New Zealand is on the top of so many people’s bucket lists and I don’t blame them. It is insanely beautiful and the people are some of the friendliest I’ve encountered while traveling. I went to New Zealand right after my study abroad semester in Australia. Since I was in college, I was traveling on a college budget. Upon researching, I quickly found out that New Zealand isn’t the cheapest place so I needed to be creative how and where I spent my money. If you’re in the same boat – here are 5 budget friendly things to do in Auckland, New Zealand.
In my experience Auckland was the cheapest city to fly in and out of and hostels were the budget friendly choice for accommodations. While it is definitely possible to budget here, you just need to pick your priorities. As for activities, there are so many cheap to free things to do. So enjoy these cheap activities and instead spend your money on the delicious food or exploring more of New Zealand.
Take the Ferry to Waiheke Island
The round trip tickets for this ferry are $59, which I know isn’t the cheapest, so hear me out. Leave on the earliest ferry and you can spend the entire day here. Once you are there are so many free things to do on the island. It’s also a fun escape from the city and you’ll get a taste of the famous New Zealand nature.
Here are some of the free things to do on Waiheke Island:
- Hike and explore the many trails like the Whakanewha Loop or Point Park Headland Loop.
- Visit one of the various vineyards such as Man O’War Vineyards, Goldie Estates, Stoney Ridge Vineyard or Obsidian Vineyard for free wine tasting.
- Go birdwatching and try to spot some native New Zealand birds at Onetangi Forest and Bird Reserve which is a 125 acre wildlife reserve.
- Relax at one of the beaches like Oneroa Beach or Onetangi Beach. Many have free BBQ’s to use to grill a cheap lunch or dinner.
- Immerse yourself in the local art. There are free art galleries like Waiheke Community Art Gallery on the island to check out.
See the Sights
You don’t always have to pay to see the sights. One of the best ways to see the city is to simply walk and wander around to see the sights from the outside. Go to the Sky Tower, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland Domain (the oldest park), Waitākere Ranges, or The Maritime Museum. See from the outside and then since many of these areas are in a central location, just pick a direction and explore Auckland from there.
Beaches
You don’t have to leave the city to go to a beach. Go to Mission Bay Auckland, Long Bay Beach, Kendall Bay Beach, and so many more. Come here to swim, sunbathe, and relax. Bring a picnic and spend the day here.
Auckland Art Gallery
The Auckland Art Gallery has the most extensive collection of national art as well as international art in New Zealand. The best part is that it is free entry to admire and soak in these storytelling pieces.
Auckland Botanic Gardens
These beautiful gardens have over 10,000 plants that are native to the area and from around the world that grow well in Auckland conditions. It’s free to the public. The Puhinui Stream Forest Trail is great to walk around and will take around 1.5 – 2 hours.
