12 Day New Zealand Private Tour from Auckland to Queenstown

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.

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.

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.

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.

We had wonderful 12 days exploring both North and South Islands of New Zealand. The mix of scenic train rides, cruises, cultural experiences and outdoor adventures kept every day exciting. I would suggest if you have any bucket list activities then inform them as this tour is very flexible. New Zealand had been on our bucket list for years and this tour helped us experience so much of it in just 12 days. Stewart Island was unexpected highlight and completely different side of New Zealand. What stood out most about this tour was how much activity was included. And a private guide who was there to manage, coordinate time and activities, shared information about the places we visited. This tour is perfect for travelers who want to experience a lot without spending months of planning.

12 days well spent across New Zealand. The whole trip was well organized and we didn't have to worry about any little thing. Everything was taken care of by our wonderful guide. We love adventures and so we were thrilled to enjoy River Rafting which has world's highest rafter waterfall, Jet boating, also we enjoyed horse trekking which was one of the wonderful experience. The swimming with dolphins stood out from all. Doing both Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound was one of the best decisions we made. Each has its own charm and beauty, and left us mesmerized. A big thank you to our amazing guide for making everything so easy and smooth. The car was clean and comfortable filled with snacks and water to keep us energized. Thank you Waimate Journeys for giving us the memories which we will treasure for lifetime.

We loved how smoothly everything flowed from the North Island to the South. Not having to plan a single thing was such a relief, everything was just taken care of and we could just enjoy the journey. One thing we really appreciate was staying tow nights in most places, which made the trip feel relaxed without the constant hassle of packing and checking in and out every day. Some days were adventurous while others were scenic, which was the perfect balance for us. In Auckland, from many beautiful beaches, we visited Muriwai Beach which was a great decision, the gannet colony was fascinating to watch and something very unique. Our guide was truly amazing and went above and beyond, even managing all of our luggage to the South Island while we enjoyed the Northern Explorer train stress free. The train journeys themselves were beautiful, and experiences like the Glowworm caves and Milford Sound were simply unreal. Stewart Island was another beauty, the scenic flight felt magical, and since it's just a day trip, it's best to travel light so you can enjoy it freely. Don't overpack and carry layers. Overall, everything felt smooth, comfortable and thoughtfully done.

We loved how smoothly everything was flowed from the North Island to the South. Not having to plan a single thing was such a relief, everything was taken care of. Some days were adventurous while others were scenic, which was the perfect combination for anyone who likes variety. The Maori culture experience at Te Puia Village felt authentic and truly reflected the spirit of New Zealand. Stargazing at Lake Tekapo was freezing but 100% worth it once you see the sky full of stars along with Milky way, which you don't see usually in big cities. The Scenic Tran rides were amazing, and the Glowworm caves and Milford Sound were just unreal. Jet boating was wild and way more fun than expected. I must say, don't forget to try incredibly fresh Oysters if you're a seafood lover. This became one of the best trips of our lives. New Zealand is incredibly beautiful. Our son and daughter already talking about coming back to do another trip. We didn't realize how fast our 12 days of the trip completed with our guide who was just as incredible as the country.

Completed our 12 days tour in New Zealand and I'm amazed how incredible it was. Everyday brought something new - rafting down a 7 meter waterfall, jet boating, helicopter ride over the glaciers, and those amazing train rides that looked like moving postcards. We loved the cruises specially Milford Sound cruise and it was one of the best places we have ever visited. And of course how can I forget to mention Stewart Island it was just another world. Our lovely guide captured so many beautiful memories for us. He kept everything very well organized and no stress at all for us. Me and my wife both loved his service. Highly recommend this tour to anyone who just want to relax and enjoy.

We recently enjoyed this 12 Day tour across New Zealand, travelling from the North Island to the South Island, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. Our guide managed everything with great efficiency and made the entire journey seamless for us. One of the highlight of the tour was Northern Explorer from Hamilton to Wellington and every moment on the scenic train ride was worth it. Initially, we had booked the ferry from Wellington to Picton, but due to sudden weather changes, it was canceled at the last minute. Thankfully, our guide quickly arranged flights and adjusted the itinerary back to the original plan without any hassle. Given how unpredictable New Zealand's weather can be, I would recommend sticking with the original itinerary to avoid such disruptions. Some of the biggest highlights of the trip were horse trekking at Lake Tekapo and exploring Stewart Island. For Stewart Island, we did one way by ferry and other by scenic flight - and excellent choice as it gave us two completely different perspective, both equally memorable. We were also lucky enough to spot a colony of New Zealand's local penguins, which was an absolute delight! Throughout the journey, our guide went above and beyond, taking great care of us and ensuring everything was perfect. This tour made our trip truly special, and we cannot recommend it highly enough.