
6 Day Northern Loop New Zealand Private Tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 9 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 6 Day Northern Loop New Zealand Private Tour worth booking?
6 Day Northern Loop New Zealand Private Tour is a 144-hour experience in Queenstown, New Zealand, from $4,004 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 9 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (9)
- Duration
- 144 hours
- From
- $4,004 per person
This signature 6-day tour offers a perfect blend of travel per day covering the many of top attractions in New Zealand's North Island, optional activities and accommodations. Experience the best of the North Island without the hassle of planning which attractions to visit, where to stay, what to do, all without driving long distances on your own. Enjoy the luxury of a private tour for your group. Benefit from a knowledgeable guide-driver and a vehicle exclusively for your group. Enjoy the flexibility to choose your own desired activities or opt for a range of exciting 10–14 optional activities, including Auckland Museum or Waiheke Island hop-on hop-off exploration, scenic boating or guided kayaking, Hobbiton tour, Redwoods Treewalk, Agrodome & private soak or river rafting, geothermal valley & Māori cultural experience, jet boating, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, black water rafting or Aranui & Ruakuri Caves, and Hamilton Gardens. Start from Auckland or Queenstown and finish in Auckland.
What you get
About this experience
This signature 6-day tour offers a perfect blend of travel per day covering the many of top attractions in New Zealand's North Island, optional activities and accommodations. Experience the best of the North Island without the hassle of planning which attractions to visit, where to stay, what to do, all without driving long distances on your own. Enjoy the luxury of a private tour for your group. Benefit from a knowledgeable guide-driver and a vehicle exclusively for your group. Enjoy the flexibility to choose your own desired activities or opt for a range of exciting 10–14 optional activities, including Auckland Museum or Waiheke Island hop-on hop-off exploration, scenic boating or guided kayaking, Hobbiton tour, Redwoods Treewalk, Agrodome & private soak or river rafting, geothermal valley & Māori cultural experience, jet boating, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, black water rafting or Aranui & Ruakuri Caves, and Hamilton Gardens. Start from Auckland or Queenstown and finish in Auckland.
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): Geothermal Valley, Māori Cultural Experience & Dinner at Rotorua
- Use of charging cables & emergency rain gear
- Optional ("With Tickets" option): Hamilton Gardens Entry Ticket at Hamilton
- Optional ("With Tickets" option): Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour Ticket at Waitomo
- Standard Economy Transfer Flight Ticket from Queenstown to Auckland if starting from Queenstown
- Optional ("With Accommodation" Option): 5 nights' stay in 4 to 5 star properties with breakfast.
- Optional ("With Tickets" option): Auckland Museum or Waiheke Island Hop-On Hop-Off Explore Ticket
- On-board WiFi
- Optional ("With Tickets" option): Black Water Rafting or Aranui Cave & Ruakuri Cave Tour at Waitomo
- Packaged snacks & chocolates
- Optional ("With Tickets" option): Agrodome & Private Hot Pool OR River Rafting Ticket at Rotorua
- Optional ("With Tickets" option): Redwoods Treewalk Ticket at Rotorua
- Optional ("With Tickets" option): Jet Boating Ticket at Taupō
- Optional ("With Tickets" option): Scenic Boating Tour or Guided Kayaking Ticket at Cathedral Cove
- Optional ("With Tickets" option): Hobbiton Movie Set Tour Ticket at Matamata
- Packaged water bottles
Not included
- Food & Drinks (except 5 x breakfast with "With Accommodation" option)
- Travel Insurance
- Anything not described in the inclusions
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Queenstown
Please check in at Queenstown Airport Domestic Terminal as per your flight ticket instructions. We will pick you up at the arrival pickup zone of Auckland Airport.
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.
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 10-14 activities.
With Hotels & Entry Tickets
With Accommodations: Includes accommodation for 5 nights in 4 to 5-star handpicked properties with breakfast based on availability and season. With Entry Tickets: Includes Entry Tickets for mentioned 10-14 activities.
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
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- 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, 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 9 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Small groups
4 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Pace and timing
3 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
9 verified traveler reviews for 6 Day Northern Loop New Zealand Private Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Incredible Journey with Exciting and Magical Experiences
We spent an incredible 6 days in New Zealand. We started from Auckland and headed to Waihake Island, then we went Coromandel for Cathedral Cove kayaking and Hot Water Beach. Hobbiton was so real and such a magical beauty. We visited Te Puia and learned about Māori culture, which gave us a much better understanding of the history and traditions of the area. Then came one of the biggest surprises of the trip — the river rafting experience at the highest waterfall. Jet boating at Taupo Huka Falls was pure exciting moment. Waitomo Caves was another memorable stop. Seeing the caves and experiencing the glowworms was something completely different from everything else we'd done. Six days went incredibly fast. We saw beaches, islands, caves, waterfalls, gardens, Māori culture and some seriously beautiful scenery, with plenty of adventure along the way. Thank you to our RV for making the six days so comfortable, fun and memorable. We’ll definitely be recommending this experience to friends and family — and hopefully one day we’ll be back to explore the South Island!
via Tripadvisor
Exciting Journey in our Own Comfortable Space
I am still trying to process how much we managed to see and experience in just 6 days. We started in Auckland and headed to Waiheke Island, which was a lovely way to begin the trip. From there we went to Coromandel for Cathedral Cove kayaking and Hot Water Beach. The kayaking was beautiful, but Hot Water Beach was definitely one of those experiences where you have to figure out exactly where to stand before the water gets either too hot or too cold! It was a lot of fun. We visited Te Puia and learned about Māori culture, which gave us a much better understanding of the history and traditions of the area. Then came one of the biggest surprises of the trip — the river rafting experience at the highest waterfall. It was exciting, a little scary at moments, and definitely left us laughing afterwards and talking about it for the rest of the day. Waitomo Caves was another memorable stop. Seeing the caves and experiencing the glowworms was something completely different from everything else we'd done. The following day we explored Aranui and Ruakuri Caves, and each cave had its own character. It was nice that the itinerary didn't just repeat the same type of experiences. We never felt rushed and having our own comfortable space instead of being packed into a tour bus made the whole experience much more enjoyable. Highly recommend this private tour.
via Tripadvisor
Beautiful Memories with Adventures and Amazing Experiences
This trip gave us so many moments we will genuinely remember. The trip was very well organized including hotels, activities, experiences, and great guide. One of our favourite experiences was the guided kayaking at Cathedral Cove, the scenery was beautiful and being out on the water made it even more special. We also really enjoyed the Hobbiton Movie Set, Redwoods Treewalk in Rotorua, and the Māori cultural experience. The rafting at Kaituna River and the Huka Jet Boat were great adventures for us, while the Waitomo caves were another highlight, especially exploring Ruakuri and Aranui Caves. We laughed, explored, got a little adventurous and came home with some very special memories of New Zealand.
via Tripadvisor
Such a Fun and Memorable Experience
Our North Island trip was such a fun and memorable experience. Everything was well organized and when you visit with kids you will need flexibility to enjoy each place and that's what we appreciated most in our trip. Rotorua river rafting and Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Redwood Tree walk were some of our favourite moments. Hobbiton was just amazing, can not describe how much my kids loved it and Te Puia was such a beautiful cultural experience. The communication with Waimate Journeys was excellent from the start, and our guide made the trip feel very personal. He was friendly, patient, professional and always checking if we were comfortable or needed anything. Having someone so attentive made it easy for us simply enjoy the journey. We came back with plenty of story to tell. Highly recommend Waimate Journeys for the amazing memories.
via Tripadvisor
This Tour was the Way to Enjoy the Experience Without Watching the Clock
What a wonderful trip we had in just 6 days! Auckland's volcanic view points and chose Muriwai the black sand beach and the gannet colony were such a nice surprise. Cathedral Cove was one of the highlight, especially being out on the water and then relaxing at Hot Water Beach afterwards. Hobbiton was every bit as magical as we imagined, but the Redwood Nightlights walk were our favourite evening experience. We decided to do Kaituna River rafting, which was a little crazy (especially the waterfall) but definitely worth it. The Maori cultural evening and hangi dinner was completely different side of New Zealand. Taupo and Huka Falls were beautiful, and the Huka jet was great fun. Waitomo caves was just magical, sitting in the dark under thousands of Glowworms gave us one of those moments we will remember for long time. Travelling with private guide made the huge difference as we could actually enjoy the scenery instead of spending hours driving and figuring out where to go next. So many stops that tempting to rush but having someone who knows the routes and timing meant we could enjoy the experience without constantly watching the clock. For us, it was the perfect mix of adventure, nature, food and just enough downtime. We would happily come again!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 144 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $4,004 to $16,850
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 3
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
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 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
6 Day Northern Loop New Zealand Private Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Queenstown.
How much does 6 Day Northern Loop New Zealand Private Tour cost?
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Prices start at $4,004 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 6 Day Northern Loop New Zealand Private Tour take?
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Plan for about 144 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 6 Day Northern Loop New Zealand Private Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 9 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 6 Day Northern Loop New Zealand Private Tour?
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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 6 Day Northern Loop New Zealand Private Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 144-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book 6 Day Northern Loop New Zealand Private Tour?
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Around 3 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 144-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 6 Day Northern Loop New Zealand Private Tour 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, Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown. 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.
What is included in 6 Day Northern Loop New Zealand Private Tour?
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Included: Guide-driver exclusively for your group; Private transportation; If any optional activity is canceled by activity provider or unavailable, alternatives are; Optional ("With Tickets" option): Geothermal Valley, Māori Cultural Experience & Dinner at; and Use of charging cables & emergency rain gear. Not included: Food & Drinks (except 5 x breakfast with "With Accommodation" option); Travel Insurance; and Anything not described in the inclusions. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does 6 Day Northern Loop New Zealand Private Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 211 listed pickup locations in and around Queenstown. Be ready about 5 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is 6 Day Northern Loop New Zealand Private Tour offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for 6 Day Northern Loop New Zealand Private Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is 6 Day Northern Loop New Zealand Private Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Specialized infant seats are available; and Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to 6 Day Northern Loop New Zealand Private Tour if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about 6 Day Northern Loop New Zealand Private Tour?
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Across 9 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, photo opportunities, small groups. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
What booking options are available for 6 Day Northern Loop New Zealand Private Tour?
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There are 3 options to choose from, including Without Hotels & Entry Tickets, Without Hotels & With Tickets, With Hotels & Entry Tickets. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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