Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
17
New Zealand
NewZealand is another country that can destroy your budget. Day-to-day life here isn't expensive—the
problem is that New Zealand has so many outstanding outdoor activities that it just sucks your money
out of your wallet. This country is known for its natural landscape, and adventure activities here, like caving,
skydiving, bungee jumping, fishing, and glacier trekking, can really add up. But while those costs can accu-
mulate and travelers need to pick and choose their battles, New Zealand's jaw-dropping beauty makes any vis-
it there worth it. Anyone who has ever seen
Lord of the Rings
knows just how beautiful this country is with its
mountain ranges, green forests, meadows, caves, and inviting lakes that shimmer under clear blue skies. New
Zealand is a country that may not always be friendly to your wallet but will always be friendly to your eyes.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Hostels
Hostels in New Zealand are very nice and feature a lot of amenities, such as common rooms, comfortable
beds, bars, tour booking desks, work placement help, and Internet stations. One thing they don't have though
is free breakfast.
Hostels in New Zealand cost around $22 USD per night for a six-bed dorm. There are three big
hostel chains in the country: Base (stayatbase.com/hostels/new-zealand-hostels.aspx), YHA (yha .co.nz), and
Nomads (nomadshostels.com), and their prices are similar. They have locations in all the major tourist des-
tinations throughout the country.
Each hostel chain offers discounts through the Nomad Mad card, the YHA card, and Base, which offers a
ten-stay “Base Jumping” package that gives you a $4 USD discount off each night.
There is also a network of independent hostels that have organized to form BBH (bbh.co.nz). These are
typically $1-2 USD a night cheaper than the chains, unless they're in a popular destination like Queenstown
or Taupo, where those prices are then equal. If you get the BBH card discussed in Part One, you can save a
further $1-2 USD off the price.
Private rooms in hostels start around $66 USD per night for a double bed and en suite room.
B&Bs and Budget Hotels
B&Bs are very common in New Zealand, especially in the small outdoor towns. You'll get those picturesque
homes with antique-looking rooms, big comfy beds, and a home-cooked meal for breakfast. Prices for a
double room are $80-120 USD. While quaint, this accommodation option is not very affordable. If I really
wanted my own room, I would choose a hostel private room because they are cheaper. A good website to find
B&Bs is at bnb.co.nz.
