4 Australia and New Zealand cities by price: Backpacker Index for 2012

19 Jan, 2012  |   Comments (0)  |   Add a comment

Our second-year update to the four major tourist destinations in Australia and New Zealand sees things basically the same as the past year or two. New Zealand is cheaper than Australia by a noticeable amount, but both are more expensive than they have been for most of the past decade due to abnormally strong currencies compared to the USD, Euro, and GBP.

The good news is that both countries have a robust infrastructure for budget travelers, with more hostels (called ‘backpackers’ usually) than almost anywhere else in the world. Self-catering will cut costs in both countries since even fast-food restaurants tend to be quite expensive. Camping or going with a group in a campervan is another good way of seeing a lot while spending less money.

How the Backpacker Index works

Prices for most things are fixed and certain, but prices for a “budget lunch” or a pint of beer can vary depending on whom you ask. Still, our estimates are based on a lot of research, and should be very close if not right on.

Costs for each city

• One night in the cheapest bunk at the least expensive hostel with a good location and good reviews
• Two public transportation rides per day
• One paid/famous attraction per day (Every city is loaded with free things to do for budget-conscious travelers, but here we take the average cost of a major attraction in each city for each day.)
• Three “budget” meals per day.
• Three cheap, local beers each day as an “entertainment fund.” Non-drinkers might have dessert and coffee or attend a local music performance instead, so this is a general benchmark that should be proportional for each city.

Australia & New Zealand Backpacker Index for 2012

1 – Auckland, New Zealand (Cheapest)

Thanks to an incredibly wide range of hostels and budget hotels, Auckland is reasonably priced in general. Most backpackers only stop in the city for a day or two on their way in or out of the country anyway, but still it’s nice that budget options are out there. Fortunately, renting a campervan or taking the backpacker bus to the holiday parks can make visiting these islands quite cheap compared to staying in the cities.

• Currency: New Zealand dollar
• Cheap/good hostel: Silverfern Backpackers – 19/night
• Transportation: 3.40
• Meals: 27.60
• Drinks/Entertainment: 12.00
• Attractions: 14.00
• Daily Backpacker Index: NZD76.00 – US$60.80/day

>>>Auckland prices and weather

2 – Queenstown, New Zealand

Queenstown, in the heart of the South Island, is one of the most popular stops in all of New Zealand. If you are coming just to chill out the price is quite reasonable and the surroundings are stunning, but if you are coming to snowboard or bungy jump and so forth, be prepared for astronomical prices for those things in almost all cases.

• Currency: New Zealand dollar
• Cheap/good hostel: Absoloot Value Accommodation – 26/night
• Transportation: 5.00
• Meals: 31.20
• Drinks/Entertainment: 15.00
• Attractions: 17.00
• Daily Backpacker Index: NZD94.20 – US$75.36/day

>>>Queenstown prices and weather

3 – Melbourne, Australia

While hostels might be a bit cheaper in Melbourne than in Sydney, pretty much everything else will be the same price, so there isn’t much between the cities when budgeting. Fortunately, there are plenty of free things to do in both cities, though unfortunately most of the major attractions are fairly expensive in both.

• Currency: Australian dollar
• Cheap/good hostel: The Ritz for Backpackers – 19/night
• Transportation: 8.00
• Meals: 28.80
• Drinks/Entertainment: 15.00
• Attractions: 10.00
• Daily Backpacker Index: AUD80.80 – US$84.17/day

>>>Melbourne prices and weather

4 – Sydney, Australia

All of Australia is extremely expensive for most people when the AUD and the USD are about the same, as they are in early 2012. If and when the exchange rate gets back to a more (historically) normal level, Sydney will be great fun again, but until then budget travelers will be feeling sticker shock at every turn. Once you get outside the largest Australian cities the prices go down by a bit, but only by a bit.

• Currency: Australian dollar
• Cheap/good hostel: The Palms Backpackers – 20/night
• Transportation: 6.80
• Meals: 31.20
• Drinks/Entertainment: 15.00
• Attractions: 10.00
• Daily Backpacker Index: AUD83.00 – US$86.46/day

>>>Sydney prices and weather

Also check out:

• Africa and Middle East Backpacker Index for 2012
• Asia Backpacker Index for 2012
• Europe Backpacker Index for 2012
• North America Backpacker Index for 2012
• South and Central America Backpacker Index for 2012

Related posts:

1. Australia & New Zealand cities by price: Backpacker Index for 2011
2. 12 North American cities by price: Backpacker Index for 2012
3. 9 Africa and Middle East cities by price: Backpacker Index for 2012
4. 15 South and Central American cities by price: Backpacker Index for 2012
5. 26 Asian cities by price: Backpacker Index for 2012