Australia & New Zealand Discovery — Self-Launched
23 days · Australia & New Zealand
G Adventures charges £5,200
No-markup version: ~£2,330 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 23-day self-launched version of G Adventures' "Australia & New Zealand Discovery — Plus" (trip code OACQE), covering the same ground — Cairns and the Daintree, the Whitsundays, Byron Bay, the Blue Mountains, Sydney, then Waitomo, Rotorua, Queenstown, Doubtful Sound and Aoraki/Mt Cook — but booked independently using hostels and budget motels, public buses, the odd domestic flight and self-bookable activities. Note: Australia and New Zealand are genuinely expensive destinations; the savings here come from dropping the guide, private vehicle and hotel tier rather than from cheap day-to-day prices. Costs are rough per-person estimates for a mid-range backpacker doing this route, excluding international flights to Cairns and home from Queenstown.
Day-by-day
Arrive Cairns
Cairns, QLD, Australia
Land at Cairns Airport and take the public airport shuttle (~A$8-10/£5) or local bus into the city centre. Check into a hostel in the Esplanade/City area. Spend the late afternoon at the Cairns Esplanade lagoon (free public pool) and the night markets for cheap eats. Book your Daintree day tour and Whitsundays trip tonight if you haven't already.
🚌Airport shuttle bus ~£5
🛏Hostel dorm in Cairns city centre (e.g. Gilligan's or YHA Cairns Central), ~£22-30
- →Cairns Esplanade boardwalk and free lagoon
- →Cairns Night Markets
Daintree Rainforest & Mossman Gorge (self-booked day tour)
Cape Tribulation, QLD
Book a Daintree/Mossman Gorge day tour direct with a local operator (or catch the daily Cape Tribulation bus and join a tour there). This covers the same ground as the included Dreamtime Walk — an Indigenous Kuku Yalanji-guided interpretive walk covering bush food, medicinal plants and rainforest culture — plus Mossman Gorge and a Cape Tribulation stop. Pre-book on GetYourGuide (~£90-110) to lock in a spot; the operator collects from Cairns hostels.
🚌Tour minibus pickup from Cairns included
🛏Rainforest cabin or Cape Tribulation hostel dorm, ~£30-40
- →Kuku Yalanji Dreamtime guided walk (Mossman Gorge)
- →Daintree Rainforest boardwalk
- →Cape Tribulation Beach
Cape Tribulation free day — reef or rainforest
Cape Tribulation, QLD
Free day matching the tour's Day 3. Options booked locally: an outer Great Barrier Reef snorkel/dive trip from Cape Tribulation (~A$217/£115), a Daintree night walk (~A$55/£29), or free self-guided walks to Myall Beach and the Dubuji boardwalk. Book direct with a Cape Trib operator or via Klook/GetYourGuide.
🚌Walking / local shuttle
🛏Rainforest cabin or Cape Tribulation hostel dorm, ~£30-40
- →Great Barrier Reef snorkel trip from Cape Trib (optional, ~£115)
- →Daintree night walk (optional, ~£29)
- →Dubuji boardwalk & Myall Beach (free)
Cape Tribulation to Cairns via Port Douglas
Cairns, QLD
Take the public Cape Tribulation–Cairns bus (or the daily backpacker shuttle, ~£30) back south, stopping in Port Douglas for lunch at the Sunday market if you time it right. Afternoon back in Cairns: esplanade stroll, laundry, and prep for the long ride south tomorrow.
🚌Cape Tribulation to Cairns bus ~£30
🛏Hostel dorm in Cairns, ~£22-30
- →Port Douglas markets / Four Mile Beach
- →Cairns Esplanade
Cairns to Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach, QLD
Full day of travel north-coast style. The cheapest option is the Greyhound/Premier bus (~A$120/£63, 9-10 hrs) or a backpacker hop-on-hop-off pass if you're continuing south. Alternatively fly Cairns–Whitsunday Coast (Proserpine) with Jetstar/Virgin from ~£60 and take the local bus into Airlie. Evening arrival, walk the Airlie foreshore.
🚌Long-distance bus ~£63 or budget flight ~£60 + local bus
🛏Hostel dorm in Airlie Beach, ~£25-32
- →Airlie Beach foreshore & lagoon
Whitsundays sailing day — Whitehaven Beach
Airlie Beach, QLD
Pre-book a day sailing/snorkel trip to the Whitsundays direct with an operator or via GetYourGuide/Klook (~£110-140). This replicates the included excursion: sail among the 74 islands, land at Whitehaven Beach, snorkel the fringing reef, and hike the Hill Inlet lookout. Trips depart ~8am and return late afternoon.
🚌Operator pickup from Airlie accommodation, boat
🛏Hostel dorm in Airlie Beach, ~£25-32
- →Whitehaven Beach day sail
- →Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef fringing reef
- →Hill Inlet lookout walk
Airlie Beach to Byron Bay
Byron Bay, NSW
Fly Proserpine/Cairns to Brisbane (Jetstar ~£70-90), then take the Byron Bay Express or Premier bus from Brisbane (~£18, ~2hrs) or the Gold Coast airport shuttle. Arrive Byron in the evening and settle into a hostel near the town centre or at the Arts Factory.
🚌Flight ~£80 + bus ~£18
🛏Byron Bay hostel dorm, ~£28-35
- →Byron Bay town wander
Byron Bay free day
Byron Bay, NSW
Mirror the tour's free day: walk to Cape Byron Lighthouse (free, ~1.5 hrs return) for whale-watching in season, book a surf lesson (~£35), or a half-day sea kayak with Cape Byron Kayaks (~£45) past the most easterly point of mainland Australia and Julian Rocks Marine Reserve. Book direct or via GetYourGuide. Sunset at the Beach Hotel beer garden.
🚌Walking / local bus
🛏Byron Bay hostel dorm, ~£28-35
- →Cape Byron Lighthouse walk (free)
- →Surf lesson (optional ~£35)
- →Sea kayaking Julian Rocks (optional ~£45)
Byron Bay to Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie, NSW
Morning at a Byron hinterland farm: book a farm tour/breakfast at The Farm Byron Bay (~£30, self-booked) in place of the tour's organic-farm lunch. Then catch the afternoon Greyhound/Premier bus south to Port Macquarie (~4.5 hrs, ~£30). Evening stroll along the breakwall and Town Beach.
🚌Byron to Port Macquarie bus ~£30
🛏Budget motel or hostel in Port Macquarie, ~£30-40
- →The Farm Byron Bay visit & breakfast (optional)
- →Port Macquarie breakwall walk
Port Macquarie to Katoomba (Blue Mountains)
Katoomba, NSW
Stop at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital (entry ~A$2/£1) before taking the bus/train south. Easiest route: bus to Sydney Central (~5 hrs, ~£28) then Blue Mountains Line train to Katoomba (~2 hrs, ~£6 with Opal). Base yourself in Katoomba for two nights.
🚌Bus ~£28 + NSW TrainLink/Opal train ~£6
🛏Katoomba hostel or guesthouse, ~£28-38
- →Koala Hospital Port Macquarie (~£1)
- →Katoomba street & Echo Point at dusk
Blue Mountains — Three Sisters & Jenolan Caves
Katoomba, NSW
Walk from Katoomba to Echo Point for the Three Sisters, then the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. Book a Jenolan Caves guided tour direct (~£20-28) and take the local Jenolan Caves shuttle/bus from Katoomba (~£15 return) — the caves are the same ones the tour visits. Pre-book the cave tour online as slots sell out.
🚌Jenolan Caves shuttle from Katoomba ~£15 return
🛏Katoomba hostel or guesthouse, ~£28-38
- →Three Sisters & Echo Point
- →Prince Henry Cliff Walk
- →Jenolan Caves guided tour (~£24)
Jamison Valley, Scenic Railway & into Sydney
Sydney, NSW
Morning walk down into Jamison Valley to the Scenic Railway — buy a Scenic World pass (~£28) that includes the steepest passenger railway in the world, or hike the Freeway/Giant Stairway for free. Afternoon train from Katoomba to Sydney Central (~2 hrs, ~£6). Evening self-guided orientation walk: Circular Quay, The Rocks, Opera House exterior.
🚌Katoomba–Sydney train ~£6
🛏Sydney hostel dorm (CBD/Kings Cross), ~£30-40
- →Jamison Valley walk
- →Scenic World railway (~£28)
- →Circular Quay & Opera House exterior walk
Sydney free day & flight to Auckland
Sydney → Auckland
Morning options: Bondi to Coogee coastal walk (free), a Sydney Opera House tour (~£20-28, book direct), or the Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout (~£10) as a much cheaper alternative to the Bridge Climb. Afternoon flight Sydney–Auckland (~£110-160 on Air New Zealand/Jetstar, book 6-10 weeks ahead for the best fare). Evening: settle into an Auckland hostel.
🚌Sydney airport train ~£10 + flight ~£130
🛏Auckland hostel dorm (CBD), ~£25-32
- →Bondi to Coogee coastal walk (free)
- →Opera House tour or Pylon Lookout (optional)
- →Trans-Tasman flight to Auckland
Auckland to Waitomo Caves & Rotorua
Rotorua, NZ
Take an InterCity bus or join a small-group day transfer Auckland–Waitomo–Rotorua (~£60 with InterCity FlexiPass). Book a Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour direct (~£30) — the same caves the tour includes — and then continue to Rotorua (evening). Alternatively take the scenic Northern Explorer train partway if it fits your dates.
🚌InterCity bus/transfer ~£45-60
🛏Rotorua hostel dorm, ~£24-32
- →Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour (~£30)
Rotorua — Maori culture & geothermal
Rotorua, NZ
Replace the tour's Maori cultural experience with a self-booked evening at Te Puia or Mitai Maori Village (~£60-75 including hangi dinner and performance) — book direct. Daytime: free Kuirau Park geothermal walk, or pay into Whakarewarewa (~£25). Options also include Hobbiton (~£55 with transport) or whitewater rafting on the Kaituna (~£65).
🚌Local bus / walking
🛏Rotorua hostel dorm, ~£24-32
- →Mitai or Te Puia Maori cultural evening (~£65)
- →Kuirau Park geothermal walk (free)
- →Whakarewarewa Village (optional)
Rotorua to Queenstown
Queenstown, NZ
Fly Rotorua–Christchurch–Queenstown or Rotorua–Auckland–Queenstown (~£120-170 on Air New Zealand, booked early). Cheap alternative: overnight InterCity bus Rotorua–Wellington then the ferry and onward — but that eats 2 days, so flying is the realistic match to the tour's internal flight. Evening in Queenstown: lakefront walk, Fergburger queue.
🚌Domestic flight ~£140
🛏Queenstown hostel dorm, ~£28-38
- →Queenstown lakefront & town wander
Queenstown adventure day
Queenstown, NZ
Birthplace of bungee — book direct with AJ Hackett Kawarau Bridge (~£150 original bungee) or the cheaper Ledge Bungy, the Shotover Canyon Swing (~£150), or a Skyline Gondola + luge pass (~£30-45). If adventure isn't your thing: the Tiki Trail hike up Bob's Peak is free, or a Lake Wakatipu steamship cruise (~£50).
🚌Local bus / walking
🛏Queenstown hostel dorm, ~£28-38
- →Bungee or canyon swing (optional ~£150)
- →Skyline Gondola & luge (~£35)
- →Tiki Trail hike (free)
Central Otago wine tasting & Gibbston Valley
Queenstown / Gibbston, NZ
Replicate the included winery visit by booking a small-group Central Otago wine tour direct or via Klook/GetYourGuide (~£90-110 including tastings and transport), or DIY it: the Orbus bus to Gibbston plus cellar-door tastings at 2-3 wineries (~£40-50 total). Return to Queenstown for the evening.
🚌Wine tour van or Orbus ~£5 each way
🛏Queenstown hostel dorm, ~£28-38
- →Central Otago winery tastings
- →Gibbston Valley cellar doors
Queenstown to Te Anau (Fiordland gateway)
Te Anau, NZ
InterCity bus Queenstown–Te Anau (~3 hrs, ~£22) or InterCity FlexiPass. Afternoon: Te Anau lakefront, and optionally the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (~£55) or a short section of the Kepler Track for free. Book tomorrow's Doubtful Sound cruise tonight.
🚌InterCity bus ~£22
🛏Te Anau hostel dorm or cabin, ~£28-35
- →Te Anau lakefront
- →Kepler Track day section (free)
Doubtful Sound day cruise
Doubtful Sound / Te Anau, NZ
Book the RealNZ Doubtful Sound day cruise direct (~£130-160 including coach from Te Anau and the boat across Lake Manapouri). This is the same experience the tour includes — a full day in remote Fiordland with waterfalls, dolphins and sheer granite walls. Return to Te Anau in the evening.
🚌RealNZ coach + boat included in cruise price
🛏Te Anau hostel dorm or cabin, ~£28-35
- →Doubtful Sound day cruise (~£145)
Te Anau to Aoraki/Mt Cook
Aoraki/Mt Cook Village, NZ
InterCity bus Te Anau–Queenstown–Mt Cook (~£35-45, long day). Alternatively, the GreatSights/InterCity combo is the easiest. Arrive Mt Cook Village for the night — the same base the tour uses. Evening: Hooker Valley short section or Tasman Glacier viewpoint if daylight allows; check the DOC Visitor Centre (free) for weather updates.
🚌InterCity bus ~£40
🛏Mt Cook backpackers (e.g. YHA Mt Cook), ~£35-45
- →DOC Aoraki/Mt Cook Visitor Centre (free)
Hooker Valley Track & to Christchurch
Aoraki/Mt Cook → Christchurch
Early start for the Hooker Valley Track (3 hrs return, free) — the classic Aoraki/Mt Cook hike to the glacier lake with views of the peak, weather permitting. Afternoon InterCity bus Mt Cook–Christchurch (~5 hrs, ~£30). Evening in Christchurch: self-guided walk of the rebuilt city centre, Cardboard Cathedral and Riverside Market.
🚌InterCity bus ~£30
🛏Christchurch hostel dorm, ~£25-32
- →Hooker Valley Track (free)
- →Christchurch city orientation walk
Christchurch & depart
Christchurch, NZ
Optional morning: Christchurch Botanic Gardens (free), the Quake City museum (~£10), or a stroll along the Avon. Note the tour ends in Queenstown, so if you need to fly out of Queenstown instead, take the TranzAlpine-style InterCity bus or a short flight Christchurch–Queenstown (~£50). Head to Christchurch Airport by city bus (~£5) or shuttle for your international flight home.
🚌Christchurch city bus to airport ~£5
🛏None (departure day)
- →Christchurch Botanic Gardens (free)
- →Riverside Market
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£2,330 | £5,200 |
| Duration | 23 days | 23 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,870 per person (55%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£2,330
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Australia & New Zealand Discovery — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £2,330 per person for 23 days in Australia & New Zealand. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £5,200 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £2,330 — a saving of roughly £2,870 (55%) per person.
How long is the Australia & New Zealand trip?+
This itinerary runs 23 days, covering 23 day-by-day stops through Australia & New Zealand.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, beaches trip through Australia & New Zealand, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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