The Great Kiwi Adventure: Self-Launched New Zealand

Take the InterCity coach from Auckland to Paihia (~5.5hrs, ~£25). En route, stop at Whangarei to visit the Hundertwasser Art Centre (entry ~£10). On arrival in Paihia, grab the classic fish and chips dinner from a local takeaway on the waterfront. Check in to a shared dorm at Base Backpackers Paihia or Centabay Lodge (~£18-22/night).

🚌InterCity coach Auckland → Paihia, ~£25

🛏Base Backpackers Paihia or Centabay Lodge, dorm bed ~£20/night

• →Hundertwasser Art Centre visit
• →Waitangi Treaty Grounds tour (self-guided entry ~£18)
• →Fish and chips dinner on Paihia waterfront

A full free day to explore the Bay of Islands at your own pace. The beach and town are free to enjoy. Optional paid activities include sailing cruises (~£45), parasailing (~£65), or skydiving (~£150) — all bookable directly with local operators or via GetYourGuide. Explore the mangrove estuaries or take a water taxi to Urupukapuka Island for free coastal walks.

🛏Base Backpackers Paihia or Centabay Lodge, dorm bed ~£20/night

• →Free beach and town exploration
• →Optional: sailing cruise via Fullers GreatSights (~£45)
• →Optional: parasailing or skydiving with local operators (~£65-150)
• →Water taxi to Urupukapuka Island for coastal walks (~£15 return)

Morning InterCity coach back to Auckland (~5.5hrs, ~£25). Afternoon free to explore Auckland city — Viaduct Harbour, Mission Bay, and the CBD are all free. Optional paid thrills include AJ Hackett's Auckland Harbour Bridge Climb (~£90), the Sky Tower Skywalk (~£95), or bungee jump (~£115) — book directly with AJ Hackett online. Check into a central Auckland hostel.

🚌InterCity coach Paihia → Auckland, ~£25

🛏Haka Lodge Auckland or Base Backpackers Auckland, dorm ~£22/night

• →Viaduct Harbour and CBD walking exploration (free)
• →Optional: Auckland Harbour Bridge Climb with AJ Hackett (~£90)
• →Optional: Sky Tower Skywalk or Bungy (~£95-115)
• →Mission Bay beach walk (free)

InterCity coach from Auckland to Rotorua (~3.5hrs, ~£20). On arrival, visit Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park for the Kiwi Hatchery (~£22). In the evening, book a Māori hangi (earth-cooked feast) and haka performance at Mitai Māori Village or Te Puia (~£60-70) — book directly or via GetYourGuide. Check into a Rotorua hostel.

🚌InterCity coach Auckland → Rotorua, ~£20

🛏Rotorua Central Backpackers or Base Rotorua, dorm ~£18/night

• →Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park & Kiwi Hatchery (~£22)
• →Māori hangi dinner and haka performance at Mitai Māori Village or Te Puia (~£65)

Full free day in Rotorua. Walk the free Kuirau Park hot springs and mud pools in town — no entry fee. For more geothermal action, visit Te Puia or Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland (~£25-28, bookable via GetYourGuide). Optional extras include white-water rafting on the Kaituna River (~£65), ziplining with Rotorua Canopy Tours (~£75), or the Hobbiton Movie Set tour (~£75, book well in advance at hobbitontours.com). Volcano hike on Mt Tarawera also available (~£80).

🛏Rotorua Central Backpackers or Base Rotorua, dorm ~£18/night

• →Kuirau Park hot springs and mud pools (free)
• →Optional: Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland (~£26)
• →Optional: White-water rafting on Kaituna River (~£65)
• →Optional: Hobbiton Movie Set Tour, Matamata (~£75, advance booking essential)
• →Optional: Rotorua Canopy Tours zipline (~£75)

Morning InterCity coach from Rotorua to Taupō (~1.5hrs, ~£12). En route or on arrival, walk to the spectacular Huka Falls — free, short walk from the road. Spend the afternoon on the lakefront at Taupō, visit the free Taupō Museum, or take a dip at AC Baths. Optional: skydiving over Lake Taupō (~£150) — bookable with Skydive Taupō direct. Check into a Taupō hostel.

🚌InterCity coach Rotorua → Taupō, ~£12

🛏All Seasons Holiday Park or Taupō Central Backpackers, dorm ~£18/night

• →Huka Falls walk and viewpoint (free)
• →Lake Taupō waterfront stroll (free)
• →Taupō Museum (free)
• →Optional: Skydive Taupō over the lake (~£150)

Take the InterCity coach from Taupō to National Park Village, gateway to Mt Ruapehu (~1.5hrs, ~£15). The village sits within Tongariro National Park — the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of NZ's best day hikes (~£5 shuttle, or free if you have a car). In winter, ski at Whakapapa or Turoa ski fields on Mt Ruapehu. The heritage Chateau Tongariro is a great visit even if you're staying in the village. Check into The Park Backpackers or Plateau Lodge (~£20/night dorm).

🚌InterCity coach Taupō → National Park Village, ~£15

🛏The Park Backpackers or Plateau Lodge, dorm ~£20/night

• →Tongariro Alpine Crossing day hike (shuttle ~£5, park entry free)
• →Mt Ruapehu views and walks (free)
• →Optional: Whakapapa or Turoa skiing (seasonal, lift pass ~£55/day)
• →Chateau Tongariro heritage building visit (free to view)

Morning InterCity or Naked Bus service from National Park Village to Wellington (~4hrs, ~£20). Arrive in the afternoon for a self-guided city orientation — walk the waterfront, visit Te Papa Tongarewa (Museum of NZ, free entry), stroll Oriental Bay, and ride the historic Kelburn Cable Car (~£5 return) for panoramic views. Cuba Street and the Courtenay Place food scene are great for an evening wander. Check into a Wellington hostel.

🚌InterCity coach National Park Village → Wellington, ~£20

🛏YHA Wellington City or Nomads Capital, dorm ~£22/night

• →Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand (free)
• →Wellington waterfront walk (free)
• →Kelburn Cable Car ride (~£5 return)
• →Cuba Street and Courtenay Place food and bar scene

A full day in Wellington. Highly recommended: Zealandia eco-sanctuary (~£16, book at visitzealandia.com) — an urban wildlife reserve where you can spot kiwi, tuatara, and rare birds. Alternatively, explore the Museum of Wellington City & Sea (free), wander the botanics above the cable car, visit Weta Workshop Unleashed (~£22, bookable via GetYourGuide) for Lord of the Rings movie magic, or browse the weekend farmers' market at Harbourside.

🛏YHA Wellington City or Nomads Capital, dorm ~£22/night

• →Zealandia Ecosanctuary (~£16)
• →Optional: Weta Workshop Unleashed LOTR experience (~£22)
• →Wellington Botanic Garden walk (free)
• →Museum of Wellington City & Sea (free)
• →Harbourside Market (free to browse)

Book the Interislander or Bluebridge ferry from Wellington to Picton (3hrs, ~£35-45 per person — book in advance at interislander.co.nz or bluebridge.co.nz). On arrival in Picton, take the InterCity coach south to Kaikōura (~2.5hrs, ~£20). The coastal road is spectacular. On arrival, walk the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway to the fur seal colony (free). Pop into the Kaikōura Wildlife Rescue Centre (donation welcome).

🚌Interislander/Bluebridge ferry Wellington → Picton (~£40); InterCity coach Picton → Kaikōura (~£20)

🛏Kaikōura YHA or Dusky Lodge, dorm ~£20/night

• →Interislander or Bluebridge ferry Wellington → Picton (~£40)
• →Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway to fur seal colony (free)
• →Kaikōura Wildlife Rescue Centre visit (donation)

Kaikōura is world-famous for marine wildlife. The unmissable experience is a whale watch cruise with Whale Watch Kaikōura (~£120, book well in advance at whalewatch.co.nz — sperm whales are seen year-round). Alternatively, swim with dolphins with Encounter Kaikōura (~£110). Free options include walking further along the peninsula seal colony trail, hiking the Mt Fyffe Forest Park trails, or simply watching wildlife from the shore.

🛏Kaikōura YHA or Dusky Lodge, dorm ~£20/night

• →Whale Watch Kaikōura cruise (~£120, advance booking essential)
• →Optional: Swim with dolphins, Encounter Kaikōura (~£110)
• →Kaikōura Peninsula seal colony walk (free)
• →Mt Fyffe Forest Park hiking (free)

Morning InterCity coach from Kaikōura to Christchurch (~2.5hrs, ~£18). Self-guided city tour: explore the Christchurch Botanic Gardens (free), walk the Avon River Punting route, visit the Cardboard Cathedral (~free), and browse the Re:START container mall. The Canterbury Museum is free. Take a free tram ride loop through the city centre or rent a city bike (~£8/half day). Check into a central Christchurch hostel.

🚌InterCity coach Kaikōura → Christchurch, ~£18

🛏Haka Lodge Christchurch or YHA Christchurch Central, dorm ~£20/night

• →Christchurch Botanic Gardens (free)
• →Canterbury Museum (free)
• →Avon River walk and city centre exploration (free)
• →Optional: Punting on the Avon (~£18)
• →Re:START container mall and Cardboard Cathedral (free)

A long but stunning travel day. Take the TranzAlpine scenic train from Christchurch to Greymouth (~£65, book at greatjourneysofnz.co.nz — one of the world's great train journeys, crossing the Southern Alps). From Greymouth, take the InterCity coach south along the Wild West Coast to Hokitika (~30 mins, ~£8). Visit Hokitika's famous Hokitika Gorge (free, short walk) and watch a greenstone (pounamu jade) carving demonstration at Westland Greenstone or Jade Country (~free or small fee). Continue south by coach to Franz Josef (~2hrs, ~£15). Check in to a glacier-country hostel.

🚌TranzAlpine train Christchurch → Greymouth (~£65); InterCity coach Greymouth → Hokitika → Franz Josef (~£23)

🛏Franz Josef YHA or Montrose Backpackers, dorm ~£22/night

• →TranzAlpine scenic train Christchurch → Greymouth (~£65)
• →Hokitika Gorge walk (free)
• →Greenstone/jade carving demonstration, Hokitika (~free-£10)
• →West Coast beach stop (free)

Franz Josef Glacier is a world-class natural wonder. Free option: walk the valley floor track to the glacier terminal face viewpoint (1.5hrs return, free). For the full experience, book a helicopter hike (heli-hike) with Franz Josef Glacier Guides or Glacier Helicopters — ~£170-220, includes ice walk on the glacier with crampons (book at franzjosefglacier.com). Alternatively, a guided glacier walk is ~£90. Also on offer: a jade carving workshop at Jade Boulder Gallery (~£30). Hot pools at Glacier Hot Pools for post-glacier relaxation (~£18).

🛏Franz Josef YHA or Montrose Backpackers, dorm ~£22/night

• →Franz Josef Glacier valley floor walk and terminal face viewpoint (free)
• →Optional: Heli-hike on Franz Josef Glacier (~£190)
• →Optional: Guided glacier walk (~£90)
• →Optional: Jade carving workshop (~£30)
• →Glacier Hot Pools (~£18)

A spectacular full-day drive down the West Coast and over the Haast Pass — one of NZ's most scenic routes. Take the InterCity coach from Franz Josef to Queenstown via Wānaka (~7hrs, ~£35). Haast Pass is NZ's UNESCO World Heritage wilderness area — the coach passes Thunder Creek Falls and the Gates of Haast gorge. Stop in Wānaka for lunch by the lake (1-2hrs). Arrive Queenstown in the evening. Check into a central Queenstown hostel.

🚌InterCity coach Franz Josef → Queenstown via Wānaka and Haast Pass, ~£35

🛏Haka Lodge Queenstown or Base Queenstown, dorm ~£22/night

• →Haast Pass scenic route and Thunder Creek Falls viewpoint (free from coach)
• →Wānaka lakefront stop and lunch (~£10-12)
• →Queenstown waterfront evening stroll (free)

Book the iconic AJ Hackett Kawarau Bridge Bungy Jump online at bungy.co.nz (~£115) — the world's first commercial bungy site, 43m above the Kawarau River. Combine with a visit to the Kawarau Bungy Centre (free to watch). In the afternoon, head to Gibbston Valley for wine tasting — Gibbston Valley Winery offers cellar door tastings (~£15), or try Peregrine Wines. The 'Valley of Vines' is accessible by local bus or combined shuttle/wine tour (~£25-35 via GetYourGuide).

🛏Haka Lodge Queenstown or Base Queenstown, dorm ~£22/night

• →AJ Hackett Kawarau Bridge Bungy Jump (~£115, book at bungy.co.nz)
• →Kawarau Bungy Centre spectator viewing (free)
• →Gibbston Valley cellar door wine tasting (~£15)
• →Queenstown evening lakefront and Skyline Gondola optional (~£22)

Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world — today is yours to fill. Free options include the Queenstown Hill summit hike (2hrs, great views), the Ben Lomond Track, and the lakefront waterfront walk. Paid options bookable via GetYourGuide or direct: jetboating on the Shotover River with Shotover Jet (~£75), paragliding with G Force Paragliding (~£120), white-water rafting (~£80), skydiving (~£180), or the Skyline Luge (~£22). Evenings: Queenstown's buzzing bar and restaurant strip on Beach Street.

🛏Haka Lodge Queenstown or Base Queenstown, dorm ~£22/night

• →Queenstown Hill summit hike (free)
• →Optional: Shotover Jet jetboat (~£75)
• →Optional: Paragliding with G Force (~£120)
• →Optional: White-water rafting Shotover River (~£80)
• →Optional: Skydive Queenstown (~£180)
• →Optional: Skyline Luge and Gondola (~£22-35)

One last day in Queenstown to tick off anything remaining. The TSS Earnslaw vintage steamship cruise on Lake Wakatipu is a popular option (~£35, book at realjourneys.co.nz). Fergburger — the legendary Queenstown burger institution — is a must for lunch (£10-12). Day trip options include Arrowtown historic gold-mining village (~15 mins by local bus or rideshare, free to explore) or a walk through the Gibbston River Trail. Pack your bags for tomorrow's early start.

🛏Haka Lodge Queenstown or Base Queenstown, dorm ~£22/night

• →TSS Earnslaw steamship cruise on Lake Wakatipu (~£35)
• →Arrowtown historic village day trip (~free, local bus ~£5 return)
• →Fergburger lunch (~£11)
• →Gibbston River Trail walk (free)

An epic day. Book a Milford Sound day tour from Queenstown — most include return coach transfer from Queenstown, scenic drive through Fiordland, and a 2hr cruise on Milford Sound (~£85-110, bookable via Real Journeys at realjourneys.co.nz or GetYourGuide). The drive through the Homer Tunnel and past Mirror Lakes is stunning. After the cruise, the coach can drop you in Te Anau (~£15 add-on or included). Check into a Te Anau hostel.

🚌Milford Sound day tour coach Queenstown → Milford Sound → Te Anau, ~£95-110 inclusive

🛏Te Anau YHA or Barnyard Backpackers, dorm ~£20/night

• →Milford Sound day cruise with return coach from Queenstown via Real Journeys (~£95)
• →Fiordland National Park scenic drive and Homer Tunnel (included in tour)
• →Mirror Lakes and Eglinton Valley stops (included)
• →Te Anau lakefront evening walk (free)

A scenic travel day. From Te Anau, take the InterCity coach north (~£20) to connect towards Queenstown and then onwards to Lake Ohau — a remote, beautifully situated lake lodge area. Pass through Kingston and stop in Arrowtown for a wander through the historic Chinese settlement and gold-mining cottages (free). Lake Ohau Lodge sits beside the turquoise Lake Ohau beneath the Ben Ohau Range — stay in the lodge dormitory or budget cabin (~£30-35/night, book at ohau.co.nz).

🚌InterCity coach / local shuttle Te Anau → Queenstown → Lake Ohau, ~£30 total

🛏Lake Ohau Lodge dormitory or budget cabin, ~£32/night

• →Arrowtown historic Chinese settlement and gold-fields walk (free)
• →Kingston lakeside stop (free)
• →Lake Ohau scenic walk along the lakeshore (free)
• →Stargazing at Lake Ohau (free — very dark skies)

Final day. Drive or take a shuttle from Lake Ohau north to Lake Tekapo (~45 mins, ~£10 shuttle). Lake Tekapo is part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve — the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd at sunrise (free, iconic). Book a stargazing tour with Earth & Sky at the Mt John Observatory (~£85, book at earthandsky.co.nz) — if departing in the evening, or enjoy the free daytime views of the lupins and turquoise lake. Continue by InterCity coach to Christchurch (~3.5hrs, ~£22) where the trip ends.

🚌Shuttle Lake Ohau → Lake Tekapo (~£10); InterCity coach Lake Tekapo → Christchurch (~£22)

🛏Trip ends in Christchurch — YHA Christchurch if needed, dorm ~£20/night

• →Lake Tekapo Church of the Good Shepherd sunrise visit (free)
• →Tekapo turquoise lake and lupins walk (free)
• →Earth & Sky Mt John Observatory stargazing tour (~£85)
• →Lake Tekapo township and alpine views (free)