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Explore Thrifty's Blogosphere for Insider Car Tips, Travel Tales, and Budget-Friendly Adventures - Where Every Ride Starts with Knowledge and Ends with a Smile!

Cheap and Cheerful Roadside Attractions in the North Island

The North Island’s roads are full of surprises, and this guide will let you in on some of the ones worth seeking out.

How to Explore the South Island on a Tight Budget With a Rental Car

The South Island is one epic place to drive around, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend an epic amount of money along the way. Here’s how to see the best of the island the Thrifty way.

How to Spend a Week in Dunedin with Children

Dunedin is full of character, and that character comes to life when kids are around. Here’s how to make the most of a week in Dunedin as a family.

Thrifty’s Guide to Budget Road Tripping in New Zealand

Explore the unforgettable New Zealand by car, on a budget. This guide will take you from coast to snow, and everything in between, without overspending or missing out.

How to Make the Most of Wellington in a Weekend

Short on time but big on curiosity? This two-day guide to Wellington shows you how to experience the capital’s best food, culture, and scenery—with freedom and flexibility.

The Ultimate Kiwi Road Trip Culinary Guide

The best way to experience New Zealand? One bite at a time. From fish and chips by the beach to artisan cheeses and vineyard lunches, this road trip-ready guide helps you eat well across the country—without blowing your budget or missing the good stuff.

Wellington’s Top Festivals

Dubbed by Lonely Planet as ‘the coolest little capital in the world’, it’s easy to see why millions flock to Wellington every single year. One of the main attractions of the capital of New Zealand is the incredible array of festivals that are hosted every single year in the city.

Ultimate Winter Road Trip in New Zealand’s South Island

With soaring skylines and snow-capped mountains, winter makes for one of the most beautiful times to road trip around New Zealand’s South Island. Pick up your Thrifty rental car and get going on the road with this guide to the ultimate road trip through Te Waipounamu.

Top 10 Things to Do in in New Zealand (That You Can’t Do Anywhere Else)

Discover the experiences you can have in New Zealand—and only in New Zealand—with this easy guide.

The Best Time to Visit the North Island: Weather, Festivals & Seasonal Travel Tips

New Zealand’s North Island has something for everyone, every season. This guide will give you a rundown of what each season has to offer, so you can pick the perfect time for your adventure.

Top Four Most Scenic Drives of the South Island

New Zealand is the perfect destination for an awe-inspiring road trip. This is especially true for the South Island: it’s a paradise filled with jaw-dropping mountains, a rugged landscape, glacier lakes, and so much more.

The Best School Holiday Experiences Across the North Island

The North Island/Te Ika-a-Māui provides the perfect playground of exploration for kids over the school holidays, with a range of family-friendly locations and activities to discover new kinds of fun.