New Zealand is a backpacker’s heaven!
It's full of low budget holiday opportunities with plenty of hostels and campsites providing cheap accommodation.
About 10% of New Zealand’s population is employed in tourism, demonstrating how important it is to the national economy. That also means businesses offering tourism services scale their prices to meet seasonal demand.
Prices are highest between early November and late February, when summer is underway and schools are out in many countries.
Watch the New Zealand calendars too for dates of school holidays and public holidays as prices often go up around these – typical May and August for schools while public holidays include Waitangi Day (February 6 each year), Easter, early June (Queen’s Birthday Weekend) and late October (Labour Weekend), as well as Christmas.
Accommodation is available at hotels, motels and hostels, with many of the latter offering dormitory beds and communal cooking facilities.
Be careful when planning your holiday as many visitors underestimate the size of the country and how long it takes to get around it.
First stop when you arrive in a town or city should be to an Information Centre (look out for the large signs bearing the "I" logo). There you’ll find many free brochures and leaflets, as well as helpful staff who know the local area and are usually aware of any good deals and the level of vacancies.
Most motels provide tea/coffee and simple cooking facilities but are more expensive than backpacker hostels.
Camping offers cheap alternatives – with great scenery
New Zealand also has many camping grounds where you can either pitch a tent, hire a basic cabin or park up your campervan. This is quite a cost effective way to get around the country and you can easily pick up guides to camping grounds when you arrive at the airport.
The Department of Conservation runs a large network of campsites, often in scenic locations, and it welcomes overnight campers to most of its parks, either at no charge or for a nominal fee. You can buy long-term passes to access all DoC sites if you intend to have an extended stay in New Zealand.
New Zealand's domestic airline services (Air New Zealand and Jetstar) are worth checking online as cheap fares are often available.
Conserve your holiday budget and use it for activities
While New Zealand provides opportunities for those who can afford activities – from golf to bungy jumping – it also has plenty to do for those keeping a careful watch on their vacation budget.
It costs nothing to admire the beautiful scenery and take advantage of the Great Outdoors; New Zealand has world famous walking and trekking routes.
Ask at the Information Centres about free or low cost activities in each area and you'll be surprised what you may find.
Stay on working farms
Some backpackers take up the chance to work for free in return for bed and food. Many sheep farms in New Zealand offer such an arrangement and it can be a fun experience as well as a great way to meet people. Over summer, a large number of fruit farms employ casual pickers, and some offer accommodation in return for work.
Finally, you are assured of a warm welcome in New Zealand. Many surveys of tourists confirm it’s a friendly, welcoming place to the almost 3 million visitors a year.
Its isolation from the world and its commitment to looking after visitors almost certainly means you’ll be looked after from the moment you arrive to the day you leave.
Source: New Zealand Holiday Travel
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