Epic New Zealand Self-Launched Adventure

Arrive in Christchurch (CHC), New Zealand's South Island gateway. Check into your hostel and spend the afternoon exploring at your own pace. Stroll through the stunning Christchurch Botanic Gardens (free entry) or pop into the Canterbury Museum (free) to soak up the city's rich Maori and colonial heritage. Head out for dinner on your own — try the lively Little High Eatery food hall for affordable, varied options.

🚌Arrive by international flight into Christchurch Airport; city centre accessible by bus (~£3) or taxi (~£20–25)

🛏Haka House Christchurch or Base Christchurch — dorm bed ~£22–26/night

• →Christchurch Botanic Gardens (free)
• →Canterbury Museum (free)
• →Self-guided walk through the Transitional Cathedral and city centre rebuild

Self-guide a morning walk around Christchurch city — visit the new Cardboard Cathedral, the Bridge of Remembrance and the rejuvenated city centre to see the creative post-earthquake rebuild firsthand. Then catch an InterCity coach or join a shared shuttle to Lake Tekapo (~3.5 hrs). Stop in Fairlie for a classic Southland-style lunch of mince pies and cheese rolls at one of the local bakeries (~£5–8). On arrival at Tekapo, visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd on the lake shore (free). As night falls, head up Mount John for world-class stargazing — the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve is among the best in the world. Tekapo Springs Hot Pool is a great optional wind-down (~NZD 50/£24).

🚌InterCity coach Christchurch → Lake Tekapo ~£18–22. Book at intercity.co.nz

🛏YHA Lake Tekapo or Tasman Holiday Parks — dorm/budget room ~£25–30/night

• →Christchurch self-guided city walk (free)
• →Church of the Good Shepherd visit (free)
• →Fairlie bakery lunch stop
• →Mount John stargazing (free or ~£24 guided via Earth & Sky)

Catch a morning coach or shared shuttle from Lake Tekapo to Queenstown (~3.5 hrs). On arrival, head straight up the Skyline Gondola for panoramic views over the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu — book the Gondola + Luge combo directly at skyline.co.nz (~NZD 79/£38 including two luge rides). Race downhill on the luge (part go-kart, part toboggan) before heading back into town. In the evening, join the queue at the legendary Fergburger on Shotover Street — gourmet burgers for ~NZD 15–20/£7–10. Explore Queenstown's lively bar scene on Cow Lane and Beach Street afterwards.

🚌InterCity or Naked Bus coach Lake Tekapo → Queenstown ~£18–25

🛏Haka House Queenstown or Base Queenstown — dorm bed ~£24–28/night

• →Skyline Gondola (book direct ~£28)
• →Luge rides x2 (included in Gondola combo ~£38 total)
• →Dinner at Fergburger (~£8–10)

A full free day to explore Queenstown and surrounds at your own pace. Options range from heart-pounding (Shotover Jet boat ride ~NZD 179/£85, Nevis Bungy ~NZD 395/£188, Canyon Swing ~NZD 295/£140) to scenic and affordable (walk the Lake Wakatipu shoreline trail for free, hike the Ben Lomond track ~4–6 hrs return, free). If you want a big day out, book the Milford Sound coach-cruise-coach trip through Real NZ (~NZD 274/£130) — one of New Zealand's most spectacular experiences. On a budget? The Queenstown Hill Time Walk (free) gives panoramic views without the price tag.

🚌On foot or local bus within Queenstown

🛏Haka House Queenstown or Base Queenstown — dorm bed ~£24–28/night

• →Lake Wakatipu shoreline walk (free)
• →Queenstown Hill Time Walk (free)
• →Optional: Shotover Jet Boat (~£85)
• →Optional: Milford Sound Day Trip (~£130)
• →Optional: Nevis Bungy (~£188)

Take a local bus or shared shuttle from Queenstown to Arrowtown (~30 mins, ~£5–8). Wander the beautifully preserved gold-rush-era main street, browse the Lakes District Museum (NZD 10/~£5) and imagine life during the 1860s goldrush. Continue to Kawarau Gorge — if bungy jumping is on your bucket list, Kawarau Bridge Bungy (~NZD 320/£152) is the world's first commercial bungy site. Otherwise, admire the gorge from the viewing platform for free. Then head to Gibbston Valley Winery for a self-booked wine cave tour and tasting (~NZD 30–40/£15–20 at gibbstonvalley.com). Return to Queenstown for your final evening — grab drinks by the lake.

🚌Connectabus or shared shuttle Queenstown ↔ Arrowtown ~£5–8 each way

🛏Haka House Queenstown or Base Queenstown — dorm bed ~£24–28/night

• →Arrowtown village self-guided walk (free)
• →Lakes District Museum (~£5)
• →Kawarau Gorge viewing platform (free)
• →Gibbston Valley Wine Cave Tour & Tasting (~£15–20, book direct)

An epic scenic drive day — catch an InterCity coach or jump on the Stray/Kiwi Experience hop-on hop-off bus northward. Stop at the Makarora Blue Pools Track (~1.5 km, free) midway through the journey. Walk through native beech forest, cross a swing bridge and reach the stunning turquoise pools where large trout are often visible. Continue north along the wild West Coast to Franz Josef village. On arrival, explore the glacier village, pick up supplies from the local Four Square and settle into your hostel. The drive through the Haast Pass is one of New Zealand's most scenic.

🚌InterCity or Stray Bus Queenstown → Franz Josef via Makarora ~£35–45. Journey ~6 hrs

🛏Rainforest Retreat Franz Josef or Franz Josef TOP 10 Holiday Park — dorm bed ~£22–26/night

• →Makarora Blue Pools Track (~1.5 km walk, free)
• →Haast Pass scenic drive
• →Franz Josef village exploration (free)

Head out on the Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk this morning — a well-maintained free trail that winds through ancient rainforest along the Waiho River, past cascading waterfalls and culminating in panoramic glacier views. The full return walk is ~2 km and takes around 1–1.5 hours. For a more dramatic glacier experience, book a heli-hike with Franz Josef Glacier Guides (~NZD 795/£378) to land on the glacier itself. More affordable optional extras include kayaking on Lake Mapourika (~NZD 65–125/£31–60 via Glacier Country Kayaks), soaking in the Waiho Hot Tubs (~NZD 89/£42), or carving your own Pounamu (greenstone) necklace at a local studio (~NZD 95/£45).

🚌On foot from village to glacier car park (free)

🛏Rainforest Retreat Franz Josef or Franz Josef TOP 10 Holiday Park — dorm bed ~£22–26/night

• →Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk (~2 km, free)
• →Optional: Lake Mapourika Kayak (~£31–60)
• →Optional: Waiho Hot Tubs (~£42)
• →Optional: Pounamu Necklace Carving (~£45)
• →Optional: Heli-Hike (~£378)

Catch a northbound coach along the stunning West Coast Highway (SH6) to Punakaiki. The Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Paparoa National Park are free to visit — a well-maintained 30-minute loop walk takes you through otherworldly limestone formations carved over 30 million years, with powerful blowholes surging at high tide. Continue to Westport. Optional stop at Charleston for the GlowWorm Cave Adventure (~NZD 165/£78 via undergroundadventures.co.nz). In Westport, pick up a surfboard hire (~NZD 45/£21) or book a surf lesson (~NZD 90/£43) at Bazil's Surf School. In the evening, grab supplies from the local supermarket for a self-organised BBQ at the hostel — a true Kiwi experience.

🚌InterCity coach Franz Josef → Westport via Punakaiki ~£25–35. Journey ~5 hrs

🛏Bazil's Hostel Westport — dorm bed ~£20–24/night

• →Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & Blowholes walk (free)
• →Optional: Charleston GlowWorm Cave (~£78)
• →Optional: Surfboard hire (~£21) or Surf lesson (~£43)
• →Self-organised BBQ dinner (~£8–12)

Start the morning with a short self-guided walk to Tauranga Bay Seal Colony (~15 min drive from Westport, free) — a thriving New Zealand fur seal colony where you can watch seals basking on the rocks. Then visit the Museum of Kawatiri (Westport) — an excellent exhibition on the Maori heritage of the Buller District (~NZD 10–15/£5–7). Then hop on a coach or shuttle northeast to Motueka/Marahau, the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park (~4 hrs). On arrival, relax at your hostel, take a gentle evening walk along the beach and plan your activities for tomorrow.

🚌InterCity coach Westport → Motueka/Marahau ~£25–35. Journey ~4 hrs

🛏Abel Tasman Marahau Lodge or Kaiteriteri Beach Camp — dorm/budget room ~£22–28/night

• →Tauranga Bay Seal Colony walk (free)
• →Museum of Kawatiri/Kawatiri Experience (~£5–7)
• →Abel Tasman coastal evening walk (free)

A full free day in one of New Zealand's most beautiful national parks. The Abel Tasman Coast Track is one of the Great Walks — book a water taxi from Marahau to drop you at Anchorage or Bark Bay and walk back through golden beaches and forest (~NZD 40–60/£19–29 for water taxi). Alternatively, book a full-day sailing trip with Abel Tasman Sailing Adventures (~NZD 213/£101). Thrill-seekers can book a skydive with Skydive Abel Tasman (~from NZD 280/£133) for views over the golden coast. Canyoning in the national park is also available (~from NZD 319/£152). Budget option: walk the beach trails directly from Marahau for free.

🚌On foot or water taxi within the national park

🛏Abel Tasman Marahau Lodge or Kaiteriteri Beach Camp — dorm/budget room ~£22–28/night

• →Abel Tasman Coast Track section hike (free or ~£19–29 with water taxi)
• →Optional: Full Day Sailing (~£101)
• →Optional: Skydiving (~from £133)
• →Optional: Canyoning (~from £152)

Catch a morning shuttle or coach from Marahau/Motueka to Picton (~2 hrs). Board the Interislander or Bluebridge ferry from Picton to Wellington across the Cook Strait (~3.5 hrs crossing) — one of the world's great ferry journeys, winding through the dramatic Marlborough Sounds. Keep eyes peeled for dolphins alongside the boat. Book ferries in advance at interislander.co.nz (~NZD 59–80/£28–38). Arrive in Wellington early evening. Check into your hostel in the vibrant Cuba St area. Head out for dinner and drinks — Wellington is famous for its café and craft beer scene.

🚌Shuttle Marahau → Picton ~£15–20. Interislander/Bluebridge ferry Picton → Wellington ~£28–38 (book ahead). Metlink bus Wellington ferry terminal → city ~£2–3

🛏YHA Wellington or Nomads Capital — dorm bed ~£24–30/night

• →Marlborough Sounds ferry crossing (Interislander/Bluebridge ~£28–38)
• →Wellington waterfront evening walk (free)

A full free day in New Zealand's cool, compact capital. Te Papa Tongarewa (the national museum) is free and could easily fill a morning with its world-class Maori taonga (treasures) and natural history exhibitions. Walk or take the historic Cable Car (~NZD 12/£6 return) up to the Botanic Garden for sweeping harbour views. Hike up Mount Victoria (free, ~45 min) for 360° panoramic views across the city. Film fans shouldn't miss the Weta Workshop Unleashed tour (~NZD 45/£21, book at wetaworkshop.com) — the Academy Award-winning studio behind The Lord of the Rings, Avatar and more. In the evening, explore the Cuba Street restaurant strip — one of NZ's best foodie precincts.

🚌On foot or Metlink bus within Wellington

🛏YHA Wellington or Nomads Capital — dorm bed ~£24–30/night

• →Te Papa Tongarewa Museum (free)
• →Wellington Botanic Garden via Cable Car (~£6 return)
• →Mount Victoria Lookout hike (free)
• →Optional: Weta Workshop Unleashed Tour (~£21)
• →Optional: Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary (~£13)

Catch a morning InterCity coach from Wellington north through the dramatic Manawatu Gorge and Rangitikei region to Taihape — the self-proclaimed 'gumboot capital of New Zealand,' marked by its giant golden gumboot sculpture in the town centre. Check into your lodge accommodation, set in beautiful high-country farming scenery. The afternoon is free — optional whitewater rafting on the Rangitikei River with Rangitikei River Adventures (~NZD 265/£126) is highly recommended for adrenaline seekers. Those preferring a gentler pace can hire an e-bike and explore local trails (~NZD 120/£57). In the evening, head to a local pub or restaurant to sample Kiwi farm produce and regional dishes.

🚌InterCity coach Wellington → Taihape ~£22–30. Journey ~4 hrs

🛏Mangaohane Downs Station or local lodge/holiday park — dorm/budget room ~£25–32/night

• →Taihape gumboot sculpture photo stop (free)
• →Optional: Rangitikei White Water Rafting (~£126)
• →Optional: E-Bike Hire (~£57)
• →Dinner at local pub/restaurant with Kiwi farm produce (~£15–20)

After a cooked breakfast at your lodge (~£5–8 self-catered), catch a coach towards Taupo. Stop at the spectacular Huka Falls on the Waikato River — the most visited natural attraction in New Zealand and completely free to visit. The turquoise water thunders through a narrow gorge at 220,000 litres per second. Spend a couple of free hours in Taupo town — walk the lake shore, browse the Saturday market (if applicable) or grab coffee. Then continue north to Rotorua (~1 hr). On arrival, explore Rotorua's geothermal parks and famous sulphurous 'rotten egg' smell! Optional evening: the Redwoods Nightlights Treewalk (~NZD 42/£20 — book at treewalk.co.nz) offers a magical after-dark experience walking on suspension bridges through illuminated ancient redwoods.

🚌InterCity coach Taihape → Taupo ~£18–22, then Taupo → Rotorua ~£10–14. Journey ~3 hrs total

🛏Base Rotorua or YHA Rotorua — dorm bed ~£22–26/night

• →Huka Falls visit (free)
• →Lake Taupo waterfront walk (free)
• →Optional: Redwoods Nightlights Tree Walk (~£20)

Begin the day with a guided tour of the Whakarewarewa Living Maori Village — a settlement continuously inhabited for over 200 years where local Ngati Wahiao people live and work alongside active geothermal features. Book directly at whakarewarewa.com (~NZD 40/£19 entry, guided tours included). You'll walk through the active Marae, tapu burial grounds and see the Pohutu Geyser — the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere, erupting up to 20 times a day. The afternoon is free for Rotorua's many adventures: canopy ziplining with Rotorua Canopy Tours (~NZD 149/£71), guided glowworm kayaking (~NZD 99/£47) or whitewater rafting on the Kaituna River with Kaituna Cascades (~NZD 109/£52). Alternatively, unwind at the Polynesian Spa on the lake shore (~NZD 35–60/£17–29).

🚌Local bus or taxi to Whakarewarewa Village (~10 min from town, ~£5–8)

🛏Base Rotorua or YHA Rotorua — dorm bed ~£22–26/night

• →Whakarewarewa Living Maori Village guided tour (~£19)
• →Pohutu Geyser viewing (included in village entry)
• →Optional: Canopy Zipline Tour (~£71)
• →Optional: Glowworm Kayaking (~£47)
• →Optional: Polynesian Spa (~£17–29)

This morning, experience one of New Zealand's most iconic and hilarious activities: zorbing at OGO Rotorua on the slopes of Mount Ngongotaha. Roll downhill inside a giant inflatable ball (with or without water) — book at ogo.co.nz (~NZD 45–55/£21–26 per ride). While you're up on the mountain, the Skyline Rotorua Gondola gives great views over the lake (~NZD 35/£17 gondola only). Spend the afternoon exploring Rotorua's geothermal parks — Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is a highlight (~NZD 42/£20, 30 mins from town) with technicolour pools and the Lady Knox Geyser erupting daily at 10:15am. Evening is free — try the Night Market on Thursdays for cheap and delicious street food (~£8–12).

🚌Local shuttle or taxi to OGO Rotorua (~10–15 min from town)

🛏Base Rotorua or YHA Rotorua — dorm bed ~£22–26/night

• →OGO Zorbing on Mount Ngongotaha (~£21–26 per ride, book at ogo.co.nz)
• →Optional: Skyline Rotorua Gondola (~£17)
• →Optional: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland (~£20)
• →Rotorua Night Market street food (~£8–12, Thursdays)

Catch a morning Bay Hopper bus or InterCity coach from Rotorua to Tauranga (~1.5 hrs, ~£10–15). Cross the harbour to Mount Maunganui — a stunning coastal town at the base of Mauao (the Mount). The summit hike up Mauao is free, takes ~45 minutes return and rewards you with incredible 360° coastal views over the Bay of Plenty. Stroll the white sand Main Beach and grab fish and chips on the waterfront for a classic Kiwi lunch (~£8–12). In the afternoon, explore the Mount Maunganui village, surf shops and cafés. If you fancy a surf, board hire is available (~NZD 25–35/£12–17). Spend the night in Mount Maunganui.

🚌InterCity or Bay Hopper bus Rotorua → Tauranga ~£10–15. Local bus Tauranga → Mount Maunganui ~£2–3

🛏Mount Maunganui Beach Holiday Park or Papamoa Beach TOP 10 — dorm/budget room ~£22–28/night

• →Mauao (Mount Maunganui) summit hike (free)
• →Main Beach Tauranga swim and walk (free)
• →Waterfront fish and chips lunch (~£8–12)
• →Optional: Surfboard hire (~£12–17)

Take a morning InterCity coach from Tauranga to Auckland (~3 hrs, ~£18–25). On arrival, check into your Auckland hostel and spend the afternoon exploring the City of Sails. Walk up the Domain or One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie) for free panoramic city views. The Auckland Museum in the Domain is free for residents but NZD 25 (~£12) for international visitors — with outstanding Maori taonga. Explore the trendy Ponsonby Road and K'Road dining scene in the evening — Auckland's best bars and restaurants. Optional: take the Waiheke Island ferry (~NZD 40/£19 return from Ferry Building) for afternoon wines at Stonyridge or Cable Bay vineyard.

🚌InterCity coach Tauranga → Auckland ~£18–25. Journey ~3 hrs. Auckland Link Bus within city ~£2–3

🛏Haka House Auckland CBD or Base Auckland — dorm bed ~£24–30/night

• →Auckland city self-guided walk (free)
• →One Tree Hill / Cornwall Park (free)
• →Auckland War Memorial Museum (~£12)
• →Optional: Waiheke Island ferry & wine tasting (~£19+ ferry)
• →Ponsonby / K'Road evening food and bar scene (~£15–25)

Your final morning in New Zealand — Auckland is your departure point. If you have time before your flight, take a stroll along the Viaduct Harbour waterfront and grab a flat white at a local café (New Zealand coffee is exceptional). The Sky Tower observation deck (~NZD 32/£15) gives 360° views across the city and Hauraki Gulf — a great final memory. Alternatively, explore Britomart's boutique shops and cafés. Head to Auckland Airport (AKL) by SkyBus (~NZD 24/£11, runs every 10 min) or taxi (~NZD 60–80/£29–38). Haere rā — farewell, and safe travels!

🚌SkyBus Auckland city → Auckland Airport ~£11 (book at skybus.co.nz) or taxi ~£29–38

🛏Check-out — no accommodation needed

• →Viaduct Harbour waterfront walk (free)
• →Optional: Sky Tower observation deck (~£15)
• →Britomart café and shopping (free to browse)