Planning a New Zealand South Island road trip? That’s exactly what Australian photographer and adventurer Mitch Dann (@mitch.dann) has just ticked off his bucket list, and he’s returned with a host of tried-and-tested budget hacks and travel inspiration. 

Armed with a Travel Money Oz Currency Pass in his wallet, Mitch hit the road for the ultimate New Zealand South Island adventure, including Queenstown and Milford Sound, and scenic stops in Arrowtown, Wanaka, and Mount Cook. 

Ready to hear the scoop? Keep reading for Mitch’s top money-saving hacks, plus travel tips and inspo to help get the most out of your trip to ‘the land of the long white cloud.’ 

New Zealand South Island: Money-Saving Tips 

It’s no secret that New Zealand can be an expensive travel destination. Between transport, accommodation, and epic activities, costs can add up fast. Luckily for you, Mitch has done the legwork and brought back some golden budget tips to help stretch your dollars. 

Get a Hire Car Outside of Queenstown

If you want to save some precious pennies, skip out on hiring a car from Queenstown’s main centre – you’ll be paying about double the price!

Third-party care hire deals are everywhere, and they’re surprisingly cheap if you do your research. If possible, consider hiring a Hybrid car. Mitch was able to save big on fuel, only spending about $200 for the entire trip. 

Take Both a Currency Pass Travel Card and Cash 

This isn’t just a shameless plug – taking both cash and a travel card, like our Currency Pass, is a must for New Zealand. 

For Mitch, the Currency Pass took the hassle out of managing money on the go. No transaction fees meant more to spend on the fun stuff, and it worked effortlessly across New Zealand. Topping up was a breeze too – just a few taps with Apple Pay or a debit card and he was good to go.

You’ll also want some cash in your wallet for those remote areas and national parks where a card isn’t always accepted. You can pick up all the New Zealand Dollars from any of our Travel Money Oz stores! 

Opt for Overnight Street Parking in Queenstown 

Let’s get into another money-saving gem: parking in Queenstown.
Hotel parking in Queenstown can set you back $45 per night, which will definitely add up. Instead, you can park for free on the streets from 6 pm to 9 am, perfect for when you get back from your daytime activities on the road. 

That’s a whole lot of extra cash for Ferburgers or mulled wine to keep you going through the colder seasons. 

Skip Expensive Airport to Hotel Transfers

While Queenstown Airport hotel transfer services are totally fine to use, they can be quite pricey for even a short trip. 

Queenstown Airport is a quick 10-minute drive from the town centre, where most hotels are located, so a cheap Uber or local bus service is a cost-friendly alternative. 

Save those extra bucks for adrenaline sports or a decent flat white! 

Budget a Little Extra for Food 

After all that adventure sport, you’ll likely have a big appetite after! However, the food in the heart of Queenstown can be a little expensive. So, it’s best to over-estimate how much you’ll likely spend on food so you’re burning through the budget. 

Pro foodie tip: The Kiwis know how to make a bagel! So be sure to treat yourself while you’re in town. 

Fuel Up Before Milford Sound 

If you’re driving from Queenstown to Milford Sound, make sure to fuel up, take a toilet break, and stock up on snacks at Te Anua! While the aptly named Milford Road will leave you in awe of the scenery, keep in mind there are no shops or petrol stations between Te Anau and Milford Sound, which is about a 2-hour drive. 

Although there is a fuel stop in the heart of Milford Sound, be prepared to pay nearly double the usual price. 

Opt for Free Parking in Milford Sound 

If you’re heading to Milford Sound for a cruise but aren’t in a rush to reach the docks, you can save some money by opting for the Milford Sound Free Parking lot. Located about a 30-minute walk from the cruise terminal, it’s a great way to take in more of Milford Sound’s stunning scenery on foot.

Alternatively, there’s the Milford Sound Public Carpark, which is only about a 10-minute shorter walk, but it’ll cost you $10 per hour. If you’re happy to stretch your legs and keep a bit more cash in your pocket, the free parking is well worth it.

Take Advantage of Free Hikes and Activities  

As they say, the best memories aren’t always the most expensive ones. And there are a bunch of free things to do in and around Queenstown, including hiking trails and scenic bike rides. 

One of Mitch’s highlights was Queenstown Hill – and it’s totally free! The 3-hour walk offers 360-degree views of Queenstown landscapes and Lake Wakatipu. Plus, you might be greeted by some goats along the trail! 

More New Zealand South Island Travel Tips 

Plan for Mid-Week Activities to Beat the Rush 

The beauty of being on holiday is that you can book midweek adventures rather than waiting for the weekend to find free time!  

Make sure to plan big activities midweek, as weekends in New Zealand’s South Island are busy with both locals and tourists! Think longer queues and more people blocking those stunning scenery photos you’ll be snapping. 

Don’t Skip out on Visiting Arrowtown 

While only a small township, Arrowtown is a quaint historic settlement situated only a 20-minute drive from Central Queenstown and is totally worth the detour. 

Think cosy, old-school cottages and quirky little shops surrounded by picturesque mountains. While small, there's plenty to do there - explore gold mining sights along the Arrow River, café hop, and bike through the stunning streets. 

Try the Food Trucks in Wanaka and Queenstown 

If you’re passing through Wanaka or gearing up to conquer Roy’s Peak, you’ll want to refuel with some hearty food. 

Wanaka is known for its eclectic food truck scene with flavours of Southeast Asia, Italy, France, Mexico, and more, along with some Kiwi classics. Mitch spent two nights in Wanaka and didn’t have a single bad bite – every food truck meal was a winner.  

Mitch also highly recommends the food vans along the Queenstown Wharf! 

Treat Yourself to a Night at Milford Sound Lodge 

There’s so much to explore at Milford Sound and the surrounding Fiordland National Park, so you might find that one day is simply not enough to tick everything off your itinerary. 

Overnight accommodation in the heart of Milford Sound is limited, but one place stands out – the Milford Sound Lodge. If you’ve got room in the budget to splurge on a night in one of the chalets, Mitch Highly recommends this unreal place. 

With morning views of the waterfalls and Cleddau River, the stay is worth every penny!

Pack a Raincoat for Milford Sound

We don’t mean to sound like a nagging mum here – but seriously, don’t forget your raincoat! You’ll thank us later. 

Milford Sound is one of the wettest places in New Zealand, with rain falling almost every second day. And if you’re hopping on a cruise, chances are you’ll get a refreshing splash (or two) from the towering waterfalls along the way.

So, pack that raincoat or poncho, maybe even some waterproof shoes, and stay warm and dry while soaking in the breathtaking views.

Visit the Milford Sound Marina at Sunset 

If you’re chasing top photography spots, Mitch recommends heading to the Milford Sound Marina just before sunset to catch some truly once-in-a-lifetime views. As the tide recedes, the exposed mudflats create a surreal landscape perfect for snapping photos (or channelling your inner National Geographic explorer!).

For even more magic, take a stroll along the Breakwater Walkway. It’s the perfect way to fully soak in the beauty of Milford Sound from every angle before heading home. 

Book Onsen Hot Pools Well in Advance 

A cosy bath with killer mountain views? Yes please! 

Queenstown’s Onsen Hot Pools are a favourite for both tourists and locals looking to beat the chill and soak in the stunning scenery. It was a highlight on Mitch’s South Island itinerary, and it’s easy to see why!

Just a heads-up, though, this experience books out months in advance, especially the daytime sessions (when you can actually see those incredible mountains), so make sure to lock in your spot early to avoid missing out. 

Make Day Trips from Twizel 

If Mount Cook and the Tasman Glacier are on your New Zealand Wishlist, Twizel makes for the perfect home base. It’s only a one-hour drive to Tasman Glacier and about 45 minutes to the Mount Cook Village.

Twizel was more built up than Mitch was expecting and has all the essentials for your stay, plus some nice surprises (like matcha lattes!). 

Get Free Wi-Fi at Hotel Hermitage in Mount Cook 

Got a phone full of snaps from Mount Cook? We don’t blame you; it’s seriously screensaver-worthy. If you’re keen to upload your photo dump on the go, pop into Hotel Hermitage in the Mount Cook Village to make use of their free Wi-Fi. 

It’s also a great place to grab a coffee and soak in the stunning views for a little longer.  

Spot Saturn from SkyScape 

Ever dreamt of sleeping under the stars? Well, you can (and in style!). 

Tucked away in the remote areas of the Mackenzie Region (near Twizel), are Skyscape's glass-roofed cabins. With minimal light pollution, it’s one of the best places in New Zealand for stargazing and planet spotting, including Saturn! 

If your budget has a little wiggle room, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience that’s well worth it. 

Final Thoughts 

That’s a wrap on Mitch’s tried-and-tested budgeting hacks and travel tips for exploring New Zealand’s South Island! We hope you’ve picked up some golden nuggets to stash away for your own Kiwi adventure – we certainly did! 

One last tip from us: don’t forget to use our Holiday Budget Calculator – it’s a great tool to estimate how much you’ll need to put in the piggy bank and avoid any budgeting surprises before you jet off. 

You can follow Mitch on Instagram @mitch.dann, and be sure to give us a follow @travelmoneyoz while you’re at it for more budgeting tips and travel inspiration!