Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
B&B tariffs are typically in the $120 to $180 bracket (per double), though some places
charge upwards of $300 per double. Some hosts cheekily charge hefty prices for what is,
in essence, a bedroom in their home. Off-street parking is often a bonus in the big cities.
Bed & Breakfast Book
(
www.bnb.co.nz
)
Bed & Breakfast Directory
(
www.bed-and-breakfast.co.nz
)
Camping & Holiday Parks
Campers and campervan drivers alike converge upon NZ's hugely popular 'holiday parks',
slumbering peacefully in powered and unpowered sites, cheap bunk rooms (dorm rooms),
cabins and self-contained units (often called motels or tourist flats). Well-equipped com-
munal kitchens, dining areas, and games and TV rooms often feature. In cities, holiday
parks are usually a fair way from the action, but in smaller towns they can be impressively
central or near lakes, beaches, rivers and forests.
The nightly cost of camping in a holiday park is usually between $15 and $20 per adult,
with children charged half-price; powered sites are a couple of dollars more. Cabin/unit
accommodation normally ranges from $70 to $120 per double. Unless noted otherwise,
the prices we've listed for campsites, campervan sites, huts and cabins are for two
people.
DOC CAMPSITES & FREEDOM CAMPING
A fantastic option for those in campervans is the 250-plus vehicle-accessible 'Conserva-
tion Campsites' run by the
Department of Conservation
(DOC;
www.doc.govt.nz
)
, with
fees ranging from free (basic toilets and fresh water) to $15 per adult (flush toilets and
showers). DOC publishes free brochures with detailed descriptions and instructions to find
every campsite (even GPS coordinates). Pick up copies from DOC offices before you hit
the road, or visit the website.
DOC also looks after hundreds of 'Backcountry Huts' and 'Backcountry Campsites'
which can only be reached on foot. See the website for details. 'Great Walk' huts and
campsites are also managed by DOC:
Click here
for info.
NZ is so photogenic, it's tempting to just pull off the road at a gorgeous viewpoint and
camp the night. But never just assume it's OK to camp somewhere: always ask a local or
check with the local i-SITE, DOC office or commercial campground. If you are freedom
camping, treat the area with respect. Note that if your chosen campsite doesn't have toilet
facilities and neither does your campervan, it's illegal for you to sleep there (your camper-
van must also have an on-board grey-water storage stytem). Legislation allows for $200
instant fines for camping in prohibited areas, or improper disposal of waste (in cases
where dumping waste could damage the environment, fees are up to $10,000). See
www.camping.org.nz
for more freedom-camping tips.
