What We Spent 8-Days In New Zealand (South Island)

Hello hello everyone, 

I’m not a very good budgeter while I’m at home - most weeks feeling like I gotta live off Mi Goreng Noodles but hey, such is life. For some reason though, I can always make my travels cheap. I thought I would show you how much I spent while in New Zealand last December with my cousin. That way it will help you budget for your trip too. We initially went to New Zealand for one reason, The AJ Hackett Nevis Swing - a 70m drop/300m swing that we had been dreaming of doing since we were teenagers. I would highly recommend this experience, we will cherish it forever! (Pics below).

Please keep in mind that big expenses such as our rental car and accomodation were a shared cost between my cousin and I.

I’ll include links to all activities we did so you can go and enjoy them too!

*The currency I am displaying below is AUD btw.

FOOD & DRINKS: $452.16 

Some faves:

• Fergburger, Queenstown

A must-try if you are visiting Queenstown

Make sure you also try their hot chocolate from Fergbaker in the morning

• The Nanny Goat Vineyard, Wānaka

• Big Fig, Wānaka

ACTIVITIES/EXPERIENCES: $558.60

• Dorothy Brown’s Cinema, Arrowtown 

• AJ Hackett Nevis Canyon Swing, Queenstown

Before Nevis Swing

Moments before the 70m drop

• Wānaka Lavender Farm 

• Archie Brothers Bowling, Christchurch

• LandEscape Hot Tub, Lake Hāwea.

• Lumière Cinema, Christchurch

LandEscape Spa Gazing Experience

View while walking around Lake Tekapo

ACCOMMODATION: $566.50

• Adventure Hostel Queenstown - standard hostel, great communal area, clean and close to everything in Queenstown

• The Camp, Lake Hāwea- This was probably my favourite place to stay because I have never slept in a glamping tent before. The heater was really great and the surroundings of the Lake were just divine. There is also a food truck on site serving up breakfast bagels and coffee.

• Lakes Edge Holiday Park, Lake Tekapo - Another excellent spot with great facilities, the walk from the accomodation around the lake is truly magnificent and our little cabin was adorable. Communal kitchen, bbq and plenty of chill out spots. There is a lodge available if you want more of hostel vibes and they offer caravan parking too.

• The Salisbury Business Class, Christchurch - A very enjoyable stay at The Salisbury, reception is very friendly and rooms are clean and comfortable. There is Netflix on the tv which we definitely needed after a whole week of being on-the-go.

FLIGHTS: $664 return Brisbane 

TRANSPORT + FUEL: $379.60

We rented a car for the whole time through Discover Cars (who I have used twice before) and we couldn’t be more impressed with our zippy little blue Mazda which acted as our suitcase and was very easy to get around in.

GROCERIES: $39

SOUVENIRS: $51.20 

TOTAL COST: $2711 ($338 per day) 

So if you thought that travel to New Zealand was expensive, then think again. Because as you can see we made it work and had some pretty sick experiences along the way too.

Follow for more adventures! Love, Elly-Grace x

Click HERE to unlock our full 8-day NZ South Island Guide.

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