Feel like you haven’t had a proper summer holiday, but Christmas has left you strapped for cash?

Don’t despair – it’s not too late to squeeze in a break. And there are some incredible close-to-home options that won’t break the bank.

From wallet-friendly island escapes to road trip destinations with a wealth of free attractions and activities, here are five cheap and cheerful summer getaway ideas.

Quarantine Island/Kamau Taurua

Anywhere else in the world, you’d pay hundreds – even thousands – a night to stay on a private island. But you can spend the night on Quarantine Island/Kamau Taurua in Otago Harbour for $20.

As the name suggests, the 15-hectare island was previously used as a quarantine station, but these days it’s a public recreation reserve where visitors are welcome.

St Martin Lodge is the only accommodation on the island, and can sleep up to 30 people, in a combination of bunk and small bedrooms. It costs $20 per adult, or $50 for a family of two adults and two children.

Port to Port Cruises offers boat transfers from Port Chalmers. The 25-minute trip costs $30 return per adult.

New Plymouth

New Plymouth is perfect North Island summer road trip destination. There are so many amazing things to do and see in this sunny city that won’t cost you a cent.

Time your trip around the TSB Festival of Lights, which this year runs until January 22. This free event sees Pukekura Park transformed into an after-dark wonderland of light installations.

Take the time to stroll along the Coastal Walkway, a 13km path which hugs the sea, while families will love the free Brooklands Zoo, home to everything from farmyard animals to cotton-top tamarins and squirrel monkeys.

Rotoroa Island

Many are familiar with the wonders of Waiheke Island, but right beside it is a lesser-known island escape – Rotoroa Island, an 80-hectare sanctuary home to kiwi, takahē, and many more endangered native species.

There’s plenty to keep humans occupied, too. Follow a walking track or take a guided nature walk ($20 per person). You can also visit the museum to find out more about the island’s fascinating history (it was previously home to New Zealand’s first and longest-running addiction treatment centre). Or take your pick of four beautiful beaches, safe for swimming and snorkelling.

The 75-minute ferry ride will cost you $60 return. You can visit for the day, or stay overnight – there are a handful of holiday homes, including the communal Superintendent’s House, where you can stay for $50 per person. The island is blissfully undeveloped, so you’ll need to bring in your own provisions.

Vanished World Trail, Waitaki

For a South Island road trip, the Waitaki District is hard to beat.

Here you’ll find the Vanished World Trail – a self-guided drive that takes you to many spectacular locations, including a site where you can see ancient Māori rock art, the iconic Elephant Rocks, and the Valley of Whales – where bones that are tens of millions of years old have been found.

Pick up a map from the Vanished World Centre in Duntroon. The centre itself boasts an impressive selection of fossils, including a shark-toothed dolphin and the skull of a four-legged whale.

You can even head to the extraction room to hunt for your own fossils – the experience costs $10 for adults, and is free for kids.

Mātiu/Somes Island

Despite being smack-bang in the middle of Wellington Harbour, Mātiu/Somes Island feels a world away from the buzzing capital.

The 25-hectare island is run by the Department of Conservation as a pest-free scientific and historic reserve, home to kākāriki, tuatara, giant wētā and little blue penguins.

You can visit the historic lighthouse, or climb up to the anti-aircraft gun emplacements from World War II, enjoying the spectacular views over Wellington, Lower Hutt and the Eastern Bays. If you’ve struck a good day, you can even go for a swim at the main beach near the ferry wharf.

Until January 31, the ferry is half-price ($12.50 return for an adult). You can visit for the day or stay overnight, either camping ($15 per night for adults) or in one of two houses which can be booked by groups – either the Education House, which sleeps up to 12 from $220 per night, or the Caretakers Cottage, which sleeps up to nine from $200 per night.

While it may be hard to avoid all instances of motion sickness, the tips inside can help you avoid or minimise the severity of motion sickness.

Motion sickness, commonly known as sea sickness or car sickness, is a frequent inner ear disturbance caused by constant movement. Motion sickness can affect everybody, however people’s susceptibility varies. While it may be hard to avoid all instances of motion sickness, the tips below can help you avoid or minimise the severity of motion sickness.

What causes motion sickness?

When travelling, some people get motion sickness, which occurs when the neurological system is confused by frequent motions, such as going up or down. When compared to what the ear understands, the eye sends distinct signals to the brain. This uncertainty might make you feel ill and cause you to vomit.

Try these things mentioned below next time you travel:

Watch what you eat or drink before travelling

Keep a watch on your food, drink, and alcohol consumption both before and during your vacation. Excessive drinking should be avoided, as should meals or beverages that ‘do not agree with you’ or make you feel particularly full.

Try acupressure technique

When faced with an emergency, acupressure can be quite beneficial. Identify a raised or rough area right below your wrist and press your middle and index fingers against it for up to 30 seconds. This cure works like a charm and may help you get rid of any illness. This point is known as the “sixth point on the Pericardium route” in traditional medicine because it reduces nausea.

Carry your favourite aroma for rescue

Travelling with your favourite aroma or essential oils is usually a good idea. They not only smell good, but they also stimulate your senses and keep you diverted from the action. As a result, smelling on them is a simple treatment in times of distress. Consider smells such as peppermint, lavender, cardamom, and even fennel.

Opt for healthy drinks

Caffeine overdose can occasionally cause anxiety and stomach problems. Herbal drinks and mixes might help to calm an upset stomach. Another alternative is to drink something fresh, such as apple juice. If you have motion nausea frequently, you can drink this before your next trip. It can help you avoid vomiting up.

Choose least motion seat

If you are travelling via aeroplane chose a seat wisely, where you can move when required. The calmest section of an aeroplane is over the wing at the centre.

You may also experiment with changing your travel habits. Sitting in the front or centre seat while keeping your eyesight straight, obtaining fresh air in between lengthy journeys, or just stretching every now and then can all help to lessen the odds of being car sick. If you are prone to motion sickness, try to limit your screen time and save the reading list for the hotel room.

Tis the season to be smiling…

Traffic jams, airport delays and tired toddlers – travelling at Christmas, especially with children, can be, how shall we put it, interesting.

‘Tis the season to jolly, but research also shows that over a quarter of us feel the strain and admit to feeling stressed around Christmas. Even if you’re flying off to an exotic destination travelling can put pressure on you – as it could no doubt mean meltdowns, squabbles and tired tots.

However, there is some prep you can do before you get in the car, or make your way to the airport, we speak to Leah Davis, founder of RyRy Compact who shares a few tips with us – allowing you to start of your festive holidays with a smile on your face.

Give Santa a heads up

You’ll be stressing about the turkey and making sure all the presents are wrapped, but Leah says that the most important worry for kids is: How will Father Christmas know where we are? ‘This is a problem that’s easily solved, get your children to let him know in their Christmas letter.

‘If you’re a fan of Elf on the Shelf, get your kids to tell your Elf what your travel plans are and where you’ll be on Christmas Day – just don’t forget to make sure that Elf comes with you!’ Sorted!

Pack their favourites

Although a holiday is a great way to ‘vacate’ your lives for a few days, the kids will want some of their home comforts with them: ‘A few of your kid’s favourite Christmas toys could make all the difference,’ explains Leah.

‘They will help to make your holiday accommodation or hotel room feel more festive – even if it’s just a favourite Christmas stocking or festive pyjamas. Also remember that the festive spirit can come in reciting a favourite Christmas poem or story, which will also help pass the time for those long car journeys with kids.’

Plan, plan, plan

Have you made a list and checked it twice? Planning ahead is they key to less stress over the Christmas period, especially if you’re travelling, says Leah: ‘Include your kids in the planning – they might actually turn out to be helpful and enjoy the sense of responsibility.’

This also includes where you’re going and how you’ll be getting there: ‘Talk them through the travel plans and build a sense of excitement for each stage of your journey, I find this also helps to remove any anxiety they might have around travelling during the festive season.’
Take your own car seat

We know you’re going abroad, and you don’t want the stress of carrying too much stuff. But, have you ever tried to hire a car seat with your rental car? ‘It’s a somewhat disappointing experience,’ says Leah. ‘They are invariably a health hazard waiting to happen. Anti-bacterial wipes aren’t even going to solve this one for you. Save yourself this level of hassle by taking one with you.’

Gift ahead

Thinking ahead, aka present buying and sending them direct will mean more room for the kids and their toys in the car: ‘This will save on time, space and stress as you can rest assured that the perfect gift for mother-in-law is already sitting in Manchester wrapped and ready to go,’ says Leah.

‘But, it’s always worth packing an extra roll of wrapping paper and sticky tape just in case you pick up any last-minute gifts along the way.’

Steamy, multi-cultural, and hugely underrated, Malaysia is Southeast Asia’s unsung tropical hero. Marrying tradition, nature, and modernity, it’s a country of space-age cityscapes, Islamic minarets, and gilded Chinese shrines. A world where South Indian temples back onto million-year-old rainforests. This mish-mash can confuse first-timers.

From what to pack to navigating the nation’s confounding ethnic and religious tapestry, these are the top things to know before you embark on a trip to Malaysia – an experience that can often feel like being in several countries at once.

Planning your trip to Malaysia

Malaysia is a dazzlingly diverse country

Be prepared for many types of culture shock. In multi-ethnic yet predominantly Islamic Peninsular Malaysia, a 69.8% majority of Malay Muslims share the land with ethnic Chinese, Tamil Indians, and a dozen aboriginal groups categorized as orang asli (original peoples). This means that red lantern-studded Chinese temples sit next to Hindu gopurams (temple gates) and the onion-shaped domes of intricate, modern mosques. Prayers go up to the sky in three main languages – Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, and Tamil – and to three main religions: Islam, Chinese Taoism and Hinduism.

A short flight away across the South China Sea, the East Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah in Borneo feel like another world. The former has some 26 different ethnic groups, most of whom are Christian or Protestant, while Sabah is home to another 33 who communicate in over 50 languages and 80 dialects.

Pack for an eternal summer – but carry a light jacket

Tropical Malaysia enjoys steamy temperatures hovering around 86°F (30°C) year long. All you really need to pack are light, loose fitting cotton clothes to best cope with heat and humidity, and a pair of sneakers and flip-flops. If you forget anything you can pick it up here. Also pack a hoodie or light jacket to prepare for the Malaysian habit of keeping air conditioning to frosty levels, especially inside shopping malls, buses and trains.

Technology is widely available…

Kuala Lumpur must be one of the world’s most futuristic cities, with ever-expanding highways, towers and skyscrapers eternally contending for space. Beyond the capital, there’s excellent 4G mobile network coverage and fast wifi at most hotels and guest houses across the nation. Celcom is the best operator when traveling the Peninsula’s jungly interior and Borneo.

…but carry cash in the interior

ATMS (cashpoints) are widely available, but thin out in the countryside, and are often hard to find outside of Borneo’s main cities. Stock up on the local currency, the Malaysian ringgit (equal to US$0.24 at the time of writing) if planning to go off the grid.

The food is something to write home about

The delightfully spicy intricacies of Malaysian food (a concoction of curries, southern Chinese cuisines, and pan-Indian dishes that never stop intermarrying) are best consumed fresh off the street, served without embellishments by cranky local “uncles” – slang for older person – on plastic plates.

The alternative is to sit and rub elbows with locals at a food court, or “hawker center” – large open areas, usually covered by a rooftop, packed with simple food stalls squeezed one against the other.

Partying is a bit more expensive

Compared to its backpacker-centric Southeast Asian neighbors Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, Malaysia is a more expensive party destination because of heavy taxes on alcohol, which is forbidden to Muslims. The rest of the population is free to drink, but forced to pay a higher price.

Alcohol is widely available in major tourist cities like Kuala Lumpur, George Town, Ipoh, Melaka and Johor Bahru while in smaller towns, beer is most often available at Chinese-run businesses. The best antidote to steep drinks and cigarette prices is a visit to the tax-free islands of Langkawi and Tioman.

Etiquette in Malaysia

Dress casual but modest

Due to the constant punishing heat, Malaysia’s dress code is very casual. Wearing short pants, sandals, flip-flops and t-shirts is the accepted norm everywhere, but is considered rude when visiting public offices, where long slacks, close-toed shoes and collared shirts are expected. In Malaysia’s many kampung (villages), avoid revealing outfits to comply with local religious sensibilities.

Modesty is also essential when choosing your beach wear. Bikinis and speedos are fine at big hotels, resorts and the tourist islands off the East Coast, such as Pulau Perhentian and Pualu Redang. But it’s best to wear one piece bathing suits and knee-length swimming trunks on any other beach, where the locals dip fully clothed.

It’s OK to speak in English, if you don’t know Malay

Picking up some survival Bahasa Malaysia (Malay language), the national lingo, is pretty straightforward – with its Roman alphabet and absence of tones, it’s one of the easiest Asian languages to learn. But it’s fine to speak English, especially with Malaysian Chinese and Indians, whose mother tongues are not Malay. Blame it on the British colonization, but practically everyone can communicate in English, and most prefer to do so when talking to foreigners.

You might be unknowingly rude

When pointing at someone or something, use the thumb and not the index finger, which is considered rude in Malaysia. Always keep your voice down, for raising the tone is an absolute no-no – like asking direct questions, which many Malaysians may take as “losing face” or an invasion of their personal space.

When shaking hands, always remember to use your right hand, for the left is considered “toilet hand” in any Islamic culture. The only dining etiquette that matters in Malaysia is to never use the left hand when trying to eat with fingers like many locals do.

Respect nature, and its spirits

When a bunch of foreign tourists bared their bottoms on top of Mount Kinabalu in 2015, enraged Kadazan-Dusun locals blamed their act for the consequent magnitude 5.9 earthquake that killed at least 16 and snapped one of the sacred mountain top’s two iconic “Donkey Ear” outcrops.

Malaysians are very superstitious: The animist beliefs that predate the arrival of Islam to the Malay Peninsula have helped foster an uncanny supernatural world in which nature plays a crucial role. For example, it’s common to “ask for permission” before urinating in the jungle, from where locals never bring anything back for fear of piggybacking a curse into their own homes.

Whenever a group enters a forest, it’s best to give out nicknames or not call out each other at all – spirits are always listening. The orang bunian (invisible forest-dwelling creatures comparable to elves) can trick hikers and campers into following them deep into the jungle to never be seen again.

Health and safety in Malaysia

Call 999 for any emergency

A single three-digit number, 999, connects to the police, the fire department, the ministry of health, the maritime enforcement agency and the Department of Civil Defence. Dial 999 112 if calling from a mobile phone.

Boil the tap water

Because of increasing pollution of water sources and aging buildings fitted with rusted pipes, it’s always best to boil tap water before drinking, or buy mineral water. Most hotels allow guests to refill their water containers. Carrying a water filtration system or purifying tablets can come handy when striking out on multi-day hikes.

Vaccines are recommended

It is advisable to travel to Malaysia after being inoculated against Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid. Malaria is generally not an issue in cities and most forested areas, so a prophylaxis is not strictly necessary. Dengue fever occurs sporadically in cities, but as there are no vaccines for it, the best strategy is to not get bitten by mosquitoes – use heavy duty insect repellent.

Malaysia is one of Asia’s top medical tourism destinations and boasts private hospitals equipped with excellent facilities. Make sure to have proper health insurance cover, or be ready to pay for the premium.

Beware of snatch thieves

Traveling in Malaysia is generally a pretty safe experience for travelers of both sexes, but whether they travel solo or in groups, female travelers should pay attention when walking along the busiest roads of capital Kuala Lumpur – keep your bags away from the roadside, for motorbike snatch thieves are well-known to target women, and some attacks have resulted in a victim’s death.