9-Day Self-Launched South Island Rail & Alpine Expedition (Christchurch Start)

Head to Christchurch Railway Station (Addington) for the early-morning TranzAlpine scenic train departure at around 8:15am. Book your own train ticket directly via KiwiRail (book.kiwirail.co.nz) — typically NZ$99–169 (~£48–82) each way in a standard scenic seat. The journey crosses the Southern Alps through Arthur's Pass, offering spectacular mountain views. Disembark at Greymouth and take a local bus or taxi (~NZ$20–30, ~£10–15) south to Hokitika (about 45 mins). Check in to Stumpers Bar & Backpackers or a budget motel near Hokitika Beach. Stroll Hokitika's famous glowstone beach at sunset and grab dinner at a local café.

🚌TranzAlpine train from Christchurch Railway Station (Addington) to Greymouth; local InterCity coach or taxi onward to Hokitika

🛏Stumpers Bar & Backpackers or Hokitika budget motel (e.g. Shining Star Beachfront Accommodation) — approx £40–55/night for a private room

• →TranzAlpine scenic train Christchurch to Greymouth — book direct via KiwiRail (~£55 per person)
• →Bus or shuttle from Greymouth to Hokitika (~£10–15)
• →Evening walk on Hokitika Beach
• →Optional: Dinner at a local restaurant with ocean views (~£15–20)

After a hostel breakfast, catch the InterCity coach from Hokitika south to Franz Josef (~2.5 hours, ~NZ$25–40, ~£12–20 — book at intercity.co.nz). Check in to a budget motel or hostel in Franz Josef township. Spend the afternoon exploring the village, walking to the Franz Josef Glacier viewpoint (free), and browsing local cafés and shops. The glacier viewpoint walk is an easy 1.5km return trail giving impressive views of the glacier terminus.

🚌InterCity coach from Hokitika to Franz Josef (~2.5 hours)

🛏Franz Josef TOP 10 Holiday Park (budget cabin/dorm) or Rainforest Retreat budget room — approx £35–50/night

• →InterCity coach Hokitika to Franz Josef (~£15)
• →Franz Josef Glacier terminal face viewpoint walk (free)
• →Explore Franz Josef township
• →Optional: Heli-hike on the glacier via GetYourGuide (~£180–220)

Rise early for the Lake Matheson 'Mirror Lake' walk (free, ~1.5 hours circuit) — best at dawn for perfect reflections of Aoraki/Mt Cook. Then catch a bus or arrange a shuttle (InterCity or Naked Bus) south through Haast Pass, stopping at the famous 'Wanaka Tree' on the lake shore for photos. Grab a late lunch in Wanaka before continuing to Queenstown (~1.5 hours further). Check in to a Queenstown hostel or budget hotel. Book buses in advance on intercity.co.nz; the full Franz Josef to Queenstown journey takes most of the day (~6–7 hours with stops).

🚌InterCity or Naked Bus coach from Franz Josef south through Haast Pass, stopping at Wanaka, then onward to Queenstown (~6–7 hours total, ~£30–45)

🛏Queenstown YHA, Nomads Queenstown, or Base Backpackers — private room approx £45–65/night

• →Lake Matheson scenic mirror lake walk (free, ~1.5 hrs)
• →Stop at the famous lone Wanaka Tree on Lake Wanaka (free)
• →Lunch in Wanaka (~£12–16)
• →Scenic drive through Haast Pass and Mackenzie Country

Queenstown is your adventure playground — spend the full day as you like. Free activities include walking up Bob's Peak (or take the Gondola for ~NZ$42/£20), hiking Queenstown Hill (2–3 hours return, free), or strolling the lakefront. Fergburger is a must for lunch (budget ~£10). For thrills, book Shotover Jet (from ~NZ$159/£77), AJ Hackett Bungy (from ~NZ$200/£97), Ziplining, or Skydiving via GetYourGuide or direct operators — all self-bookable. Evening options include wine tasting in the Gibbston Valley or lakefront drinks with live music.

🚌On foot or local Orbus bus within Queenstown

🛏Queenstown YHA, Nomads Queenstown, or Base Backpackers — private room approx £45–65/night

• →Hike Queenstown Hill or Bob's Peak (free) or Gondola (~£20)
• →Iconic Fergburger lunch (~£10)
• →Optional: Shotover Jet boat (~£77) — book direct at shotoverjet.com
• →Optional: AJ Hackett Bungy from Kawarau Bridge (~£97) — book at bungy.co.nz
• →Optional: Skydiving with NZONE (~£180) — book at nzone.biz
• →Optional: Ziplining with Ziptrek (~£65) — book at ziptrek.com
• →Optional: Gibbston Valley wine tasting (~£20)
• →Explore Queenstown nightlife (free entry to most bars)

Catch an InterCity coach or Tracknet shuttle from Queenstown to Te Anau (~2.5 hours, ~NZ$30–45/£15–22 — book at tracknet.net or intercity.co.nz). Check in to your Te Anau hostel or budget hotel. Visit the Fiordland Cinema for the 'Ata Whenua — Shadowland' movie about Fiordland's wilderness (tickets ~NZ$15/£7 — book at fiordlandcinema.co.nz). In the afternoon, walk part of the Kepler Track from the town lakeside carpark — the Coal Creek Bridge to Lake Te Anau section is a beautiful, easy walk. Oct–Apr: book a water taxi to Brod Bay via Fiordland Water Taxi for a one-way scenic lake crossing (~NZ$35/£17).

🚌InterCity coach or Tracknet shuttle from Queenstown to Te Anau (~2.5 hours)

🛏Te Anau YHA or Barnyard Backpackers — private room approx £40–55/night

• →InterCity or Tracknet shuttle Queenstown to Te Anau (~£18)
• →Ata Whenua — Shadowland movie at Fiordland Cinema (~£7) — book at fiordlandcinema.co.nz
• →Kepler Track walk: Coal Creek Bridge to Lake Te Anau lakeside (free)
• →Optional (Oct–Apr): Water taxi to Brod Bay (~£17) — book at fiordlandwatertaxi.co.nz

Today is all about Milford Sound — one of the world's great natural wonders. Book an early Milford Sound day trip from Te Anau independently — the bus + cruise combo can be booked via RealNZ (realnz.com) or GetYourGuide from ~NZ$95–140 (~£46–68) including return coach from Te Anau and a scenic cruise on the fiord past Mitre Peak and dramatic waterfalls. The drive itself through Fiordland National Park is stunning. Back in Te Anau by late afternoon. Optional evening: book a Te Anau Glowworm Cave tour via RealNZ (~NZ$65/£31).

🚌Return coach from Te Anau to Milford Sound included in day trip booking (~2 hours each way)

🛏Te Anau YHA or Barnyard Backpackers — private room approx £40–55/night

• →Milford Sound scenic cruise including return coach from Te Anau (~£55–68) — book at realnz.com or GetYourGuide
• →Scenic drive through Fiordland National Park (included in bus trip)
• →Optional: Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour (~£31) — book at realnz.com
• →Evening stroll around Te Anau lakefront (free)

An epic travel day through the heart of the South Island. Take an InterCity coach or organise a Tracknet shuttle from Te Anau to Twizel (~4 hours), then connect to Mount Cook village (~45 mins) via local shuttle or taxi. The route passes the Lindis Pass and the turquoise shores of Lake Pukaki — stop for photos at the lake's iconic viewpoint of Mt Cook. Arrive at Mount Cook village, check in to YHA Aoraki/Mount Cook (one of New Zealand's best-positioned hostels). This evening, the dark-sky reserve conditions are perfect for stargazing — join a guided stargazing tour via Earth & Sky (~NZ$145/£70 at earthandsky.co.nz) or simply stargaze from outside your lodge. Dinner included as part of your budget estimate.

🚌InterCity coach or Tracknet shuttle from Te Anau to Twizel, then local transfer to Mount Cook village (~5 hours total)

🛏YHA Aoraki/Mount Cook — private room approx £50–70/night

• →InterCity/Tracknet coach Te Anau to Twizel then Mount Cook (~£35–45 total)
• →Lake Pukaki turquoise viewpoint stop (free)
• →Hooker Valley Track walk — stunning valley hike to glacier lake, 3 hours return (free)
• →Optional: Glacier Explorer boat tour on Tasman Glacier Lake (~NZ$175/£85) — book at realnz.com
• →Stargazing in the Mount Cook dark sky reserve — self-guided or Earth & Sky tour (~£70)
• →Optional: Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre (free May–Sep, small fee other months)

After breakfast, take the morning shuttle from Mount Cook to Lake Tekapo (~NZ$30/£15 — book via Atomic Shuttles or Cook Connection at cookconnect.co.nz). Spend a couple of hours at Lake Tekapo: visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd (free), walk along the turquoise lakeshore, and optionally hike up to Mt John Observatory for panoramic views (~1.5 hours return, free). Consider a soak at Tekapo Springs Hot Pools (~NZ$28/£14 — tekaposprings.co.nz). Then catch an afternoon InterCity coach from Tekapo to Christchurch (~3 hours, ~NZ$35/£17). Check in to a central Christchurch budget hotel for your final night. Head out for a farewell dinner in the city.

🚌Cook Connection or Atomic Shuttles from Mount Cook to Lake Tekapo; InterCity coach onward to Christchurch (~3 hours)

🛏Jucy Snooze Christchurch or Base Christchurch — private room approx £40–55/night

• →Shuttle from Mount Cook to Lake Tekapo (~£15) — book at cookconnect.co.nz
• →Church of the Good Shepherd visit (free)
• →Lake Tekapo lakeshore walk (free)
• →Optional: Hike to Mt John Observatory (~1.5 hrs return, free)
• →Optional: Tekapo Springs Hot Pools (~£14) — book at tekaposprings.co.nz
• →InterCity coach Lake Tekapo to Christchurch (~£17)
• →Farewell dinner in Christchurch (~£18–25)

Check out of your accommodation and spend any remaining time exploring Christchurch's excellent free attractions: the Botanic Gardens, Hagley Park, Re:START container mall, and the Canterbury Museum (free entry). Grab a coffee and brunch in the arts precinct around New Regent Street. Head to the airport via the Purple Line bus from the city centre (~£3) or a taxi/rideshare (~£15). No compulsory activities or tips — New Zealand culture doesn't expect gratuities.

🚌Purple Line bus to Christchurch Airport (~£3) or taxi (~£15)

🛏Check out — no accommodation needed

• →Christchurch Botanic Gardens walk (free)
• →Hagley Park stroll (free)
• →Canterbury Museum visit (free)
• →New Regent Street brunch (~£10–14)
• →Bus or taxi to Christchurch Airport (~£3–15)