The best and cheapest way to travel in New Zealand for more than a week is by buying a car or camper and do a road trip. You can drive in New Zealand for up to a year with your international drivers license or your national drivers license, accompanied with official English translation - read more here. Do make yourself familiar with the New Zealand Road Code.
It probably scares some people to buy a car in a foreign country when they can only stay for a week or so, especially for those who come from asian countries where car prices are sky-rocket-high. Well, I have a good news for you, unlike everything else in New Zealand, car prices are cheaper than in other countries. With $2000 to $5000 NZD you can get a nice car that will take you around the country. You probably can get something cheaper than that, but in a condition that will probably need attention from a mechanic. Since you buy the car to travel long distance, you might want a car in sound mechanical condition. When you finish traveling, you can sell your car in the car markets or to other travellers, for the same price as you bought it, or slightly cheaper if you want a quick sale.
There are other ways to travel around New Zealand on a budget, if you do not like the hassle of buying and selling cars, or if you are only travelling for a short period. There are a lot of backpacker hostels around the country, you can even find free accommodation in return for some work (bear in mind that you need a working holiday visa or work visa to work legally anywhere in NZ, except for Australian citizens). Check out here if you are thinking of work and travel in NZ.
If you travel with friends you can always rent a car and share the cost (car rental prices vary from 25NZD to 250NZD per day). Another option is budget travel buses, for example: Naked Bus fares start from $1. This site has good tips of how to choose your rental camper.
My husband, David, and I have converted our car into a camper successfully. We bought a Hilux Surf 1991 in 2013 for $3000 and put in a customised bed, designed by me, and made beautifully by David. We have had so much fun exploring different places. We chose a 4WD because it enables us to travel on all kinds of terrain in New Zealand, which 2WD's can not reach. Some backpackers prefer a smaller car like a station wagon.
Please check here to buy a car with local price or check out the notice board in your hostel.
It probably scares some people to buy a car in a foreign country when they can only stay for a week or so, especially for those who come from asian countries where car prices are sky-rocket-high. Well, I have a good news for you, unlike everything else in New Zealand, car prices are cheaper than in other countries. With $2000 to $5000 NZD you can get a nice car that will take you around the country. You probably can get something cheaper than that, but in a condition that will probably need attention from a mechanic. Since you buy the car to travel long distance, you might want a car in sound mechanical condition. When you finish traveling, you can sell your car in the car markets or to other travellers, for the same price as you bought it, or slightly cheaper if you want a quick sale.
There are other ways to travel around New Zealand on a budget, if you do not like the hassle of buying and selling cars, or if you are only travelling for a short period. There are a lot of backpacker hostels around the country, you can even find free accommodation in return for some work (bear in mind that you need a working holiday visa or work visa to work legally anywhere in NZ, except for Australian citizens). Check out here if you are thinking of work and travel in NZ.
If you travel with friends you can always rent a car and share the cost (car rental prices vary from 25NZD to 250NZD per day). Another option is budget travel buses, for example: Naked Bus fares start from $1. This site has good tips of how to choose your rental camper.
My husband, David, and I have converted our car into a camper successfully. We bought a Hilux Surf 1991 in 2013 for $3000 and put in a customised bed, designed by me, and made beautifully by David. We have had so much fun exploring different places. We chose a 4WD because it enables us to travel on all kinds of terrain in New Zealand, which 2WD's can not reach. Some backpackers prefer a smaller car like a station wagon.
Please check here to buy a car with local price or check out the notice board in your hostel.
Inside our 4WD
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In action
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Bay of Island road trip
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The picture above, with me in the 4WD, was taken during our honeymoon in Bay of Islands, New Zealand. Now we have made the bed a bit lower by shortening the legs, to give more head room, but we had to take off the back seats to do this. So if you have a ride in our 4WD, this explains why we do not have back seats.
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