Aussie Families Flock to NZ for Cheaper Snow Holidays

A Queensland family of five has found that New Zealand offers better value for money when it comes to snow holidays. The Richards' family, who have three children, have been skiing in Australia's major resorts including Perisher and Thredbo. However, they discovered that a New Zealand trip can save them thousands while delivering better conditions.

Sarah Richards, the mother of three, said that getting the most out of their family budget was key to making the decision. 'I did love it down there, but now that I've got kids, I need to think about the best way to get value for money,' she explained.

The family stays in Methven, a small town near Christchurch, before driving to Mount Hutt each day. The combination of cheaper accommodation and a favourable exchange rate made New Zealand an obvious choice. For their most recent trip, the Australian dollar was buying around NZD$1.22, giving families extra spending power.

The biggest saving comes from ski passes. A Mount Hutt day pass costs around NZ$180, roughly AUD$150, compared with peak-season day passes at Australian resorts, which can reach up to $278 at Perisher and $259 at Thredbo.