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Sydney, Australia
Sleep at Kezzas or Luke's
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Christchurch, New Zealand
Arrive 1400
Grab car
Shopping
Drive to first nite
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Hanmer Springs, New Zealand
Easy drive after flight
Breaks up the long Murchison drive
Much nicer first night than Christchurch suburbs
Hot pools = great travel recovery
Good budget options:
Hanmer Springs Hotel (deals appear)
Alpine Adventure Holiday Park cabins
Settlers Boutique Motel (often reasonable)
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Murchison, New Zealand
2hr 6 min drive
Raft first afternoon - Kayak Maruia second.
🌊 Rafting (must book early)
Best operator:
Ultimate Descents Aotearoa
Why:
Buller River specialists
Grade 3–4 trips
Half day options
About $180–240 pp
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Hokitika, New Zealand
Must stops on route
Pancake Rocks,Tauranga Bay,Charleston coast
Hotika gorge
Cesspool gorge
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Franz Josef / Waiau, New Zealand
West Coast Wilderness Trail
Easy Grade 2 trail (perfect fun riding).
Trail info: West Coast Wilderness Trail. Bike hire: Kiwi Journeys West Coast
Hokitika Cycles & Sports Typical cost:
E-bike hire: $120–160, Shuttle: $60
Do: Kumara → Hokitika section
Best scenery for time. Franz Josef budget motel (~$150)
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Queenstown, New Zealand
Drive: 5.5–6 hrs
One of NZ’s best drives.
Stops:Knights Point lookout Haast waterfalls, Blue Pools walk, Lake Wanaka, Arrive Queenstown ~4–5pm.
Budget stays:Absoloot Hostel QT (private rooms), Nomads Queenstown Hostel, Pinewood Lodge (great budget cabins) Queenstown adventure day
🧗 Via Ferrata (highlight)
Best operators:
Wildwire Wanaka (best waterfalls climb), Canyon Explorers (canyoning alternative
Via ferrata typical cost:
$250–400 pp
Worth it.
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Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Lindis Pass, Omarama, Lake Pukaki views
Hooker Valley Track basics 🏔️
• Distance: about 10 km return
• Time: about 3 hours return
• Difficulty: Easy (mostly flat gravel/boardwalk)
• Highlights: Swing bridges, glacier river, Mt Cook views
Hooker Valley track 4km
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Christchurch, New Zealand
Accommodation (9 nights)
$1350 - $675 average - $150 a nite
Booked
Car hire - PAID.
Fuel $450–550
Activities: Rafting = $400, Via ferrata = $700, E-bike = $300, Total activities:~$1400
Food: $80/day = $720
Estimated total: 5000
Very realistic adventure trip.