11-Day Self-Launched South Island New Zealand Loop (Christchurch Start)

Catch the early InterCity coach from Christchurch Bus Station (Lichfield Street) heading north through the Marlborough region toward Nelson and Marahau — the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park. The journey takes roughly 6–7 hours with a change in Nelson; book online at intercity.co.nz for around £25–35. As you pass through Blenheim, consider hopping off for a quick Marlborough wine region stop (cellar door tastings from £5–10) before rejoining the route. Arrive in Marahau by late afternoon and check into The Barn — a well-loved backpacker camp right on the park boundary. Spend the evening stargazing; light pollution is minimal here.

🚌InterCity bus from Christchurch Bus Station (Lichfield St) to Marahau via Nelson. Book at intercity.co.nz. Approx £30 per person.

🛏The Barn Cabins & Camp, Marahau — dorm bunk or budget cabin ~£20–28pp

• →InterCity coach Christchurch → Nelson → Marahau (~£30)
• →Optional: wine tasting stop in Blenheim (~£5–10)
• →Stargazing at The Barn campsite (free)
• →Optional: book ahead for kayaking or water taxi for Day 2

One of New Zealand's most beloved national parks and it's entirely free to walk. Spend the day exploring on foot — the coastal track passes through golden-sand coves, native bush, and tidal estuaries. Head to Cleopatra's Pools for a natural rock-slide swim (free, about 1.5 hours' walk from Marahau). For more of the park, book a water taxi from Abel Tasman Sea Shuttles (around £20–30 return) to drop you deeper into the park and hike back. Optional half-day sea kayaking tours are bookable directly with Kaiteriteri Kayaks or via GetYourGuide for around £45–60. Pack your own lunch from the Marahau store to keep food costs down.

🚌On foot from The Barn. Optional water taxi with Abel Tasman Sea Shuttles (~£20–30).

🛏The Barn Cabins & Camp, Marahau — dorm bunk or budget cabin ~£20–28pp

• →Self-guided hike on Abel Tasman Coast Track (free)
• →Swim at Cleopatra's Pools (free)
• →Optional: water taxi into the park (~£20–30 return)
• →Optional: sea kayaking half-day (~£45–60 via GetYourGuide or direct)

An epic scenic transit day. Catch an InterCity or Mana Bus service from Nelson (shuttle from Marahau to Nelson first, ~£10) heading south along the West Coast. The route hugs the coastline past Buller Gorge and the famous Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes — ask the driver to stop, or plan a 20-minute detour if you're in a hire car. Arrive in Hokitika by late afternoon. Walk down to Hokitika Beach for the sunset and visit the glowworm dell (free, just 10 minutes' walk from town). Hokitika's greenstone (pounamu) carving shops are worth a browse. Stay at the Stumpers Backpackers or Hokitika YHA for budget options close to the beach.

🚌Shuttle Marahau → Nelson (~£10), then InterCity/Mana Bus Nelson → Hokitika (~£30–40). Book at intercity.co.nz or manabus.com.

🛏Stumpers Backpackers or Hokitika YHA — dorm ~£22–28pp or budget double ~£55–70

• →Scenic coach transit past Buller Gorge and Punakaiki (en route)
• →Stop at Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & Blowholes (free)
• →Hokitika Glowworm Dell at dusk (free)
• →Sunset walk on Hokitika Beach (free)
• →Browse greenstone carving galleries (free to enter)

It's just 1.5 hours south of Hokitika to Franz Josef — catch the InterCity coach or book a seat on the Naked Bus/West Coast Shuttle (~£15–25). Franz Josef village is small but buzzing with adventure options. The Glacier Valley Walk is free and takes you to a viewpoint of the glacier face (about 1.5 hours return). For a closer look, book a heli-hike or glacier walk via GuideMe or Franz Josef Glacier Guides — half-day ice walk from around £90–130. Alternatively, the Waiho River Walk and Roberts Point Track are great free hikes with dramatic glacier views. Warm up with a dip at the Franz Josef Hot Pools in the evening (~£18).

🚌InterCity or West Coast Shuttle Hokitika → Franz Josef (~£15–25, ~1.5 hrs). Book at intercity.co.nz.

🛏Franz Josef YHA or Rainforest Retreat backpacker lodge — dorm ~£22–28pp

• →Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk to viewpoint (free)
• →Optional: Roberts Point Track hike (free, ~5 hours return)
• →Optional: half-day guided glacier ice walk (~£90–130 via Franz Josef Glacier Guides)
• →Optional: Franz Josef Hot Pools evening soak (~£18)

Before boarding your coach south, walk the Lake Matheson 'Mirror Lake' loop — one of New Zealand's most photographed reflections of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. The trailhead is a short taxi or bike ride from Franz Josef village (~15 min). The full loop takes about 1.5 hours. Then catch the InterCity coach from Franz Josef south through Haast Pass to Queenstown (~6 hours, £30–45). En route you'll pass through the dramatic Haast Pass, one of NZ's most scenic drives. Stop at Kawarau Bridge (the world's first commercial bungy site) — watching jumpers is free! Book bungy in advance via AJ Hackett directly (~£120–145). Check into a Queenstown hostel — Nomads, Haka Lodge, or Base Queenstown are all centrally located.

🚌InterCity coach Franz Josef → Queenstown via Haast Pass (~£30–45, ~6 hrs). Book at intercity.co.nz.

🛏Nomads Queenstown, Haka Lodge, or Base Queenstown — dorm ~£25–35pp

• →Lake Matheson Mirror Lake loop walk (~1.5 hrs, free)
• →Scenic coach transit through Haast Pass (included in transport)
• →Watch bungy jumpers at Kawarau Bridge (free to watch)
• →Optional: AJ Hackett Kawarau Bridge Bungy (~£120–145, book direct or via GetYourGuide)

Queenstown is New Zealand's adventure capital and you'll want a full free day to explore at your own pace. Free activities include the Queenstown Hill walk (panoramic views over Lake Wakatipu, ~2 hours), the lakefront promenade, and the Botanical Gardens. For thrills, pick from jet boating with Shotover Jet (~£90), ziplining with Ziptrek Ecotours (~£75–120), skydiving with NZONE (~£200+), or the Skyline Gondola and Luge (~£25–45). The Remarkables ski area is accessible in winter by shuttle. For wine tasting, Gibbston Valley Winery offers self-drive or shuttle tours from Queenstown (~£20–30 tasting). Queenstown's restaurant scene is excellent — Fergburger is a legendary (affordable) landmark.

🚌On foot / local buses around Queenstown. Orbus local bus network available.

🛏Nomads Queenstown, Haka Lodge, or Base Queenstown — dorm ~£25–35pp

• →Queenstown Hill summit walk (free, ~2 hrs)
• →Lakefront and Botanical Gardens stroll (free)
• →Optional: Shotover Jet boat (~£90, book via GetYourGuide or direct)
• →Optional: Ziptrek Ecotours ziplining (~£75–120)
• →Optional: Skyline Gondola + Luge (~£25–45)
• →Optional: Skydiving with NZONE (~£200+)
• →Optional: Gibbston Valley wine tasting (~£20–30)

Catch the Tracknet or Intercity shuttle from Queenstown to Te Anau (~2 hours, £20–30). Te Anau is the gateway to Fiordland National Park. On arrival, catch a screening of the Ata Whenua / Fiordland Cinema documentary at the Te Anau Theatre of Real Journeys — a stunning 30-minute intro to Fiordland (~£12). In the afternoon, take the water taxi to Brod Bay (available Oct–Apr, ~£15 return) and walk part of the Kepler Track — one of NZ's Great Walks — through beech forest to the lake. The Kepler Track section to Brod Bay and back is achievable in an afternoon. Dinner is available at a number of local restaurants — try The Moose or The Sandfly Café.

🚌Tracknet or InterCity shuttle Queenstown → Te Anau (~£20–30). Book at tracknet.net or intercity.co.nz.

🛏Te Anau YHA or Barnyard Backpackers — dorm ~£22–30pp

• →Intercity/Tracknet shuttle Queenstown → Te Anau (~£20–30, ~2 hrs)
• →Ata Whenua / Fiordland Cinema screening (~£12)
• →Water taxi to Brod Bay and Kepler Track walk (Oct–Apr, ~£15 + free walking)
• →Self-guided walk in Fiordland National Park (free)

An unmissable day. Book the Milford Sound day trip including a scenic cruise directly with Real Journeys or Go Orange (~£55–80pp including coach transfer from Te Anau and 1.5-hour scenic cruise). The 90-minute drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound passes through the Homer Tunnel and some of New Zealand's most dramatic alpine scenery. The cruise takes you past Mitre Peak, Stirling Falls, and Bowen Falls — keep an eye out for dolphins, seals, and penguins. If you have budget to splurge, the overnight cruise (Real Journeys Milford Mariner) is unforgettable. Back in Te Anau, optionally visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves with Real Journeys (~£45–55 including boat transfer).

🚌Coach transfer included in most Milford Sound day trip packages from Te Anau (~2.5 hrs each way). Book at realjourneys.co.nz or goorange.co.nz.

🛏Te Anau YHA or Barnyard Backpackers — dorm ~£22–30pp

• →Milford Sound day trip with scenic cruise (~£55–80 including return coach from Te Anau, via Real Journeys or Go Orange)
• →Spot wildlife: dolphins, seals, Fiordland crested penguins (included on cruise)
• →Views of Mitre Peak and Stirling Falls (included on cruise)
• →Optional: Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour (~£45–55 via Real Journeys)

An epic transit day through the heart of the South Island. The most budget-friendly option is the InterCity coach from Te Anau to Mount Cook Village via Queenstown or take the scenic Tracknet/Atomic Shuttles route (~£40–55). The route passes through the Lindis Pass and alongside the turquoise Lake Pukaki — stop for photos at the lake viewpoint (the colour is extraordinary). Arrive at Mount Cook Village by late afternoon. The Hooker Valley Track is the must-do walk — 3 hours return to a glacier lake with iceberg views, completely free. Check into the YHA Aoraki/Mount Cook, a purpose-built mountain lodge with stunning peak views. The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre museum is free with YHA membership or ~£12 entry.

🚌InterCity or Atomic Shuttles Te Anau → Mount Cook (~£40–55, with possible change in Queenstown or Twizel). Book at intercity.co.nz or atomictravel.co.nz.

🛏YHA Aoraki/Mount Cook — dorm ~£25–35pp or budget double ~£70–90

• →Scenic coach/shuttle transit through Lindis Pass (~£40–55)
• →Photo stop at Lake Pukaki viewpoint (en route, free)
• →Hooker Valley Track walk to glacial lake (~3 hrs return, free)
• →Optional: Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre (~£12 or free May–Sept)
• →Optional: Glacier Explorer boat tour on Tasman Lake (~£100–120 via Glacier Explorers)

Head north toward Christchurch with a stop at Lake Tekapo — one of the most intensely blue lakes you'll ever see, surrounded by lupins (in season) and backed by the Southern Alps. The Church of the Good Shepherd on the lake shore is iconic and free. Hike up to Mt John Observatory for 360° views (self-guided, ~1.5 hrs return, free). The Tekapo Hot Pools are a great soak (~£18–22). Catch the InterCity/Atomic shuttle onward to Christchurch (~3 hours, £20–30). Arrive in Christchurch by early evening — check into a central hostel like Jailhouse Accommodation or Rolleston House YHA. Spend the evening exploring the CBD's remarkable rebuild and street art.

🚌Atomic Shuttles or InterCity Mount Cook → Lake Tekapo → Christchurch (~£30–45 total, ~4–5 hrs). Book at atomictravel.co.nz or intercity.co.nz.

🛏Jailhouse Accommodation or Rolleston House YHA, Christchurch — dorm ~£22–30pp

• →Shuttle Mount Cook → Lake Tekapo (included in transport leg)
• →Church of the Good Shepherd visit (free)
• →Mt John Observatory self-guided hike (~1.5 hrs return, free)
• →Optional: Tekapo Hot Pools soak (~£18–22)
• →Optional: winter activities — ice skating or snow tubing (seasonal)
• →Arrive Christchurch: explore CBD street art (free)
• →Visit Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park (free)

Your final day in Christchurch is yours to explore NZ's 'Garden City', which has undergone a remarkable transformation since the 2011 earthquakes. Spend the morning at the Canterbury Museum (free entry), wander through the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, and see the punting boats on the Avon River (~£25 for a guided punt, or walk the river trails for free). The city's street art scene is world-class — grab a free self-guided map from the i-SITE visitor centre. The Re:START Container Mall and the developing East Frame showcase the city's resilience and creative spirit. Ride the historic tram loop around the city centre (~£15 for an all-day pass). Christchurch Airport is about 20 minutes from the city centre by Orbis public bus (~£3).

🚌On foot and local Orbus buses. Airport transfer: Orbus Route 29 (~£3) or taxi/Uber (~£20–25).

🛏Check-out day — no accommodation needed (or extend at YHA if needed).

• →Canterbury Museum (free entry)
• →Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park (free)
• →Self-guided street art walk (free — map from i-SITE)
• →Optional: punting on the Avon River (~£25 guided, or free riverside walk)
• →Optional: historic tram loop (~£15 all-day pass)
• →Re:START Container Mall and city centre explore (free)