There are a variety of ways to move around a country as well as a plethora of places to stay. When traveling, you will likely use multiple methods but choosing a primary option is important because it will impact many factors of your trip. 

 

Options include freedom camping via a camper-van or RV, tenting, living out of a car, staying in hostels or AirBnb, joining Helpx or WWOOF to work for food and accommodation, and pet/house sitting. I will touch on each of these briefly. 

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Transportation:

Camper-van: We love camping which is why we went this route. It requires a higher up-front cost but can be much cheaper in the long run.  We bought a camper-van in Auckland for $6000 NZD. WaKa (our van) came fully loaded with dishes & cookware, a mattress, bedding, sleeping bags, toilet, table and chairs, and essentially everything we needed to start our road trip. She is also self-contained meaning we have a toilet, 25 Liters of fresh water, and a 25 liter grey water holding tank. This allows us to camp at free "self-contained freedom" campsites throughout the country.  These camping areas do not have any amenities (usually just a stinky drop toilet) but they are free and many have been located in gorgeous locations! Typically we will seek these out and only do a paid campground/accommodation when we need showers and a break from WaKa. 

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Tent/Car: Many people will buy a car and live out of this.  It is not possible to be self-contained which eliminates many of the free campgrounds but does require less upfront costs.  There are some free campgrounds that allow non-self contained vehicles but they are not as frequent and in general you cannot freedom camp. Paid campgrounds usually have showers, a communal kitchen, WiFi, and laundry. On average they cost $15-20 per person/night but are more pricey in tourist areas.

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We highly recommend downloading the app "Campermate". It is perfect if you are traveling New Zealand via campgrounds as it will show you free, low cost, and paid campgrounds. It also has reviews from other travelers and directions of how to find them. The app will also show you nearby free WiFi, water, dump stations, gas stations, grocery stores, and attractions! Needless to say we use it constantly and you can download it so it is available offline too :) 

 

*Of note: In New Zealand they do have something called Warranty of Fitness or (WOF). It needs to be completed every 6 months to 1 year depending how old the vehicle is and is essentially an assessment of your vehicle by a mechanic to ensure it is safe on the roads. Usually costs about $40-50 or more if servicing needs to be done as well. This is something to ask about about when looking for a vehicle so you know when it expires and can plan for it. 

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Bus: If you decide buying a car or van is not for you, no worries! New Zealand's public transportation is a great option and will get you around the country too! There are several companies that specialize in across country service including Kiwi Experience, Stray Bus, Intercity, and Naked bus. Many offer flexible timing, passes, and countless destinations. 

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Train: There are four main routes through New Zealand via train. They can all be booked through The Great Journeys. This is a wonderful way to truly take in the impressive scenery of New Zealand as many train routes take you places beyond the hustle bustle of the highway. 

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Airplane: Flights between New Zealand's major cities are very reasonable and a good option if you are more pressed for time and want to see specific attractions or cities. 

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Accommodation:

Hostel: A very good option, especially if traveling solo and without a vehicle. These are conveniently located near city centers and bus stops so ideal if backpacking. They are also a wonderful way to meet people who are traveling too! The average cost is $30-40 a night for a shared dorm room. 

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AirBnb: A nice alternative to a hostel if looking for more privacy or are traveling with someone. Often they are cheaper or comparable in price. Dan and I have used this often as a nice break from the van. Often laundry is included or cheaper so that is another nice perk! Check out www.airbnb.co.nz for details.

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Helpx: This is a help exchange program. Essentially you volunteer your time (usually 4 hours a day) in exchange for accommodation and food. This is a great way to maintain for a period of time in one area.  Many are homesteads or farms looking for help.  You may stay in a private room in their house or some offer a private cottage or caravan. This is a great way to truly get to know the locals, hear their stories and become part of a new family. Helpx is nice because it has options for a variety of tasks beyond farming including childcare, landscaping, DIY projects, or cleaning. It costs $30 to join and is available around the world. Find out more at Helpx.net

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WWOOF: Very similar to Helpx except it is specific to organic farming. This costs $40 to join and can be found throughout New Zealand and the world. Find out more at WWOOF.nz

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House/Pet Sitting: Another wonderful option to help cover accommodation expenses. The concept is that when a kiwi family wants to go on holiday they may be in need of someone to care for their pets and house. House sitting opportunities can range from a weekend to many months. This is something that requires more of a commitment, but if you know you want to see a city and when you want to go it is a very good option! It does require an $85 yearly fee to join.  Typically it requires watching after pets and maintaining a garden and in exchange you get to stay at their house. Find out more at Kiwihousesitters.co.nz.

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