Mount Aspiring National Park is an undeveloped national park known for its mountains, glaciers, and alpine lakes. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation. Whether you're hiking in nature or taking in the beauty, we'll help you plan the ideal trip to Mount Aspiring National Park that stays within your budget.
How much does it cost to travel to Mount Aspiring National Park ?
You should plan to spend around $122 (NZ$206) per day on your vacation in Mount Aspiring National Park . This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $32 (NZ$54) on meals
- $49 (NZ$83) on local transportation
- $117 (NZ$197) on hotels
A one week trip to Mount Aspiring National Park for two people costs, on average, $1,708 (NZ$2,884). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
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One Week
Per person
$854
NZ$1,442
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2 Weeks
Per person
$1,708
NZ$2,884
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One Month
Per person
$3,661
NZ$6,180
-
One Week
For a couple
$1,708
NZ$2,884
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2 Weeks
For a couple
$3,417
NZ$5,768
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One Month
For a couple
$7,322
NZ$12,360
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Mount Aspiring National Park cost?
A one week trip to Mount Aspiring National Park usually costs around $854 (NZ$1,442) for one person and $1,708 (NZ$2,884) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Mount Aspiring National Park on average costs around $1,708 (NZ$2,884) for one person and $3,417 (NZ$5,768) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Mount Aspiring National Park will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Mount Aspiring National Park on average costs around $3,661 (NZ$6,180) for one person and $7,322 (NZ$12,360) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Is Mount Aspiring National Park expensive to visit?
Mount Aspiring National Park is a charming destination that draws in visitors with an array of travel preferences, spending habits, and budgetary choices. Visitors can find a range of options for accommodation from high-end luxury hotels to mid-range places to budget-friendly hostels.
You can find Mount Aspiring National Park to be very expensive if you're not careful, but methods like enjoying the free hiking trails and finding more rustic accommodation can help you save money.
On average, budget travelers spend $54 (NZ$90) per day, mid-range travelers spend $123 (NZ$206) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $234 (NZ$393) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Mount Aspiring National Park.
Within the Pacific, which is known to be an expensive region, Mount Aspiring National Park is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in the Pacific for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Lake Tekapo, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Sydney.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Mount Aspiring National Park Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Mount Aspiring National Park ?
The average Mount Aspiring National Park trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Mount Aspiring National Park travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Mount Aspiring National Park cost?
Mount Aspiring National Park on a Budget
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Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation 1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$26
(NZ$43)
|
$58
(NZ$99)
|
$112
(NZ$188)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$21
(NZ$36)
|
$49
(NZ$83)
|
$94
(NZ$158)
|
|
Food 2
|
$14
(NZ$23)
|
$32
(NZ$54)
|
$61
(NZ$102)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$12
(NZ$21)
|
$29
(NZ$48)
|
$55
(NZ$92)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
$1-3
(NZ$2-6)
|
$3-8
(NZ$4-13)
|
$5-15
(NZ$8-25)
|
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
When planning your trip to Mount Aspiring National Park, it's important to have realistic expectations about your budget. Many believe they can travel on a shoestring, but that often leads to either uncomfortable travel experiences or some surprisingly high expenses. Consider your vacation style. Do you enjoy staying in hostels, resorts, regular hotels, or vacation rentals? Are attractions and dining experiences a priority? These factors will affect how much you spend and your itinerary.
Who Exactly is a Budget Traveler?
You might think that you're a budget traveler. But unless you're willing to eliminate a lot of comforts from your trip, prepare to spend a lot more than the daily average of $54 that backpackers often get by on.
Young backpackers often get away with this shoestring budget, but it usually involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest restaurants or fast food places, taking public transit or walking, and only visiting free attractions.
Is Your Travel Style Average?
As a couple or family looking for fun, you're likely to choose a mid-range hotel, dine at popular restaurants, and explore the major museums and attractions with entry fees. Most visitors to Mount Aspiring National Park will want to visit the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. After all, most activities do cost money. Therefore, it's sensible to expect your daily budget to be approximately $123 per person, per day.
Dreaming of a Stylish Getaway?
If you're used to premier amenities and elevated service, prepare to spend about $234 per day. Choosing comfortable hotels, dining at award-winning establishments, indulging in extravagant excursions, and relying on taxis or private drivers to explore the national park will demand a higher price range.
Accommodation Budget in Mount Aspiring National Park
The wide range of prices for hotels and accommodation in Mount Aspiring National Park can be very surprising. Some hotels have much higher price tags than others, and in turn offer higher levels of luxury and more amenities. Also, during peak season, prices are much higher. The average price for a hotel room in Mount Aspiring National Park in the off-season is $134, but in the peak summer travel season it will average around $250. In general, you can expect hotel prices in Mount Aspiring National Park to range from $88 to $424. Hostels are typically much cheaper, especially if you stay in a dorm. Also, note that the average hotel price is not always what travelers will pay (see below). You can save a good bit of money if you travel during the low season or shoulder seasons, as room prices adjust according to the overall demand. Booking in advance can often save you money, too, along with taking advantage of sale prices or special deals.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Mount Aspiring National Park for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $117 (NZ$197). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $58 (NZ$99) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Mount Aspiring National Park ? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
If you're headed to Mount Aspiring National Park with your family, you'll likely want to look for accommodations with more room to spread out.
If your visit to Mount Aspiring National Park lasts a week or longer, staying in a vacation rental with a kitchen might make sense for preparing your own meals.
Traveling during the shoulder or low season (instead of summer) means you'll get lower prices on accommodations and have fewer crowds to deal with.
Transportation Budget in Mount Aspiring National Park
In Mount Aspiring National Park, the public transit system is not very good. It's possible to arrange transportation to the trailheads from Te Anau or Wanaka.
Mount Aspiring National Park is fairly walkable in some areas, which can make it easier to see some sights. There are day hikes as well as mult-day back country hikes through the park.
Public Transit: 
(moderate)
Walkability: (good)
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $49 (NZ$83) per person, per day, on local transportation in Mount Aspiring National Park . The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Mount Aspiring National Park is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$49
NZ$83
If you're driving, make sure your hotel has convenient parking.
How much does it cost to go to Mount Aspiring National Park ? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Mount Aspiring National Park will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Mount Aspiring National Park
Dining options in Mount Aspiring National Park are quite limited and of mediocre quality. It's better not to waste too much money on meals when there are more valuable experiences to invest in. Bring plenty of food supplies, because amenities are in short supply in many parts of the park.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Mount Aspiring National Park can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Mount Aspiring National Park is $32 (NZ$54) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$32
NZ$54
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Mount Aspiring National Park is around $32 (NZ$54) per person, with previous travelers spending from $14 to $61. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Mount Aspiring National Park are as follows:
- Breakfast: $3 to $10
- Lunch: $5 to $13
- Dinner: $10 to $22
- Coffee: $3
- Fast Food or Street Food: $5
There are tons of restaurants and cafes in the towns surrounding the national park. There aren't so many within the park so be sure you stock up on food before going in to explore. In the town of Haast, there is a restaurant called The Craypot and they serve incredible fish and chips, and seafood in general. It is located in Jackson Bay, just on the shore. After lunch, you can take a walk out onto the pier that is near the restaurant. Hopefully, it isn't too crowded when you visit this restaurant, as there are only one or two tables available to sit at. You can always order take away though! In Wanaka, Finchey's Bar and Restaurant is a delicious place to eat and it was built on an old jail site from the 1800's.
When you're on the road with kids, look for eateries that have a kids' menu. This can lead to considerable savings, as those meals are generally less expensive. Some restaurants might not highlight their kids' options, so don't hesitate to ask the waiter before you order.
Many hotels provide breakfast at no additional cost, while others charge extra. The quality and price can vary widely from hotel to hotel. Knowing this ahead of time can help you decide if you should budget more. You might find the hotel's buffet is a worthwhile investment, or perhaps a nearby bakery or cafe could be a cheaper alternative.
Why not save some bucks and enjoy the sights by having a picnic? Stop by a local grocery store or market, grab some fresh food, and head to a nice park or beautiful spot to enjoy your meal.
Fill up a water bottle rather than buying drinks every chance you get. It's also kinder to the earth.
Thinking about a tour? Check which meals are included beforehand. You might need to budget for some meals on your own, which can add to your expenses.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Mount Aspiring National Park
It's not a shock that Mount Aspiring National Park draws crowds, as it is known for its hiking, budget-friendly accommodations, family-friendly activities, and romance.
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Mount Aspiring National Park typically cost an average of $29 (NZ$48) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$29
NZ$48
Mt. Aspiring National Park has many incredible natural sights almost everywhere you go. You will see glaciers, pristine snowfields, jagged mountains and the valleys that lie below, cascading waterfalls, and many different types of wildlife.
The Gates of Haast Falls are beautiful to see. They are found on the Haast highway, just after the Gates of Haast Bridge.
The main activities in this area are hiking, jetboating, mountaineering, and heli-skiing. There are many different hikes in the park ranging from many different levels of difficulty. The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealand's great walks and is located in this park. The track takes about 3 days to complete, and it is best to do this during the summer, as the winter can bring pretty severe conditions to the trail. The track runs between Lake Wakatipu and the Te Anau-Milford Road. For a shorter walk, you could look into doing the Aspiring Hut walk or the Rob Roy track; they both take about one and a half hours.
Jetboating is an exhilarating activity to do while visiting Mount Aspiring National Park. It's pretty self-explanatory what jet boating is; you cruise around on a speedboat at very high speeds making fast turns and 360-degree spins. Usually, the boats will also stop somewhere so you can explore the valleys by foot.
There are many companies that provide guides or instruction for mountaineering on the larger peaks in the park like Mt Aspiring and Mt Awful. Heli-skiing is possible on the Northern Buchanans and Albertburn. Keep in mind that a lot of these tracks and activities are weather permitting, so always be sure to plan in advance for that and check with the Department of Conservation before embarking on long treks.
Hiking:
Exploring the hiking trails near Mount Aspiring National Park is a wonderful experience. There are many different types of trails in the park that range from shorter day hikes to multi-day hikes. The difficulty level doesn't always correspond to the length of the hike, so do your research before you set out. Some of the most known hikes in the area are the Blue Pools Track, the Rob Roy Track, the Routeburn Track, and the challenging Cascade Saddle Route.
Nightlife Budget in Mount Aspiring National Park
The nightlife in Mount Aspiring National Park is generally non-existant. Stargazing is the best nightlife in the area.
Calculated from travelers like you
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The average person spends about $5.08 (NZ$8.57) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Mount Aspiring National Park per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$5.08
NZ$8.57
Sure, nightlife is part of the adventure, but cutting down on cocktails can make a surprising difference in your travel budget.
Traveling in Mount Aspiring National Park
Lake Wanaka, New Zealand
Mount Aspiring National Park is located within the Southern Alps on the South Island of New Zealand in the Otago region. The park is named after one of New Zealand's highest peaks, Mt Aspiring, and is one of the best places to hike in the country. It is part of the Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area and one of the many locations of filming for the Lord of the Rings movies. The closest towns to this park are Haast, Makarora, Wanaka, and Glenorchy. One of New Zealand's great walks is located in this park, the Routeburn track, and is very popular among travelers heading to New Zealand for long hikes through the beautiful scenery.
Neighborhoods & Around
Haast, Makarora, Wanaka, and Glenorchy are a few towns that surround the park. If you are coming from the north, you will most likely be traveling on the Haast highway to get into the park. The most untouched coast of the country is just south of the town of Haast. However, it is only reachable by foot, helicopter, or boat. It is well worth exploring; you may even run into Robert 'Bean Sprout' Long, who is the father of New Zealand's most remote family and resides in a small hut in the forests along the coast.
Makarora is a town that is at the northern tip of Wanaka Lake. In this town, you can find accommodations, restaurants, gas stations, campsites, and a couple of hikes to do as well. On the opposite end of Lake Wanaka is the town of Wanaka. This is a larger town and attracts many travelers in both the summer and winter seasons. Treble Cone is a ski resort that is nearby, one of New Zealand's biggest resorts. Glenorchy is another town that borders the national park and is located on the Northern end of lake Wakatipu.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.