Bay of Islands Budget

When it comes to accommodation in the Bay of Islands, you have plenty of options to suit your budget. For a cheap option, consider camping at the Paihia Top 10 Holiday Resort, which costs around $40-60 per night for a family of four. Mid-range options include the Paihia Pacific Resort, which offers rooms from $180-250 per night.

Another option is to rent a holiday home or apartment, which can be more cost-effective for families, especially if you're staying for a longer period. Websites like Bookabach and Airbnb offer a wide range of options, with prices starting from around $150-200 per night.

The Bay of Islands offers plenty of free activities that are perfect for families. Some of the top free activities include swimming at Paihia Beach, visiting the Waitangi Beach, and taking a walk to the Haruru Falls.

The Waitangi Mangrove boardwalk is another hidden gem that's free to visit. Kids love spotting fish and mud crabs in the mangroves, and it's a great way to explore the local flora and fauna.

To give you a better idea of how to plan your daily budget, here's a rough breakdown of what you might expect to spend over three days:

To stay within your budget, consider saving money on food by self-catering or packing picnics. You can also save on activities by choosing the free options or looking for discounts and deals.

However, some activities are worth splashing out on, such as the dolphin watching cruise or a sailing trip to a private island. These experiences are what make the Bay of Islands so special, and they're worth the extra cost.