Backpacking and Budget Travel in New Zealand

Do you need a Visa?
The easiest way to find out is to visit the NZ Immigration Website to see if you actually need one or not. For many nationalities you can visit New Zealand without a visa for 3 months (6 months if you're from the UK).
If you intend to work during your stay in New Zealand, it is vital that you get the correct work permit (working holiday or other).

Do you need any vaccinations?
Basically - NO! There are a couple of "sometimes recommended" vaccinations but only if you're a frequent traveller.

What's the baggage allowance?
This generally depends on where else you've been travelling, whether you're an economy or business class passenger and also which airline. Check with your airline first as you don't want to get charged a fortune for excess baggage.

What clothes to bring?
New Zealand is notorious for it's changeable weather. Remember the song "Four seasons in one day"? Well you really do experience four seasons in one day here in New Zealand. So make sure you bring lots of layers and a raincoat!

There are obviously a lot of different factors to consider.

1. How long you intend to stay
2. Are you travelling in luxury or on a strict budget
3. How many of NZ's famous extreme sports you plan on doing

But put simply if you're on a tight budget (staying in backpackers hostels, eating noodles etc) allow yourself around $25 a night for accommodation, $20 a day for food (pak'n'save is a good cheap supermarket to use) and then work out how you're going to see NZ; backpacker bus, rental car, campervan, hitchhiking (not a good idea in any country in my opinion but it is an option).

Don't forget essentials such as beer and money for those all important activities. There's lots of beautiful scenery over here that you can experience for free but I do strongly believe that when you come to New Zealand you should do at least one of the "extreme" activities that NZ is famous for.

For more tips visit this lens about saving money when travelling

There are so many different types of accommodation available in New Zealand (as there are in most countries) that in this lens I'll just focus on the most popular option for budget travellers and backpackers - Backpackers Hostels (Keep your eyes peeled for lenses on other types of accommodation coming soon)

Youth hostels, backpackers hostels; whatever you call them you can certainly expect a lot more from them these days.

There are two distinct types of hostel over here in New Zealand.

There are the more traditional backpackers and the latest fad - flashpackers. Two examples of these types of hostel are very well illustrated by the two New Zealand Nomads hostels.

Traditional Backpackers Hostel
In Auckland you can find Nomads Fat Camel Backpackers Hostel which is very much a traditional youth hostel. It's an award winning backpackers hostel that has all the facilities you need, including a bar, 24 hour reception and internet access, laundry facilities, TV lounge and a travel desk. This hostel is all about making new friends and having fun. Perfect when you've just landed in a strange country by yourself and are looking for a travelling companion or just someone to chat to over a beer.

Flashpackers Hostel
On the flipside Nomads Capital Backpackers Hostel in Wellington is new and it's flash! Many travellers feel like they're staying in a budget hotel not a youth hostel. It has all the facilities that Nomads Fat Camel has but this place is all about the class! The only thing that sets this place apart from hotels are the shared dorms and the communal areas.

Allow yourself enough time
There are literally hundreds of places to see and loads of things to do in New Zealand. Not many people realise just how big NZ is but it's bigger than you think. The biggest mistake many visitors to New Zealand make is thinking that they can see and do it all in two weeks. So make sure you allow yourself enough time to experience the country properly.

For the budget conscious traveller there are lots of free things to do, but if you want to take part in any activities it is possible to book them and tours cheaply or with discounts. In most towns in NZ you'll find information booklets with lots of discount vouchers (including restaurants and bars as well). Alternatively there are backpacker discount cards available which give discounts on backpackers hostels, some tours, backpacker bus passes and even internet time.

Pre-Book?
You need to think about what time of year you are arriving. Peak season in New Zealand is January, February and March (the Southern Hemisphere summer) so booking your first couple of nights in a hostel before you get here is generally a good idea, especially in Auckland, which is still the main gateway to New Zealand and therefore very busy at this time of year. You can book New Zealand accommodation through this website.

Booking Tours and Activities
With regard to booking trips and/or activities it's not essential to book before you get here and to be honest it's probably wise to wait until you get here to decide what you're going to do and when you're going to do them.

I always think it's best to wait until you get to a country to make the decision about how to spend your money, because I've made the mistake of pre-booking in the past and when I arrive my plans always seem to change!

For example pre-booking a skydive may seem sensible but the weather may take a turn for the worst and you may end up having to wait for the weather to improve before you can move on to your next destination.

Travel Advice
You'll also find out about things to do and see from other travellers when you arrive and it's always good to ask other travelers for advice on what they've seen and done or to speak to a reputable travel agent.

The travel agent I used when I arrived here was Seek Adventure Travel. They don't pressure you into buying anything and will only recommend what the staff have already done, so you're pretty much assured of good independent advice. At the moment they only have the one travel shop in New Zealand and that's in Auckland, although they do have other shops in Australia.

Bungy
The first bungy in the world was here in NZ. Visit A J Hacketts website for details of all the bungy sites they have in New Zealand.

White water Rafting
Check out Kaitiaki Adventures for several different whitewater rafting and sledging adventures. Grade 5 in some places and loads of fun!

Blackwater Rafting
Not as extreme but it's rafting/tubing through cave systems. See hundreds of glow-worms, a truly awesome experience. Waitomo is world famous for Blackwater Rafting. Find out more here...

SkyDiving
New Zealand is the cheapest place in the world to Skydive and there are loads of places to throw yourself out of a plane and experience falling through the air at high speed. Taupo is a popular place to SkyDive, visit SkyDive Taupo for more details.

Zorbing
Zorbing (rolling down a hill in a big inflatable ball)began in New Zealand in the 1990's by two Kiwi's who were looking for something new to do. It's now a worldwide activity but why not experience it where it all started, in Rotorua. See the Zorb website for details.