5 Day South Island New Zealand Private Tour from Queenstown
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 11 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 5 Day South Island New Zealand Private Tour from Queenstown worth booking?
5 Day South Island New Zealand Private Tour from Queenstown is a 120-hour experience in Queenstown, New Zealand, from $2525 per person. It scores 72 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 11 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 144 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 72 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (11)
- Duration
- 120 hours
- From
- $2525 per person
This immersive 5 day tour from Queenstown offers you a perfect mixture of travel each day, visiting the majority of the top attractions in New Zealand's South Island. Enjoy optional handpicked activities and places to st
What you get
- Guide-driver exclusively for your group
- Private transportation
- If any optional activity is canceled by activity provider or unavailable, alternatives are provided
- Optional ("With Tickets" option): Glowworm Caves Tour Ticket at Te Anau
- Optional ("With Tickets" option): Stargazing Activity Ticket at Lake Tekapo
- Use of charging cables & emergency rain gear
About this experience
This immersive 5 day tour from Queenstown offers you a perfect mixture of travel each day, visiting the majority of the top attractions in New Zealand's South Island. Enjoy optional handpicked activities and places to stay without needing to worry about planning or driving long distances yourself. The itinerary showcases the beauty of the South Island in a relaxed way. Enjoy comfort of a private tour for your group, benefiting from a knowledgeable guide-driver and a vehicle exclusively for your group throughout the tour. Enjoy the flexibility to choose your own desired activities or opt for a range of handpicked 8-9 optional activities, like a scenic helicopter ride, Milford or Doubtful Sound cruise, a unique tour of the Te Anau Glowworm Caves, a scenic gondola ride, thrill jet boating, stargazing in Dark Sky Reserves, the TranzAlpine scenic train ride, and Guided Kayaking or a Whale Cruise, or a Nature Cruise & visiting an Alpaca farm. Start at Queenstown and finish at Christchurch.
What's included
Included
- Guide-driver exclusively for your group
- Private transportation
- If any optional activity is canceled by activity provider or unavailable, alternatives are provided
- Optional ("With Tickets" option): Glowworm Caves Tour Ticket at Te Anau
- Optional ("With Tickets" option): Stargazing Activity Ticket at Lake Tekapo
- Use of charging cables & emergency rain gear
- Optional ("With Tickets" Option): Cruise Ticket at Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound
- Optional ("With Tickets" option): Guided Kayaking or Whale watching cruise at Kaikōura
- On-board WiFi
- Optional ("With Tickets" option): Gondola ride with luge & Thrill Jet Boating Ticket at Queenstown
- Packaged snacks & chocolates
- 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
- Packaged water bottles
- Optional ("With Tickets" option): TranzAlpine Scenic Train Ticket - Arthur's Pass to Christchurch
- Optional ("With Hotels" Option): Accommodation for 4 nights in 4 to 5-star hotels with breakfast
Not included
- Food & Drinks (except 4 x breakfast with "With Accommodation" option)
- Anything not described in the inclusions
- Travel Insurance
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Queenstown
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
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 4 nights in 4 to 5-star handpicked hotels with breakfast based on availability and season. With Entry Tickets: Includes Entry tickets for mentioned 9 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 9 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, Horse Trekking, Scenic Flights, Swimming with Dolphins, Glacier hiking, Relaxing Spa Treatment, 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
6 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Small groups
5 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
11 verified traveler reviews for 5 Day South Island New Zealand Private Tour from Queenstown. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Truly Amazing Trip
Five days in New Zealand and it's already feels like we experienced life time of beautiful moments. The stunning landscapes of Milford Sound and Mt. Cook just amazing. Thrills of Queenstown and Swimming with Dolphins in Akaroa was just another highlights of our time in NZ. We never felt stressful and a big reason for that was our guide. He was absolutely amazing, friendly, patient, and always making sure we were comfortable and enjoying ourselves. He took care of the little things, kept everything running smoothly. We never had to worry about details and instead, we could simply relax and take it all in. We came back with amazing memories and a big smile. New Zealand was just beautiful. Truly amazing trip!
via Tripadvisor
Great tour of beautiful south island
I highly recommend this tour. Raji was an excellent guide, very organized and very nice. We thoroughly enjoyed our 5 day tour of the south island.
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful Option for Seeing the Much of the South Island Solo
I had a most wonderful experience with Raghav from Waimate Journeys. I was reluctant to tour privately, but it was well worth it! One can see whatever sight one prefers and not be limited by others' choices. The tour included the admission of all the highlights of the South Island and left plenty of time for exploring if desired. The guide/driver Raghav was easy-going, engaging, and knowledgable about so many aspects of the history, land and culture. Both the van and accommodations were always clean and comfortable, with plenty of snacks and water. I would highly recommend this private tour for either a single traveler or even a small family or group.
via Tripadvisor
Exceptional Private Tour Seamless Flexible and Memorable
We recently had chance to experience private tour in New Zealand, and I must say the team exceeded all expectations. I've done private tours in many parts of the world, but what made this one stand out was how exceptionally well-organized and flexible everything was. Our guide was attentive, thoughtful, and quick to adjust the itinerary when the weather wasn't accommodating. They also blended our request with the itinerary - we asked to swap the alpaca farm for Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and it turned out to be an amazing experience of New Zealand's unique local wildlife. Even with the limited time, we experience the very best of the South Island. Highlights included helicopter ride over Mt. Cook, the stunning Milford Sound cruise, and the magical Glowworm Caves. Everything was seamless, stress-free and unforgettable. We'll definitely return to explore more of this beautiful country, and I highly recommend Waimate Journeys Team to anyone visiting New Zealand.
via Tripadvisor
Waimate Journeys - 5 Day NZ South Island Tour Queenstown to Christchurch
We booked with Waimate Journeys and took the 5 day New Zealand South Island tour from Queenstown to Christchurch. We were very happy with our tour and guide, Rag! New Zealand is gorgeous and packed full of adventure! We took our tour during the winter months and enjoyed fewer crowds albeit colder temperatures. Rag got to know us and customized our experience based on our interests. For example, my son really wanted to see Kiwi birds so he suggested the Kiwi experience in Queenstown which was a real highlight for him. Dynamic weather means sudden changes in plans and Rag did everything he could to accomodate all our adventure desires. For example, our day near Mt. Cook had variable weather and we really wanted to see if we could take the helicopter ride over the Tasman Glacier. Our scheduled ride would have to be cancelled so Rag checked if we could sneak on an earlier ride. We went straight to the helicoper pad and, much to our luck, got a private tour (other group did not make it) and last ride of the day. We were thrilled - our amazing helicopter ride was a memory we will share for a lifetime. It felt like we were on a movie set. He could have just told us we were out of luck, but he tried everything to make it special for us. We frankly could not ask for more! He was detailed in his information so we knew exactly what to expect. We were busy, but we saw a lot and asked endless questions about New Zealand which he patiently answered for us. Overall, we were very happy with our tour and would visit New Zealand again - maybe going north next time.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 120 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 144h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $2525 to $14300
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Waimate Journeys, who run 10 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 58.1.
See everything Waimate Journeys runsWhy this scores 72
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
5 Day South Island New Zealand Private Tour from Queenstown: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Queenstown.
How much does 5 Day South Island New Zealand Private Tour from Queenstown cost?
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Prices start at $2525 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Queenstown usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 5 Day South Island New Zealand Private Tour from Queenstown take?
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Plan for about 120 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 Queenstown is not rushed.
Is 5 Day South Island New Zealand Private Tour from Queenstown worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 72 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". 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 Queenstown, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 5 Day South Island New Zealand Private Tour from Queenstown?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 144 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is 5 Day South Island New Zealand Private Tour from Queenstown suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 120-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book 5 Day South Island New Zealand Private Tour from 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 Queenstown 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 Queenstown and add a light layer if any part of the 120-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 5 Day South Island New Zealand Private Tour from 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 Queenstown 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 Queenstown?
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On Outty we rank every Queenstown experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown, Milford Sound Premium Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown, Award Winning Premium Wine Tour Queenstown Tasting at 4 Wineries. 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 Queenstown?
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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 Queenstown?
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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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