New Zealand for nothing
[dropcap]N[/dropcap]ew Zealand: the first place to wake up in the morning; the home of Hobbiton, adrenaline rushes, secluded beaches and some of the world’s most intriguing nature; and the best part is…if you can raise enough funds for the flight by working behind tills, in call centres or lugging boxes in a warehouse, then we can try and help you get around New Zealand, not just on a shoe string, but on absolutely nothing at all.
Firstly, New Zealand’s population is greater than 60 percent European. With this in mind, no matter who you are, you will be related to someone or at least know someone who is related to someone who lives in New Zealand.
This is a great start; just go onto your social network of choice and post that you are looking for accommodation in New Zealand and I can almost guarantee that you will get at least one offer from someone’s second cousin’s girlfriend’s son’s mate who will put you up, and what makes it even is that better they will love it. With just one lead, you will be able to get more and more contacts around the country.
In New Zealand, every chargeable attraction has an equally enjoyable free option; you can pay for the use of hot springs or Google where the free ones are, you can catch a gondola to the top of a hill, or just walk it.
Say, for some very mysterious and unlikely reason this doesn’t work, don’t despair. New Zealand is one of many homes of the WOOF (Worldwide Organisation of Organic Farming). If dirt, manual labour, animals and farms are not what you had in mind it’s still okay, Woofing is now just an umbrella term to describe a job in exchange for food, accommodation, and sometimes money (in most cases a working holiday visa will need to be purchased).
Free campsites, although hidden, are available and plentiful. All you need to know is where to go, a unique skill as a tourist in New Zealand. The CamperMate and Rankers mobile apps are fantastic ways to ensure that you don’t pay for one night’s accommodation. If for some reason you find yourself in an area with no free campsites, which is rare, you may have to settle for one of DOC’s $6NZD (£3) PP camping pitches. These campsites offer some of the country’s best views, skinny dipping opportunities and hikes.
I think I just heard you say sarcastically, “how do you expect me to check the website if I am camping in the middle of nowhere with no money to pay the ridiculous roaming charges?” Then I counter your argument with 30-day Wi-Fi for just £5 at all phone boxes around the country. That being said, as with most countries, McDonalds offers the usual free Wi-Fi, plus refillable drinks if you fancy.
Most importantly, make friends, make friends and make friends.
Now, I am not condoning it, but I frequently observed others hitchhiking in New Zealand. A country with only one short motorway significantly improves a hitch hiker’s chance of being picked up in minutes, and I heard on many occasions of people being put up by their drivers.
One of the best things one can do in New Zealand is to experience a camper-van. Although this isn’t free, it can be incredibly cheap. Two options are to (1) buy a camper off another traveller and sell it at the end, and there are many occasions where people have been known to make a profit out of this approach, or (2) move camper-vans between depots, for example ‘Jucy’ campers offer one week routes for £1 to and from set destinations. However, inevitably this wonderful experience has got fuel costs. Picking up hitchhikers and asking for fuel contribution might be a handy way to reduce these costs.
In New Zealand, every chargeable attraction has an equally enjoyable free option; you can pay for the use of hot springs or Google where the free ones are, you can catch a gondola to the top of a hill, or just walk it. Just think free, and you will find something.
Most importantly, make friends, make friends and make friends. Not only will it give you the best experience, but it will get you around for free and put you in places you were never expecting.
- http://www.stats.govt.nz/Census/2006CensusHomePage/QuickStats/quickstats-about-a-subject/culture-and-identity/ethnic-groups-in-new-zealand.aspx
- https://www.rankers.co.nz/respect
- http://www.campermate.co.nz/locations/campsites/free-campsites
- http://www.backpackerboard.co.nz/work_jobs/index.php – Woofing jobs and camper-vans for sale.
- http://www.wotif.com/hotels/new-zealand-hotels.html – Cheap accommodation
- http://www.bookme.co.nz/bookings/queenstown/home – Attraction Vouchers
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