New Zealand travel costs, 2003

The return air fare Sydney to Christchurch was AUS$660 and I paid AUS$100 for travel insurance. In nineteen days in New Zealand I spent a bit under NZ$2000. Most of the costs were shared - the figures here are my share, with items divided by two where appropriate.

Transport - $650

The big items were car hire ($405), petrol ($100), and the Stewart Island ferry ($90).

Accomodation - $550

We stayed in a mix of huts, hostels, cabins, motels, B&Bs, pubs, and one full-on hotel.

• Christchurch YHA - $26.50 (53/2)
• Dunedin backpackers - 2 x $20 (40/2)
• Invercargill motel - 2 x $37.50 (75/2)
• Rakiura huts - 2 x $10
• Te Anau B&B - $38 (76/2)
• Kepler Huts - 3 x $20.85
• Milford Lodge - $22
• Hollyford Camp - 2 x $11.35
• Queenstown hotel - $70 (140/2)
• Glenorchy pub - $29.50 (59/2)
• Twizel motel - $30 (60/2)
• Christchurch pub - 2 x $24 (48/2)

Food - $445

$115 of this was unprepared food, mostly from supermarkets, the rest was from restaraunts, cafes, etc.

Tours & Museums - $120

The big items were the Otago Peninsula wildlife tour ($49) and the Milford Sound cruise ($58). Donations to museums, etc. made up the rest. We saved a lot of money because we weren't interested in jetboating, helicopter flights, and suchlike.

Personal and Miscellaneous - ~$200

A couple of maps ($30) and two books ($80) were the most expensive purchases. I spent $15 on Internet access and $36 having photographs put onto CD from CompactFlash.