Lonely Planet Australia & New Zealand on a shoestring

Travelling on a shoestring doesn't have to mean threadbare experiences. Journey from one far-flung corner of Australia to another, and from New Zealand's northernmost fingernail to its detached southern toe with the following itinerary samples from our latest edition of Australia & New Zealand on a shoestring:

Going to Extremes

Journey to the ends of NZ and Australian terra firma and experience places far removed from ordinary life on this all-points-of-the-compass tour. Our suggested starting and stopping points are fairly arbitrary - you can begin or end this trip pretty much anywhere you like.

From the bright lights of Sydney, venture down to the heel of the state of Victoria to explore the faunal riches and captivating walking tracks of Wilsons Promontory. Freshen up in Melbourne before catching a ferry over to the island-state of Tasmania, where you'll find the touchingly sombre Port Arthur and the postcard-perfect, dreamy Freycinet Peninsula. On the other side of the continent are the beachy city of Perth and, just offshore, the sparkling sands of Rottnest Island. From here you can trek northwards to the dolphin-harbouring waters of Shark Bay and the amazing Ningaloo Marine Park. Further north is the awesomely peaceful Kimberley and the ecological splendour of its Top End neighbour, Kakadu National Park. Finally, to the east across the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York Peninsula are the extraordinary rainforests of Cape Tribulation.

Once on NZ soil, head north from Auckland up along the dunes of Aupouri Peninsula to the tip of Cape Reinga, which is wrapped in eerie solitude and Maori legend. Head back down through Auckland and skirt the Bay of Plenty to the wilderness-choked ranges of East Cape. From Wellington, hop over to the South Island and lose yourself in the myriad wonderful waterways of Marlborough Sounds. Take the less-travelled trail to the West Coast to visit the icy brilliance of Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier before continuing south to Manapouri, from where you can travel through the magnificent wilds of Fiordland to utterly isolated Doubtful Sound. Now ferry yourself out to Stewart Island to commune with nature before journeying on to Christchurch.

Backpacker Classic

The routes that initiate most backpackers to the joys of travel in this part of the South Pacific are the sea-hugging, sun-seeking run up the beach-sprinkled east cost of mainland Australia, and the dizzying loop around both islands of NZ that starts in Auckland and ends in Christchurch. We start this itinerary in Australia, but many travellers familiarise themselves with Kiwi territory first before jetting across the Tasman. Similarly, for the Australian leg, most travellers fly into Sydney and then head north, but there's no reason why you can't tackle the route from the other end; ditto the NZ leg, which can be started in either Auckland or Christchurch.

In Australia, once you've tasted the big-city trappings of Sydney and the cliff-top magnificence of the Blue Mountains, let the Pacific Hwy transport you north along some idyllic stretches of coastline to the sheltered serenity of Port Stephens, the extreme sportiness of Port Macquarie and the marine wildlife of Coffs Harbour. After seeing the lifestyles of the feral and famous in bemusing Byron Bay and the trippy hippiness of Nimbin, head over the state border into Queensland and follow the smell of tanning oil to the overwhelming kitsch and night-time glitz of Surfers Paradise, and then into the relaxed streets of Brisbane. Take time out from the crowds and the tourist hype by detouring to 'Straddie' (North Stradbroke Island) for a beach break, then follow the Bruce Hwy north to the whale-watching haven of Hervey Bay. Further north is the sandy bliss of the Whitsunday Islands, the coral charms of the Great Barrier Reef and the backpacker carnival that is Cairns.

Over in NZ, cruise inner-city Auckland and then go north to the glorious Bay of Islands to juggle surfboards, kayaks and snorkels. Double back to Auckland and continue south to the gush and bubble of Rotorua, after a side trip into the glow-worm-lit depths of Waitomo Caves. Head south into the fiery, triple-peaked Tongariro National Park before hitting the capital cafes and bars of Wellington. After floating across Cook Strait, shadow the east coast down to dolphin-friendly Kaikoura, then consider detouring inland to Arthur's Pass to experience some Southern Alps grandeur. Further south down the coast are the wild animals of the Otago Peninsula. Ride the highways across the island to beguiling Milford Sound before setting off for the exhausting frenzy of Queenstown. Get a decent eyeful of Aoraki/Mt Cook before veering east to regain the coast road to the charming bustle of Christchurch.

At last – the two hottest stars on the travel circuit combined in one sizzling guidebook! Grab your pack and head south to Australia’s awesome beaches and New Zealand’s spectacular landscapes. Written for backpackers by backpackers, this guide to the wonders down under helps you travel further and pay less.