Traveling cheap in Australia and New Zealand is a different challenge than budget travel in developing regions because the baseline costs are high.

Australia: the working holiday visa (subclass 417, available to most Western passport holders under 30) is the key tool. You can work legally for up to 12 months. Fruit picking, hospitality, construction — the jobs are available and Australian wages ($20-25/hour minimum) generate savings fast. The 88-day regional work requirement to qualify for a second year has variable conditions (often outdoor farm labor in remote areas with basic accommodation). Do it once, most people don't do it twice.

Without working: Australia costs $70-100/day at a genuine budget including hostel dorms and food. The highway drives between cities (east coast, Sydney to Melbourne to Adelaide to Perth) are spectacular and car rental for 2-3 people can work out to $30/person/day for a one-way relocation vehicle (look up 'iMoova' — you drive cars one-way for free in exchange for fuel, often to exactly where you want to go).

New Zealand: the campervan culture is the budget approach. Rental campervans from $60-90/day, split among 2-3 people, means $30-45/person/day including accommodation. The Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite network has sites for $10-15/person/night in locations that are stunning.

The working holiday in New Zealand: available for those under 35 from many countries. Agriculture and tourism are the main job categories. Wages are lower than Australia but so are costs outside Auckland.