12 Day New Zealand Private Tour from Auckland to Queenstown
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Non-refundable booking. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 11 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 12 Day New Zealand Private Tour from Auckland to Queenstown worth booking?
12 Day New Zealand Private Tour from Auckland to Queenstown is a 288-hour experience in Auckland, New Zealand, from $6325 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 11 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (11)
- Duration
- 288 hours
- From
- $6325 per person
This ultimate 12-day, 11-night tour offers a perfect blend of daily travel, covering majority of top attractions in both North Island (Auckland to Wellington) and South Island (Kaikōura to Stewart Island). It includes a
What you get
About this experience
This ultimate 12-day, 11-night tour offers a perfect blend of daily travel, covering majority of top attractions in both North Island (Auckland to Wellington) and South Island (Kaikōura to Stewart Island). It includes a transfer flight, and optional handpicked activities and luxury hotels, ensuring you experience the best itinerary within your limited time in NZ without the hassles of planning, coordinating endless details, and driving long distances on your own. The itinerary is crafted to showcase the beauty of NZ in an ultimate style for a lifetime memorable trip. Besides visiting many of the top attractions in NZ, enjoy flexibility to choose your own desired activities or opt for a curated mixture of 19–21 optional activities, ensuring an ultimate and diverse experience. Enjoy the luxury of a private tour, with a knowledgeable guide-driver and a vehicle exclusively for you throughout the tour. Start in Auckland and finish in Queenstown, both cities with international airports.
What's included
Included
- Optional ("With Tickets" Option): International Antarctic Centre OR Punting OR Heritage Tram Ticket
- Guide-driver exclusively for your group
- Private transportation
- Optional ("With Tickets" Option): Bill Richardson Transport World Ticket at Invercargill
- Optional ("With Tickets" Option): Redwoods Treewalk Ticket at Rotorua
- Optional ("With Tickets" Option): One-way Scenic Flight Ticket from Stewart Island to Bluff
- Optional ("With Tickets" Option): Hobbiton Movie Set Tour Ticket
- Use of charging cables & emergency rain gear
- Optional ("With Tickets" Option): Cruise Ticket at Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound
- Optional ("With Tickets" Option): Geothermal Valley, Māori Cultural Experience & Dinner at Rotorua
- Optional ("With Tickets" Option): Auckland Museum or Waiheke Island Hop-On Hop-Off Explore Ticket
- Optional ("With Tickets" Option): TranzAlpine Train Scenic Ticket from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass
- Optional ("With Tickets" Option): Stargazing Activity Ticket at Lake Tekapo
- Standard Economy Transfer Flight Ticket from Wellington to Christchurch
- On-board WiFi
- Optional ("With Tickets" Option): Gondola with luge rides & Thrill Jet Boating Ticket at Queenstown
- Optional ("With Tickets" Option): Guided Kayaking or Whale Watching Cruise Ticket at Kaikōura
- Optional ("With Tickets" Option): Guided Exploration Ticket in Stewart Island
- Packaged water bottles
- If any optional activity is canceled by activity provider or unavailable, alternatives are provided
- Optional ("With Tickets" Option): Scenic Helicopter ride ticket at Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
- Optional ("With Tickets" Option): Alpaca Farm Tour & Nature Cruise Ticket at Akaroa
- Optional ("With Tickets" Option): Northern Explorer Scenic Train Ticket from Hamilton to Wellington
- Optional ("With Tickets" Option): Glowworm Caves Tour Ticket at Te Anau
- Optional ("With Tickets" Option): Agrodome & Private Hot Pool OR River Rafting Ticket at Rotorua
- Optional ("With Tickets" Option): One-way Ferry Ticket from Bluff to Stewart Island
- Packaged snacks & chocolates
- Optional ("With Hotels" Option): Accommodation for 11 nights in 4 to 5-star hotels with breakfast
Not included
- Food & Drinks (except 11 x breakfast with "With Hotels" option)
- Travel Insurance
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Auckland
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.
Ends at
You will be dropped off at your preferred location anywhere in Queenstown City.
Options you can book
Without Hotels & Entry Tickets
Without Accommodations: This option excludes accommodations. Travelers must book their own accommodation. Date-specific location guidance provided. Without Entry Tickets: This options excludes entry tickets for activities. Travelers book their own desired activities. Timeslot guidance provided. Pickup included
With Hotels & Entry Tickets
With Accommodations: Includes accommodation for 11 nights in 4 to 5-star handpicked hotels with breakfast based on availability and season. With Entry Tickets: Includes Entry tickets for mentioned 19-21 activities. Pickup included
Without Hotels & With Tickets
Without Accommodations: This option excludes accommodations. Travelers must book their own accommodation. Date-specific location guidance provided. With Entry Tickets: Includes Entry Tickets for mentioned 19-21 activities. Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Waimate Journeys
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Travelers should have their own comprehensive travel insurance
- Following your booking, the operator will get in touch to confirm your preferences, as applicable
- With the "With Tickets" option, traveler(s) may swap any of the included activities for alternatives of interest such as Skydiving, Wine Tasting, Golf, Horse Trekking, Scenic Flights, Swimming with Dolphins, Glacier hiking, Relaxing Spa Treatments, Ziplining, etc., subject to availability, cost differences, and route or schedule feasibility
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 11 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
10 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
7 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
7 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
11 verified traveler reviews for 12 Day New Zealand Private Tour from Auckland to Queenstown. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Countless Memories and So Many Sides of New Zealand
Our New Zealand trip was truly a journey through some of the most beautiful and unforgettable parts of the country. We visited so many places and did many experiences throughout the trip. Our trip was even better by having a dedicated guide throughout the journey. We didn't have to worry about planning, booking hotels, transports, activities, or timings, Waimate Journeys handled everything smoothly, allowing us to simply enjoy the trip. We visited Hobbiton, which felt like stepping into a movie set, in Rotorua we had thrilling river rafting experience. From Hemilton we boarded Northern Explorer Train to Wellington which was relaxing way to enjoy the changing landscapes. Tramway Restaurant was amazing experience. At Mt. Cook helicopter ride gave us incredible views that are difficult to describe in words. We enjoyed the Hooker Valley track which is one of our favourite walk of the trip. We went to further south to Invercargil and Stewart Island, where we enjoyed a quieter and more remote side of New Zealand and finished with the famouse Bluff Oysters before returning to Auckland. 12 days of countless beautiful memories and so many different sides of New Zealand. Highly recommend to anyone who prefer to travel in private without worrying about bookings and coordination. Highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor
Such A Wonderful Tour
I don't have words to describe how incredible our holiday was in New Zealand. Everything was well organized from hotels, to activities to pickup drop off points and even we were well aware of how much driving involved in each day as we received the tabular plan well in advance. Some of our favourite moments were visiting Hobbiton, Helicopter ride, Milford Sound and beautiful night sky at Lake Tekapo and view from Skyline. The sunset at Lake Tekapo was absolutely magical, and waking up to the sunrise from out hotel room right in front of the lake was simply unreal. We also didn't expect the Northern Explorer Train Journey to be this much fun. The scenery along the way was stunning, the food was great and it was such a relaxing experience. Our guide, who wasn't just driving us from place to place, he always seemed to know the perfect photo spot, shared interesting local stories and even adjusted stops when the weather changed. It felt like travelling with a knowledgeable friend who genuinely wanted us to have the best experience. There were few long travel days, like Northern Explorer Train but the incredible scenery made every kilometer worthwhile. Highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting to experience wonderful New Zealand without worrying about planning all the details.
via Tripadvisor
A Holiday Without any Hassle
After looking at many itinerary we decided this tour because it covered both islands and included many experiences we would have booked. We started with Auckland, walked through Hobbiton, learned about Maori culture in Rotorua, then travelling through some of the most beautiful mountain scenery we have ever seen. The South Island was the star of our trip for us. Seeing Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo's unreal blue color, flying near Aoraki Mt. Cook, cruising through Milford Sound and later exploring Stewart Island gave us chance to experience completely different sides of New Zealand. We also enjoyed smaller moments like meeting Alpacas in Akaroa and stargazing at Lake Tekapo. The guide played huge part , he handled all the logistics, shared local knowledge along the way and made sure everything runs smoothly. It was nice not to think about directions, check-ins, activity times or long drives. We covered incredible amount of New Zealand and stayed in quality hotels and spent our time enjoying the experience rather than organizing it. Every money very well spent.
via Tripadvisor
More Than We Expected
This tour ended up being so much better than we expected. Every day it felt like we were in completely different region. From beaches and geothermal areas in North Island to mountains, lakes, and fiords in the South Island, the scenery kept changing and never got boring. I really liked that we didn't have to worry about driving, booking hotels, or planning activities and we could just enjoy the trip. The train rides were relaxing, the cultural evening in Rotorua was interesting, and views around Mt. Cook were absolutely stunning. Milford Sound was one of those places which look even better in person. Our guide made the journey comfortable and enjoyable. The hotels were nice, and activities were well chosen, and there was always something to look forward to the next day. I highly recommend this tour.
via Tripadvisor
A Truly Memorable Journey
Just first visit to New Zealand and this tour made us fall in love with the country. From Geothermal wonders of Rotorua to dramatic mountains of the South Island, every destination was impressive. The Maori cultural was unique experience and great way to learn about Maori traditions and culture. The stargazing at Lake Tekapo was something we will never forget. The Glowworm Caves was truly magical and unlike anything we had experience before. The itinerary was very well planned and allowed enough time to enjoy each stop without feeling rushed. We were given choice of hotels, and I must say all the options were excellent 4 to 5 star properties. Our guide made the trip even more special. He took care of everything, including handling our luggage when we boarded the train, allowing us to relax and fully enjoy the experience. He was knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely wonderful to travel with. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to experience the best of New Zealand without the stress of planning everything themselves.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 288 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $6325 to $37150
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
12 Day New Zealand Private Tour from Auckland to Queenstown: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Auckland.
How much does 12 Day New Zealand Private Tour from Auckland to Queenstown cost?
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Prices start at $6325 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Auckland usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 12 Day New Zealand Private Tour from Auckland to Queenstown take?
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Plan for about 288 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Auckland is not rushed.
Is 12 Day New Zealand Private Tour from Auckland to Queenstown worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 11 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Auckland, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 12 Day New Zealand Private Tour from Auckland to Queenstown?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is 12 Day New Zealand Private Tour from Auckland to Queenstown suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 288-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book 12 Day New Zealand Private Tour from Auckland to Queenstown?
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Around 4 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Auckland can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Auckland and add a light layer if any part of the 288-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 12 Day New Zealand Private Tour from Auckland to Queenstown start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Auckland within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Auckland?
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On Outty we rank every Auckland experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch, Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour with Cheeky Kiwi Travel, Hobbiton & Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour with Lunch from Auckland. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Auckland?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Auckland?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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