How to go on a 10D9N trip in South New Zealand under SGD8,500
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New Zealand finally fully opened their borders on 31 July 2022, after 2 years since March 2020. Known for being a place that has everything Singapore doesn’t have, from mountains to glow caves to beautiful blue lakes, New Zealand is a perfect place for a getaway from city life’s hustle and bustle. If you are thinking about heading down to New Zealand for the long holidays, this blog encapsulates all that you need to know on budgeting in New Zealand, giving you that perfect head start to your planning!
Pre-flight requirements
Good news! From 20 Oct onwards, travellers flying by air to New Zealand “do not need to complete the Traveller Declaration”. Travellers are no longer required to test for COVID-19 upon arrival, prove vaccination status or provide contact tracing information to enter the country.
All that you need to do is to:
- Complete the Passenger Arrival Card
- Bring a valid passport
- Bring NZ Visa or NZeTA
When’s the best time to visit New Zealand?
November to February. November to December is the period of Spring (16-19˚C), and Summer (20-25˚C) follows till March. During these months the weather in New Zealand is bright and sunny, perfect for outdoor New Zealand adventures! Keep in mind that rainfall is more common during the Spring than in the Summer, but there’s higher travel volume in the Summer which may lead to higher transport costs, so there are multiple things you may need to consider before deciding on which is the best time for you to visit.
What’s the flight ticket price like?
Here comes the most expensive part of the trip, the plane ticket. Being on a budget, obviously, we won’t be covering anything else but the glorious economy tickets. For your 10D9N trip, we’d recommend for you:
- head to Christchurch International Airport, and then
- fly back to Singapore from Queenstown Airport.
We will explain why at the end of the blog, but first, the airfares!
Singapore to Christchurch International Airport
| Month/Type of flight | Direct | 1 stop | 2 stops + |
| Nov 2022 | ~$3,300 | ~$1,500 | <$1,000 |
| Dec 2022 | ~$3,000 | ~$1,500 | <$1,000 |
| Jan 2023 | ~$3,200 | ~$2,300 | ~$1,500 |
Queenstown Airport to Singapore
|
|
Direct |
1 stop |
2 stops + |
|
Nov |
NA |
~$1,000 |
<$1,000 |
|
Dec |
NA |
~$1,500 |
~$1,000 |
|
Jan 2023 |
NA |
~$1,500 |
~$1,000 |
Airfares from Cheapflights, taken on 21 October 2022.
Best way to travel within New Zealand?
Hands down – by car. Not saying that New Zealand’s public transport is bad, but rather it’s not a good choice in consideration of time and also, it gets really inconvenient if you’d like to go to specific places, especially those which are off-the-road. And don’t forget – you are at the mercy of your luggage.
Car Rentals in New Zealand
It’s highly recommended that you rent your car online early, at least a week ahead of time, to ensure that there are cars available for you on the day of arrival, and get the best rates. There’s usually a reasonable extra fee (usually NZD250 or ~SGD200) charged for a one-way car rental from Christchurch to Queenstown, but hey, you just saved 6 hours of your time travelling back to Christchurch and gas fees on the travel back, just to return the car.
| Type of car | SUV (5s) | People carrier (7s) |
| Price for 10 days of rent | ~SGD900 | ~SGD1,800 |
Car rental fees are taken on 21 October 2022.
You may pre-book your rental cars here:
All you need to do is to choose your desired car, fill in your driver details, select your payment methods, and you’re all set! In the event that you decide to cancel your booking, Snap Rentals allows a 100% full refund for cancellation made 3 days prior to pick up, while Rental cars allow refunds made 48 hours prior to pick up for most bookings.
Fuel Rates in New Zealand
As of 24 Oct 2022, the gas price in New Zealand is an average of NZD2.7 or SGD2.22 per Litre.
Assuming you’ll drive 1000km, that’ll be ~SGD2,200.
The total cost of transport would be ~SGD3,100
Where to stay in South New Zealand?
With the variety of picturesque landscapes that New Zealand has to offer, it makes even budget hotels feel like luxury ones due to the views you can enjoy. There is a variety of hotel types in New Zealand, each carrying its own charm, either in its unique architecture, strategic location or the views they offer.
Here is a list of popular places to stay in South New Zealand:
| Place | Accommodations | Price (per night) |
| Christchurch | BreakFree on Cashel Christchurch | From SGD100 |
| Christchurch | Amber Kiwi Holiday Park & Motels | From SGD109 |
| Lake Tekapo | Tailor Made Tekapo Accommodation | From SGD73 |
| Lake Tekapo | Peppers Bluewater Resort | From SGD200 |
| Mt. Cook | The Hermitage Hotel | From SGD410 |
| Fox Glacier | Fox Glacier TOP 10 Holiday Park | From SGD73 |
| Franz Josef | West Wood Lodge | From SGD307 |
| Wanaka | Oakridge Resort Lake Wanaka | From SGD138 |
| Haast | Wonderland Makarora Lodge | From SGD28 |
| Queenstown | Heartland Hotel Queenstown | From SGD172 |
| Queenstown | Kamana Lakehouse | From SGD274 |
| Glenorchy | Riverfront Motel & Villas | From SGD103 |
| Te Anau | Te Anau Lakeview Kiwi Holiday Park & Motels | From SGD39 |
| Te Anau | Tasman Holiday Parks | From SGD96 |
| Marahau | The Barn Cabins & Camp | From SGD67 |
| Total Accommodation cost for 10D9N | ~SGD1,500 |
Rates are all taken from Booking.com on 21/10/2022
If you’re looking for a more private stay based on your driving route, with a larger variety of accommodation options, Airbnb has all the gems for your finds. If you need any advice or recommendations in your trip, you may even start a nice friendly chat with your local Airbnb host, and they’ll share some tips with you!
The average stay per night in South New Zealand is approximately SGD100.
Best places to eat in South New Zealand
If you don’t know this yet, New Zealand is a country with an abundance of agriculture, for both crops and livestock. Food can’t get any fresher than it is in New Zealand, so you’d better get your fork and spoons up and get ready for some scrumptious diggin’. The quality of ingredients is also in a different league for its price. It’s never a sin to splurge on all the calories in delectable food… Leave the rest of your pennies for Singapore’s ‘meh’ foods.
By the way, since we’re talking about food, did you know that New Zealanders are also nicknamed ‘Kiwis’? It originated from the extinct bird species, the kiwi, which was native to New Zealand.
Back to food, here are some popular places to eat in South New Zealand:
| Place | South New Zealand Cafes and Restaurants | Price per pax |
| Christchurch | Fiddlesticks Restaurant and Bar | ~SGD20 |
| Christchurch | Fuse Real Fruit Ice Cream | ~SGD10 |
| Lake Tekapo | Blue Lake Eatery and Bar | ~SGD30 |
| Lake Tekapo | Kohan | ~SGD25 |
| Mt. Cook | Old Mountaineer’s Café, Bar and Restaurant | ~SGD15 |
| Wanaka | Big Fig Wanaka | ~SGD17 |
| Haast | The Hard Antler | ~SGD15 |
| Queenstown | Flame Bar & Grill | ~SGD50 |
| Queenstown | Ferg Burger | ~SGD15 |
| Glenorchy | The GYC Restaurant | ~SGD20 |
| Te Anau | Ristorante Pizzeria Paradiso Da Toni | ~SGD20 |
| Te Anau | Red Cliff Restaurant & Bar | ~SGD30 |
| Te Anau | Ditto | ~SGD10 |
| Regular meal cost per pax | ~SGD20 | |
| Total cost for 20 meals for 10D9N | ~SGD400 |
What to do in South New Zealand
There’s an insane number of things to do in New Zealand it’s mind–boggling as you get spoilt with choices. Well, here are some of the must-dos that you really shouldn’t miss!
Milford Sound
Known as the ‘8th wonder in the world’, it really does live up to its name. Being one of the world’s most incredible fjords and home to many spectacular waterfalls, it’s a place that will never leave your mind once visited. Take a boat to get an up-close view of the Milford Sound’s highest waterfall, Lady Bowel Falls, which is 182m tall. The ticket is priced at NZD10 per adult and NZD5 per child.
There are many things to do in Milford Sound, such as water-sport activities, like kayaking, diving, and snorkeling.
Enjoy your day walking about the nature trails with varying difficulties and distances in Milford Sound, and oh! You don’t want to miss going to Seal Point, where you can see adorable, tubby Milford Sound Seals sunbathing on the rocks.
Things to take note of:
- Bring insect repellent and wear long sleeves. You can never hide from the mosquitoes and sandflies during your walks, they’re everywhere.
- Be prepared to get wet. Layer waterproof pants and a light jacket on top of your comfort wear.
Challenge Rafting – Queenstown
Ready for some thrill and action? Conquer the waves while witnessing the tantalizing beauty of Skipper’s Canyon and Gibbston Valley’s wine region.
There are two activities – Kawarau Jet Raft (mix of jet boating and white-water rafting) and Shotover River Rafting, both priced at NZ$219 per adult and are each 4.5 hours long.
Challenge Rafting activities resume from 1 Nov 2022, after Winter ends. It’s highly advisable to pre-book your session online to avoid disappointment.
Tour Duration: 4.5 hours long
Price: NZD219 or ~SGD178 per adult
Wine Tasting – Queenstown
Oh, this one is a must-go for avid wine lovers. Get groovy in your classy trip to four of Central Otago’s finest wine cellar doors in Gibbston and taste over a selection of 18 cool-climate wines. You may also choose to enjoy their gourmet lunch at Kinross, at an additional charge. Everything from transport and activities are taken care of for you, and all you have to do is sip back and relax.
This Queenstown Wine Sampler Tour by Altitude has been a consistently top-rated tour loved by many and has been awarded Trip Advisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of Best award in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Due to the high demand for this tour, make sure you book your slot ahead of time through Altitude’s website or through Trip Advisor to guarantee your slot!
Tour Duration: 6 hours (10 am – 4 pm)
Price: NZD199 or ~SGD160 on Altitude, SGD130.37 on Trip Advisor
Hooker Valley Track – Mount Cook
If you’re looking for the best hiking trails in New Zealand, look no further. Throughout your whole journey, you’ll be bombarded with spectacular views of Mt. Cook, glaciers, icebergs, and illuminating clear-blue river streams.
This trail is easy to track with its wide paths that are laid out with gravel and wooden boardwalks. A round trip can be easily done in 4 hours, with a distance of 5km to go Hooker Lake (at the end of the track), and 5km back.
Things to take note of:
- Wear comfortable, light clothing, and bring along a waterproof jacket and an extra layer of clothing as the weather may rapidly change.
- Bring along sunblock as New Zealand’s sun is pretty harsh, even when it’s cloudy.
AJ Hackett Bungy – Queenstown
Home to the infamous Nevis Swing, Nevis Bungee and Nevis Catapult, this is the site that truly tests your ability to push yourself beyond your comfort zone. Consider taking up the challenge and earn yourself the privilege to show off to your friends and family back home on how you managed to conquer the Nevis. (p.s. Chinese New Year is right around the corner).
After booking your session online, ensure that you check-in 30mins prior to your bus departure time. You can only go to the Nevis through the Swing Bus, which departs from Queenstown Bungy Centre.
Both participants and non-participants are welcome to the Nevis, following the rates stated below:
Nevis Spectator: NZD50 per pax
Nevis Swing: NZD245 per adult, NZD195 per child (10-14 years old)
Nevis Bungy: NZD290 per pax (Min 13 years old)
Nevis Catapult: NZD230 per pax (Min 13 years old)
Tekapo Springs – Lake Tekapo
Feeling like you need a well-deserved rest after such a long drive on the road (and more to go)? Tekapo Springs is the perfect place to go. Offering a wide variety of facilities like hot water pools, steam and sauna, day spa, and café, you and your family would easily be occupied for the day. You can even stargaze while soaking in the hot pools or lying on your floating hammock! Now, this is the epitome of relaxation at its truest…
The following rates are stated below:
Price of Hotpools + Aquaplay:
NZD35 or ~SGD29 per adult,
NZD30 or ~24 per senior citizen,
NZD20 or ~SGD16 per child
Soak in the Stars Tour price (1.5h):
From NZD119 or ~SGD97 per adult, NZD79 or ~SGD64 per child
Glacial Day Spa: from NZD70
Pre-book your tickets online to guarantee your slot.
Glow Worm Cave – Te Anau
One word to describe this place – insane. Meet and greet the twinkling glow worms, that only show themselves in complete darkness. Inside, it’s as if you just got transported to the middle of the galaxy, as glow worms in the cave look like constellations in the sky, but brighter, and bluer. No words can truly describe how enchanting this place is, and it’s just one of those rare places that you have to experience in order to understand.
The Glow Worm Cave Tour (2h15mins) is held in small groups (max 14 guests per guide), which further includes a river lake cruise across the scenic lake Te Anau, and a forest walk.
Ticket price: NZD99 or ~SGD80 per adult, NZD40 or ~SGD33 per child.
Pre-book your tickets online to guarantee your slot.
Mou Waho island tour – Lake Wanaka
Everybody says: “Mouuuuu~ Wahooo!” It’s the island on a lake, on an island on a lake on an island on the sea! As confusing as it may sound, the views there are nothing less than phenomenal.
Mou Waho is a predator-free nature reserve, used back in 2002 for a breeding programme to introduce the Buff Weka birds which previously disappeared from the mainland in 1920. And its success led to many of those charming birds to be waddling around the island, accompanying you (or pecking you) on your trail. Don’t worry, they’re friendly!
You are only able to access Mou Waho via Water Taxi’s Mou Waho Island tour (3h long), where you’ll depart from Wanaka Marina, and start on your exciting journey to discovering the rich history and geology of Mou Waho.
Price: NZD135 or ~SGD110 per adult, NZD60 or ~SGD49 per child
Pre-book your tickets online to guarantee your slot.
Franz Josef Glacier – Franz Josef
This place just HAS to lie in your bucket list. With so much that Franz Josef Glacier has to offer, and so much for you to experience and be at awe by, it’s definitely a must-go. Summer is the best time to visit, with the temperature being the most comfortable. One thing that you can’t miss doing when you visit Franz Josef Glacier is the Heli-Hike, where you’ll hop on the helicopter with an experienced guide and be brought up-in-the-air to view the spectacular glaciers of Franz Josef. After landing on one of the glaciers, you’d then hike through ice caves! The Heli-Hike is up to 4 hours long, bringing you an action-packed adventure that you will not regret experiencing.
Price: NZD585 or ~SGD476 per pax
Pre-book your tickets online to guarantee your slot.
What’s the recommended route?
New Zealand is a place full of wonders with just so many places to visit, so many things to do and countless adventures to experience. Although 10 days is not sufficient to get an in-depth exploration of South New Zealand, with wise planning, you’d still be able to experience its highlights.
Here’s the itinerary we’d recommend for your 10D9N trip:
Day 1: Christchurch -> Lake Tekapo
Day 2-3: Lake Tekapo -> Mount Cook
Day 4: Mount Cook -> Wanaka
Day 5: Wanaka -> Haast
Day 6: Haast -> Queenstown
Day 7: Queenstown -> Glenorchy
Day 8-9: Glenorchy -> Te Anau
Day 10: Te Anau -> Queenstown
With this itinerary, the time you have to spend on each location is really short, but you can always adjust it to your preference. If you decide to take things slower and stress-free, you can skip Day 7 onwards and keep it for next time!
South New Zealand Budget Breakdown
| South New Zealand holiday budget | Price |
| Flight | ~SGD2,500 |
| Accommodation | ~SGD1,500 |
| Transport | ~SGD3,100 |
| Food | ~SGD400 |
| Activities | ~SGD1,000 |
| Total cost | ~SGD8,500 |
Are you feeling excited about the adventure to come? Ready to pack and leave right now? There’s nothing holding you back, just do it!
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