Self-Launched Auckland to Queenstown: 18-Day New Zealand Adventure

Fly into Auckland Airport and make your way into the city centre. The SkyBus runs directly from the airport to the CBD (~£15, ~45 mins). Check into a central hostel — Haka House Auckland City mirrors the operator's own accommodation choice and sits right in the CBD. Spend your first evening exploring the Auckland Waterfront, grabbing dinner on Viaduct Harbour, and meeting fellow travellers.

🚌SkyBus from Auckland Airport to CBD (~£15)

🛏Haka House Auckland City (dorm ~£28/night) or Base Auckland (~£22/night)

• →Explore Auckland Waterfront and Viaduct Harbour
• →Visit Queens Wharf and the waterfront promenade
• →Grab dinner independently on Viaduct Harbour or Ponsonby Road

Catch an early InterCity coach from Auckland to Thames and connect to Hahei (~£30 total, ~3.5 hrs). Check in to Hahei Beach Resort — the same hostel used by the Stray tour. Head straight to Hot Water Beach at low tide (check tide times online in advance) and dig your own natural hot pool in the sand. In the evening, fire up a classic Kiwi BBQ at the hostel — grab supplies from the local store.

🚌InterCity coach Auckland → Thames → Hahei (~£30)

🛏Hahei Beach Resort (dorm ~£25/night)

• →Dig a natural hot pool at Hot Water Beach (free, check tide times)
• →Kiwi BBQ dinner with hostel groceries (~£8)
• →Evening walk along Hahei Beach

Rise early for the 35-minute walk to Cathedral Cove — one of New Zealand's most iconic sea arches. The trail starts from the Grange Road car park and is free to walk (water taxi also available from Hahei Beach, ~£15 return). Alternatively, book a sunrise kayak tour of Cathedral Cove via GetYourGuide (~£55). Spend the afternoon relaxing on Hahei Beach or book the Hahei Explorer boat tour (~£45) independently at their office in the village.

🚌Walk or local water taxi to Cathedral Cove (~£15 return)

🛏Hahei Beach Resort (dorm ~£25/night)

• →Walk to Cathedral Cove via the coastal trail (free, ~35 mins each way)
• →Optional: Cathedral Cove sunrise kayak tour via GetYourGuide (~£55)
• →Optional: Hahei Explorer boat tour booked directly (~£45)
• →Swim and relax on Hahei Beach

Early sunrise walk on Hahei Beach before catching a morning coach back to Thames, then onwards to Rotorua via InterCity (~£30 total). En route, stop at Karangahake Gorge — alight the coach at the trailhead and explore the historic gold-mining tunnels and suspension bridge (free entry). Continue to Rotorua and check into Haka House Rotorua. Book the Hobbiton Movie Set tour independently via their official website or GetYourGuide (~£40-48 adult). End the day with a self-guided walk through the Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest (free).

🚌InterCity coach Hahei → Thames → Rotorua (~£30)

🛏Haka House Rotorua (dorm ~£22/night)

• →Sunrise walk on Hahei Beach (free)
• →Explore Karangahake Gorge historic trail (free)
• →Hobbiton Movie Set tour booked directly at hobbitontours.com (~£44)
• →Self-guided walk through Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest (free)

Transfer to Kohutapu Lodge near Murupara for an authentic Māori cultural experience — book directly via kohutapulodge.co.nz. The lodge offers guided tours to sacred Māori rock carvings, Haka lessons, and flax weaving workshops, all culminating in a traditional hangi buffet dinner. This is the most culturally significant day of the trip and well worth the cost. Optional morning activities in Rotorua before departure: Kuirau Park (free bubbling mud pools), Polynesian Spa (~£15), or Rotorua Canopy Tours (~£95, bookable direct).

🚌Rental car or shuttle from Rotorua to Murupara (~£20 share shuttle or ~£35/day car hire)

🛏Kohutapu Lodge (includes dinner and breakfast, ~£85/person)

• →Visit Kuirau Park bubbling mud pools in Rotorua (free)
• →Optional: Polynesian Spa soak (~£15, book at polynesianspa.co.nz)
• →Transfer to Kohutapu Lodge near Lake Aniwhenua
• →Learn the Haka and Māori flax weaving (included with lodge stay)
• →Guided tour to sacred Māori rock carvings
• →Traditional hangi buffet dinner and dessert

After a buffet breakfast at Kohutapu Lodge, drive or catch a shuttle to Taupo (~1.5 hrs). Stop at Kerosene Creek on the way — a free natural hot river perfect for a soak (just south of Rotorua on SH5, roadside parking). In Taupo, walk or cycle to Huka Falls (free) and marvel at the turquoise water thundering through a narrow gorge. Check into Haka House Taupo. Optional thrills: Taupo is New Zealand's skydiving capital — book with Skydive Taupo (~£170) or Taupo Bungy (~£85) directly.

🚌Shuttle or shared car hire from Murupara to Taupo (~£20-35)

🛏Haka House Taupo (dorm ~£22/night)

• →Soak at Kerosene Creek natural hot river (free)
• →Walk to Huka Falls viewpoint (free)
• →Optional: Skydive Taupo (~£170, book at skydivetaupo.co.nz)
• →Optional: Taupo Bungy (~£85, book at taupobungy.co.nz)
• →Explore Taupo lakefront and town centre

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is widely regarded as one of the world's great one-day hikes — 19.4km through a surreal volcanic landscape of emerald lakes, steaming craters, and lava fields. Catch the dedicated shuttle from Taupo (ManaBus or local shuttles, ~£20 return) which drops at the trailhead and picks up at the finish. The crossing is free to walk but check conditions at the Tongariro Alpine Crossing website; in winter/snowy conditions you'll need a guide and crampons (~£50 extra). Stay overnight at Alpine Chalets or equivalent in Whakapapa Village.

🚌Crossing shuttle from Taupo or Turangi (~£20 return, book at tongarirocrossing.org.nz)

🛏Alpine Chalets Whakapapa or Ruapehu Mountain Lodge (dorm ~£28/night)

• →Tongariro Alpine Crossing 19.4km hike (free trail)
• →See Emerald Lakes, Red Crater, and South Crater
• →Optional: Taranaki Falls walk from Whakapapa Village (free, ~2hrs)
• →Optional: Visit Tawhai Falls (Gollum's Pool from Lord of the Rings, free)

Catch an InterCity coach from Ohakune or National Park Village to Wellington (~£25, 4 hrs). Wellington is New Zealand's compact, vibrant capital — home to excellent coffee, craft beer, and world-class museums. Check into Cambridge Hotel (the same hostel used by the tour). Spend the afternoon exploring Cuba Street's indie cafes and boutiques, then ride the historic Wellington Cable Car up to the Botanic Garden (£4 return). Visit Te Papa National Museum — New Zealand's national museum — which is free entry.

🚌InterCity coach Tongariro National Park → Wellington (~£25)

🛏Cambridge Hotel Wellington (dorm ~£25/night)

• →Ride the Wellington Cable Car to the Botanic Garden (~£4 return)
• →Explore Cuba Street cafes, bars, and street art (free)
• →Visit Te Papa National Museum (free entry)
• →Walk along Oriental Parade to the waterfront (free)
• →Optional: Craft brewery tour on Courtenay Place (~£15-25)

A free day to explore Wellington at your own pace. Start at Te Papa National Museum (free) to learn about Māori culture and New Zealand's natural history. Walk past the Beehive (New Zealand Parliament buildings) and join the free public gallery tour. Head to the Weta Workshop Unleashed for a behind-the-scenes look at the film effects studio behind Lord of the Rings (~£28, book at wetaworkshop.com). In the evening, head out on Courtenay Place — Wellington's lively bar and restaurant strip.

🚌Walking and local bus (Metlink, ~£3/journey)

🛏Cambridge Hotel Wellington (dorm ~£25/night)

• →Te Papa National Museum (free, allow 2-3 hours)
• →Free guided tour of New Zealand Parliament / Beehive
• →Weta Workshop Unleashed tour (~£28, book direct)
• →Walk up Mt Victoria for panoramic city views (free)
• →Evening on Courtenay Place

Book the Interislander ferry from Wellington to Picton in advance (~£35-50, book at greatjourneysofnz.co.nz) — a scenic 3-hour crossing through the Marlborough Sounds. From Picton, catch an InterCity coach to Nelson (~£20) and then a local shuttle to Marahau (~£15). Check into The Barn Cabins & Camp at the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park. Optional: stop in the Marlborough wine region on the way for a vineyard tasting (~£10-20).

🚌Interislander ferry Wellington → Picton (~£45), InterCity coach Picton → Nelson (~£20), shuttle Nelson → Marahau (~£15)

🛏The Barn Cabins & Camp, Marahau (cabin/dorm ~£25/night)

• →Interislander ferry Wellington → Picton through Marlborough Sounds (scenic, ~3 hrs)
• →Optional: Marlborough wine region stop and tasting (~£10-20)
• →Arrive in Marahau — gateway to Abel Tasman National Park
• →Optional group dinner at The Barn (~£15-20)

Book a water taxi from Marahau to Anchorage Bay with Abel Tasman Sea Shuttles (~£30 return, book at abeltasmanseashuttles.co.nz). From Anchorage, hike the Abel Tasman Coast Track back through the national park (~4 hours, free). Stop at Cleopatra's Pools for a swim in the fresh-water pools and ride the natural rock water slide (free). Pack a picnic lunch from The Barn. Optional: book a half-day sea kayak instead via Kaiteriteri Kayaks (~£55).

🚌Water taxi Marahau → Anchorage Bay and back (~£30)

🛏The Barn Cabins & Camp, Marahau (cabin/dorm ~£25/night)

• →Water taxi to Anchorage Bay (~£30 return, book direct)
• →Picnic lunch on golden sand beach
• →Swim at Cleopatra's Pools and ride the natural rock water slide (free)
• →Hike the Abel Tasman Coast Track back to Marahau (~4 hrs, free)
• →Optional: Half-day sea kayak with Kaiteriteri Kayaks (~£55)

This is a long driving day down the wild West Coast — best done by hiring a car or joining a shared shuttle. Drive south through Buller Gorge (stop for a short gorge walk, free) and don't miss Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes (~£5 entry, check tides for best blowhole action). Continue through Hokitika and into Franz Josef village. Check into Rainforest Retreat. Grab a group dinner at the hostel common room or at the local pub.

🚌Shared shuttle or car hire from Marahau to Franz Josef (~£40-60/person shuttle or ~£40/day car hire split)

🛏Rainforest Retreat Franz Josef (dorm ~£25/night)

• →Stop at Buller Gorge — gorge walk and swingbridge (free/£5)
• →Visit Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes (~£5, allow 1 hour)
• →Drive the scenic West Coast road through Hokitika
• →Arrive Franz Josef — evening at Rainforest Retreat

Franz Josef Glacier is one of the few glaciers in the world that descends into rainforest. Walk the free glacier valley trail through native bush and along glacial streams to the viewing platform. For a more immersive experience, book a heli-hike (helicopter + guided glacier walk) with Franz Josef Glacier Guides (~£220, book at franzjosefglacier.com) — pricey but a true once-in-a-lifetime experience. Alternatively, the valley walk is spectacular and free. Soak in the Rainforest Retreat spa pool in the evening (~£10).

🚌Local walks and free shuttle to glacier trailhead

🛏Rainforest Retreat Franz Josef (dorm ~£25/night)

• →Free glacier valley walk through native bush and glacial streams (2-3 hrs)
• →Optional: Heli-hike on Franz Josef Glacier (~£220, book at franzjosefglacier.com)
• →Optional: Ice climbing experience (~£180)
• →Soak in Rainforest Retreat hot spa pools (~£10)
• →Evening in Franz Josef village

An epic drive south over the Haast Pass and through some of New Zealand's most dramatic mountain scenery. Start with an early morning walk at Lake Matheson (free) — the famous 'mirror lake' reflects Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman in perfect stillness, best at dawn. Continue south via Haast Pass, stopping at roadside waterfalls. Drive along Lakes Hawea and Wanaka before descending into Queenstown. Check into Haka House Queenstown and explore the town centre and lakefront.

🚌Car hire or shared shuttle Franz Josef → Queenstown via Haast Pass (~£50-70/person shuttle or car hire)

🛏Haka House Queenstown (dorm ~£28/night)

• →Sunrise walk at Lake Matheson mirror lake (free, ~1 hour loop)
• →Scenic drive through Haast Pass and Gates of Haast (free)
• →Stop at Thunder Creek Falls and Fantail Falls (free roadside stops)
• →Arrive Queenstown — explore town centre and lakefront

Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world — and you can book everything independently, often at the same price or cheaper than through a tour. Hike up Bob's Peak for panoramic views of the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu (free, ~1.5 hrs up). Or take the Skyline gondola (~£25) and add a luge ride. For adrenaline: AJ Hackett Bungy at Kawarau Bridge (~£120, the world's first commercial bungy) or Shotover Jet boat (~£85, book direct). Queenstown Gardens walk is free.

🚌Walking and local buses (~£3/journey)

🛏Haka House Queenstown (dorm ~£28/night)

• →Hike Bob's Peak for panoramic views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables (free, ~1.5 hrs)
• →Optional: AJ Hackett Kawarau Bungy (~£120, book at bungy.co.nz)
• →Optional: Shotover Jet boat (~£85, book at shotoverjet.com)
• →Optional: Queenstown zipline with Ziptrek Ecotours (~£75)
• →Explore Queenstown lakefront and gardens (free)

A second full day in Queenstown to tackle more adventures or explore at a slower pace. Hike Queenstown Hill (free, ~2.5 hrs return) for sweeping views. Or rent a bike and ride the Queenstown Trail along Lake Wakatipu (~£35/day hire). Skydive Queenstown offers tandem jumps over dramatic alpine scenery (~£230). Horse trekking through the Wakatipu basin with Moonlight Stables (~£85). In the evening, try Fergburger (legendary NZ burger joint) and wander the lakefront bars.

🚌Walking, bike hire, or local bus

🛏Haka House Queenstown (dorm ~£28/night)

• →Hike Queenstown Hill or Ben Lomond (free — Ben Lomond is ~5-6 hrs return)
• →Optional: Skydive Queenstown (~£230, book at skydive.co.nz)
• →Optional: Horse trekking with Moonlight Stables (~£85)
• →Optional: Mountain biking on the Queenstown Trail (~£35 bike hire)
• →Dinner at Fergburger (~£12)

Book a Milford Sound day trip from Queenstown independently — numerous operators offer coach + cruise packages. Real Journeys and Jucy Cruise both offer great options (~£90-110 all-in for coach + boat cruise, book at realjourneys.co.nz or GetYourGuide). The 5-hour round drive through Fiordland National Park is itself spectacular. The 2-hour Milford Sound cruise takes you past Mitre Peak, thundering waterfalls, fur seals, and dolphins. This is one of New Zealand's unmissable experiences.

🚌Day tour coach Queenstown → Milford Sound return (~£30-45 included in most tour packages)

🛏Haka House Queenstown (dorm ~£28/night)

• →Full-day coach tour to Milford Sound from Queenstown (~£30-45 coach)
• →2-hour Milford Sound scenic boat cruise past Mitre Peak (~£55-70, book at realjourneys.co.nz)
• →Look out for fur seals, dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins
• →Stop at Mirror Lakes and The Divide on the way through Fiordland

Your 18-day New Zealand adventure comes to an end. Queenstown Airport is just 10 minutes from the town centre — take an Orbus public bus (~£3) or taxi (~£15). If your flight is late, spend a final morning hiking up to the top of the Skyline gondola for one last look at the Remarkables, or grab a coffee and browse the weekend market at the lakefront. Alternatively, extend your trip with a bus to Wanaka, Dunedin, or Christchurch.

🚌Orbus public bus to Queenstown Airport (~£3) or taxi (~£15)

• →Final morning walk along Queenstown lakefront (free)
• →Optional: Skyline gondola for last panoramic view (~£25)
• →Transfer to Queenstown Airport for onward flights