Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WWOOFING
If you don't mind getting your hands dirty, an economical way of travelling around
NZ involves doing some voluntary work as a member of the international
Willing
Workers on Organic Farms
(WWOOF; 03-544 9890;
www.wwoof.co.nz
)
scheme. Down on the farm, in exchange for a hard day's work, owners provide
food, accommodation and some hands-on organic farming experience. Contact
farm owners a week or two beforehand to arrange your stay, as you would for a
hotel or hostel - don't turn up unannounced!
A one-year online membership costs $40; an online membership and a farm-list-
ing book, which is mailed to you, costs an extra $10 plus postage. You should have
a Working Holiday Visa when you visit NZ, as the immigration department con-
siders WWOOFers to be working.
Farmstays
Farmstays open the door to the agricultural side of NZ life, with visitors encouraged to get
some dirt beneath their fingernails at orchards and dairy, sheep and cattle farms. Costs
can vary widely, with B&Bs generally ranging from $80 to $120. Some farms have separ-
ate cottages where you can fix your own food, while others offer low-cost, shared,
backpacker-style accommodation.
Farm Helpers in NZ
(FHINZ;
www.fhinz.co.nz
) produces a booklet ($25) that lists
around 350 NZ farms providing lodging in exchange for four to six hours' work per day.
Rural Holidays NZ
(
www.ruralholidays.co.nz
)
lists farmstays and homestays throughout
the country on its website.
Hostels
NZ is packed with backpacker hostels, both independent and part of large chains, ranging
from small, homestay-style affairs with a handful of beds to refurbished hotels and tower-
ing modern structures in the big cities. Hostel bed prices listed throughout this topic are
nonmember rates, usually between $25 and $35 per night.
HOSTEL ORGANISATIONS
Budget Backpacker Hostels
(BBH;
www.bbh.co.nz
)
NZ's biggest hostel group with
around 275 hostels. Membership costs $45 for 12 months and entitles you to stay at
member hostels at rates listed in the annual (free) BBH Backpacker Accommodation
booklet. Nonmembers pay an extra $3 per night. Pick up a membership card from any
member hostel or order one online for $50; see the website for details.
YHA New Zealand
(Youth Hostels Association;
www.yha.co.nz
) More than 25 hostels in
prime South Island locations. The YHA is part of the
Hostelling International
(HI;
