Backpacking on a budget through New Zealand everything, especially, reputation, through, everything, especially, reputation, through

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Backpacking on a budget through New Zealand
When you think backpacking, Europe likely pops into mind. Yet far-flung New Zealand is a popular backpacking destination for Canadians, especially for adventurers looking to avoid the hassle of skirting around areas of turmoil or travelling nervously through them. A compact country with relaxed beaches, spectacular scenery and a reputation for extreme fun, New Zealand has everything a backpacker wants. But can you afford it?
"Granted, we have no $11 a night beach huts or $2 noodle bowls, but backpackers won't have to thumb their way across the country if they travel smart," says Gregg Anderson, a general manager with Tourism New Zealand.
As a backpacker, you can whittle your expenses down to four primary categories.
Moving, sleeping, eating, and enjoying. Though the exchange rate is favourable to Canadians ($1 Cdn = $1.25 NZD), the cost of, well, everything is higher on this South-Pacific Island than it is on Canuck soil.
Getting around
Lone backpackers often choose to travel by tour bus, selecting one with plenty of flexibility in destinations and timelines. Kiwi Experience is New Zealand's legendary hop-on, hop-off bus tour, with 25 different routes covering every corner of the country and a distinctive "gap year" ambience.
Depending on the route and days on the road, expect to spend anywhere from $500 NZD for a weeklong trip to $2, 100 NZD for the longest, most comprehensive pass. Veteran driver Kane It suggests the 20-day Funky Chicken offering (priced at $1135 NZD) for those wanting to see a lot, but not spend a lot.
"The Funky Chicken route is one of the best deals for backpackers. You're going to see a lot of the country affordably. One of the best things about riding a Kiwi Experience bus is that the drivers have so much knowledge about cheap deals, and our passengers get great deals on hostels, restaurants, excursions - pretty much anything," says It.
Or, companies like Naked-Bus offer trimmed down, get-ya-there service at much cheaper rates, but without the perks and camaraderie.
An unlimited trip pass on the NakedBus rings in at just $597 NZD.
Campervans are a costeffective option for pairs or groups, especially if you're planning to cave or tramp (hiking in Canada) along the way, exploring the more remote locales. A basic campervan for a couple can be had for under $100 a day, and long-term backpackers can buy, then sell, a van for even less. Note that the average campervans are tiny compared to North American standards, but it is worth it at the pump - Kiwis currently pay $2.19 NZD a litre for their fuel.

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Sleeping

Backpackers will find excellent and affordable hostels in even the smallest towns, and they're easy to find in the major cities like Auckland, where there are numerous hostels right downtown. Booking ahead at hostels isn't required except for the most popular locations during high season, and for those travelling on a bus tour, the first night is often pre-booked. Plan to spend at least $18 NZD a night on a basic bed in most cities, slightly more in the smaller resort towns.

Campervan travellers are encouraged to visit an I-Site tourism office to find free or inexpensive campsites, but it's not uncommon to see lines of JUCY vans roadside or huddled together in parking lots for the night.

Certain day walks (like the Whirinaki rainforest near Rotorua) are unreachable by bus, but a must-see if you've got wheels. If you're straying further off the highways, there are more than 950 backcountry huts available for trampers. You can work long tramps such as the popular Routeburn into your schedule, sleeping in these inexpensive huts (many with running water and flush toilet facilities). The majority of these mountain or forest walks are achievable for the least physically fit traveller.

Eating

There's a facial expression Canadians make (wide eyes, gaping maw) when buying food in New Zealand that set them apart from more common Australian backpackers, who see the local prices as a good deal. There are precious few cheap and filling food stands, so backpackers tend to stick to setting up small pantries in their hostel if they're staying in one area for a few days, or buying fruit and deli products in single servings while exploring.

Locally grown fruit is a good bet for the budget; the tart feijoa, luscious apples, and the golden kiwifruit, a sweeter version of the more common green variety. Vancouverite and Kiwi Experience traveller Alexa Jefferson kept her spending on food to the minimum.

"I took advantage of the stops at supermarkets along the route. I would buy yogurt and apples for breakfast, get a ham and tomato sandwich for lunch and at the hostel make chicken and rice for dinner," she says.

Budget friendly activities

No visit to the birthplace of bungee would be complete without partaking in a little thrill-seeking. Bungy, jet boating, skydiving, zorbing, caving, paragliding - adrenalin junkies will have no problem going over their adventure budget.

"Cities like Queenstown have a little bit of everything within easy reach by foot or public transit, and plenty of storefront tour operators willing to offer last-minute deals," says Anderson. "Visitors shouldn't miss the chance to jump, soar, drop or dive, but there are plenty of ways for backpackers to save."

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A gondola view of Queenstown, adventure capital of New Zealand and popular backpackers hangout.

popular day trip for backpackers, the Whirinaki Forest Tramp is a publicly accessible forest park in the North Island of New Zealand.
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