{"id":7863,"date":"2019-05-22T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-05-21T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/?p=7863"},"modified":"2021-04-21T13:32:05","modified_gmt":"2021-04-21T03:32:05","slug":"things-to-do-in-new-zealand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/new-zealand\/things-to-do-in-new-zealand\/","title":{"rendered":"Travel hacks! 18 cheap (or free!) things to do in New Zealand"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>There\u2019s nothing better than a New Zealand getaway \u2013 unless it\u2019s a New Zealand getaway on the cheap! (Who doesn\u2019t love a bargain?!) These awesome 18 activities may be low in cost (or completely free!) but they\u2019re priceless in value.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>1. Create your own hot tub<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/a.travel-assets.com\/travel-assets-manager\/f979b2b4-453e-4da0-a8fd-df55f5db7dd0\/anz_18140_600px_01.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Visitors might pay Hanmer Springs\u2019 NZD$25 entrance fee but it&#8217;s not the only place you can bathe in the geothermal waters of NZ. At the aptly named Hot Water Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula, you can dig your own pool and relax in the naturally heated mineral water. Or head to one of the natural springs that can be found throughout the country that are free to enter, like Otumuheke Stream near Lake Taupo.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>2. <em>Do<\/em> go chasing waterfalls<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/a.travel-assets.com\/travel-assets-manager\/33ba97ed-ef81-441b-a65a-06f83a84ea9d\/anz_18140_600px_003.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" \/><\/p>\n<p>An afternoon is all you need to discover the country\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wotif.co.nz\/vc\/blog\/adventure\/nz-best-hiking-bike-trails\/?brandcid=WOTIF-nz.display.WOTIFINSIDER.MAY-19-NZ-HACKS-BLOG-NZ.generic&amp;utm_source=WOTIFINSIDER&amp;utm_medium=display&amp;utm_content=all&amp;utm_campaign=MAY-19-NZ-HACKS-BLOG-NZ\">favourite low-cost pastime<\/a>: tramping (or &#8216;bushwalking\u2019 to non-Kiwi\u2019s <span class=\"emoji\">\ud83d\ude09<\/span>). For the ultimate payoff, visit Whispering Falls outside Nelson, Hanmer Springs\u2019 Dog Stream Waterfall, the Devils Punchbowl at Arthur\u2019s Pass, Washpen Falls in Canterbury, or Roys Peak Track in Wanaka.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>3. Get cultured<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>There are countless free museums and art galleries around NZ, including <a href=\"https:\/\/dunedin.art.museum\/\">Dunedin\u2019s Public Art Gallery<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canterburymuseum.com\/\">Christchurch\u2019s Canterbury Museum<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tepapa.govt.nz\/\">Wellington\u2019s Te Papa<\/a>. Want to think outside the box? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wotif.co.nz\/Wellington-Hotels-QT-Museum-Wellington.h1376357.Hotel-Information?brandcid=WOTIF-nz.display.WOTIFINSIDER.MAY-19-NZ-HACKS-BLOG-NZ.generic&amp;utm_source=WOTIFINSIDER&amp;utm_medium=display&amp;utm_content=all&amp;utm_campaign=MAY-19-NZ-HACKS-BLOG-NZ\">QT Wellington<\/a> is home to one of largest private art collections in the Southern Hemisphere and you don&#8217;t have to be a guest to experience it! (Grab a guide from the concierge for your own self-directed tour). Or for a real locals-only secret, check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Thomas-Brown-Art-Gallery\/432226393483287\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Thomas Brown Art Gallery<\/a> at 568 Speargrass Flat Rd, Lake Hayes, Queenstown. Brown kind of flies under the radar &#8211; he doesn&#8217;t even have a website &#8211; but his work is well worth the visit \ud83d\ude32<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>4. Find a glow worm grotto<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/a.travel-assets.com\/travel-assets-manager\/f979b2b4-453e-4da0-a8fd-df55f5db7dd0\/anz_18140_600px_03.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Short on funds for the entrance fee at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wotif.co.nz\/things-to-do\/waitomo-glowworm-caves-boat-tour.a463464.activity-details?brandcid=WOTIF-nz.display.WOTIFINSIDER.MAY-19-NZ-HACKS-BLOG-NZ.generic&amp;utm_source=WOTIFINSIDER&amp;utm_medium=display&amp;utm_content=all&amp;utm_campaign=MAY-19-NZ-HACKS-BLOG-NZ\">Waitomo&#8217;s famous glow worm cave<\/a>? You\u2019re in luck. Just down the road is the Ruakuri Track, which is full of these otherworldly beings.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>5. Get noisy at the library<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Sure, libraries are usually free \u2013 but Christchurch\u2019s new central library, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=turanga+library&amp;oq=turanga+li&amp;aqs=chrome.0.0j69i57j0l3j46i175i199j0l4.4487j0j9&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8\">T\u016branga<\/a>, isn\u2019t your traditional silent space. Virtual reality headsets, music studios, and a big-screen PlayStation gaming area are all on offer. Oh, and there are books too, if you\u2019re into that sort of thing \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>6. Become a sand-racer<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/a.travel-assets.com\/travel-assets-manager\/f979b2b4-453e-4da0-a8fd-df55f5db7dd0\/anz_18140_600px_04.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Located on Cape R\u0113inga, the giant Te Paki sand dunes rise to a whopping 150 metres. Sliding down them only costs NZD$15 if you hire a board \u2013 but bring your own piece of sturdy cardboard and it\u2019s free!<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>7. Host an impromptu dance party<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Christchurch\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/gapfiller.org.nz\/\">Gap Fillers<\/a> \u2013 interactive art projects that fill vacant spaces left by the Canterbury earthquakes \u2013 have ranged from book exchanges to giant outdoor arcades. An ongoing fave is the <a href=\"https:\/\/gapfiller.org.nz\/project\/dance-o-mat\/\">Dance O Mat<\/a>, a washing machine-powered dance party in the heart of the city. Pop in NZD$2, plug in your device and get your groove on.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>8. Catch a bite<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/a.travel-assets.com\/travel-assets-manager\/f979b2b4-453e-4da0-a8fd-df55f5db7dd0\/anz_18140_600px_05.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.afm.co.nz\/\">Auckland\u2019s Fish Market<\/a> has been in operation for over 100 years, but in 2019, the facility reopened after a massive revamp. With 10 new eateries, it\u2019s open to the public every day and although the seafood isn\u2019t free, experiencing the atmosphere is!<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>9. Make some furry friends<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/a.travel-assets.com\/travel-assets-manager\/f979b2b4-453e-4da0-a8fd-df55f5db7dd0\/anz_18140_600px_06.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Kaikoura is a great place to go for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wotif.co.nz\/things-to-do\/full-day-kaikoura-whale-watching-tour.a250044.activity-details?brandcid=WOTIF-nz.display.WOTIFINSIDER.MAY-19-NZ-HACKS-BLOG-NZ.generic&amp;utm_source=WOTIFINSIDER&amp;utm_medium=display&amp;utm_content=all&amp;utm_campaign=MAY-19-NZ-HACKS-BLOG-NZ\">whale watching<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wotif.co.nz\/things-to-do\/full-day-albatross-tour-in-kaikoura.a250058.activity-details?brandcid=WOTIF-nz.display.WOTIFINSIDER.MAY-19-NZ-HACKS-BLOG-NZ.generic&amp;utm_source=WOTIFINSIDER&amp;utm_medium=display&amp;utm_content=all&amp;utm_campaign=MAY-19-NZ-HACKS-BLOG-NZ\">bird spotting<\/a>, but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wotif.co.nz\/things-to-do\/kaikoura-swimming-with-seals-encounter.a441186.activity-details?brandcid=WOTIF-nz.display.WOTIFINSIDER.MAY-19-NZ-HACKS-BLOG-NZ.generic&amp;utm_source=WOTIFINSIDER&amp;utm_medium=display&amp;utm_content=all&amp;utm_campaign=MAY-19-NZ-HACKS-BLOG-NZ\">the real highlight is its seals<\/a>. At both Point Kean and Ohau Point, you can watch seal pups play in their natural habitat. Aw!<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>10. Try authentic M\u0101ori cuisine<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Want to be part of a 1000-year-old tradition? It\u2019ll run you less than NZD$20 to try food cooked in a h\u0101ngi at Auckland\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/HangiMasterNZ\/\">The M\u0101ori Kitchen<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>11. Stargaze under the darkest skies<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Did you know that NZ is home to one of the largest <a href=\"http:\/\/www.darkskyreserve.org.nz\/\">Dark Sky Reserves<\/a> in the world? Make a wish on a shooting star \u2013 and maybe even catch a glimpse of the elusive Aurora Australis, all without spending a penny.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>12. Take a free walking tour<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/a.travel-assets.com\/travel-assets-manager\/f979b2b4-453e-4da0-a8fd-df55f5db7dd0\/anz_18140_600px_07.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/p>\n<p>What better way is there to explore a new place than taking a city tour? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.afwt.co.nz\/wilderness\/\">In Auckland, free city walking ours start daily from the CBD<\/a>. If history isn\u2019t your thing, I think Christchurch\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/watchthisspace.org.nz\/\">Watch This Space<\/a> street art tour (this one\u2019s NZD$30) definitely will be!<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>13. Hunt for orcs<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/a.travel-assets.com\/travel-assets-manager\/f979b2b4-453e-4da0-a8fd-df55f5db7dd0\/anz_18140_600px_08.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" \/><\/p>\n<p>No visit to \u201creal Middle-earth\u201d is complete without hitting up a <em>Lord of the Rings<\/em> filming location or two. Make a day of it and enjoy a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wotif.co.nz\/things-to-do\/hobbiton-afternoon-tour-from-auckland.a624975.activity-details?brandcid=WOTIF-nz.display.WOTIFINSIDER.MAY-19-NZ-HACKS-BLOG-NZ.generic&amp;utm_source=WOTIFINSIDER&amp;utm_medium=display&amp;utm_content=all&amp;utm_campaign=MAY-19-NZ-HACKS-BLOG-NZ\">walking tour of Hobbiton<\/a> &#8211; this may be the priciest thing on my list but it\u2019s also the coolest. This <em>precioussss<\/em> experience will have you stepping into the fields of Mordor and taking in the view of Mt Ngauruhoe\u2026 we mean Mt Doom!<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>14. Taste wine in Marlborough<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Wine tasting might seem super fancy, but it\u2019s a surprisingly budget-friendly activity. For a day that\u2019s the very definition of \u201ccheap and cheerful\u201d, hire a bike for as little as NZD$30 and go rolling along the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.wine-marlborough.co.nz\/wine-trail\/\">Marlborough Wine Trail<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>15. Feel tiny next to giant things<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>What would an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wotif.co.nz\/vc\/blog\/overseas-travel\/best-nz-road-trips\/?brandcid=WOTIF-nz.display.WOTIFINSIDER.MAY-19-NZ-HACKS-BLOG-NZ.generic&amp;utm_source=WOTIFINSIDER&amp;utm_medium=display&amp;utm_content=all&amp;utm_campaign=MAY-19-NZ-HACKS-BLOG-NZ\">epic road trip<\/a> be without taking in a roadside attraction or two? Don\u2019t miss snapping Insta-worthy shots of NZ\u2019s very own big things (yeah, they\u2019ve got them too!) Springfield\u2019s Homer Simpson-approved big doughnut, Pukekura\u2019s oversized sandfly, Te Kuiti\u2019s giant sheep shearer and Paeroa\u2019s huge L&amp;P bottle.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>16. Hit up a market<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>It doesn\u2019t matter where you are or what day of the week it is \u2013 chances are, there\u2019s a market with cheap and cheerful food on offer nearby. For the night owls, Wellington\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellingtonnz.com\/visit\/cuba-street\/\">Cuba Street<\/a> is host to a line-up of food trucks every Friday night. If you\u2019re in Christchurch, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FridayStreetFoodMarket\/\">Cathedral Square<\/a> is the spot for pop-up street food. And if you&#8217;re in Queenstown, don&#8217;t miss the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.queenstownmarket.com\/\">Creative Queenstown Arts and Crafts Markets<\/a>, every Saturday on the lakefront at Earnslaw Park.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>17. Become part of the underwater world<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/a.travel-assets.com\/travel-assets-manager\/f979b2b4-453e-4da0-a8fd-df55f5db7dd0\/anz_18140_600px_09.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/p>\n<p>New Zealand\u2019s crystal-clear waters are practically made for living your best sea life. Auckland\u2019s marine reserve, Goat Island, is a local favourite. Keep an eye out for Monkey Face, the 40-year-old resident snapper who often swims in the very same waters.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>18. Guide your own craft beer tour<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Wellington has named itself the \u201cCraft Beer Capital\u201d, with heaps of microbreweries and countless brew bars. Many, including the <a href=\"https:\/\/garageproject.co.nz\/\">Garage Project<\/a>, offer cellar-door tastings, which make for a cheap \u2013 and fun \u2013 day out. So go on&#8230; hop to it \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/lp\/b\/nzgetaways?eapid=0&amp;pwaLob=wizard-hotel-pwa&amp;tpid=70129brandcid=WOTIF-au.social.FACEBOOK.APR-21-NZ-NATIONAL-PARKS-RETAIL-BLOG.hotel&amp;utm_source=FACEBOOK&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_content=HOTEL&amp;utm_campaign=APR-21-NZ-NATIONAL-PARKS-RETAIL-BLOG&amp;rfrr=wotif.blog.article.10-unreal-nz-national-parks-you-need-to-explore\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-12742 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-www-wotif-com\/2020\/06\/2020\/06\/2020\/06\/2020\/06\/2020\/06\/2020\/06\/a28e94db-1196x640-nzgetaway-blog.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1196\" height=\"640\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<a class='vw-button vw-button--primary  vw-button--full-width' href='https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/lp\/b\/nzgetaways?eapid=0&#038;pwaLob=wizard-hotel-pwa&#038;tpid=70129brandcid=WOTIF-au.social.FACEBOOK.APR-21-NZ-NATIONAL-PARKS-RETAIL-BLOG.hotel&#038;utm_source=FACEBOOK&#038;utm_medium=social&#038;utm_content=HOTEL&#038;utm_campaign=APR-21-NZ-NATIONAL-PARKS-RETAIL-BLOG&#038;rfrr=wotif.blog.article.10-unreal-nz-national-parks-you-need-to-explore' target='_self'><i class=\"vw-icon icon-entypo-suitcase\"><\/i> PLAN YOUR NZ GETAWAY <\/a>\n<p><em>Heads up! Due to COVID-19, government restrictions are in constant review and travel guidelines may change. We strongly recommend that all travellers seek further information about destinations and attractions before scheduling trips or making bookings, take extra care and follow all rules.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There\u2019s nothing better than a New Zealand getaway \u2013 unless it\u2019s a New Zealand getaway on the cheap! (Who doesn\u2019t love a bargain?!) These awesome 18 activities may be low in cost (or completely free!) but they\u2019re priceless in value. 1. Create your own hot tub Visitors might pay Hanmer Springs\u2019 NZD$25 entrance fee but &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":7865,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[775],"tags":[179,193,108,109,110,477,230],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7863"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/37"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7863"}],"version-history":[{"count":34,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7863\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12817,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7863\/revisions\/12817"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7865"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7863"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7863"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7863"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}