Afternoon: walk up to Cape Byron Lighthouse for sunset — the most easterly point of mainland Australia — and watch for whales and dolphins from the headland (free).

🚌Greyhound/Premier bus Arrawarra–Byron Bay AUD ~30

🛏Byron Bay hostel, dorm (~£30)

• →Cape Byron Lighthouse walk
• →Wategos Beach

Self-book the Byron Bay ocean kayak tour (~AUD 75–90 with Cape Byron Kayaks or Go Sea Kayak) — paddle past Australia's most easterly point to Julian Rocks Marine Reserve and surf the kayak back in, often alongside dolphins and turtles. Afternoon free for a surf rental (~AUD 35) or a beer at the Beach Hotel.

🚌Walking

🛏Byron Bay hostel (~£30)

• →Byron Bay ocean kayaking with dolphins
• →Surf rental (optional)

Slow day. Walk the Cape Byron Track to the lighthouse again in the morning light, swim at The Pass, then explore the Hinterland on a local bus to Mullumbimby or Bangalow for markets and cafés. Or book a half-day hinterland tour if you want waterfalls and Minyon Falls without a car (~AUD 80).

🚌Local bus AUD ~10; walking

🛏Byron Bay hostel (~£30)

• →The Pass snorkel/swim
• →Hinterland villages & markets

Greyhound or Premier bus north to Brisbane (~2.5 hrs, AUD ~30). Check into a Brisbane hostel (Bunk Brisbane or YHA Brisbane City). Afternoon: walk the South Bank riverfront and Streets Beach, or climb the Story Bridge for sunset views.

🚌Greyhound bus Byron Bay–Brisbane AUD ~30

🛏Brisbane hostel, dorm (~£28)

• →South Bank & Streets Beach
• →Brisbane riverfront walk

Take the train to Daisy Hill (~AUD 8) and visit the Daisy Hill Koala Centre — free entry, koalas and wildlife displays. Walk the surrounding conservation park trails looking for wild kangaroos at dusk. Back in the city, explore the Queen Street Mall and West End food scene.

🚌Queensland Rail Brisbane–Daisy Hill return AUD ~16

🛏Brisbane hostel (~£28)

• →Daisy Hill Koala Centre (free)
• →Kangaroo spotting walk
• →West End food crawl

Train to Cleveland, then the Stradbroke Ferries passenger ferry (~AUD 20 return), then a bus to Point Lookout. Walk the North Gorge boardwalk for turtles, manta rays and dolphins, swim at Cylinder Beach, and look for kangaroos near the headland. One of the best-value wildlife days on the east coast.

🚌Train + ferry + island bus AUD ~40 return

🛏Brisbane hostel (~£28)

• →North Gorge boardwalk
• →Cylinder Beach swim
• →Kangaroos at Point Lookout

Last full day. Walk the Brisbane River loop, visit the free Queensland Art Gallery and Museum, or take the CityCat ferry down the river (~AUD 5). Book a hostel rooftop or Fortitude Valley night out to close out the trip. Repack and check your flight times for tomorrow.

🚌CityCat ferry AUD ~5

🛏Brisbane hostel (~£28)

• →QAGOMA galleries (free)
• →CityCat river ferry
• →Fortitude Valley night out

Check out, take the Airtrain to Brisbane Airport (~AUD 20, 20 min from Central) and fly home. If your flight is later, store bags at the hostel and do a final South Bank coffee walk.

🚌Airtrain Brisbane Central–Airport AUD ~20

• →Departure