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New Zealand Magic
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Length
17 Days
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Quality
This indicates the overall quality of the tour operator's products. A low rating does not mean it is not good - it just means that it does not include as much, or perhaps is of a more standard quality than the higher quality tours. For example, a 3 star quality rating means that it is a more standard/economical tour, while 5 stars is a very luxurious tour that often includes a lot of amenities. -
Starts in
Christchurch (New Zealand)
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Ends in
Auckland (New Zealand)
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Available Tour Start Dates
SEP 28, 2026 to MAR 29, 2027
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Activity Level
No Rating Provided
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Language
English
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Guaranteed Date(s)
Yes means that there is at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur. No means that there is not at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur, which usually means that the vendor wants a certain amount of reservations on each tour in order for each one to occur. Of course, the terms and conditions of the vendor do allow for the vendor to cancel guaranteed tour dates for certain reasons (for example, a natural disaster).Yes
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Special Interest(s)
Cost Saver Escorted
From
Pricing listed is per person, based on double occupancy, and is the least expensive price for at least one departure date of this tour. Price is for the tour only. Additional items, including but not limited to, airfare (unless noted otherwise), travel insurance, and more, are additional.
$5,785.34
Overview
From bubbling geysers and yawning gorges to gem-like glaciers and mirror-still lakes, New Zealand punches well above its weight. Add snow-tipped mountains, subtropical islands and cities and towns with plenty of personality and you’ve got two islands packed with variety. You’ll also feel Māori culture woven through the journey, from stories and traditions to powerful performances. Make no mistake – this journey from south to north is the ultimate New Zealand tour. Magic is an understatement. This trip is accompanied by a Travel Director and Driver.
Visited During Tour
Auckland (New Zealand) | Bay of Islands (New Zealand) | Christchurch / Otautahi (New Zealand) | Dunedin (New Zealand) | Franz Josef / Ka Roimata O Hine Hukatere (New Zealand) | Omarama | Picton (New Zealand) | Queenstown (New Zealand) | Rotorua (New Zealand) | Te Anau (New Zealand) | Wellington (New Zealand)
Dates, Offers & Prices
Tour Itinerary
More Details
Dates, Offers & Prices
The following are New Zealand Magic tour dates available from Costsaver. Select a bonus offer graphic to view its details, including its terms.
There is at least one departure that the vendor is advising is Not Available for the selected year. Click here if you would like such tours to be included below.
Tour Itinerary
Costsaver Tour Code 565-892
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Day
1Welcome to Christchurch
Kia ora and welcome to Christchurch, the ‘Garden City’ with a fresh, easy vibe. After arriving, take some time to do things your way. Stretch your legs in the riverside parks, browse the city centre or simply relax and reset after the flight. Tonight, meet your Travel Director and your fellow travellers for a friendly tour briefing and drinks. You’ll get the inside scoop on what’s coming up, plus a few handy tips to help you make the most of every stop. Then it’s an early night or a quick stroll. Your call.
Accommodations: Ibis Hotel Christchurch -
Day
2Christchurch - Franz Josef/Waiau
Your South Island adventure kicks off with a classic. Board the TranzAlpine train and cruise towards Arthur’s Pass, rolling through tunnels and over viaducts with big views of snowy peaks, icy rivers and deep gorges. From there, head to Hokitika, the West Coast’s heritage hub and a great place to see pounamu, New Zealand greenstone. Then it’s onwards to Franz Josef/Waiau, gateway to the Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere. Want the wow factor? Choose a scenic helicopter flight for a bird’s-eye view, and if the weather plays nice you may even land on the ice.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodations: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier -
Day
3Franz Josef/Waiau - Queenstown
Today is packed with scenery and tasty pit stops. Travel over Haast Pass where waterfalls tumble beside the road and mountain backdrops keep showing off. The Southern Lakes region rolls into view with Lake Hāwea and Lake Dunstan looking seriously photogenic. You’ll pause at the Jones Family fruit stall to refuel with sweet, flavour-packed stone fruit. Then it’s onto Arrowtown, a former gold rush village with tree-lined streets and boutique shops that feel straight out of a film set. Later, arrive in Queenstown with Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables setting the scene for your next few days.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown -
Day
4Queenstown Free Time
Queenstown is all about choice, so today you set the pace. Want fast and fun? Add a Choice Experience high-octane jet boat ride and feel the spray and speed. More into nature? Try another Choice Experience with a visit Kiwi Park to meet some of New Zealand’s feathered locals. Wine fans can sip their way through nearby vineyards. However you spend the day, be sure to be back in time for tonight’s highlight. Glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue dinner. Good food, great views, holiday sorted.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodations: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown -
Day
5Queenstown - Te Anau
From the first moment today, nature takes charge. Travel past Mirror Lakes and through the dramatic Cleddau Valley as you make your way towards Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. This World Heritage-listed wonder delivers the goosebump moments, with towering cliffs and waterfalls creating a misty curtain across the fiord. Keep watch for dolphins, they’re often spotted here. After your cruise, journey back through Fiordland National Park where beech forests, meadows and gin-clear rivers shape the landscape. By evening, you’ll arrive in Te Anau, calm and beautiful on the edge of the South Island’s biggest lake. Breathe it in.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodations: Distinction Luxmore Hotel -
Day
6Te Anau - Dunedin
Start the morning with a lakeside stroll if you fancy it. Te Anau is at its best early, when the water is glassy and the air feels extra crisp. Then say goodbye to Fiordland’s forested slopes and roll on to Dunedin, often called the Edinburgh of the South. This city has a stylish, historic feel with plenty to explore. Spend the afternoon your way, maybe in art-filled lanes, local cafes or a cold one at Speight’s Brewery. You could also take a Choice Experience to visit grand Larnach Castle or head out to spot wildlife like seals and penguins. Your Travel Director will point you in the right direction.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City -
Day
7Dunedin - Omarama
No alarms if you don’t want them, time is on your side this morning. Take a relaxed wander through Dunedin, perhaps along George Street or around Otago University’s impressive grounds. If gardens are your thing, you can also seek out New Zealand’s oldest public gardens for a peaceful start. Then it’s on to Oamaru, known for its stately tree-lined streets and handsome limestone buildings that give the town a distinctive look. Grab a photo, browse a little and enjoy the change of pace before continuing inland. Tonight you’ll settle into Omarama, a small place with wide skies and a real ‘get away from it all’ feel.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodations: Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel -
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8Omarama - Christchurch
This morning, the Canterbury Plains put on a show. Expect turquoise lakes, mountain peaks and small towns with plenty of character. Stop in Tekapo for an Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience hosted by passionate Local Guides. It’s quiet, calm and the kind of night sky moment you’ll talk about long after the trip. Then it’s back to Christchurch where your Travel Director will guide you through the city’s comeback story on a sights tour. See the Transitional Cathedral, built largely from cardboard and view Tūranga, the striking gold-clad central library. You’ll feel the energy of a city that’s rebuilt with creativity and grit.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: Ibis Hotel Christchurch -
Day
9Christchurch - Picton
Hit the road towards Kaikōura, where dramatic coastline meets big ocean views. This is New Zealand’s marine wildlife centre, so keep your eyes peeled for seals lounging on the rocks or even a whale offshore if luck is on your side. Continue north as the scenery shifts again, skirting the pink-tinged crystallisation ponds of the Lake Grassmere Salt Works. Then arrive in Picton, a pretty seaside fishing village and your gateway to the Marlborough Sounds. Tonight is perfect for a relaxed dinner by the water and a slow stroll through town. Tomorrow brings a ferry crossing, so enjoy the calm while you’ve got it.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: Picton Beachcomber Inn, Picton Yacht Club -
Day
10Picton - Wellington
Today you swap wheels for water. Board the ferry and cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound, up the Tory Channel and across Cook Strait from the South Island to the North. Find a spot on deck and watch the inlets and forested hills slide by as you weave through the sounds. Then it’s into Wellington, New Zealand’s cool little capital with a serious cafe game and a lively creative streak. On arrival, enjoy a city sights tour to get your bearings. After that, you’re free to track down a great coffee, a tasty dinner spot or a hidden bar. Your Travel Director has the local tips.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: James Cook Grand Chancellor -
Day
11Wellington - Rotorua
The road north serves up classic New Zealand scenery, with Lake Taupō stretching wide and bright as you travel. Before long you’ll reach Rotorua, where steam rises from the earth and the air carries that unmistakable geothermal edge. Tonight, go deeper into Māori culture at Te Puia on the Te Pō Indigenous Experience. You’ll begin with an exhilarating performance inside the beautifully carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua. Then join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience to see the powerful Pōhutu Geyser in action before sitting down to a buffet dinner of locally sourced, hāngī-inspired flavours.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodations: Ibis Rotorua Hotel -
Day
12Rotorua Free Time
Rotorua is made for choosing your own adventure. Choose a Choice Experience and ease into a slower day with a soak at Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa, perfect for tired legs and holiday mode. If you’re a film fan, today is also a great chance to join a Choice Experience to visit Hobbiton and step into the world of The Lord of the Rings. Even if you’ve never seen the films, the rolling farmland and cute details make it a fun countryside escape. Not sure what suits you? Your Travel Director can share tips for walks, viewpoints and local favourites. However you spend it, you’ll finish the day feeling recharged.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: Ibis Rotorua Hotel -
Day
13Rotorua - Auckland
Time to chase some glow. Cross the Waikato region and head to the Waitomo Caves, where thousands of glowworms turn the darkness into a twinkling ceiling of light. You’ll cruise through limestone waterways and feel like you’ve stepped into another world. Then it’s onwards to Auckland, New Zealand’s biggest city and a place that loves its harbours. You’ll see why from a lookout at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, with boats and yachts adding sparkle to the water below. Tonight, enjoy a free evening to explore the waterfront, grab a bite or simply relax. Your Northland chapter starts tomorrow.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre -
Day
14Auckland - Bay of Islands
Farewell to the ‘City of Sails’ as you travel north to the Bay of Islands, where turquoise water wraps around more than 140 islands. It’s a beauty spot with real significance too. At the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, learn where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 between Captain William Hobson and Māori chiefs. Your Local Guide will bring the stories to life, often with a personal connection to the site. You’ll see the world’s largest ceremonial war canoe and a richly carved meeting house, and gain a deeper understanding of New Zealand’s history. The views are stunning, and the meaning runs deep.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodations: Copthorne Hotel and Resort -
Day
15Bay of Islands Free Time
Today is all about freedom and your Bay of Islands wish list. Go big with a Choice Experience up to Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua, travelling via the dreamy sweep of Ninety Mile Beach. Prefer to stay on the water? Cruise out to the iconic Hole in the Rock with a Choice Experience to enjoy island views, salty air included. You can also choose a tour of Russell to hear stories of early settlement and seaside life. Or keep it simple, find a great cafe, take a coastal walk and let the scenery do the work. Your Travel Director can help you pick what fits.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: Copthorne Hotel and Resort -
Day
16Bay of Islands - Auckland
This morning you start heading south, with a handy stop in Whangārei along the way. It’s a quick snapshot of Northland life, where nature and modern culture sit side by side. Take a brief stroll, grab a coffee and enjoy one last hit of fresh coastal air. Then settle back in for the drive to Auckland, watching the landscapes shift as you return to the city. Tonight, raise a glass with dinner and drinks to toast your adventure from glaciers to glowworms and just about everything in between. Swap photos, swap stories and enjoy that end-of-trip glow with your travel mates.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre -
Day
17Farewell from Auckland
t’s time to say haere rā to Auckland. If you’ve got a little spare time, squeeze in one last waterfront wander or a final flat white before you go. Then it’s onward to the airport with a camera roll full of highlights, from Milford Sound/Piopiotahi’s waterfalls to Rotorua’s steaming valleys and the jewel-blue Bay of Islands.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
More Details
Costsaver is informing us of the following additional details regarding their New Zealand Magic tour:
Travelers Notes
* NEW ZEALAND: USA passport holders require an Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) for New Zealand. It must be obtained on-line prior to departure from the Country of Origin. We recommend applying 60 days prior to departure. * IMPORTANT: Please see important Visa details sent with your invoice.* ARRIVAL: Arrive into Christchurch International Airport (CHC) no later than 16:00. Trip starts at 18:00.* DEPARTURE: Depart from Auckland International Airport (AKL). Flights to depart anytime.* TRANSFERS: Chargeable transfers available for guests who have booked their extra hotel nights with Costsaver. Guests booking independent hotel nights will need to make their own transfer arrangements.* FITNESS REQUIREMENT: Low-medium level of fitness required. This tour is not recommended for people who have difficulty walking. As well as walking, there will be considerable time standing.* TE PUIA - TE PO EXPERIENCE: Involves walking around 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) at a slow pace. The terrain is gravel paths, boardwalks and uneven natural ground in some places.* GROUND HANDLER: This trip operates by AAT Kings.* NOTE: This Trip falls under LEVEL 1. Please review the Deposit, Payment and Cancellation fees policies on our website.
Pricing listed above for tours is per person, in US Dollars, and is based on double occupancy. Pricing may change for other occupancy types. Pricing is based on the last time the vendor electronically sent us pricing data, which varies by vendor (usually occurs overnight or multiple times throughout each day).
Pricing and availability are subject to change and must be confirmed by one of our travel advisors, who can contact the vendor to do so. Intra-vacation air (also referred to as internal air) is usually based on economy class seating (do not assume otherwise, unless explicity noted otherwise) and may be 100% non-refundable at time of final payment. Air quotes (including intra-vacation airfare) may be subject to change until final payment has been received by the vendor. Flight confirmation may be based on availability. Air reservations may not be able to be confirmed until a passport copy is received by the vendor. The following charges are not included in the vacation price unless otherwise noted: airfare to and from the start of your vacation; airline baggage fees including checked and/or excess baggage fees; Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees, including the September 11th Security fee, passenger facility charges, Federal domestic flight segment fees, and U.S. and international arrival and departure and other government-imposed fees added by the airline and applicable at time of booking; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship's crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or onboard your vessel (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; optional excursions; additional activities and excursions purchased online; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection; and all other items of a personal nature. Itinerary details are provided by the vendor. Vendors may reserve the right to change itineraries, even on existing reservations. There may be instances where the name of a tour contains a tour length in it, but where there is a version of the tour that is a different number of days in length. You can check the true length of a tour by referring to the length value listed in association with that tour. Destination images displayed on this web page, some which are supplied by the related vendor and some which are not, are intended to simply give a general representation of the region of the world being visited during the tour. Such images are not necessarily of the exact areas being visited during the tour. Hotel details (including, but not limited to: rating/class, descriptions, images, amenities and addresses) are provided by Costsaver. Hotel amenities may be communicated in shorthand by Costsaver (for example, if "Laundry" is listed that may only mean that the hotel has an optional fee-based service that would allow for your laundry to be done by their staff). We reserve the right to correct errors.