Self-Launched Essential New Zealand: South Island

Welcome to Aotearoa! Arrive in Christchurch and check into your hostel. Spend the afternoon strolling through the beautiful Christchurch Botanic Gardens (free entry) or pop into the Canterbury Museum to learn about the region's Māori and colonial heritage — also free. In the evening, head out for dinner along the Oxford Terrace strip or grab something affordable from the Night Noodle Markets if in season. A great hostel option is Haka Lodge Christchurch or Base Christchurch, both centrally located with dorm beds from ~£20–25/night.

🚌Christchurch Airport to city centre: public bus (Route 29) ~£3, or shared shuttle ~£10

🛏Haka Lodge Christchurch or Base Backpackers — dorm bed ~£22/night

• →Christchurch Botanic Gardens (free)
• →Canterbury Museum (free)
• →Self-guided explore of the Riverside Market and Oxford Terrace

Start with a self-guided city walk around central Christchurch: visit the Transitional (Cardboard) Cathedral, Re:START container mall and the Christchurch Art Gallery (free). Then jump on the InterCity coach from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo (~3.5 hrs, book ahead at intercity.co.nz, ~£20–25). Stop in Fairlie en route if the coach permits — grab a classic mince pie and cheese roll from Fairlie Bakehouse, a beloved local institution (~£5). On arrival at Lake Tekapo, walk down to the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd on the lakeshore (free). The turquoise lake, purple lupins (spring) and snowy peaks make this one of NZ's most photogenic spots. In the evening, consider stargazing from the Mt John area — the Tekapo Springs Hot Pools are a lovely optional soak (NZD50/~£23).

🚌InterCity coach Christchurch to Lake Tekapo ~£22. Book at intercity.co.nz.

🛏YHA Lake Tekapo or Tailor Made Tekapo Backpackers — dorm bed ~£22/night

• →Self-guided Christchurch city walk: Cardboard Cathedral, Re:START Mall, Bridge of Remembrance
• →Fairlie Bakehouse stop for mince pies and cheese rolls (~£5)
• →Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo (free)
• →Lake Tekapo foreshore walk (free)
• →Optional: Tekapo Springs Hot Pool (~£23) or Mt John Summit Experience (~£100)

After breakfast at your hostel, catch the morning InterCity or Naked Bus coach from Lake Tekapo to Queenstown (~3.5–4 hrs, ~£20–28). On arrival, check in and then head straight up the Skyline Gondola (book directly at skyline.co.nz, ~£22 return). At the top, enjoy panoramic views over the Remarkables, Coronet Peak and Lake Wakatipu. Book a luge run at the top — typically sold as a combo with the gondola (~£8–12 extra per ride). In the evening, join the legendary queue at Fergburger on Shotover Street — a Queenstown rite of passage (~£12–15 for a burger). Explore Queenstown's buzzing nightlife afterwards.

🚌InterCity or Mana Bus coach, Lake Tekapo to Queenstown ~£25. Book at intercity.co.nz or nakedbus.com.

🛏Haka Lodge Queenstown or Base Queenstown — dorm bed ~£25/night

• →Skyline Gondola (~£22 return, book direct at skyline.co.nz)
• →Luge rides (~£8–12 per ride, bookable at the gondola top station)
• →Dinner at Fergburger (~£12–15)
• →Explore Queenstown waterfront and Beach Street

A full free day in the adventure capital of New Zealand — your options are limitless. For the thrill-seekers: the Shotover Jet boat ride is iconic (~£80), or go bungee jumping at the original AJ Hackett Kawarau Bridge (~£145). For a Milford Sound day trip, book a coach-cruise-coach with RealNZ or Fiordland tours (~£120–130 booked direct — significantly cheaper than through a group operator). For a slower pace, walk the Queenstown Hill Time Walk (free, 2–3 hrs return) or stroll the lakefront. The free Time Tripper virtual reality experience on the waterfront is worth 20 minutes of your time. Book your Milford Sound trip as far in advance as possible — it sells out.

🚌All local — on foot or local taxi/Uber for evening activities

🛏Haka Lodge Queenstown or Base Queenstown — dorm bed ~£25/night

• →Optional: Shotover Jet Boat Ride (~£80, book at shotoverjet.com)
• →Optional: Kawarau Bridge Bungee (~£145, book at bungy.co.nz)
• →Optional: Milford Sound Coach-Cruise-Coach Day Trip (~£120–130 booked direct at realnz.com)
• →Optional: Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour (~£135, book via nomadsafaris.co.nz)
• →Free: Queenstown Hill Time Walk (2–3 hrs return, panoramic views)
• →Free: Lake Wakatipu waterfront stroll

Today is a day-trip loop from Queenstown. Catch the Connectabus or a local shuttle to Arrowtown (~30 min, ~£5–8 each way), a beautifully preserved gold rush town. Wander the main street, pop into the Lakes District Museum (free or small donation), and explore the Chinese Settlement (free). From Arrowtown, take a taxi or rideshare (~£10) down to the Kawarau Gorge — a stunning river canyon. Head to Gibbston Valley Winery for a wine cave tasting (book directly at gibbstonvalley.com, ~£18–22 per person for a tasting flight). This is the largest wine cave in New Zealand and the region's oldest winery. Return to Queenstown by shuttle or taxi in the evening.

🚌Connectabus or Ritchies shuttle Queenstown–Arrowtown ~£6 each way. Taxi/rideshare Arrowtown–Gibbston Valley ~£10. Return to Queenstown ~£10 by taxi or ~£8 by shuttle.

🛏Haka Lodge Queenstown or Base Queenstown — dorm bed ~£25/night

• →Arrowtown village walk and Lakes District Museum (free–small donation)
• →Arrowtown Chinese Settlement historic site (free)
• →Kawarau Gorge scenic stop (free)
• →Gibbston Valley Wine Cave Tasting (~£18–22, book at gibbstonvalley.com)
• →Optional: Kawarau Bridge Bungee if not done yesterday (~£145)

This is a big travel day (~6 hrs total). The best option is the InterCity coach or Atomic Travel shuttle from Queenstown to Franz Josef, which passes directly through Makarora. Ask the driver to drop you at the Makarora Blue Pools trailhead — confirm this when booking. The Blue Pools Walk is a stunning 1.5 km return trail through native beech forest, over a swing bridge to crystal-clear blue swimming holes. Look for large trout in the pools. Allow ~1.5–2 hours. Rejoin the coach to continue to Franz Josef. Check into your hostel and explore the small village. Grab dinner at one of the local cafes.

🚌InterCity or Atomic Travel coach, Queenstown to Franz Josef (~£35–45, book at intercity.co.nz or atomictravel.co.nz). Request Makarora stop.

🛏Franz Josef Top 10 Holiday Park or Rainforest Retreat Backpackers — dorm ~£22–28/night

• →Makarora Blue Pools Walk (1.5 km return, free — DOC managed trail)
• →Swing bridge and viewing platform over the Blue Pools
• →Arrive Franz Josef Glacier village — self-guided explore

Start the morning with the Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk — a self-guided DOC trail through rainforest and along the Waiho River with waterfall views and panoramic glacier vistas at the end (~2 km return, free). The glacier has retreated significantly but the valley scenery is still breathtaking. Pick up the free DOC map from the Franz Josef i-SITE visitor centre. Spend the afternoon as you wish: kayak on Lake Mapourika (~£55 booked via Franz Josef Glacier Guides), relax in the Waiho Hot Tubs (~£40–50, book at waihohotpools.co.nz), or try carving your own Pounamu (greenstone) necklace with a local artisan workshop (~£43, bookable locally). Heli-hiking is the ultimate splurge if budget allows (~£360+).

🚌All on foot within Franz Josef village

🛏Franz Josef Top 10 Holiday Park or Rainforest Retreat Backpackers — dorm ~£22–28/night

• →Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk (2 km return, free — DOC trail, map from i-SITE)
• →Optional: Glacier Lake Kayaking (~£75, book via franzjosefglacier.com)
• →Optional: Waiho Hot Tubs (~£40–50, book at waihohotpools.co.nz)
• →Optional: Carve Your Own Pounamu Necklace (~£43, book locally)
• →Optional: Heli-Hiking (~£360+, book at franzjosefglacier.com)

Catch the morning InterCity coach north from Franz Josef towards Westport (~5 hrs total, book at intercity.co.nz, ~£30–35). Ask the driver to stop at Punakaiki — coaches regularly stop here. Walk the Pancake Rocks & Blowholes trail (20–25 min loop, free DOC trail) — a surreal landscape of layered limestone formations 30 million years old, with thundering blowholes and surge pools. If time allows, detour to the Nile River Glow Worm caves at Charleston (~£75 for the cave tour with Underworld Adventures). Arrive in Westport in the late afternoon. For the self-guided BBQ experience, grab supplies from the local Four Square or New World supermarket and fire up the hostel BBQ — a true Kiwi experience for well under £15. Optional: hire a surfboard or book a lesson at Westport Surf (~£20–40).

🚌InterCity coach Franz Josef to Westport (~£32, request Punakaiki stop). Book at intercity.co.nz.

🛏Westport Top 10 Holiday Park or The Westport Hotel Backpackers — dorm ~£20–24/night

• →Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & Blowholes Walk (free DOC trail, 20–25 min loop)
• →Optional: Charleston Glowworm Cave Adventure (~£75, book at underworld.co.nz)
• →Self-catered Kiwi BBQ dinner at hostel (~£10–12 for supplies)
• →Optional: Westport surf lesson (~£40) or surfboard hire (~£20)

Start the morning with a short walk (2 km) to the Tauranga Bay seal colony just south of Westport — free and utterly charming, with New Zealand fur seals hauled out on the rocks. Back in town, visit the Kawatiri Experience at the Westport Museum to learn about the Māori heritage of the Buller District (entry ~£5–8, check at westportmuseum.org.nz). Then catch the InterCity coach north towards Nelson (~3.5–4 hrs, ~£25–30), then a local shuttle or taxi to Marahau or Kaiteriteri at the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park (~£15–20). Check in and enjoy the stunning golden-sand cove. Grab dinner at a local cafe and plan your free day tomorrow.

🚌InterCity coach Westport to Nelson (~£28). Local shuttle or taxi Nelson to Marahau/Kaiteriteri (~£18). Book shuttles via abeltasmantravel.co.nz.

🛏Abel Tasman Lodge or Kaiteriteri Beach Motor Camp — dorm/cabin ~£22–28/night

• →Tauranga Bay Seal Colony walk (free, ~2 km from Westport)
• →Kawatiri Experience / Westport Museum (~£6)
• →Arrive Abel Tasman — explore Marahau or Kaiteriteri beach (free)

A full free day to explore one of New Zealand's most stunning national parks. The best value option is to self-hike a section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track — a world-famous multi-day trail with free DOC-marked sections you can do as day walks. Take the Abel Tasman Aquataxi water taxi (abeltasmanaquataxi.co.nz) to a drop-off point and walk back, or vice versa (~£20–30 for water taxi). For the full experience, book a full-day sailing trip with Abel Tasman Sailing (~£95, book at abeltasmansailing.co.nz) or a cruise and anchorage walk with Wilsons (~£60, wilsonsabel tasman.com). Skydiving over the national park is an unforgettable splurge (~£180, book via NZone or Skydive Abel Tasman). Sea kayaking can be self-arranged from ~£45 for a half day.

🚌Water taxi within the national park (~£20–30 each way)

🛏Abel Tasman Lodge or Kaiteriteri Beach Motor Camp — dorm/cabin ~£22–28/night

• →Abel Tasman Coast Track day walk — self-guided (free, DOC trail, nz map from i-SITE)
• →Water taxi to trailhead and walk back (~£25, abeltasmanaquataxi.co.nz)
• →Optional: Full Day Sailing (~£95, abeltasmansailing.co.nz)
• →Optional: Cruise & Anchorage Walk (~£60, wilsonsabeltasman.com)
• →Optional: Skydiving over Abel Tasman (~£180+, skydiveabeltasman.co.nz)
• →Optional: Sea Kayaking half day (~£45, book locally)

Today is a travel day with a truly spectacular highlight. Catch the morning shuttle from Marahau/Kaiteriteri to Picton (~2 hrs, ~£20–25 via Abel Tasman Travel or local shuttle). In Picton, grab a coffee and explore the foreshore. Board the Interislander or Bluebridge Cook Strait ferry from Picton to Wellington — a 3.5 hr crossing through the jaw-dropping Marlborough Sounds, a labyrinth of forested inlets, sheltered bays and blue water. Book well in advance at interislander.co.nz or bluebridge.co.nz (~£40–55 per person as a foot passenger). Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins surfing the bow wave. Arrive in Wellington in the afternoon/evening. Check in and celebrate the end of the South Island with dinner on Cuba Street.

🚌Shuttle Marahau to Picton (~£22, abeltasmantravel.co.nz). Interislander or Bluebridge ferry Picton to Wellington (~£45). Wellington waterfront to hostel: on foot or local bus ~£2.

🛏YHA Wellington or Haka Lodge Wellington — dorm bed ~£28–32/night

• →Picton waterfront explore (free)
• →Interislander or Bluebridge ferry through Marlborough Sounds to Wellington (~£45, 3.5 hrs)
• →Dolphin-spotting from the ferry deck (free)
• →Explore Wellington's Cuba Street dining and bar scene

Your adventure ends today — but if you have time before your flight or onward journey, Wellington punches well above its weight for a compact capital. The Mount Victoria Lookout is a free 20–30 min walk from the city with sweeping harbour views. Te Papa Museum (New Zealand's national museum on the waterfront) charges ~£16 entry and is genuinely world-class — allow 2–3 hours. The Wellington Cable Car up to the Botanic Garden is a fun £5.50 return. Weta Workshop tours (~£20, book at wetaworkshop.com) are a must for film fans. Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary (~£12) offers a rare chance to see kiwi birds and tuatara in the wild. Grab a flat white — Wellington claims to have invented the style — and soak it all in.

🚌Wellington city is very walkable. Airport: Airport Flyer bus from the city ~£8, or taxi ~£25.

🛏Check out — no accommodation needed

• →Mount Victoria Lookout (free, 20–30 min walk)
• →Wellington Botanic Garden (free) and Cable Car return (~£5.50)
• →Te Papa Museum (~£16, tepapa.govt.nz)
• →Weta Workshop Tour (~£20, wetaworkshop.com)
• →Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary (~£12, visitzealandia.com)
• →Flat white and farewell at a Cuba Street café