Budget Entertainment in New Zealand
L. Bayer

There are many great things to see and do in New Zealand, and there are also many free or very cheap entertainment options for the budget traveler. The most obvious of these are outdoors, including beaches and tramping.



Wherever you are in New Zealand you are guaranteed to be no more than a couple of hours travel from the coastline and public parks etc. The beaches especially are great, and a quick conversation with a local with put you on the right track to the best beach.

Walking and tramping tracks, waterfalls, historical sites and buildings and scenic spots are everywhere and many are available to you for free. Every town, large or small, offers an information center and usually online websites which give very detailed and current information on local things to do and see, so whether you plan in advance or on the spot there will be no lack of entertainment.

In the major centers (Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin) there are also free concerts and events happening all the time, mostly in summer, but also in winter if you look for it. Backpacker’s hostels especially have a lot of information on the best and most current entertainment on offer around the place. In the larger cities there are also free art galleries, museums, shopping malls and fantastic markets. Universities are another good place to find free entertainment, including live music and drama and even the odd lecture if this takes your fancy! If the night life suits you, the larger cities all have a busy nightclub and bar scene, and most clubs are not too difficult to get in to as long as you dress tidily.

Word of mouth is by far one of the best ways to find cheap entertainment. New Zealanders are very open to conversation and friendly, and usually full of advice, as are other backpackers.

The Entertainment and Sights of Auckland

The vast majority of visitors to New Zealand will, at some point, make it to Auckland, which is the largest city in New Zealand. Auckland has a wide variety of entertainment options as well as sights to see.

In Auckland City you will find a large variety of shops, restaurants, nightclubs and theatres, as well as many great art galleries. Everything is within reasonable walking distance, great whether you are staying at an inner city backpackers or a central hotel.

The Auckland Museum and gardens are a quick bus trip away if a more relaxed activity is wanted. Especially of note in central Auckland is the ‘Sky City’ hotel which includes a casino and revolving restaurant, located in the very heart of central Auckland.

Within walking distance of central Auckland is one of the many waterfront areas in the region. Here you can visit the Maritime Museum or a café or take a ferry to one of Auckland’s surrounding islands, each with its own attractions.

The Auckland Zoo is located on the west side of the city, and right next door can be found the fascinating Museum of Technology and Transport.

On the eastern waterfront you can visit Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater Aquarium which includes an underwater experience and a penguin colony in the Antarctic exhibit.

Down to the south of central Auckland and you can experience the Otara or Avondale markets or enjoy yourself at ‘Rainbow’s End’ amusement park, the only one in New Zealand, great for the kids and adults alike.

Auckland is built on a huge system of extinct volcanoes all with their own lookouts and other features. ‘One Tree Hill’ is the most well-known of these and also hosts the National Observatory as well as a beautiful garden and reserve. Another extinct volcano North Head (over the Harbour Bridge) contains a series of tunnels dating back to World War Two. Well worth a look.

If few of these options appeal to you, Auckland is full of shopping centers and surrounded by numerous beautiful beaches. You could do a bungee jump or discover the fishing. There really is something for every person in Auckland.

L. Bayer