Back-to-nature campsite? Or a luxury lodge with everything taken care of? Whatever your level of comfort and budget, New Zealand has an accommodation option to suit. Here’s a quick guide to the different accommodation options available to you when you’re cycle touring around New Zealand.
Don’t want to spend a lot?
DOC’s range of conservation campsites offer some of the cheapest overnight stays going, with fees starting at just $6 a night per person (and some are completely free). Facilities are limited: a composting toilet and water supply is your most likely setup but the surrounding scenery will more than make up for the lack of amenities. Check the DOC website for a full list of locations.
Campgrounds and holiday parks with a wider range of services can be found in just about every corner of New Zealand. Most provide well-equipped communal kitchens and fridges, and some have games and TV rooms. Many also offer cabins and self-contained accommodation of varying degrees of luxury.
Backpackers and hostels are a good budget option if you want to meet other travellers.
Want a taste of Kiwi life?
Farmstays are a popular option for travellers who want to really immerse themselves in Kiwi culture. Costs vary widely – some farms offer B&B-type accommodation while others have more backpacker-style shared accommodation. Rural Holidays provides a collection of farmstays throughout New Zealand.
Bed and breakfasts tend to be smaller, independent affairs run by friendly hosts. Like a farmstay, these offer a more local experience than a chain motel or hotel.
More pricier accommodation options.
Holiday homes. The classic Kiwi holiday home is called a “bach”. Typically these were simple, rustic cottages with basic facilities. These days, holiday houses tend to be flashier (and therefore more expensive). Usually the entire house is rented, so this can be a costly option for a single traveller or couple. Book a Bach offers a wide range of holiday homes available for rent.
New Zealand motels are typical to motels anywhere in the world. You’ll generally find a selection lining the highway on the entry and exit to a town or city. Quality and prices vary: a double room in a mid-range motel can cost anywhere between $100 and $200.
International hotel chains can be found in the main centres, while independent hotels are scattered across the country. Trivago is a useful website for finding the best deals on hotel and motel accommodation.
Lodges are a cross between a luxury bed and breakfast and boutique hotel. They’re often in beautiful or remote locations and offer excellent food and wine.
Accommodation on our cycle tours
All our guided cycle tours include accommodation – usually a mix of high-quality, three and four-star hotels and motels. Many tours also include at least one night at a farmstay. All accommodation options have been carefully chosen to incorporate comfort and scenery.
Our self-guide tours provide a list of recommended motels, backpackers, bed and breakfasts and campsites to allow you to book your own roadside lodging.
Check out our full range of guided tours and self-guided tours on our website.
Have a great week,
Steve Inns
