11-Day Self-Launched South Island New Zealand Adventure: Christchurch to Queenstown & Beyond

Make your own way from Christchurch to Marahau, the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park. Take the InterCity coach from Christchurch to Nelson (~£25, ~4.5 hrs), then connect with the Abel Tasman Coachlines shuttle to Marahau (~£10, ~1 hr). Check into The Barn Cabins & Camp — the same accommodation Stray uses — for a classic backpacker cabin or camping berth. Spend the evening settling in, grab dinner at the local café, and optionally join a wine tasting at a nearby Nelson winery.

🚌InterCity coach Christchurch–Nelson, then Abel Tasman Coachlines shuttle to Marahau. Book InterCity at intercity.co.nz.

🛏The Barn Cabins & Camp, Marahau — cabin berth (~£20-28/night)

• →InterCity coach from Christchurch to Nelson (~£25)
• →Abel Tasman Coachlines shuttle from Nelson to Marahau (~£10)
• →Check in to The Barn Cabins & Camp
• →Optional: Nelson Marlborough wine tasting (~£15-20)
• →Group dinner at The Barn or nearby café (~£12)

Today is all about the golden-sand bays and turquoise waters of Abel Tasman. Book a water taxi from Marahau Water Taxis or Abel Tasman Sea Shuttles directly to Anchorage Bay (~£20 return). Hike the coastal track through native bush, swim in secluded coves, and detour to the magical Cleopatra's Pools — a series of natural rock water slides. Optional upgrades include sea kayaking (book via Kaiteriteri Kayaks, ~£50 half day) or skydiving with Skydive Abel Tasman (~£200+). Return by water taxi in the afternoon.

🚌Water taxi from Marahau to Anchorage Bay and return. Walk/hike between bays on the coastal track.

🛏The Barn Cabins & Camp, Marahau — cabin berth (~£20-28/night)

• →Water taxi to Anchorage Bay (~£20 return — book via marahauwatertaxis.co.nz)
• →Hike Abel Tasman Coastal Track (free)
• →Swim at Anchorage Bay and secluded beaches (free)
• →Visit Cleopatra's Pools (free)
• →Optional: Sea kayaking half-day (~£50)
• →Optional: Skydive Abel Tasman (~£200+)

A long but stunning travel day down the wild West Coast. Take the Abel Tasman Coachlines shuttle back to Nelson, then pick up the InterCity Naked Bus or a dedicated West Coast shuttle down to Franz Josef (~£45-55 total). En route, stop at Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes — a free DOC site — and pass through the quirky artisan town of Hokitika. Arrive at Franz Josef in the evening and check into Rainforest Retreat hostel, the same property Stray uses. Dinner is included at the hostel — budget around £12 for a self-cooked or on-site meal.

🚌Abel Tasman Coachlines shuttle Nelson-bound, then InterCity or Naked Bus down SH6 to Franz Josef. Book at intercity.co.nz or nakedbus.com.

🛏Rainforest Retreat, Franz Josef — hostel dorm (~£22-30/night)

• →Shuttle back to Nelson then West Coast coach to Franz Josef (~£45-55 total)
• →Stop at Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & Blowholes (free DOC site)
• →Drive through Buller Gorge (scenic, from coach window)
• →Pass through Hokitika town (optional greenstone shopping)
• →Self-cooked or hostel dinner at Rainforest Retreat (~£12)

Franz Josef is one of the most accessible glaciers in the world, sitting just 19km from the sea in temperate rainforest. Take the free DOC walk up the valley to the glacier viewpoint, or book a guided glacier hike with Franz Josef Glacier Guides (~£60-80) for a closer look — highly recommended for safety. The thermal spa pool at Rainforest Retreat is included for guests, perfect for aching legs in the evening. Helicopter glacier landing experiences are available from ~£170 if budget allows.

🚌On foot or free shuttle to glacier valley carpark. DOC shuttle also available (~£5 each way).

🛏Rainforest Retreat, Franz Josef — hostel dorm (~£22-30/night)

• →Glacier Valley Walk to viewpoint (free, ~2 hrs return, DOC managed)
• →Optional: Guided glacier hike with Franz Josef Glacier Guides (~£60-80, book via franzjosefglacier.com)
• →Access to Rainforest Retreat spa pool (included with accommodation)
• →Optional: Glacier helicopter landing experience (~£170+)

Another epic West Coast to Central Otago drive. Take the InterCity or Atomic Shuttles coach from Franz Josef to Queenstown (~£45-55, ~6 hrs). Ask to be dropped at Fox Glacier village for the short walk to Lake Matheson — famous for its mirror-like reflections of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman on a clear morning (~1 hr loop, free). Continue through the dramatic Haast Pass and alongside Lakes Hawea and Wanaka before arriving in Queenstown. Check into Haka House Queenstown — same hostel as the Stray tour.

🚌InterCity or Atomic Shuttles coach from Franz Josef to Queenstown. Book at intercity.co.nz or atomictravel.co.nz.

🛏Haka House Queenstown — hostel dorm (~£28-35/night)

• →InterCity/Atomic Shuttles coach Franz Josef to Queenstown (~£45-55)
• →Lake Matheson Mirror Lake Walk (~1 hr loop, free — best at dawn)
• →Scenic drive through Haast Pass (from coach window)
• →Views over Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka en route
• →Check in to Haka House Queenstown and explore town

Queenstown is the adventure capital of the Southern Hemisphere and a full free day to explore. The famous Queenstown Hill walkway and Ben Lomond Track are completely free and offer stunning views over Lake Wakatipu. For thrills, book independently: AJ Hackett Bungy at the Kawarau Bridge (the world's first commercial bungy site, ~£120), Shotover Jet (~£75), or Ziptrek Ecotours zipline (~£80). All bookable directly online or via GetYourGuide. Wander the Queenstown Gardens for free, and enjoy lakeside cafés and bars in the evening.

🚌All on foot or local Orbus bus within Queenstown.

🛏Haka House Queenstown — hostel dorm (~£28-35/night)

• →Queenstown Hill Walking Track (free, ~2.5 hrs return, panoramic views)
• →Optional: AJ Hackett Kawarau Bridge Bungy (~£120 — book at bungy.co.nz)
• →Optional: Shotover Jet boat (~£75 — book at shotoverjet.com)
• →Optional: Ziptrek Ecotours zipline (~£80 — book at ziptrek.com)
• →Optional: Skyline Gondola & luge (~£30-45)
• →Optional: Horse riding with Moonlight Stables (~£85)
• →Evening stroll along Lake Wakatipu waterfront (free)

A second day in Queenstown to do everything you didn't get to yesterday, or simply slow down. Hike up to the Tiki Trail viewpoint above the gondola (free), visit the Underwater Observatory (free), or rent a bike and explore the Queenstown Trail (~£20-30 bike hire). The Remarkables ski area is accessible in winter for snowboarding and skiing. Sample local craft beer at Altitude Brewing or Sherwood's bar, and treat yourself to a nicer dinner at one of Queenstown's excellent restaurants (budget £15-25).

🚌On foot or Orbus local bus.

🛏Haka House Queenstown — hostel dorm (~£28-35/night)

• →Tiki Trail hike up to Skyline Gondola (free)
• →Optional: Mountain biking on Queenstown Trail (~£20-30 bike hire)
• →Optional: Skydive Queenstown (~£200+)
• →Optional: Whitewater rafting on Shotover River (~£80)
• →Explore Queenstown CBD and lakefront (free)
• →Craft beer tasting at local breweries (~£8-15)

One of New Zealand's most iconic experiences. Book a self-launched Milford Sound day trip from Queenstown — many operators run coach-and-cruise combos including RealNZ and Mitre Peak Cruises. The most cost-effective option is to book the coach transfer + boat cruise separately: book the InterCity or Tracknet coach to Milford Sound (~£35 return) and a 2-hour boat cruise independently via RealNZ or Mitre Peak Cruises (~£40-55). Wildlife highlights include fur seals lazing on rocks, Fiordland crested penguins, and bottlenose dolphins. The drive through Fiordland National Park via the Homer Tunnel is spectacular in itself.

🚌InterCity or Tracknet coach return from Queenstown to Milford Sound. Departs early (~7am), returns ~7-8pm.

🛏Haka House Queenstown — hostel dorm (~£28-35/night)

• →Coach transfer Queenstown–Milford Sound return (~£35 — book via tracknet.net or intercity.co.nz)
• →2-hour Milford Sound boat cruise (~£40-55 — book via realnz.com or mitrepeakcruises.com)
• →Wildlife spotting: fur seals, penguins, dolphins (included on cruise)
• →Views of Mitre Peak and Stirling Falls from the water
• →Optional: Milford Sound kayaking (~£80-100)

Travel from Queenstown to Lake Tekapo by InterCity coach (~£25-30, ~3 hrs) and check into Haka House Lake Tekapo. The lake's famous turquoise colour — caused by glacial flour — is breathtaking on a clear day. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd (free, iconic photo spot) and hike the Mount John Observatory trail (free, ~2 hrs return) above the lake. In the evening, join the Earth & Sky stargazing tour at Mount John Observatory (~£75) — Lake Tekapo sits within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, one of the best stargazing locations on Earth. Optionally soak in Tekapo Hot Springs (~£18).

🚌InterCity coach from Queenstown to Lake Tekapo (~3 hrs). Book at intercity.co.nz.

🛏Haka House Lake Tekapo — hostel dorm (~£25-32/night)

• →InterCity coach Queenstown to Lake Tekapo (~£25-30)
• →Visit Church of the Good Shepherd (free)
• →Mount John Observatory hiking trail (free, ~2 hrs return, panoramic views)
• →Earth & Sky stargazing tour at Mount John Observatory (~£75 — book via earthandsky.co.nz)
• →Optional: Tekapo Hot Springs (~£18)
• →Optional: Dark Sky Crater Experience (~£40)

Take the morning InterCity coach from Lake Tekapo to Christchurch (~£20-25, ~3.5 hrs). Check into Drifter Christchurch hostel — the same property used by Stray. Spend the afternoon exploring New Zealand's second city on foot: wander through the Christchurch Botanic Gardens (free), browse the eclectic Riverside Market on the Avon River, and admire the street art and rebuilt city centre. Optionally hop on the heritage Christchurch Tram (~£20) for a narrated city loop. Head out for dinner on Oxford Terrace — plenty of options for £10-20.

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

🛏Drifter Christchurch — hostel dorm (~£22-28/night)

• →InterCity coach Lake Tekapo to Christchurch (~£20-25)
• →Explore Christchurch Botanic Gardens (free)
• →Visit Riverside Market on the Avon River (free entry)
• →Punting on the Avon River (~£20 — book at punting.co.nz)
• →Optional: Heritage Christchurch Tram city loop (~£20)
• →Street art & Re:START container precinct walk (free)
• →Dinner on Oxford Terrace (~£12-20)

Final morning in Christchurch. Grab breakfast at a local café on New Regent Street (budget £5-10), visit the Canterbury Museum (free), or revisit the Botanic Gardens. Head to Christchurch Airport via the Purple Line bus from the city centre (~£5) or a taxi/rideshare (~£20). Your South Island adventure is complete — independently done, brilliantly experienced.

🚌Purple Line bus or taxi to Christchurch Airport (CHC).

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Breakfast at a café on New Regent Street (~£5-10)
• →Optional: Canterbury Museum (free)
• →Optional: Hagley Park morning walk (free)
• →Transfer to Christchurch Airport via Purple Line bus (~£5) or taxi (~£20)