The G.O.A.T: Auckland to Christchurch (Self-Launched)

Land, pick up a local SIM/eSIM (Skinny or One NZ, ~£15 for 30 days) and a HOP card for city transport. Base yourself in a city hostel near Queen Street or the Viaduct. Walk the waterfront: Viaduct Harbour, Wynyard Quarter and Britomart are all free and within 40 minutes of each other. If you have energy, ride the ferry to Devonport (~£5 return with AT HOP) for skyline views.

🚌Airport bus or SkyBus to the CBD ~£9; walk/short bus for the rest of the day

🛏Dorm bed in a central Auckland hostel (e.g. Haka Lodge Auckland or Attic Backpackers), ~£22-28/night

• →Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter walk
• →Britomart and waterfront stroll
• →Optional: Sky Tower observation deck (~£20 via Klook)
• →Optional: ferry to Devonport

Take an InterCity bus from Auckland to Thames, then the local Coromandel shuttle/InterCity connection on to Whitianga or Hahei (book the whole leg as one InterCity ticket, ~£30). Settle into Hahei. In the afternoon, walk the Cathedral Cove track (about 1.5-2 hrs return) or, if the tide is right, time a visit to Hot Water Beach — bring a spade from the hostel or rent one (~£5) and dig your own thermal pool two hours either side of low tide.

🚌InterCity Auckland–Thames–Hahei ~£30

🛏Dorm at Hahei Beach Resort or Tatahi Backpackers, ~£30-35/night

• →Cathedral Cove walk (free)
• →Hot Water Beach thermal pools (free, spade hire ~£5)
• →Optional: Cathedral Cove kayak tour ~£65

Bus back via Thames and connect south to Waitomo (InterCity ~£30, around 5 hours total). Book the Ruakuri Cave guided tour directly with Waitomo Glowworm Caves (~£50) — it's the longest cave tour with glowworm viewing and less crowded than the main cave. Evening at the chalets is quiet; cook dinner in.

🚌InterCity Coromandel–Thames–Waitomo ~£30

🛏Dorm at Waitomo Chalets or Juno Hall Backpackers, ~£25-30/night

• →Ruakuri Cave guided tour with glowworms (~£50, book direct with Waitomo Glowworm Caves)

Morning walk in Ruakuri Reserve (free, 30 min). Take an InterCity bus Waitomo–Rotorua (~£20) or join the Hobbiton combo shuttle if you want the movie set — pre-book the Hobbiton Movie Set guided tour (~£65 via GetYourGuide, includes transport from some departures). Arrive Rotorua and check into a central hostel near Eat Streat.

🚌InterCity Waitomo–Rotorua ~£20 (Hobbiton combo adds ~£15 transport)

🛏Dorm at Haka House Rotorua, ~£25-30/night

• →Ruakuri Reserve morning walk (free)
• →Optional: Hobbiton Movie Set guided tour ~£65

Spend the day on free/cheap Rotorua: Kuirau Park thermal area (free) and a walk in Whakarewarewa Forest. Book Te Pā Tū (Tamaki Māori Village) overnight experience directly (~£180 including cultural performance, hāngī-style kai, bonfire and forest spa, plus a bed in a traditional sleeping house) — this replaces a hostel night. Pre-book well ahead as places are limited.

🚌Local bus/taxi to Te Pā Tū ~£8

🛏Traditional sleeping house at Te Pā Tū Māori Village (included in experience)

• →Kuirau Park geothermal walk (free)
• →Whakarewarewa Forest walk (free)
• →Te Pā Tū Māori Village overnight with dinner and performance (~£180)
• →Optional: Rotorua Skyline luge ~£25

Morning at Hells Gate: the interactive geothermal walk plus mud bath and sulphur pool (~£55 booked direct). Then the Kiwi Hatchery tour inside Rainbow Springs (~£30) to see conservation work and chick-rearing. Take the afternoon InterCity bus Rotorua–Taupō (~£12, 1.5 hrs). Catch the Huka Falls walk (free) before dark if time allows.

🚌InterCity Rotorua–Taupō ~£12

🛏Dorm at Lakefront Lodge or Haka House Taupō, ~£25/night

• →Hells Gate geothermal walk + mud bath (~£55)
• →Kiwi Hatchery tour (~£30)
• →Huka Falls walk (free)

Do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (19.4 km, 7-8 hrs, the best one-day hike in NZ). Pre-book a shuttle from Taupō or National Park village (~£35 return, e.g. Tongariro Expeditions) and check the weather and volcanic alert level before going. It's free to hike, but the shuttle is essential as the track is one-way. Alternative bad-weather option: sail Lake Taupō or walk the Waikato River Trail.

🚌Tongariro Crossing shuttle from Taupō ~£35 return

🛏Dorm at Lakefront Lodge or Haka House Taupō, ~£25/night

• →Tongariro Alpine Crossing hike (free)
• →Optional: Lake Taupō sailing cruise ~£45
• →Optional: skydive ~£250+

Take the InterCity bus south to Taihape or the River Valley turnoff, then the short shuttle in (~£30 total). River Valley Lodge is a lodge-style hostel in the Rangitikei gorge with a farm-to-table dinner available (~£25). Afternoon options: e-bike hire along the valley road (~£25) or just swim and relax in the river.

🚌InterCity Taupō–Taihape + lodge shuttle ~£30

🛏Dorm at River Valley Lodge, ~£30/night

• →River Valley river swim (free)
• →Farm-to-table dinner (~£25)
• →Optional: e-bike hire ~£25

Shuttle back to Taihape, then InterCity to Wellington (~£25, about 4.5 hrs). Check in near Cuba Street. Free afternoon: sculpture walk along the waterfront, street art in the laneways, and Mount Victoria lookout. Te Papa museum is free — worth two hours minimum.

🚌River Valley shuttle + InterCity to Wellington ~£25

🛏Dorm at Haka House Wellington or Trek Global, ~£28/night

• →Wellington waterfront sculpture walk (free)
• →Te Papa museum (free)
• →Mount Victoria lookout (free)
• →Street art walk (free)

Full day in the capital. Ride the historic cable car to Kelburn (~£4) and walk down through the Botanic Garden. Pre-book the Weta Workshop guided tour (~£30 via GetYourGuide) and spend the afternoon at Zealandia ecosanctuary (~£14 entry, or a night tour ~£45). Eat at the Cuba Street night markets for cheap, excellent food.

🚌Local buses/cable car ~£8

🛏Dorm at Haka House Wellington, ~£28/night

• →Cable car to Kelburn (~£4)
• →Weta Workshop guided tour (~£30)
• →Zealandia ecosanctuary (~£14)

Walk on the Interislander or Bluebridge ferry across Cook Strait to Picton (~£35-45 walk-on, 3.5 hrs). From Picton, take the InterCity coastal bus to Kaikōura (~£25, 2 hrs) — sit on the right side for the sea views. Book a Marlborough wine tasting in Blenheim only if you're making a separate stop; otherwise enjoy the scenery. Evening: check in at Dusky Lodge.

🚌Ferry ~£40 + InterCity Picton–Kaikōura ~£25

🛏Dorm at Dusky Lodge Kaikōura, ~£25/night

• →Interislander/Bluebridge Cook Strait crossing
• →Marlborough Sounds views from the deck
• →Optional: Blenheim cellar door tasting ~£20 if you stop

Early morning marine life: book a dolphin swim or whale watch directly (~£90-130) — this is the standout optional splurge, so book ahead. Then walk the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway (free, 2 hrs) to see the seal colony. Take the afternoon InterCity bus to Christchurch (~£22, 2.5 hrs). Consider a farm-stay experience near Kaikōura if you want a Tawanui-style alternative.

🚌InterCity Kaikōura–Christchurch ~£22

🛏Dorm at Hotel Give, ~£27/night

• →Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway and seal colony (free)
• →Optional: dolphin swim ~£100 / whale watch ~£90

InterCity bus Christchurch–Tekapo (~£25, 3.5 hrs). Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and walk up Mt John (~1.5 hrs return, free, superb Mackenzie Basin views). Pre-book Tekapo Hot Springs entry (~£20 via Klook or direct) — go at dusk for star-gazing from the pools. The Dark Sky Reserve is a bonus on a clear night.

🚌InterCity Christchurch–Tekapo ~£25

🛏Dorm at Lakes Edge or Tailor Made Tekapo, ~£30/night

• →Church of the Good Shepherd (free)
• →Mt John walkway (free)
• →Tekapo Hot Springs (~£20)

Take the daily InterCity or Great Sights shuttle from Tekapo to Mount Cook Village (~£30 return, book in advance — services are limited). Hike the Hooker Valley Track (10 km, 3 hrs return, free) for glacier and lake views; it's the most accessible big-mountain walk in NZ. Alternative: Tasman Glacier viewpoint walk (free) or a heli-flight (~£250+) if budget allows.

🚌Return shuttle Tekapo–Mount Cook ~£30

🛏Dorm at Lakes Edge, Tekapo, ~£30/night

• →Hooker Valley Track hike (free)
• →Tasman Glacier viewpoint walk (free)
• →Optional: scenic heli-flight ~£250+

InterCity bus Tekapo–Queenstown (~£30, 4 hrs) via the Lindis Pass and Kawarau Gorge. Stop at the Kawarau Bridge Bungy site to watch even if you don't jump (jump ~£165, book direct). Check into a central hostel in the adventure capital; groceries at FreshChoice for the next few nights.

🚌InterCity Tekapo–Queenstown ~£30

🛏Dorm at Nomads Queenstown or Haka Lodge, ~£30/night

• →Lindis Pass scenic drive (free)
• →Kawarau Bridge viewing (free)
• →Optional: Kawarau bungy ~£165

Pick one big-ticket activity rather than several: Nevis Bungy (~£200), Shotover Jet (~£80), white water rafting (~£110) or a skydive (~£250). All bookable via GetYourGuide, Klook or direct with the operators. Cheaper alternatives: hike Ben Lomond (free) or the Queenstown Hill track, or rent a bike and ride the Lake Wakatipu trail (~£30/day).

🚌Local buses/walk ~£5

🛏Dorm at Nomads Queenstown, ~£30/night

• →Shotover Jet (~£80) or Nevis Bungy (~£200)
• →Queenstown Hill track (free)
• →Optional: bike hire ~£30

Book a Milford Sound coach-and-cruise day trip from Queenstown (~£130-160 via GetYourGuide or Klook, including the 2-hour nature cruise and the Mirror Lakes/Eglinton Valley stops). It's a very long day (12-13 hrs) but the cheapest realistic way to reach the fiord without self-driving. Pack food — the boat café is pricey.

🚌Coach-cruise-coach day trip from Queenstown (included in tour price)

🛏Dorm at Nomads Queenstown, ~£30/night

• →Milford Sound 2-hour scenic cruise
• →Te Anau and Fiordland National Park stops

InterCity bus Queenstown–Wānaka (~£16, 1.5 hrs), stopping at Arrowtown if you time a shuttle or flexi-stop. Afternoon options: Mount Iron Track (1.5 hrs, free), a photo at #ThatWanakaTree (free), or the Roys Peak Track (5-6 hrs, free but steep, weather dependent). Stay in a Wānaka hostel and cook in.

🚌InterCity Queenstown–Wānaka ~£16

🛏Dorm in Wānaka (e.g. YHA Wanaka or Altamont Lodge), ~£30/night

• →Mount Iron Track (free)
• →#ThatWanakaTree photo stop (free)
• →Optional: Roys Peak Track (free, seasonal)
• →Optional: Wānaka skydive ~£250

The long west coast day: InterCity bus Wānaka–Franz Josef (~£40, 5 hrs) via the Haast Pass. Break the journey with short free walks — Thunder Creek Falls, Ship Creek and (just past Franz Josef) Lake Matheson for reflections at sunset. Check into Rainforest Retreat if you want the hot tubs and bar.

🚌InterCity Wānaka–Franz Josef ~£40

🛏Dorm at Rainforest Retreat or Glow Worm Cottages, ~£28/night

• →Thunder Creek Falls walk (free)
• →Ship Creek and Kahikatea forest walk (free)
• →Lake Matheson walk (free)

Book a pounamu (greenstone) carving workshop directly with a local studio such as Te Hana or the Franz Josef jade carvers (~£55-75, 3 hrs) — you come away with a piece you made. In the afternoon, walk the free rainforest track to the glacier viewing area (or Sentinal Rock for the Franz Josef Glacier view). Splurge option: heli-hike on the glacier (~£350, book ahead via Klook).

🚌Walk/public shuttle ~£5

🛏Dorm at Rainforest Retreat, ~£28/night

• →Pounamu carving workshop (~£65)
• →Franz Josef Glacier valley walk (free)
• →Optional: heli-hike ~£350

InterCity bus Franz Josef–Punakaiki (~£30, 4 hrs), pausing in Hokitika for the driftwood beach sculptures and a greenstone/glass workshop browse. The main event is Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowholes at high tide (free). Stay at a Punakaiki hostel or the beach campsite cabins; walk the Truman Track to a hidden beach at sunset.

🚌InterCity Franz Josef–Punakaiki ~£30

🛏Dorm/cabin at Punakaiki Beach Hostel or campsite, ~£30/night

• →Hokitika beach driftwood sculptures (free)
• →Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowholes (free)
• →Truman Track walk (free)

This is the trickiest leg independently: take InterCity Punakaiki–Christchurch (~£35), then the daily Hanmer Connection shuttle from Christchurch to Hanmer Springs (~£20). Arrive mid-afternoon. Walk the Hanmer Heritage Forest sculpture trail (free, 1.5 hrs) and soak in the public picnic-area hot pools at the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools complex (~£14).

🚌InterCity Punakaiki–Christchurch ~£35 + Hanmer Connection shuttle ~£20

🛏Dorm at Tussock Peak or Hanmer Backpackers, ~£28/night

• →Hanmer Heritage Forest sculpture walk (free)
• →Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools entry (~£14)

A slower day: return to the Thermal Pools and Spa for the full complex (~£26 for the 22 outdoor pools and hydroslides) and explore the village's cafés and boutiques. Alternatively hike Conical Hill (1 hr, free) for views over the Waiau Gorge, or book rafting/jetboating if you want more adrenaline.

🚌Walk ~£0

🛏Dorm at Tussock Peak, ~£28/night

• →Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools complex (~£26)
• →Conical Hill walk (free)
• →Optional: jetboat ~£60-90

Shuttle back to Christchurch (~£20) and finish with the free Christchurch street art and laneway walk around the CBD and Riverside Market — grab a final flat white before the airport bus (~£9). If time allows, the Quarry sculpture park on the Port Hills is a nice last stop.

🚌Hanmer Connection shuttle to Christchurch ~£20 + airport bus ~£9

🛏None (departure day) — or a final dorm night at Hotel Give ~£27 if you fly out the next morning

• →Christchurch street art and laneway walk (free)
• →Riverside Market visit (free)
• →Optional: Iron Ridge Quarry Sculpture Park ~£10