South Island, New Zealand: Self-Launched Westbound Road Trip
9 days · New Zealand South Island
Contiki charges £1,080
No-markup version: ~£915 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Contiki's 9-day "Sweet As South / NZ: South Island (Westbound)" loop from Christchurch — same route (Arthur's Pass, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Haast Pass, Wānaka, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Te Anau, Arrowtown, Lake Ōhau, Lake Tekapo) but done on your own schedule, without the 18-35 age cap or big coach group. The cheapest and most flexible way to do this is to buy a second-hand or relocation-fee car (or rent a small campervan) in Christchurch and drive the loop yourself — it's one of the world's great road trips and public transport between these towns is limited and often pricier than splitting fuel. If you'd rather not drive, the InterCity bus network plus a Milford Sound coach-cruise from Te Anau covers the whole route. Costs below assume self-drive with a mix of hostel dorms, budget doubles and one hostel private room, cooking most meals plus eating out a few times. All figures are approximate per person and exclude international flights.
Day-by-day
Christchurch to Franz Josef via Arthur's Pass
Christchurch / Hokitika / Franz Josef
Pick up your car or camper (book ahead — March-April and Nov-Dec fill up) and head west on SH73 over Arthur's Pass through the Southern Alps. Stop at the Otira Gorge lookout, then drop into Hokitika on the coast: the greenstone (pounamu) workshops along Weld Street and the Hokitika Gorge swingbridge are free to visit independently — you can browse carvers' studios and talk to them directly instead of paying for a guided tour. Continue south ~2h to Franz Josef. Check into a hostel or holiday park cabin (Rainforest Retreat has a YHA-affiliated budget wing; otherwise Franz Josef Top 10 Holiday Park). Evening: short walk to the Franz Josef Glacier terminal moraine (~1.5h return) for sunset light on the ice.
🚌Self-drive Christchurch → Franz Josef, ~380 km / 4.5-5h, fuel ~£25-30 split between passengers
🛏Hostel dorm or holiday park cabin, Franz Josef (£20-30/night)
- →Scenic drive over Arthur's Pass
- →Self-guided pounamu (greenstone) carving studios in Hokitika
- →Hokitika Gorge walk
- →Franz Josef Glacier terminal moraine walk
Franz Josef Glacier — heli-hike or free valley walks
Franz Josef
The headline activity here is the Franz Josef Heli-Hike (glacier landing + guided ice walk), bookable direct with Franz Josef Glacier Guides or via Klook/GetYourGuide from around NZ$549 — check weather first, as flights cancel often. If the budget or weather doesn't cooperate, the free alternatives are excellent: the Roberts Point Track (~5-6h, swingbridges, glacier views) or the easier Sentinel Rock and Peter's Pool walks. In the afternoon, try a pounamu carving session at a local studio (from ~NZ$150, walk-in usually possible off-peak) or soak at the Glacier Hot Pools. Stock up on groceries here — the next big supermarket is Queenstown via Wānaka.
🚌On foot locally; no driving needed
🛏Hostel dorm or holiday park cabin, Franz Josef
- →Optional: Franz Josef Heli-Hike (from ~£250)
- →Roberts Point Track hike (free)
- →Optional: pounamu pendant carving workshop
- →Glacier Hot Pools
Franz Josef to Queenstown via Haast Pass and Wānaka
Haast Pass / Wānaka / Queenstown
Big driving day on the spectacular Haast Pass (SH6): stop at Fantail Falls, Thunder Creek Falls and the Blue Pools (30-min return walk) — all free roadside stops. Reach Wānaka mid-afternoon for a lakeside wander, the #ThatWanakaTree photo stop and a coffee, then either take the Crown Range road (NZ's highest sealed road, brilliant views) or the Kawarau Gorge route into Queenstown. If you fancy it, the Kawarau Bungy Bridge is a 10-minute detour — book direct with AJ Hackett (from ~NZ$215). Check into a hostel in central Queenstown (Haka Lodge, Nomads or the YHA at Lakefront are all solid budget picks).
🚌Self-drive Franz Josef → Queenstown, ~350 km / 5h, fuel ~£25 split
🛏Hostel dorm, central Queenstown (£22-32/night)
- →Haast Pass waterfall stops (Fantail, Thunder Creek, Blue Pools)
- →Wānaka lakeside and #ThatWanakaTree
- →Crown Range drive
- →Optional: Kawarau Bridge bungy (from ~£98)
Queenstown — adventure capital free day
Queenstown
Queenstown is pay-as-you-play, so pick your poison: the Skyline Gondola + luge (from ~NZ$56 gondola return), Nevis or Kawarau bungy, Shotover Jet, or ziplining with Ziptrek. The truly free stuff is just as good: the Queenstown Hill Time Walk (1.5h, best view in town), the Lake Wakatipu waterfront trail to Sunshine Bay, and the botanic gardens. In the evening, eat at Fergburger (a NZ$15-18 rite of passage) or cook at the hostel. Solo travellers: hostels here run free walking-tour meetups and trivia nights most weeks.
🚌On foot and local bus (Bee Card, ~£2/ride)
🛏Hostel dorm, Queenstown
- →Queenstown Hill Time Walk (free)
- →Lake Wakatipu waterfront trail
- →Optional: Skyline Gondola + luge
- →Optional: Shotover Jet or bungy
Queenstown — wine country or Gibbston Valley
Queenstown / Gibbston / Arrowtown
Rent a bike and ride the Gibbston River Trail (bike hire ~NZ$60-80/day, includes shuttle out) — a flat, gorgeously scenic trail through vineyards with cellar-door tastings along the way (most charge NZ$10-20 per tasting, often waived with purchase). Alternatively, do a small-group wine tour from Queenstown via GetYourGuide from ~NZ$165, which handles the driving. If you're travelling in ski season (roughly June-Oct), a Cardrona/Remarkables day pass plus shuttle is the move. Non-drinkers and non-skiers: the Queenstown Gardens disc golf course is free, and the Kiwi Birdlife Park (NZ$55) is genuinely good.
🚌Bike hire with shuttle included, or tour bus transfer
🛏Hostel dorm, Queenstown
- →Gibbston River Trail bike hire and cellar doors
- →Optional: small-group Central Otago wine tour
- →Optional: Cardrona ski day (winter)
- →Kiwi Birdlife Park
Queenstown — slow day, then prep for Fiordland
Queenstown
Use this as your buffer/slow day: sleep in, do a lakefront sauna session with a cold plunge if that's your thing (there's a floating sauna on Lake Wakatipu, ~NZ$45), check out the Queenstown Arts Centre, or take the scenic TSS Earnslaw steamship (NZ$70 return) across the lake. Restock groceries and sort your Fiordland logistics: book tomorrow's Milford Sound cruise now (either the coach-cruise combo from Te Anau or drive yourself and book just the cruise, ~NZ$120-160 depending on operator). Confirm your Te Anau accommodation.
🚌On foot locally
🛏Hostel dorm, Queenstown
- →Floating lakefront sauna and cold plunge
- →Optional: TSS Earnslaw steamship
- →Book Milford Sound cruise
- →Groceries and trip prep
Queenstown to Te Anau — Milford Sound day
Te Anau / Milford Sound (Piopiotahi)
Drive the 2h to Te Anau (~170 km), drop your bags and either drive the last 2h to Milford Sound yourself (book a cruise direct — Southern Discoveries, Jucy or Mitre Peak all run from ~NZ$120) or take the coach-cruise combo from Te Anau (~NZ$180-220, less stressful, includes commentary and the Homer Tunnel). The drive on SH94 through the Eglington Valley is jaw-dropping regardless — allow stops at the Mirror Lakes and the Chasm. Cruises run 2h through the fiord past Bowen Falls and Stirling Falls; keep an eye out for fur seals and kea. Back in Te Anau, evening options include the Te Anau glowworm caves tour (~NZ$105) or a DOC-guided walk. Dinner at the hostel — self-catering in Te Anau is cheap.
🚌Self-drive or coach-cruise combo from Te Anau; fuel ~£20
🛏Te Anau hostel or budget motel (£25-35/night)
- →Drive SH94 through Eglington Valley and Mirror Lakes
- →Milford Sound fiord cruise
- →Optional: Te Anau glowworm caves tour
- →Optional: Fiordland jet boat
Te Anau to Lake Ōhau via Kingston and Arrowtown
Kingston / Arrowtown / Lake Ōhau
Head back north via Kingston at the southern tip of Lake Wakatipu (the Kingston Flyer railway and lakeside are a nice quick stop), then into historic Arrowtown for a self-guided wander — the Chinese Settlement and Buckingham Street cottages are free, and the Arrow River is a great spot for a picnic lunch. If you want a farm experience, there are small family farm stays and berry orchards around the area bookable direct or via Airbnb Experiences (from ~£30pp). Then drive the Lindis Pass to the Mackenzie Country and stop at Lake Ōhau — a quiet, wind-swept alpine lake with incredible stargazing (the area is part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve). Budget alternative to the lodge: Twizel or Omarama holiday park cabins are 30-40 min away.
🚌Self-drive Te Anau → Lake Ōhau, ~300 km / 4h, fuel ~£22
🛏Holiday park cabin or budget lodge near Twizel/Omarama (£30-45/night)
- →Kingston lakeside stop
- →Self-guided Arrowtown historic walk
- →Optional: family farm visit or orchard tour
- →Lake Ōhau dark-sky stargazing
Lake Ōhau to Christchurch via Lake Tekapo and Geraldine
Lake Tekapo / Lake Pukaki / Geraldine / Christchurch
Final day: drive to Lake Tekapo for the Church of the Good Shepherd and the turquoise water (the Tekapo Springs hot pools, ~NZ$35, are a great last soak), then the stunning Lake Pukaki lookout with Aoraki/Mt Cook on the horizon. Stop in Geraldine for a bakery lunch and the excellent Talbot Forest cheese shop, then roll into Christchurch early evening. If you're flying out the next day, spend the night in a Christchurch hostel and use the time to actually see the city the Contiki tour skips — the cardboard cathedral, Riverside Market and the botanic gardens are all free.
🚌Self-drive Lake Ōhau → Christchurch via Tekapo, ~330 km / 4.5h, fuel ~£25; return car or sell on
🛏Christchurch hostel (£20-30/night) — or return the car and fly out
- →Lake Tekapo and Church of the Good Shepherd
- →Lake Pukaki / Aoraki views
- →Geraldine bakery stop
- →Optional: Tekapo Springs hot pools
- →Christchurch city wander
Self-launched vs. Contiki
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Contiki | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£915 | £1,080 |
| Duration | 9 days | 9 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £165 per person (15%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Contiki-style trips? Check them out here.~£915
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 South Island, New Zealand: Self-Launched Westbound Road Trip cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £915 per person for 9 days in New Zealand South Island. 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 Contiki?+
Yes — Contiki charges around £1,080 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £915 — a saving of roughly £165 (15%) per person.
How long is the New Zealand South Island trip?+
This itinerary runs 9 days, covering 9 day-by-day stops through New Zealand South Island.
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, road-trip, hiking trip through New Zealand South Island, 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?
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