Traveling in New Zealand is generally expensive. It’s considered one of the most expensive countries in the world, even for locals. As a budget traveler, that might turn you off visiting, but it really shouldn’t. There’s a seemingly endless list of free things to do in New Zealand, despite what you might believe.
Some of the most popular attractions in New Zealand are the ones that will drain your bank account almost immediately. Skydiving, bungee jumping, and guided tours will have you thinking there’s no way to see the country without spending money.
I lived, worked, and traveled in New Zealand for about 10 months, and I saved a lot of money by skipping the pricey activities that most tourists flock to. Of course you should budget enough to splurge on the attractions you really want to see—New Zealand can be a once in a lifetime trip and you don’t want to miss out.
However, you can enjoy New Zealand just as much (if not more), by focusing your time on the free attractions and activities in New Zealand. You might be surprised by how much you can do without spending anything at all.
I’ve put together a list of some of the best free things to do in New Zealand to help you see the country on a budget.
This is not an exhaustive list. When you consider how much there is to do out in nature, you’ll realize there’s plenty to keep you busy. Even within the cities and towns of the country, there’s hidden gems and interesting finds to be had that won’t cost you anything.
I’ve organized the best free things to do in New Zealand by location, and I’ve added extended lists and ideas to a couple of places when I couldn’t list everything.
So skip the overpriced experiences and add these free New Zealand attractions to your must-see list!
The Best Free Things to Do in New Zealand
*Note: there are tons of super cheap things to do in New Zealand (less than $10), but I didn’t include those because that’s simply not what this list is about! I’ve also excluded “free activities” that would require some kind of indirect fee. And, of course, there are numerous walks and natural areas that are totally free—too many to make a full list.
North Island
Free Things to Do in Auckland
- Take a free walking tour of the city
- Auckland Art Gallery
- Explore the Auckland Botanic Garden
- Get a view of the city from atop Mount Eden
- Watch a free movie, check out the markets, & enjoy some time in Silo Park
- Pah Homestead, TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre
- See farm animals at the Ambury Farm Park
- You can walk to the top of the Manuka Heads Lighthouse
- View the Muriwai Gannet Colony from August-March
- Explore the Wintergardens and surrounding grounds in Auckland’s oldest park
- See two giant Kauri trees at Parry Kauri Park
- Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Art Gallery
Free Things to Do in Northland, New Zealand
- See New Zealand’s largest Kauri tree, Tane Mahuta
- Watch the Pacific Ocean & Tasman Sea collide (plus check out the lighthouse) at Cape Reinga
- Walk to Haruru Falls near Paihia
- Go sandboarding on 90 Mile Beach
- Take the short walk to Rainbow Falls near Kerikeri
Free Things to do on the Coromandel Peninsula
- Walk to the famous Cathedral Cove
- Dig your own hot pool at Hot Water Beach
- Hike the Pinnacles Track
- Walk the Coromandel Coastal Walkway
- Drive the 309 Road and check out the waterfall & Kauri forest along the way
- Take a swim at Hoffman’s Pool in the Kauaeranga Valley
- Walk the Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway
- Explore the remote New Chums Beach
Free Things to Do in Rotorua
- See geothermal features up close at Kuirau Park
- Explore the grounds at Government Gardens
- Stand among the redwoods in Rotorua’s own Redwood Forest
- Walk the Nature Heritage Trail along the lakefront
Read Next: 6 Free Things to Do in Rotorua
Free Things to Do in Tauranga & Mt Maunganui
- Find contemporary art at the Tauranga Art Gallery
- Walk to the top of Mt Maunganui
- Go on a self-guided art walk around
- Walk (walk!) to Moturiki Island & check out the blowholes
- Have some fun at the Strand Reserve on Tauranga’s waterfront
- Explore the art & gardens at Te Puna Quarry Park
Free Things to do in Taupo
- Walk to Huka Falls & the Aratiatia Rapids
- Relax in natural hot springs at the Spa Park
- Take a walk around Great Lake Taupo
- Check out Taupo’s street art on a self-guided walking tour
- Take a stroll through Waipahihi Botanical Reserve
Free Things to do in Hawke’s Bay
- Slide down the Rere Rockslide near Gisborne
- Observe the world’s largest Gannet Colony at Cape Kidnappers
- Take a self-guided Art Deco tour in Napier
- Wander along Napier’s waterfront to see art, gardens, and beautiful scenery
- Hike Te Mata Peak
- Visit the Gisborne Botanic Gardens
Free Things to Do in New Plymouth & Taranaki Region
- Get inspired at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery
- Climb up Paritutu Rock
- Go hiking in Egmont National Park
- Visit the Puke Ariki Museum & Library
- Explore the Pukekura Park
- Walk the 12.7 km New Plymouth Coastal Walkway
- See the animals at the Brooklands Zoo
- Whitecliffs Walkway
Free Things to Do in Wellington
- Learn all about New Zealand’s history & geology at Te Papa Tongarewa
- Hear the city’s story at the Wellington Museum
- Check out rotating exhibits at the City Gallery
- Walk through the hills of the Wellington Botanical Garden
- Hike to the Mt Victoria Lookout for the best view of the city
- View the ANZAC Memorial
- Check out the National Tattoo Museum
- Take a free tour of the Parliament buildings
Read Next: 19 Free Thing to Do in Wellington
South Island
Free Things to Do in Picton & the Marlbourough Region
- Hike to The Snout for incredible views
- Walk part of the Queen Charlotte Track
- Hang out on the Picton foreshore
- Watch the ferries come & go at Bob’s Bay
- Bike or walk at Wither Hills Farm Park
- Visit the Millennium Art Gallery in Blenheim
Free Things to Do in Christchurch
- Experience the region’s history at the Canterbury Museum
- Stroll through the Christchurch Botanic Garden
- Admire contemporary art at the Christchurch Art Gallery
- See the Cardboard Cathedral
- Visit the beautiful Mona Vale Gardens
- Search for street art around the city
- Explore the Riccarton Bush
- Visit New Zealand’s Air Force Museum
Free Things to Do on the East Coast
- Experience the past in Oamaru’s Victorian District
- Go see the Moeraki Boulders
- Visit the Forrester Gallery in Oamaru
- Stroll through the amazing Elephant Rocks
- See Yellow-eyed Penguins at the Bushy Beach Scenic Reserve
- Check out the exhibits at the North Otago Museum
- Visit the Aigantighe Gallery in Timaru
- Take a walk through the Oamaru Public Gardens
- Head to the harbor in Oamaru to see steampunk art and the steampunk playground
Free Things to Do in Dunedin
- See a range of exhibits at the Otago Museum
- Walk up the World’s Steepest Street (Baldwin Street)
- Learn about the history of New Zealand’s people at the Otago Settlers Museum
- Check out the Railway Station, one of the southern hemisphere’s most-photographed buildings
- Take a walk in the Dunedin Botanic Garden
- See more art at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery
- Go on a self-guided architecture walk
- Discover the city’s street art scene
Free Things to Do in the Southern Lakes Region
- Hike to the top of Queenstown Hill
- Get a photo of “That Wanaka Tree”
- Visit Historic Arrowtown & the Chinese Settlement
- Walk from Queenstown to Frankton for amazing views of Lake Wakatipu
- Hike Roys Peak in Wanaka
Free Things to Do on the West Coast
- Explore Karamea’s Oparara Basin
- Check out the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
- Take the “Jade Discovery Tour” at the Mountain Jade store in Hokitika
- Head to the Hokitika Gorge
- See waterfalls & tunnels on the Charming Creek Walkway
- Walk to Cape Foulwind to see the lighthouse & seal colony
Free Things to Do in Nelson
- Walk up to the ‘Centre of New Zealand’
- Stroll through Queens Garden
- Visit the Suter Art Gallery
More New Zealand Budget Tips:
13 Ways to save Money in New Zealand
19 Free Things to Do in Wellington
How Much Does it Cost to Travel New Zealand
