High green mountains surrounding bay in New Zealand

G’DAY NEW ZEALAND

Name: Essence of Southern New Zealand
Brand: Costsaver
Price: 1433.0 GBP
Availability: InStock

Destination guide

Nowhere takes your breath away quite like New Zealand. With snowy mountains, glittering glaciers, dazzling lakes and golden beaches, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a movie when you visit New Zealand with Costsaver. We’ll take care of all your New Zealand tour essentials, while you create your dream New Zealand trip with our carefully selected optional experiences. Whether you want to fly over Mount Cook, cruise the Milford Sound, soak in the Franz Josef glacier hot pools, or taste the country’s finest wines, you’ll discover the wonders of New Zealand, but always your way.

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OUR FAVORITE WAYS TO SEE NEW ZEALAND

Essence of Southern New Zealand Guided Tour

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Essence of Southern New Zealand

7 Days

4 Cities

1 Country

7 Days New Zealand Tour from Christchurch to Mt. Cook, Queenstown and Franz Josef. Rugged alpine wilderness in the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, other-worldly beauty in Franz Josef and fast-paced fun in Queenstown: this is the South Island you’ve been dreaming of and then some. Kicking off and finishing up in Christchurch, you’ll tick off the very best bucket list experiences a New Zealand tour can offer, tailored by you. .

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DON'T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT

ESSENTIAL NEW ZEALAND BUCKET LIST ITEMS BY US

Can’t decide what to do in New Zealand first? We’ll show you all the best New Zealand highlights, from the gems of Christchurch to the scenic foodie delights of Cromwell.

Tram car on a street of Christchurch, New Zealand

STROLL THROUGH CHRISTCHURCH

As you wander through all the beautiful green spaces, Christchurch is sure to become one of your favorite places to see in New Zealand. Check out the essentials on our Christchurch tour then go your own way, whether you want to ride the Christchurch tram, cool off at the International Antarctic Center, or go punting on the Avon River.

Cromwell Wineyard in autumn, New Zealand

TAKE AN ORIENTATION WALK OF CROMWELL

Set in the heart of wine and cherry country, the gorgeous town of Cromwell has got to be on your New Zealand bucket list. We’ll show you around with an orientation walk, then get going and check out the scenic lake views, enjoy a glass of wine in the vineyards, or get a dose of history in the Old Cromwell Town.

ENJOY A WELCOME DINNER AT ALPINE RESTAURANT BY MT COOK

Mount Cook is the tallest and most impressive mountain in the country, and we’ll get up close to the icy peak when we dine at the famous Alpine Restaurant. Imagine tucking into the best of New Zealand food and wine while enjoying the remarkable views... New Zealand sightseeing doesn’t get much better than this.

NEW ZEALAND TAILORED BY YOU

Tailor the New Zealand tour of your dreams with our range of Choice Optional Experiences. Choose from adventures like a 4WD tour of the Tasman Valley, a Big Sky stargazing experience, or a Lord of the Rings scenery tour.

Nathalie M.

Costsaver team member

SPEND A DAY WINE TASTING ON AN ISLAND

Skip over to Waiheke Island for an indulgent day of wine tasting. Just a 40-minute ferry from Auckland CBD, this "wine island" is known for stunning beaches, city views, art studios, cool cafes and – of course – vineyards producing some of New Zealand’s top wines.

Rocks and trees surrounding Shotover River in New Zealand

Gemma

Costsaver team member

SOAK YOURSELF IN HEATED PURE MOUNTAIN WATER

This unbeatable experience is a MUST on your Costsaver trip. A kiwi twist on the traditional Japanese onsen, enjoy a lengthy soak in some of the purest water on earth, heated to 38 degrees. Rest, relax, rejuvenate and take in the panoramic views of Shotover River.

Helicopter flying over Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand

Irina

Costsaver team member

TAKE A HELICOPTER FLIGHT OVER FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER

What better way to truly appreciate the vast scale and grandeur of New Zealand's famous Franz Josef glacier than by helicopter? Costsaver offers you a unique opportunity to encounter this unigue and jaw-dropping natural scenery from above. Take in the epic surroundings, this is an experience you simply cannot miss!

WHAT TO EAT & DRINK IN NEW ZEALAND

Wondering what to eat in New Zealand? We’ll show you where to find the best New Zealand food like lamb and crayfish, plus all those incredible Kiwi wines.

NEW ZEALAND LAMB

Lamb is a big deal in New Zealand and for good reason. With the ideal climate, lush green pastures and plenty of wide open spaces, New Zealand produces some of the best lamb in the world. Whether you try it at a backyard barbecue or a fancy restaurant, you’re sure to fall in love with New Zealand lamb.

HANGI

You can’t explore New Zealand food without experiencing a hāngī'. For centuries, the Māori people traditionally cooked in earth ovens called hāngī and it's all about feeding a crowd and bringing people together with good food and company. While you’ll love the smoky, slow-cooked meats and vegetables, you’ll enjoy the friendly Māori hospitality even more.

NEW ZEALAND WINE

If you’re a fan of a good drop, you can’t miss out on a New Zealand wine tour. The country is famous for its world-class wineries, and you’ll love strolling through the scenic vineyards while sampling the premium wines. From Marlborough’s Sauvignon Blanc to Central Otago’s Pinot Noir, you’ll be spoiled for choice in New Zealand.

WHEN IS BEST TO VISIT NEW ZEALAND

Wondering when to visit New Zealand? This diverse country shines in the warm summer weather, but winter offers its own magic with fluffy snow and glittering glaciers.

BEST TIME TO GET INTO NEW ZEALAND’S LANDSCAPES

The spectaular trails and landscapes are at the top of New Zealand's must see experiences. Whether you want to explore them on two feet or hop on a bicycle, it’s best done in the warmer months from October to April.

BEST TIME TO VISIT NEW ZEALAND’S WINERIES

As one of the most popular of New Zealand's tourist attractions, you can see the world-class vineyards at their best during the autumn months of March to May. The landscapes will be lit up in golden foliage and the harvests will be in full swing.

BEST TIME TO EXPLORE NEW ZEALAND’S GLACIERS

You can visit the glaciers all year round, with the warmer summer being the most popular season. Although winter gets chilly, snow bunnies will love all the snow sports that kick off during this season.

PACKING TIPS FOR NEW ZEALAND

Sunscreen & mosquito repellent

Australia is known for its blazing heat and harsh sun, so be sure to bring plenty of SPF reef-safe sunscreen and a strong mosquito repellent for your Australian holiday.

Headphones

You’re sure to cross a lot of land on your Australia sightseeing tour, so bring some headphones to listen to music or podcasts while you marvel at the passing scenery of this beautiful country.

Camera

With so many extraordinary things to see in Australia and New Zealand, you won’t be able to resist snapping away. Be sure to bring an extra SD card so you never miss a photo op.

HOW TO TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY IN NEW ZEALAND

Learn the stories of the Māori people

Take the time to gain an understanding of the history and culture of the indigenous Māori people of New Zealand by visiting historic sites, witnessing cultural performances and sharing in traditional customs like hāngī'.

Go plastic-free

New Zealand is on track to ban all single-use plastics, so help keep the country beautiful and plastic free by using sustainable items like reusable water bottles, bags and cutlery. Be sure to take any rubbish home with you and dispose of it responsibly.

Stay on track in the national parks

New Zealand is filled with stunning national parks, and it’s important to stay on the marked paths and read the signs to avoid damaging the environment and disturbing wildlife. If you do see any animals, keep your distance and never feed them.