I didn’t really hold back at all when I went to NZ: I did everything I wanted to do.

There are a lot of tours to do. If you want to have a similar holiday to me (you’re pretty adventurous; you plan to do more than one tour in every location; and you plan to try everything you possibly can) then you should budget for about $1000 in tours alone. OF course, if you’re trying to do it on the cheap, here’s an area you can be more moderate in.

However, here are a few more tips to saving the ‘cash-oh-la’ without missing out on the ‘oooh la!’

1. I flew into Christchurch, rented a car with 3 other travelers. Do not underestimate the value of travelling with companions–it is SO much cheaper (and I’m not talking about cheap, like stiff your friends with the bill because that’s not cool. I’m talking about genuine bill-sharing.)
2. Compared to renting a Camper-van it was far less expensive to do it rent a car. With a Camper-Van you still have to rent shower/toilet space each night. You can’t really camp on the side of the road. I think there are books about places where you can do this, but you’d need to be educated about it, and you wouldn’t want to be the bogan who litters their garbage/waste on the side of the road.
3. Definitely the cheapest way to travel around  is with a tent and your sleeping bag. A bonus of camping that it’s pretty comfy since it rarely rains (this is the one time this is a bonus, so you might as well take advantage!)
4. If you don’t have room to bring your traveling with your Canadian camping gear (to Australia, assuming you are coming here first): I kitted out a tent for $40 from Aussie Disposals in Melbourne, a (fake) Trangia style stove for $35 (comes with your stove, burner and pots–it’s AWESOME) and a sleeping bag for $70. (I’ve heard Ray’s Outdoors is a good place to gleam inexpensive camping gear too.)
5. If you aren’t going to camp, stay in hostels. These are pretty good standard accommodation. You even see retirees staying in them so that’s got to tell you something…
6. Cook for yourself. Unless you plan on eating a small diet of sushi rolls (woop woop! They’re $2.20/roll in most places–Australian prices, not NZ…actually not sure if they have frequent sushi stops in NZ. Probs not.) then you should plan NOT to eat out–it is so much more expensive, you might not realise how much you can save. A “self-contained” place has everything you need kitchen-wise. So if you are in a group, aim for these places.
7. There are $1.00 bbqs in most campgrounds (and parks) so use their bbq, get a $35 stove.

Related Posts:  Top 10 Things to See and Do In New Zealand, OZ-NZ Holiday Accommodation Terms and Info,  New Zealand Accommodation–Planning Your Budget.