5 best free things to do on New Zealand

Rumours has it that New Zealand travel is pricey, but while accommodation and transport can stretch the budget, masses of free and cheap experiences more than make up for it. First check you travel list.

Art-deco Napier

Explore NZ's Art Deco capital this year. Find Art Deco tours, events & more now! Essentially an outdoor museum of art-deco architecture, Napier city was rebuilt after a catastrophic 1931 earthquake. Napier's Art Deco is unique, with Maori motifs and the buildings of Louis Hay, admirer of the great Frank Lloyd Wright.

Auckland Art Gallery

With such an extensive collection of modern art, this is one attraction where even if you have different tastes in art, there’s sure to be something you can both enjoy.Compelling visual arts experience, indulge your sights, sounds and senses in this truly remarkable collection of international and New Zealand art. Entry is free as well, so you can impress without blowing any serious cash.

Len Lye Centre

The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is a contemporary art museum at New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand. New Zealand's most courageous contemporary art museum and home to the collection of modernist filmmaker and kinetic artist Len Lye. Arguably New Zealand's most quirky, colorful and optimistic artist, who has a motto of 'individual happiness now', Lye will work magic on your soul as his vibe fizzes, crackles and pops throughout the sky-high gallery space.

Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony

Cape Kidnappers Gannet Safaris Overland tours takes you into the largest accessible mainland gannet nesting colony in the world. There are some 20,000 birds. One of New Zealand's best bird circuses, such rowdy gaggles of gannets usually nest on remote islands. The best time to see them is November to late February, when the fun tractor tour cranks up

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing in Tongariro National Park is a tramping track in New Zealand. One of the finest day walks in the world needn't cost you any more than trailhead transport, some shoe rubber and sweat. From November to April, trek across a volcanic alpine landscape of dramatic contrasts. The more sure-footed types can embark on a side trip up conical Mount  Ngauruhoe, which doubled as Mount Doom in The Lord of the Rings.