Thought I'd write a bit about doing new Zealand on the cheap. Its very expensive to visit right now and there is so much to spend your money on! I saved lots of money on accommodation, travel and tours.
For travelling around the cheapest way on your own is by naked bus! Buy what they call a backpacker passport, available on their website. My 17 trip passport was $187 dollars or 99 pounds. This worked out as more trips than I needed for both north and south island. Its a hop on hop off bus/coach. It stops everywhere even some very remote towns as even the locals use it. The new ones even have wifi. This is much cheaper thanthe kiwi experience or stray, at around 600 dollars plus! It does lunch amd scenic stops as well. The only downside is that in low season (may to September) some of the longer rotes such as nelson to queenstown only runs twice a week. Not a problem as you simply pay for the intercity! Another hop on hop off bus but slightly more expensive. $40 dollars from nelson to queenstown on a backpacker ticket :) not bad for a 10 hour drive.
SAVE ON HOSTELS ***BBH*** CARD.
$45 dollars for a year membership, comes with a 20 dollar caalling card. It gives you 3 dollars plus a night. Make your money back in 7 days. Very good if your travelling long term.
There are over 250 hostels to choice from in the booklet provided too, with a rating and number to call them.
I found the bbh hostels the nicest and cosiest. They habe a homely feel to them as they are smaller. Its also much easier to make friends with people :)
Other ways to save on hostels is naked accommodation on the naked bus website. It just means basic accommodation, dont worry!! These are all base hostels. Base is a chain of hostels in nz n oz. They are big, noisy and no how to party. Fun if your in the mood, perfect for Queenstown! On the naked bus website its $15 a night on the door its 30!
**SAVE ON TOURS***
deals for region/ city up to 90% off. Major attractions, restaurants etc, uou just need to be organised/ know what your doing in advance. I did rafting at rotoura for 40 dolllars instead of 90. Sometimes the cheapest price is not on a day/time you want.
Most of what nz is about is the breathtaking scenery, so go walking! Its free, but remember supplies and lots of water. There is a great walks huts system check out on the nz national parks website
Other tips include finding other people... the bigger the group the bigger the discount. This is easy in nz, everyone ghat goes is there to do the same things.
