Following is a small sample of budget experiences around New Zealand.
Paihia to Russell Passenger Ferry
(Northland) – catch a ferry to Russell (
www.fboi.co.nz or
www.DolphinCruises.co.nz).
Tane Mahuta
(Northland) – visit Waipoua Forest to see the world’s largest Kauri tree (
www.kauricoast.co.nz).
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
(Northland) – New Zealand’s most significant historic site (
www.waitangi.net.nz).
Auckland Domain
(Auckland) – visit the Auckland Museum and Winter-gardens (
www.aucklandcity.govt.nz).
Link Bus
(Auckland) – catch the Link Bus on its urban route for an inexpensive sightseeing trip (
www.stagecoach.co.nz).
Aotea Markets
(Auckland) – go shopping for bargains at these colourful city markets (
www.the-edge.co.nz).
Driving Creek Railway
(The Coromandel) – New Zealand’s only narrow-gauge railway (
www.drivingcreekrailway.co.nz).
Cathedral Cove Walk
(The Coromandel) – walk down to a spectacular beach cove (
www.thecoromandel.com).
Hot Water Beach
(The Coromandel) – dig your own hot spa on the beach at low tide (
www.thecoromandel.com/hotwaterbeach.html).
Mauao
(Bay of Plenty) – walk the spectacular trails on and around Mount Maunganui (
www.bayofplentynz.com).
Kuirau Park
(Rotorua) – boiling mud pools, crater lakes and sulphur vents (
www.rotoruanz.com).
Whakarewarewa Forest
(Rotorua) – network of walking and mountain bike trails (
www.rotoruanz.com).
Bridal Veil Falls
(Waikato) – take a short walk near Raglan to see these lovely falls (
www.doc.govt.nz).
Mangapohue Natural Bridge
(Waitomo) – spectacular 17-metre high limestone arch (
www.waitomo.com).
Huka Falls
(Taupo) – take an up-close look at the cascading water (
www.laketauponz.com).
Fun Ho! Toy Museum
(Taranaki) – explore more than 3,000 toys (
www.funho.com).
Percy Thomson Gallery
(Taranaki) – works from some of Taranaki’s finest artists (
www.percythomsongallery.org.nz).
Sarjeant Gallery
(Wanganui) – renowned contemporary art gallery (
www.sarjeant.org.nz).
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
(Wellington) – the unforgettable national museum (
www.tepapa.govt.nz).
Wellington Writers’ Walk
(Wellington) – read the words of famous writers along the waterfront (
www.wellingtonnz.com).
Tour of Parliament
(Wellington) – free guided tours of the Parliament Buildings (
www.parliament.govt.nz).
Nelson Market
(Nelson) – browse local art and cuisine (
www.nelsonmarket.com).
Wine Tasting
(Marlborough) – visit some of the region’s 45 cellar doors (
www.destinationmarlborough.com/WineAndFood).
Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
(West Coast) – unusual rock formations and water spouts at Punakaiki (
www.punakaiki.co.nz).
Kaikoura Seal Colony
(Alpine Pacific Triangle) – view a seal colony alongside SH1 (
www.kaikoura.co.nz).
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
(Christchurch) – see why Christchurch is the garden city (
www.ccc.govt.nz/Parks/BotanicGardens).
Arts Centre Weekend Market
(Christchurch) – hugely popular art and craft market (
www.artscentre.org.nz).
The Church of the Good Shepherd
(Mackenzie) – picture-postcard lakeside church (
www.mtcooknz.com).
Larnach Castle
(Dunedin) – explore New Zealand’s only castle (
www.larnachcastle.co.nz).
Southland Museum and Art Gallery
(Southland) – home to a colony of Tuatara (
www.southlandmuseum.com).
Take to the Hills
(Queenstown) – put on your walking shoes or hire a mountain bike and explore the beautiful scenery.
Panning for Gold
(Arrowtown) – rent a pan from the Arrowtown Museum (
www.arrowtown.com).
Wanaka Transport & Toy Museum
(Wanaka) – the Southern Hemisphere's largest collection of rare and unusual aircraft, vehicles and toys (
www.wanakatransportandtoymuseum.com).
Cinema Paradiso
(Wanaka) – try out Wanaka’s quirky boutique movie theatre (
www.paradiso.net.nz).
Te Anau Wildlife Centre
(Fiordland) – see rare Takahe and other birds (
www.doc.govt.nz).
Bridle Track
(South Westland) – walk through beech forest following an old packhorse track.
