Reasonable New Zealand Budget?

We are thinking about spending 2 months in New Zealand during our trip in 2010-2011. As it currently stands, we would be in NZ March-April 2011.

I have come up with an overall budget of approx US$170 (NZ$ 230) per day for us traveling as a couple. Based on the information below is this a reasonable budget?

Here is how I came up with my per day estimate:

1. Campervan Rental (Spaceship): US $50/day (NZ $70) for 55 days (based on a quote for the same time period in 2010)
We are budgeting an additional US $10/day (NZ $14) for gas and other car costs.

2. Accommodation: A. 14 nights staying in hostels-budgeted at US$ 50/day (NZ $70)
B. 46 nights camping- budgeted at US$ 20/day (NZ $28)
Note: The camping cost is an estimated average. We will be doing a mix of camping while trekking, staying in DOC sites, staying in more-developed campervan sites, staying at free sites.

3. Food: US $ 50 /day (NZ $70) average. I expect food costs to vary greatly on a daily basis. We will be doing a fair amount of self-catering, but will also be doing some eating out, and we like quality food, wine, etc.

4. Activities: US $ 40/day (NZ $55) average. We are not big adrenaline junkies, and our main activity will be trekking. I anticipate actual activity costs to vary greatly on a daily basis.

Am I missing anything? Are any of my budget items too low or high?

Thanks for the help!

Your budget seems very reasonable. In fact, I'm jealous. I wish I had that kind of budget when I was in NZ!

One piece of feedback I would suggest: Budget in the ferry between the islands. Taking a car on the ferry is very expensive - most tourists only go one direction and ditch the car on the opposite island. Expect to pay something in the $300USD range to take the ferry, maybe more.

Also, your gas budget may be too small. Petrol is expensive in NZ, and campervans get poor mileage.

I suppose that's two pieces of advice, not one. Have fun, you're gonna love NZ.

I agree that is a very reasonable budget. Here are my thoughts.

1. Your hostel budget is probably a bit high. You will be able to find doubles for between $50-$65 at non-YHA hostels (there are many excellent ones...see my post here for some examples: backpackers-in-sydney-t44103.html). At 14 days, it probably doesn't make sense to invest in a BBH card, but check the prices and do the math when you get to NZ. If you end up staying at some YHAs along the way, your budget is probably about right.

2. Not sure what the mileage is on the campervans, but to give you some data points, petrol ranged from $1.65-$1.80/liter, depending on where you are. It is more expensive on the South Island.

3. The rental car companies generally include insurance for any loss in excess of $1,000. If you want to eliminate this excess, you will have to pay ~$10/day.

4. As some data points for food, mains at nice restaurants are between $28-$40NZD. Mains at mid-range restaurants are in the $20s.

5. Re SkiMaxPower's point on the ferry, many car rental companies will circumvent the ferry by having you drop your car in Wellington and pick up a new one in Picton. If the company that you are going with doesn't offer this service, you may be able to negotiate inclusion of the ferry cost given your longterm rental. Regardless of the car expense, it's ~$55/person for the ferry.

Just spent a month in NZ, if you have any other questions, shoot.

Second that on the fuel!

Distances make not seem a long way, but roads are often twisty and hilly, with few overtaking oppertunities

Annoying when stuck behind campervans!

Also your budget of the campervan is $3850 NZD. You could buy a car here for a lot less! $1500 should get you a reliable jap import. We got a 1988 Corolla for $1000 five years ago and still going strong!

Third on the petrol, it is pretty expensive. So is food. If you self cater, it should be alright, but even going to cheaper restaurants and cafes will be at least $10 per person. Do that twice and you're already over budget. Also keep in mind that some of the smaller towns on the west coast of the south island don't have proper grocery stores, but general stores. Selection is limited and prices are high.

Accommodation budget should be good.

Have fun!

Hhhm??? Seems you have a good budget... New Zealand is relatively expensive for travelling mainly because of all the attraction it has to offer. You can plan on at least 1,000 US Dollar per person per month.

Estimate you budget for:
Transportation
Food
Accommodation
Extra for special attractions

ya Budget seems resonable....the only thing I would comment on is the food, $70NZD per day, seems very high. If you self cater you could easily cut that in half, i'm just finishing up 3 months in NZ. If you have any questions let me know.

Safe travels

Let me tell you what, instead of a Spaceship go for a the Rotovegas (one of my favorite). also for two people but booking it this month for hire on april /may would only cost you $40. i don't know which site you've had that quote. but if you wanna stick with the spaceship you can get it at $49NZ at Motorhome New Zealand. Ask them if they can give you a discount. you likely will for a two-month rental

That's money wise

I spent 26 days in New Zealand back in Dec 07 and spent:

$553 - lodging (hostels)
$601 - transport ($506 for stray backpacker bus to North/South islands)
$557 - food (little self catering, lots of Cadbury)
$959 - sightseeing (lots of activities - not all adrenaline fueled)
$335 - miscellaneous (internet access, cross trainers, etc)

$3,005 - total (US exchange rate wasn't good back then, but yeah, I spent a crapload!)

From what I've heard, petrol prices in NZ are around NZ$1.15/$1.20 a litre - they jumped about 3 cents a litre back in December.

I drive a small Honda Jazz and it would cost around NZ$36.00 to fill the tank - a camper van will cost more. Considering the amount of driving you'll be doing, diesel will work out cheaper.

You don't indicate which areas you'll be staying in hostels, but I stayed in mostly YHA's (in both islands) and can recommend them. While they may be a little higher than others, YHA have certain standards and are better. My favourite ones were in Paihia, Wellington, Franz Josef, Greymouth and Lake Tekapo. Should you be hostelling in Hanmer Springs, I do not recommend Hanmer Backpackers, but the YHA there was excellent.

I was in NZ for 5 and a half weeks in 2007 and all up it cost around AUD$3,000 - that includes everything from air fare to the smallest chocolate bar. Tours were around AUD$360. They would have been higher but I had a fall and had to cancel several tours.

HTH. Have a great trip.
Kia Ora.

My boyfriend and I will be using a friend's car to drive around the South Island in a few months.

At NZ$1.20 per liter, that's about US$3.11 per gallon, right? Am I doing the math correctly?

That's actually not that bad at all. Right now, gasoline is $3.00 per gallon where I live in the US.

Good idea cascada... You will save more if you travel with private car... plus you can stop wherever you want to see beautiful places along the road.

RTW2010 wrote:. Campervan Rental (Spaceship): US $50/day (NZ $70) for 55 days (based on a quote for the same time period in 2010)

Prices will not be the same as the previous year - they tend to increase. And I'd allow more than $14 a day for petrol. Better to err on the generous side.

@Dave - GoBackpacking. Wow, NZ is pretty damn expensive! I wasn't aware of this. Might have to reconsider this as a destination no my RTW trip list. Thanks!

Ry wrote:@Dave - GoBackpacking. Wow, NZ is pretty damn expensive! I wasn't aware of this. Might have to reconsider this as a destination no my RTW trip list. Thanks!

Asia is a cheaper destination. I was in NZ for 37 days and all told it cost me around $3,000, but this included my return air fare - everything. How much you spend depends a lot on what you do. I mostly self-catered, but did buy take-away sometimes.
I found NZ was a little cheaper than Australia.