Self-Launched Coast to Coast Expedition Across New Zealand

Fly into Christchurch International Airport (CHC) and hop on the Orbus Purple Line bus (Route 29) direct to the city centre — it runs every 15–30 minutes and costs around £3. Check into a central hostel and spend the afternoon exploring the 'Garden City': the Botanic Gardens, the Re:START container mall and the revitalised arts precinct are all free. Book your bike hire, rafting and any National Park hut tickets in advance tonight if you haven't already. Great hostels to consider: Haka House Christchurch or Foley Towers — both around £18–22/night in a dorm.

🚌Orbus bus from airport to city centre, ~£3

🛏Haka House Christchurch or Foley Towers Hostel — dorm ~£18–22/night

• →Catch the Orbus Purple Line bus from airport to central Christchurch (~£3, 30 mins)
• →Explore Christchurch Botanic Gardens (free)
• →Browse the Re:START container mall and arts precinct
• →Pre-book bike hire for Days 3–6 and 8–10 via West Coast Wilderness Trail operators (e.g. Hokitika Cycles or Trail Journeys)
• →Pre-book Waimakariri River rafting via a local operator such as Alpine Rafting or Thrillseekers Adventures (~£80–100pp)
• →Pre-purchase DOC hut passes and backcountry permits via doc.govt.nz

Hire a car or campervan for the inland leg — a budget rental from Christchurch for 1–2 days costs around £40–55/day and is the most practical way to reach the trailhead. Drive west on SH73 across the Canterbury Plains (about 1.5 hrs, 95km) to the Craigieburn area. Complete the Camp Saddle to Lyndon Saddle Loop — an 11km, 675m ascent day hike with sweeping ridge views, a DOC classic. Carry a packed lunch. Tonight, stay at Porters Lodge (an authentic alpine lodge with dorms and a bar/restaurant) or the nearby Craigieburn Valley Ski Club huts if available. Budget backpacker beds in the lodge run around £25–35/night.

🚌Hire car from Christchurch, ~£45/day (split between group if travelling with others)

🛏Porters Lodge dorm or budget room, ~£28–35/night

• →Drive Christchurch → Craigieburn via SH73 (1.5 hrs, 95km)
• →Hike Camp Saddle to Lyndon Saddle Loop (11km, 675m up, ~4 hrs) — free with DOC access
• →Packed lunch on the ridge
• →Check into Porters Lodge or Smyllie's Accommodation nearby

Drive from the Craigieburn area over Arthur's Pass on SH73 (stunning scenery, well worth a short stop at Arthur's Pass village) and down the west coast to the old gold mining town of Ross (~2.5 hrs, 190km). Collect your pre-booked hire bike here or in Hokitika. Begin the West Coast Wilderness Trail, riding the first section (~33km, 80m elevation, roughly 3–3.5 hrs) through lush native rainforest on old logging tramways — an easy warm-up day. Arrive in Hokitika in the afternoon. Grab fish and chips from one of the beachfront takeaways (~£8–10) and watch the sun set over the Tasman Sea — one of New Zealand's great evenings. Dip your toes in the sea to mark the start of the coast-to-coast!

🚌Hire car to Ross/Hokitika to drop off; bike from here onwards

🛏Stumpers Backpackers Hokitika or Beachfront Hotel Hokitika — dorm/budget room ~£20–28/night

• →Drive over Arthur's Pass and down to Ross via SH73 (~2.5 hrs)
• →Stop at Arthur's Pass village — walk to Devil's Punchbowl Falls if time allows (30 min return, free)
• →Collect hire bike in Ross or Hokitika
• →Ride Section 1 of the West Coast Wilderness Trail: Ross to Hokitika (~33km, ~3.5 hrs)
• →Fish and chips on Hokitika Beach watching the Tasman Sea sunset (~£8–10)
• →Swim in the Tasman Sea

An epic full day in the saddle (~70km, 610m up, ~5 hrs riding). Leave Hokitika following the West Coast Wilderness Trail through the Kaniere Water Race — a gorgeous, flowing section of easy single-track through dense bush. Pass Lake Kaniere (a great spot for a swim or a snack break), push on through Milltown and up through the 'wild west' gold rush country with its swing bridges and meandering switchbacks. The trail eventually descends to Kumara, a brilliant little historic town. Tonight, check into the historic Kumara Hotel or one of Kumara's guesthouses — a proper old-school Kiwi pub with rooms above. Dinner at the hotel bar is a must.

🚌Mountain bike along the West Coast Wilderness Trail

🛏Kumara Hotel pub rooms or local guesthouse, ~£25–35/night

• →Ride West Coast Wilderness Trail: Hokitika → Lake Kaniere → Milltown → Kumara (~70km, ~5 hrs)
• →Swim or rest at Lake Kaniere
• →Cross historic swing bridges on the trail
• →Dinner at the Kumara Hotel pub (~£15–20)

The hardest day of the expedition. Arrange a local shuttle (Kumara to Morrison's Bridge) — contact West Coast Shuttle or local taxi services in Greymouth/Kumara (~£20–30pp). Leave bikes at accommodation to be picked up later. From Morrison's Bridge, follow the Mingha-Deception Route — a 30km, 1070m ascent crossing of the Southern Alps via Goat Pass (1070m). This is a serious backcountry day: long riverbed walking, multiple river crossings, boulder hopping and an alpine scramble. Carry plenty of food, water and a full rain kit. Check DOC conditions at doc.govt.nz before departing and register your intentions. Reach Goat Pass Hut (DOC backcountry hut, pre-book your hut pass ~£10) for lunch, then descend the Mingha River valley to the Bealey River. Arrange a pre-booked shuttle from the Bealey confluence to Arthur's Pass village (~£15–25). Stay the night in Arthur's Pass — the Mountain House YHA is excellent.

🚌Local shuttle to trailhead (~£25pp); shuttle from Bealey to Arthur's Pass (~£20pp)

🛏Mountain House YHA Arthur's Pass — dorm ~£22–28/night

• →Local shuttle from Kumara to Morrison's Bridge (~£20–30pp — book ahead)
• →Hike the Mingha-Deception Route over Goat Pass (30km, 1070m up, 10–14 hrs)
• →Rest and lunch at Goat Pass Hut (DOC hut pass ~£10, pre-book)
• →Multiple river crossings — trekking poles essential, check water levels on doc.govt.nz
• →Register intentions with DOC before departure
• →Shuttle from Bealey River confluence to Arthur's Pass village (~£15–25pp)

Return by short local drive or walk to the Bealey River and hike the tussock ridge trail up to historic Bealey Hut (12km, 625m ascent, ~4 hrs return). The views across the Waimakariri basin and surrounding peaks are superb. Return to collect your bike (arrange pick-up from Kumara accommodation, or have bikes shuttled ahead — check with your hire company, most west coast operators offer this service). Ride the gravel road section (~26km) northeast toward the Mt White Station area. Note: independent travellers cannot stay at Mt White Station itself (it is private), so the best alternative is to continue to Cass or Craigieburn areas, or pre-book a night at Cora Lynn Station Farmstay (~£35–45) for a similar high-country experience. Alternatively, camp at a nearby DOC campsite.

🚌Hire bike; bike transport shuttle from Kumara (~£20–30 if using hire company transfer service)

🛏Cora Lynn Station Farmstay (~£35–45/night) or Cass DOC campsite (~£8/night)

• →Drive or walk back to Bealey River trailhead
• →Hike to Bealey Hut and back (12km, 625m up, ~4 hrs)
• →Collect bikes from Arthur's Pass or from Kumara shuttle
• →Ride gravel road east toward Cass/Mt White area (~26km, ~2 hrs)
• →Check in to Cora Lynn Station Farmstay or Cass DOC campsite

A well-deserved rest day in one of New Zealand's most remote and beautiful landscapes. If the legs are willing, explore the surrounding valleys by bike or on foot — the Cass–Lagoon Saddle Track offers a brilliant day walk with big alpine views. The Waimakariri River is close by for a wild swim. SUP and kayak hire can be arranged through local operators in the area. Alternatively, simply relax, eat well and recharge. If staying at a farmstay, ask about local activities — many high-country stations offer farm tours, fishing or stargazing.

🚌Self-propelled — bike or on foot

🛏Cora Lynn Station Farmstay or Cass DOC campsite (as Day 6)

• →Optional: Cass–Lagoon Saddle Track day hike (DOC route, free)
• →Wild swim in the Waimakariri River
• →Bike the local farm roads and valley tracks
• →Rest, cook a big meal, recharge

Ride the remaining section to Gooseberry Flats on the Waimakariri River (~8.5km, 1.5 hrs) to meet your pre-booked rafting crew. Independent rafting on the Waimakariri gorge requires booking with a licensed operator — Alpine Rafting (alpinerafting.co.nz) and Thrillseekers Adventures offer guided day and overnight rafting trips on this section. Book the overnight raft and camp option (~£100–130pp including camping gear on the raft). Spend the afternoon paddling the vivid blue river through mountain scenery, tackling small rapids before setting up camp on the riverbank. Campfire dinner, star gazing and an optional hammock sleep among the trees.

🚌Bike to Gooseberry Flats; raft from here

🛏Wild camping on Waimakariri riverbank (included in rafting package)

• →Ride to Gooseberry Flats (~8.5km, ~1.5 hrs)
• →Waimakariri River overnight rafting trip with Alpine Rafting or Thrillseekers Adventures (~£100–130pp including camp gear)
• →Wild camping on the riverbank (included in rafting package)
• →Campfire dinner and stargazing

Continue rafting downstream through the gorge (~30km, 4–5 hrs), navigating easy rapids as the mountains gradually give way and the river spills into the Canterbury Plains. Disembark at the end of the gorge. Your rafting operator will arrange the return shuttle — confirm the drop-off location with them, aiming for Springfield if possible. Springfield is famous for its giant pink donut (a Simpsons tribute) and has a great local pub. Spend the evening at the local bar, meeting locals, playing pool and trading stories from the river. Buses from Springfield to Christchurch run via Intercity (~£10–15pp) if needed, or arrange a shared taxi.

🚌Rafting operator shuttle from gorge exit to Springfield; Intercity bus or shared taxi to Christchurch area (~£10–15)

🛏Springfield Motel or head to Christchurch — Haka House or Base Backpackers ~£18–22/night

• →Continue rafting the Waimakariri gorge (~30km, 4–5 hrs)
• →Rafting operator shuttle to Springfield
• →Visit the giant Simpsons pink donut — Springfield's famous landmark
• →Evening at Springfield local pub (~£15–20 for drinks and bar snacks)

Arrange a morning shuttle back to the Waimakariri River where you left off yesterday — local taxi or rideshare (~£15–20). Collect your bike if needed (many hire companies operate from Christchurch and can arrange drop-off/collection logistics — confirm at booking). Ride the final glorious section (~74km, mostly downhill, ~4 hrs): through the rural Canterbury Plains, along the riverside trail and through Bottle Lake Forest Park, all the way to New Brighton Beach on the Pacific Ocean. Touch the Pacific and celebrate with high fives on the beach! Head to the Taimoana Brighton Hot Pools (entry ~£12–15, booking recommended at taimoana.co.nz) for a well-earned soak overlooking the ocean. Transfer into central Christchurch by local bus (Route 60, ~£2) for a final dinner at a Kiwi pub — try Pomeroy's Old Brewery Inn or The Monday Room.

🚌Shuttle to start point (~£15–20); bike to New Brighton; local bus to city centre (~£2)

🛏Haka House Christchurch or Foley Towers Hostel — dorm ~£18–22/night

• →Shuttle back to Waimakariri River starting point (~£15–20 by taxi/rideshare)
• →Final ride to the Pacific Ocean via Canterbury Plains and Bottle Lake Forest Park (~74km, ~4 hrs)
• →Touch the Pacific at New Brighton Beach — coast-to-coast complete!
• →Taimoana Brighton Hot Pools soak (~£12–15 entry)
• →Local bus from New Brighton to Christchurch centre (~£2)
• →Celebratory dinner and beers at a Christchurch pub (~£20–25)

The expedition is complete — congratulations! Return any remaining hire gear, check out of your accommodation and make your way to Christchurch International Airport by Orbus bus (~£3, 30 mins) or taxi (~£20). If you have time before your flight, the Christchurch Art Gallery and the Canterbury Museum are both excellent and free. Or head to C1 Espresso or Fidel's for a final great New Zealand coffee. If extending your stay, the Banks Peninsula (Akaroa), Kaikōura and Mt Cook are all brilliant next stops reachable by InterCity bus.

🚌Orbus bus to airport ~£3, or taxi ~£20

🛏Departure day

• →Return hire bikes and gear
• →Orbus bus or taxi to Christchurch Airport (~£3–20)
• →Optional: Canterbury Museum (free) or Christchurch Art Gallery (free)
• →Final coffee at C1 Espresso or Smash Palace