New Zealand is, no doubt, a paradise for all outdoor lovers. Apart from its heavenly scenery, various adrenal pumping activities are also available, ranging from skydiving, Heli-hiking, and bungee jumping to mountain biking to white water rafting and scuba diving. I really adore how much the locals respect and preserve nature. While it definitely doesn't lack fun options for travellers who came for the great outdoors, many activities and tours in New Zealand are on the pricey side, and not everyone can afford to enjoy all of them.
Being a college student with virtually zero income, it doesn't make sense for me to spend a fortune on my travels. Hence, there must have been some compromises when I planned the itinerary for this New Zealand trip. Nevertheless, I still had the time of my life there, getting lost in the wilderness. Below are some ways to enjoy as much of New Zealand as possible while not going broke.
H I K I N G
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Hiking is the obvious choice if you want to go cheap, as it essentially costs nothing and is the best way to be in touch with nature. There are so many quality hiking trails and overnight tracks available in both the North and the South Islands of New Zealand that it is absolutely possible to construct an itinerary with hiking as the only activity.
Even though the shuttle to the starting point of Tongariro Alpine Crossing would cost a bit, it would be a disservice to talk about hiking in New Zealand without talking about this trail, the most remarkable single-day hike in New Zealand. It is 19.4km long and took us 8 hours to complete, one of the longest ones I've done. The trail takes you through volcanic terrain, old lava fields, plateaus, enormous calderas and craters, and even past a steaming volcano that erupted merely eight years ago. It was a challenging hike for me at the time, but the forever-changing, stunning, and alien-like scenery was absolutely worth the gruesome climb.
In fact, I love my experience hiking this trail so much that I wrote a complete guide on what to expect when hiking Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
Ben Lomond Track
If Tongariro Alpine Crossing is too touristy for your taste or if the shuttle is a bit out of your budget, there are still tons of other hiking choices available, also with gorgeous scenery. Ben Lomond Track, which is located just outside Queenstown, is one of them. It is an 11km return track and takes around 6-8 hours if you're heading to the summit (3-4 hours if you only hike to Ben Lomond Saddle). It challenged me immensely, but the view at the top was unreal.
The climb was extremely steep and got quite icy and slippery as we climbed. It also blew my mind when I saw more and more snow piling beside us, which made me realize how much altitude we gained on foot, 1438 meters to be exact- the summit peaked at 1748 m. Awaiting us was a panoramic view of the whole of Queenstown and all the nearby mountain ranges flowing on and on. It really felt like being on top of the world up there. Hiking on rough and muddy soil also made me feel more in touch with nature.
Hooker Valley Track
Don't worry if you don't really feel confident trekking those more demanding trails; there also are more leisurely walks that you can do in New Zealand, and Hooker Valley Track would be one of them. This 10km hike is in the Aoraki / Mt Cook National Park. This trail takes you along the Hooker Valley and towards the sacred Mount Cook for a stunning view of glaciers and alpine rivers while crossing three swing bridges and a flat, well-trodden path. It is one of the most popular things to do in the Mount Cook area.
Unfortunately, it was raining heavily and quite foggy when I was there. One of the swing bridges was damaged by the storm, meaning that we couldn't complete this trail.
This 10km return track starts by crossing the Rob Roy Stream via a swing bridge and a climb that kept going up and up until Rob Roy Glacier's Viewpoint. The trail was mostly shaded and not too crowded. To me, the track itself isn't super impressive, but it was quite cool to see a glacier up close.
The one-hour drive from Wanaka to the trailhead, Raspberry Creek car park, itself was a unique experience, though. We drove and splashed through several fords and streams, which was quite exhilarating for me. There was also A LOT of sheep wandering in the middle of the road, making this truly a New Zealand-style road trip.
I only had two weeks travelling around both the North and South Islands of New Zealand, so it was quite hard to fit everything into the itinerary. There were quite a few other hikes that looked very spectacular as well, but I haven't had the chance to try them out yet.
W I L D L I F E
Animals and wildlife are undoubtedly a massive part of the great outdoors, in my opinion, and New Zealand would be the perfect place to experience rare and authentic wildlife encounters. From fascinating endangered birds to a wide variety of marine animals in the waters off the coast, most of the wildlife there is unafraid of human interaction and perfect for visiting in their natural habitat.
Kaikoura, a coastal town on the South Island, is one of my favourite towns to visit in the world (and the other one would be Granada), and the reason for that would be the view of snow-capped mountains behind the crystal clear blue sea and the presence of diverse marine life there. In terms of budget travel, this is also the perfect place for wildlife sightings, as adorable wild fur seals can be easily found playing or napping along the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway, which you can visit for free.
Kaikoura Seal Colony is just a short leisurely stroll from the car park, where so many seals were sunbathing, unbothered by all the visitors. Even if you're not into animals, the walk on the rocky, flat headland itself was very lovely. Just make sure you wear comfy footwear and keep a safe distance from the seals.
Swimming with dolphins was a bit out of our range money-wise, but this experience was really too unique and extraordinary to pass.
We joined the 08:30 morning session with Dolphin Encounter, where the staff was accommodating, friendly, respectful to wildlife, and knowledgeable about the local marine life. They also had prescription goggles available, which was such a delight for me, who practically can't see without my glasses. (There are also GoPros available for rent, but I brought my own.) Snorkelling with pods of wild dolphins in their natural habitat curiously circling us was just an exceptional experience that couldn't be put into words. The wet suits helped keep us warm from the chilly autumn ocean, and the hot chocolate after the dives was also such a caring touch.
After a few swims, we got back on board and were able to grab pictures of the dolphins ourselves. We saw dusky dolphins, hector dolphins, and some sea birds that I can't name. Other locations for swimming with dolphins include Akaroa, Marlborough Sounds, and Bay of Plenty.
Whale watching is about half the price of dolphin swimming. I struggled between both and eventually settled for the latter as it felt more interactive. Whale sightings are almost guaranteed all year round in Kaikoura, especially for sperm whales.
Apart from the aforementioned, there are plenty of other animals unique to New Zealand or easily spotted in New Zealand, such as Kiwis, Tuis, Keas, yellow-eyed penguins, little blue penguins, etc.
A D R E N A L I N E
If New Zealand still feels humdrum to you after the previous few points (I highly doubt that), look no further cos New Zealand is also the world capital for extreme sports. No matter whether you're a beginner, an enthusiast, or a pro, New Zealand definitely has the right adventure sport for you. The only problem is that you need to pay to participate in most of them, and some are quite expensive. Here are some of the more affordable ones.
Okay, sorry that I lied. Bungee jumping is definitely not the most affordable adventure sport on the list, but hey, Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge near Queenstown is the world's first-ever commercial bungee jumping site. Faint-hearted cowards like us chose not to do the Bungy ourselves but just to watch people do it (which is free), and we also did zipline there instead, which is much cheaper and was also quite enjoyable.
Other famous locations for bungee jumping include the Nevis Bungee, Queenstown (the highest in New Zealand), Auckland Bridge Bungee (the cheapest), the Ledge Bungee, Queenstown, and Taupo Bungee.
We were confident road bikers at best, with no prior mountain biking experience, yet really fascinated with the idea of mountain biking. It sounds like an edgier and more thrilling version of road cycling while being treated to fantastic views and getting to be in the wilderness. New Zealand offers mountain biking trails for all levels, from beginners to professionals, on both the North and South Islands.
If you can navigate maps on your own, just renting a bike would be much cheaper than joining a tour. But do expect the rental fee to be a bit higher than what you're used to, as their bikes have significantly better quality than those back in Hong Kong, and they have way more bike choices with different suspension levels.
The two trails we did were quite suitable for beginners. Whakarewarewa Forest (the Redwoods) in Rotorua, North Island, offers different gradings of difficulties. We tried out the levels 0, 1, 2, and 3 routes in the park and were amazed by how good the local kids were at this sport and how daring they all seemed.
We also cycled the Arrow River Trail in Arrowtown, a small town near Queenstown. While the Redwoods felt more like a park for mountain biking trials and practising, this trail gave me the excursion feeling that I was looking for. Crossing the few suspension bridges and riding along the tranquil route along the Arrow River banks, the autumn colours we saw on our journey were really a feast for our eyes. Other famous routes for more capable bikers include Old Ghost Road and Queen Charlotte Track on the South Island, Great Lake Trail, and The Timber Trail on the North Island.
White water rafting would probably be a less daunting activity compared with others on the list, but it still is a thrilling and unforgettable experience. New Zealand, with its mountainous terrain, has lots of dramatic river gorges available for rafting.
The one I did was at Kaituna Rover with Rotorua Rafting. This level 3 white water rafting experience included the highest commercially rafted waterfall, which is 7 meters tall. Apart from the endless rapids and waterfalls, there were also other quirks and perks like cliff jumping, swimming in the current, and surfing rapids to spice things up. The overall service and on-site facilities were generally excellent across the whole country, with boots and jackets provided to keep us warm, making it an exceptional overall experience.
Other incredible rafting locations in New Zealand include the Shotover River in Queenstown, Wairoa River in Tauranga, Black Water Rafting in Waitomo caves, etc.
Jet boating is another popular, thrilling water sport in New Zealand that is a must-do for most people travelling here. During this, you would be rushed through narrow canyons and rapids with sharp turns and different maneuvres, almost brushing rocks' surfaces and skimming the water surfaces.
I didn't have time to try jet boating when I was there, but here are some of the best places to go jet boating: Shotover River in Queenstown, Waikato River between Taupo and Rotorua, Skippers Canyon in Queenstown, etc.
N I G H T L I F E
Most towns and cities in New Zealand are pretty quiet at night, but it doesn't mean that there's no "nightlife". In fact, nighttime in nature is equally as exciting as it is in daytime. New Zealand has some of the clearest dark skies globally as the Aoraki Mt Cook Mackenzie region contains the largest International Dark Sky Reserve in the world and the only International Dark Sky Reserve in the Southern hemisphere, making it the perfect location for stargazing or astrophotography.
One of the best locations for stargazing or even seeing the Southern Lights would be Lake Tekapo, where we joined Tekapo Stargazing for a fabulous two-hour experience at Tekapo Springs. For the first part of the tour, we were offered hot drinks and professional telescopes set up to observe different nebulas and star clusters with some expert insight from the tour guides. The observatory was also a splendid spot to shoot the Milky Way, even without mad skills.
The second part of the tour was where it got interesting: relaxing in outdoor hot springs under 0°C, under numerous sparkling stars while relaxingly floating in hammocks, listening to our guides telling some Maori myths. It was a truly magical and luxurious experience.
For a more budget-friendly option, you don't have to use fancy telescopes in order to see the starry sky. Being in the International Dark Sky Reserve, I could see a sky sprinkled with stars even when we were driving there. The Church of the Good Shepherd is popularly used as a foreground among astrophotographers (of which I am not one, obviously). There are plenty of other secluded spots around the lake for you to soak in the sea of stars.
The population of New Zealand as a whole is smaller than Hong Kong, making it easy to find places with little light pollution. It is not necessary to travel far just to look at the stars as it is possible to view them even from right outside your hostel. Other spots great for stargazing include the whole Mt Cook area, Twizel, Milford Sound, Wanaka, and Stewart Island.
M I L F O R D S O U N D
Milford Sound has always been described as the eighth wonder of the world and one of the most popular destinations in New Zealand. There are various ways to admire this natural wonder, such as scuba diving, scenic flights, or overnight cruises if you have the budget, or booking a cruise, the most basic way to travel through the Fiordland.
We toured Milford Sound with Jucy Cruise since it's one of the cheaper options. During the 1.5-2 hours on board, we sailed through mighty mountains with countless gorgeous waterfalls and out towards the Tasman Sea. It's almost always rainy at Milford Sound, but the fog winding around the mountains really made the scene more mystical and gloomy. During the voyage, seals and other animals could also be spotted easily on the shores. We were offered to stand on deck during the return trip while the ship went towards the magnificent Stirling Falls. There are different cruise packages offered by the companies, and you can choose one that fits your schedule.
If you're like me, who loves getting more up-close with the sights and having a more interactive experience, the cruise might not be the best choice for you. There are multiple hikes available around Milford Sound, for instance, Milford Sound Foreshore Walk and Key Summit Track. You can also paddle your way through the Fiordland when joining a kayaking tour. There are also different levels of difficulty to choose from, and you can join one even if you have zero experience kayaking.
The road to Milford Sound was one of the most scenic routes I've ever been to. The twists and turns and waterfalls beside us were mind-blowing. We definitely took a few stops just to grab some photos. There are several side trails along the way, including a short walk to the Mirror Lakes, the Chasm, and Falls Creek, overlooking glaciers on mountains.
G E O T H E R M A L
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland in Rotorua is definitely one of the most surreal phenomena you'd ever see. You'd walk past the unique Lady Knox Geyser that is presented daily at 10:15, the world-famous Champagne Pool, and bubbling mud pools. This colourful natural attraction required thousands of years of making from volcanic activities. Walking tracks and information boards are also well-constructed, as with all New Zealand attractions. It really transports you to another world.
OTHER TIPS
1) Avoid peak seasons, which would not only cost more, but also pack all the major sites with visitors. The peak season in New Zealand would be from December till the end of February in the summer.
2) Accommodations: Accommodations are generally more expensive than the countries I usually go to, but the quality was quite decent overall. The cheapest option would obviously be CouchSurfing (hitchhiking is also cool in New Zealand). Living in a campervan would also be an intriguing adventure for a truly outdoor experience. However, we also wanted comfort after a tiring day of hiking and other activities, so we mostly lived in youth hostels.
3) Cook your own meals. Eating out every day can be quite costly in New Zealand. Fortunately, all of the hostels we stayed in were extremely cooking-friendly. PAK'nSAVE is a chain supermarket where you can buy cheap groceries. They also have prepared meals available if you're not confident cooking.
4) Plan out your splurges. The activities available in New Zealand all looked so tempting, and most of the ones I listed above are already among the more affordable ones. Still, I'm not saying that you should avoid all the fun here. Instead, planning out which activities you really want to do can help you limit your budget while still being able to enjoy the thrill and challenge yourself while you're here.
All in all, New Zealand is not impossible on a budget.
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