New Zealand Trails: Auckland to Christchurch (Self-Launched)
18 days · New Zealand
Exodus Adventure Travels charges £9,675
No-markup version: ~£1,885 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
An 18-day independent version of Exodus's 'Discover New Zealand' (Tour code ALN): Auckland's volcanic islands, Rotorua's geothermal and Māori culture, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Wellington, the Abel Tasman coast, the West Coast glaciers, Wanaka, an overnight in Milford Sound, Queenstown and Aoraki/Mount Cook. Done solo on InterCity buses, the Interislander ferry and a few passes (Tracknet/GreatSights), with self-booked walks and cruises, this comes in at roughly a third of the tour price. Costs are approximate backpacker/hostel-to-budget-motel rates in GBP, excluding international flights.
Day-by-day
Arrive Auckland – Viaduct Harbour & city wander
Auckland
Land at Auckland Airport and take the SkyBus (about NZ$20/£10) or the AirportLink bus into the CBD. Check into a hostel in the Viaduct/Fort Street area. Spend the afternoon walking the waterfront, Queen Street, Albert Park and the viaduct, then pick up groceries and a Metrocard (AT HOP card) for city transport. Join a cheap 'meet other travellers' dinner in the hostel or a $15 pizza night at a viaduct bar.
🚌SkyBus from airport ~£10
🛏Hostel dorm or private room, Auckland CBD (e.g. Haka Lodge / Attic Backpackers / YHA Auckland City)
- →SkyBus airport transfer
- →Viaduct Harbour waterfront walk
- →Albert Park and Queen Street
- →Buy AT HOP card
Rangitoto Island volcano walk
Rangitoto Island
Book the Fullers ferry from Downtown Auckland to Rangitoto Island (return ~NZ$45/£22, book direct or on Klook). Walk the summit track through lava fields and pōhutukawa forest to the crater rim (about 2 hours return) and, if you have energy, link over to Motutapu Island. Back in town by late afternoon — fish and chips on the wharf and an early night before tomorrow's bus.
🚌Fullers ferry ~£22 return; walk to ferry terminal
🛏Hostel, Auckland CBD
- →Fullers ferry to Rangitoto
- →Summit track through lava fields
- →Optional Motutapu Island link walk
Auckland to Rotorua – Redwoods & Māori village evening
Rotorua
Take an InterCity bus from Auckland to Rotorua (~4 hours, ~NZ$30-45/£15-22 booked in advance). Check in, then walk or grab a local bus to Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest for a free wander among the giant redwoods (or a paid Redwoods Treewalk). In the evening book a self-drive/self-transfer ticket to Tamaki Māori Village or Mitai Māori Village for a cultural performance and hangi dinner (~NZ$150-175/£70-80, book direct).
🚌InterCity bus ~£20; local bus/taxi in Rotorua
🛏Hostel or budget motel, Rotorua (e.g. Rotorua Downtown Backpackers)
- →InterCity bus Auckland–Rotorua
- →Redwood Forest walk (free)
- →Māori cultural performance and hangi dinner (self-booked)
Wai-O-Tapu, Huka Falls & into Tongariro
Tongariro National Park
Self-book the Wai-O-Tapu thermal wonderland entry (~NZ$45/£20) and get there by local shuttle or the Rotorua–Taupō InterCity; be at the Lady Knox Geyser for the 10:15 eruption. Continue to Huka Falls for the free lookout walk, then take the bus south to National Park Village (~NZ$35/£16). Settle into a hostel and check the weather forecast for the Alpine Crossing tomorrow.
🚌InterCity/shuttle Rotorua–Wai-O-Tapu–Taupō–National Park ~£35 total
🛏Hostel or lodge, National Park Village (e.g. The Park Hotel / Ski Haus)
- →Wai-O-Tapu geothermal valley
- →Lady Knox Geyser
- →Huka Falls lookout
- →Bus to National Park Village
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Tongariro National Park
Book a one-way shuttle from National Park Village to the Mangatepopo trailhead and pickup from Ketetahi (~NZ$45-55/£22-27, book the evening before). Walk the 19.4 km crossing past the Emerald Lakes and Red Crater (7-8 hours, sturdy boots and waterproofs essential — check the forecast and DOC alerts). Alternatives if weather is bad: Taranaki Falls loop (2-3 hrs, free) or the Sky Waka gondola on Mt Ruapehu. Easy evening: hostel dinner and hot pools at Tokaanu if you have a car/ride share.
🚌Alpine Crossing shuttle ~£25
🛏Hostel or lodge, National Park Village
- →Tongariro Alpine Crossing (self-guided)
- →Shuttle transfers to trailheads
- →Optional Taranaki Falls walk
- →Optional Sky Waka gondola
National Park to Wellington – Te Papa & cable car
Wellington
Catch the InterCity bus or the Northern Explorer scenic train (~NZ$45-60 bus / ~NZ$120-180 train) down to Wellington, 5-6 hours. On arrival walk the waterfront, visit the free Te Papa museum, ride the cable car up to the Botanic Gardens (~NZ$10/£5) and wander back down through the gardens. Evening: Cuba Street for cheap eats and live music.
🚌InterCity bus ~£25 (train option ~£70)
🛏Hostel, Wellington CBD (e.g. Haka Lodge Wellington / YHA)
- →InterCity bus or Northern Explorer to Wellington
- →Te Papa museum (free)
- →Wellington Cable Car
- →Botanic Gardens walk
- →Cuba Street nightlife
Cook Strait ferry to Nelson & Abel Tasman
Abel Tasman National Park
Book the Interislander or Bluebridge ferry from Wellington to Picton (~NZ$65-90/£30-45 on foot, book early for cheap fares) — sit on deck for the Marlborough Sounds. Take the bus from Picton to Nelson (~2 hrs), drop bags, walk up to the Centre of New Zealand for the view, and explore Nelson's Saturday-style markets if timing works. Continue by bus or shuttle to Marahau at the edge of Abel Tasman (~NZ$25/£12) for the night.
🚌Ferry ~£40 + bus Picton–Nelson–Marahau ~£25
🛏Hostel or cabin, Marahau or Motueka (e.g. The Barn Marahau)
- →Interislander/Bluebridge ferry across Cook Strait
- →Marlborough Sounds views
- →Centre of New Zealand walk
- →Nelson city wander
Abel Tasman coast walk & sail back
Abel Tasman National Park
Self-book a water taxi from Marahau to Anchorage Bay (~NZ$40-55/£20-25) and walk the coastal track back north through golden beaches and bush (3-4 hrs), or reverse it and take a water taxi/sailing return. Abel Tasman AquaTaxi and Abel Tasman Sailing Adventures both sell single legs online. Afternoon swim at Anchorage or Apple Tree Bay; fish and chips in Marahau.
🚌Water taxi ~£25 one-way
🛏Hostel or cabin, Marahau/Motueka
- →Water taxi to Anchorage Bay
- →Abel Tasman coastal track walk
- →Beach swim
- →Optional sailing return
West Coast road: Cape Foulwind & Pancake Rocks
Greymouth
Take the InterCity bus from Nelson/Motueka down the Buller Gorge to Westport, then on to Greymouth (~6-7 hrs total, ~NZ$60-75/£30-35). Hop off or walk out at Cape Foulwind (seal colony walkway, free) and at Punakaiki for the Pancake Rocks and blowholes (free, 30-45 min loop). Base in Greymouth for the night.
🚌InterCity bus ~£32
🛏Hostel or budget motel, Greymouth (e.g. Global Village Backpackers)
- →InterCity bus down the Buller Gorge
- →Cape Foulwind seal colony walk
- →Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & blowholes
Greymouth to Fox Glacier – Okarito Lagoon
Fox Glacier
Bus south to Fox Glacier (~3 hrs, ~NZ$35/£16). Book a kayak hire on Okarito Lagoon (~NZ$75-95/£35-45) for the kahikatea forest and white heron spotting, or walk the free Okarito Trig Track (1.5 hrs, huge views). Evening at the Fox Glacier hot pools (~NZ$30/£14) if you want to soak.
🚌Bus ~£16; rent a bike or hitch/shuttle to Okarito ~£10
🛏Hostel or budget motel, Fox Glacier village
- →Bus Greymouth–Fox Glacier
- →Okarito Lagoon kayak hire (self-booked)
- →Okarito Trig Track walk
- →Optional hot pools
Fox Glacier lookout, Lake Matheson & Haast Pass to Wanaka
Wanaka
Morning walk to the Fox Glacier terminal lookout (free, ~1 hr) and the Lake Matheson mirror-lake loop (free, 1.5 hrs — best early before wind). Then take the InterCity bus over Haast Pass to Wanaka (~5 hrs, ~NZ$55/£25). Evening lakeside stroll and a supermarket-cooked dinner.
🚌InterCity bus ~£25
🛏Hostel, Wanaka (e.g. YHA Wanaka / Altitude Backpackers)
- →Fox Glacier terminal lookout walk
- →Lake Matheson loop track
- →Bus over Haast Pass to Wanaka
Matukituki Valley jetboat, Diamond Lake & Rocky Mountain
Wanaka
Self-book a Mount Aspiring National Park jetboat (Wanaka River Journeys or Wilkin River Jets, ~NZ$380-450/£175-210 — the single biggest optional splurge; a cheaper half-day option exists). Alternatively do the free Diamond Lake / Rocky Mountain track (3 hrs up to a rocky summit with lake views) and the short Mount Iron walk. Rent a bike if you want an easy afternoon around the lakefront.
🚌Local shuttle or bike to trailheads ~£8
🛏Hostel, Wanaka
- →Matukituki Valley jetboat (self-booked, optional)
- →Diamond Lake & Rocky Mountain hike
- →Mount Iron summit walk
- →Lakefront bike ride (optional)
Wanaka to Milford Sound – overnight cruise
Milford Sound
Long travel day: take the InterCity/GreatSights coach via Te Anau and the Eglington Valley to Milford Sound (~5.5-6 hrs, ~NZ$75/£35 — book in advance, with short photo stops at Mirror Lakes and the Chasm). Board a smaller-boat overnight cruise such as the Milford Mariner or Fiordland Navigator (~NZ$500-600/£230-275 including dinner and breakfast, book direct months ahead — this is a splurge worth budgeting for; a day cruise is ~NZ$120/£55). Kayak in a sheltered cove before a starlit dinner on deck.
🚌InterCity/GreatSights coach ~£35
🛏Overnight boat cabin, Milford Sound (Milford Mariner / Fiordland Navigator)
- →Coach through Eglington Valley & Mirror Lakes
- →Overnight cruise in Milford Sound with kayaking
- →Dinner and breakfast on board
Milford dawn cruise to Queenstown via Key Summit
Queenstown
Morning cruise back out the fiord searching for dolphins and seals, disembark and bus to The Divide. Walk the Key Summit track on the Routeburn (~3 hrs return) for alpine tarns and views over the Humboldt Mountains, then catch the afternoon/evening coach into Te Anau and on to Queenstown (~4 hrs, ~NZ$45/£20).
🚌Coach Milford Sound–The Divide–Queenstown ~£30
🛏Hostel, Queenstown (e.g. Nomads / Adventure Q2)
- →Milford Sound dawn cruise
- →Key Summit / Routeburn Track walk
- →Coach to Queenstown
Queenstown free day – pick your adrenaline
Queenstown
Choose your own adventure: the Skyline Gondola and luge (~NZ$60/£28), Kawarau Bridge bungy (~NZ$205/£95), Nevis bungy, rafting, paragliding, or the free Queenstown Hill / Ben Lomond track walk for the view without the price tag. Book on GetYourGuide or directly — even in peak season there is usually next-day availability. Evening at a lakeside bar.
🚌Walk / $8 local bus
🛏Hostel, Queenstown
- →Skyline Gondola & luge (optional)
- →Bungy jumping (optional)
- →Queenstown Hill or Ben Lomond walk (free)
- →Lakeside bars
Queenstown to Aoraki/Mount Cook – Hooker Valley Track
Mount Cook National Park
Take the GreatSights/InterCity coach north via Kawarau Gorge, Lindis Pass and the Mackenzie Basin to Mount Cook Village (~4 hrs, ~NZ$55-65/£25-30). Drop bags at the hostel and walk the Hooker Valley Track (3 hrs return) to the glacial lake beneath Aoraki — free and one of the best short walks in the country. Glow-worm-free night sky viewing from the village if clear.
🚌InterCity/GreatSights coach ~£28
🛏Hostel, Mount Cook Village (YHA Mount Cook) or Glentanner
- →Coach via Lindis Pass & Mackenzie Basin
- →Hooker Valley Track to glacial lake
- →Stargazing
Mount Cook to Christchurch – Hagley Park & night out
Christchurch
Bus across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch (~4.5 hrs, ~NZ$55/£25). Check in, then wander the rebuilt city centre — the Cardboard Cathedral, Riverside Market for cheap lunch, the Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park. Last-night dinner with hostelmates or at Little High Eatery.
🚌InterCity coach ~£25
🛏Hostel, Christchurch (e.g. Haka Lodge / Jailhouse)
- →Bus to Christchurch
- →Riverside Market
- →Botanic Gardens & Hagley Park
- →Cardboard Cathedral
Depart Christchurch
Christchurch
Slow morning, last walk along the Avon, then the Airport bus or a $25-35 ride to Christchurch Airport for your flight out. If you have time, add a day trip to Akaroa or the Banks Peninsula.
🚌Airport bus/rideshare ~£8
🛏None (departure day)
- →Avon River walk
- →Airport transfer
Self-launched vs. Exodus Adventure Travels
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus Adventure Travels | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,885 | £9,675 |
| Duration | 18 days | 18 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £7,790 per person (81%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus Adventure Travels-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,885
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 New Zealand Trails: Auckland to Christchurch (Self-Launched) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,885 per person for 18 days in 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 Exodus Adventure Travels?+
Yes — Exodus Adventure Travels charges around £9,675 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,885 — a saving of roughly £7,790 (81%) per person.
How long is the New Zealand trip?+
This itinerary runs 18 days, covering 18 day-by-day stops through 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, culture trip through 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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