Private Tour
Available languages
120 hours
Mobile ticket
This curated 5 day tour from Queenstown offers you a perfect mixture of travel each day, visiting many of the top attractions in New Zealand's South. 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 New Zealand in a relaxed way.
Enjoy the 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 exciting 10 optional activities, like a scenic helicopter ride, Milford Sound or Doubtful cruise, a tour of the Te Anau Glowworm Caves, a visit to transport museum, round-trip ferry & flight ticket between Stewart Island and Bluff, guided exploration in Stewart Island, alpine horse trekking, stargazing in Dark Sky Reserve, and a private hot soak experience. Start and finish at Queenstown.
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, Scenic Flight, Glacier hiking, Relaxing Spa Treatment, Ziplining, etc., subject to availability, cost differences, and route or schedule feasibility
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.
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
Optional ("With Tickets" option): One-way Scenic Flight Ticket from Stewart Island to Bluff
Use of charging cables & emergency rain gear
Optional ("With Tickets" Option): Cruise Ticket at Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound
Optional ("With Tickets" option): Guided Exploration Ticket in Stewart Island
Optional ("With Tickets" option): Bill Richardson Transport World Ticket at Invercargill
WiFi on board
Optional ("With Tickets" option): 1 hour of Private Hot Pool Soak Ticket at Queenstown
Optional ("With Tickets" option): Alpine Horse Trekking Ticket near Lake Tekapo
Packaged snacks & chocolates
Optional ("With Tickets" option): One-way Ferry Ticket from Bluff to Stewart Island
Optional ("With Tickets" option): Scenic Helicopter ride ticket at Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
Packaged water bottles
Optional ("With Hotels" Option): Accommodation for 4 nights in 4 to 5-star hotels with breakfast
Food & Drinks (except 4 x breakfast with "With Accommodation" option)
Travel Insurance
Anything not mentioned in the inclusions
Select a pickup point
Optional ("With Hotels" Option): 4 to 5-star hotel with breakfast based on availability and season.
Queenstown
Start this multi-day tour in delightful style! Your adventure begins with a convenient hotel pickup in Queenstown. Choose between a full-day tour to Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound, both located in Fiordland National Park, each showcasing the stunning beauty of New Zealand’s fiords in their own distinct way.
Milford Sound
Enjoy the scenic drive towards Milford Sound, where you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Take advantage of scenic stops and nature walks along the way to capture the beauty of the landscape. Upon reaching Milford Sound, embark on a cruise to experience the stunning beauty of the fiord up close. Marvel at the towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and abundant wildlife that call this area home.
Begin your journey with a peaceful cruise across Lake Manapouri, followed by a scenic coach ride over Wilmot Pass, offering spectacular views of untouched rainforest and alpine scenery. Upon arrival at Doubtful Sound, board a cruise to explore the vast, remote fiord known for its deep stillness and dramatic landscapes. Surrounded by towering peaks, hidden waterfalls, and native wildlife, the experience feels truly immersive and untouched.
Te Anau
Enjoy the drive back to Te Anau and end the day filled with beautiful memories as you check in to your hotel, where you can relax and reflect on the day’s adventures.
Optional ("With Hotels" Option): 4 to 5-star hotel with breakfast based on availability and season.
Te Anau Glowworm Caves
Start your beautiful day in Te Anau with a pickup from your hotel. Prepare for the famous Te Anau Glowworm Cave tour. Explore the fully guided underground caves and marvel at the thousands of glowworms illuminating the darkness like a starry sky. These glowworms, known as Arachnocampa luminosa, are unique to New Zealand and are found exclusively in the country's caves. They create a mesmerizing display as they emit a soft blue-green light, creating a magical atmosphere. The Te Anau Glowworm Caves are a must-visit destination for nature lovers and those seeking a truly enchanting experience.
Invercargill
Leave Te Anau at noon and head south along the Southern Scenic Route, a peaceful drive through rolling farmland, forested areas, and occasional coastal landscapes. Enjoy the changing views as you travel toward Invercargill, the southern hub of Southland. Stop here to explore Bill Richardson Transport World—an impressive and unique attraction showcasing one of the largest private transport museums in the world, featuring classic trucks and cars.
Bluff
After your visit, continue to Bluff, known as New Zealand’s southernmost town and the gateway to Stewart Island. If you’re visiting between March and August, don’t miss the chance to try fresh Bluff oysters—a local delicacy prized for their rich flavour. As evening sets in, take a short walk to Stirling Point, where the famous signpost shows distances to cities around the world and offers stunning views over Foveaux Strait. Depending on the season and availability, stay overnight either in Bluff for a quiet coastal experience or in Invercargill for more options and convenience.
Optional ("With Hotels" Option): 4 to 5-star hotel with breakfast based on availability and season.
Bluff
On Day 3, check out from your accommodation and be dropped off at the ferry terminal in Bluff for your journey to Stewart Island.
Stewart Island
Enjoy the scenic one-hour ferry ride across Foveaux Strait, often accompanied by seabird sightings and fresh ocean air. After reaching Stewart Island, begin with a short cruise through Paterson Inlet, where you’ll hear fascinating cultural and historical stories about the area. You’ll then arrive at Ulva Island, a predator-free nature sanctuary with no permanent human settlement, allowing native wildlife and forest to thrive. During your guided walk, you’ll explore peaceful forest tracks and learn about the island’s rich biodiversity. Your guide will help you spot native birds such as the South Island robin, saddleback, tūī, and others. Seeing a wild kiwi is possible, but it depends on luck, as they are shy. After your Ulva Island experience, return to Oban and take a scenic flight back to Bluff. This day trip lets you enjoy the best of both worlds—sailing to Stewart Island by ferry and flying back with stunning aerial views over Foveaux Strait.
Queenstown
Enjoy the drive back to Queenstown, passing through the quiet Southland landscape as the day winds down. Check in to your Queenstown hotel and take the evening to relax and recharge. Tomorrow brings a new adventure to the majestic Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Optional ("With Hotels" Option): 4 to 5-star hotel with breakfast based on availability and season.
Start another beautiful day with a pickup from your hotel in Queenstown. Pass through Lindis Pass on your way to Mount Cook. Stop at Lindis Pass Summit Lookout to enjoy endless vistas of mountains.
Lake Pukaki
Visit Lake Pukaki, a stunning glacier-fed alpine lake known for its mesmerizing turquoise waters. Marvel at the beauty of this natural wonder as you take in the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including the majestic Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak.
Aoraki/Mt. Cook
The drive towards Mount Cook offers awe-inspiring views. Upon reaching Mount Cook, immerse yourself in the mesmerizing scenery. Opt for the Hooker Valley Track, featuring famous swing bridges. Alternatively, choose the Tasman Glacier Walks for a different perspective. Look out for the kea, the world's only alpine parrot.
It's time to embark on a scenic helicopter ride. Soar above the stunning valleys and peaks of Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park in one of the modern helicopters. Experience breathtaking views of Aoraki/Mt. Cook and the surrounding snow-capped ranges as you fly. Relax and enjoy this unique experience with onboard commentary from pilot.
Upon reaching Lake Tekapo, check into your hotel and recharge. In the evening, take advantage of the opportunity to participate in a stargazing activity in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, one of the largest Dark Sky Reserves in the world. Lake Tekapo is renowned for its stunning night skies, free from light pollution, offering a breathtaking view of the stars. This experience is perfect for astronomy enthusiasts and anyone looking to marvel at the beauty of the universe.
Lake Tekapo
On Day 5, check out from your hotel in Lake Tekapo. Visit the renowned ‘Church of the Good Shepherd’ and take in its picturesque setting against the backdrop of Lake Tekapo and the Southern Alps. Enjoy a brief, leisurely walk along the shores of Lake Tekapo. Embark on an unforgettable alpine horse trekking experience. Ride through the vast high-country landscapes, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and crisp, clear air. It’s a peaceful and scenic way to take in the beauty of the Mackenzie region.
High Country Salmon
After horse trekking, enjoy the journey toward Queenstown. Along the way, you have the option to stop at High Country Salmon near Twizel, where you can feed the fish, try a range of fresh salmon dishes from glacial waters, or simply relax and take in the beautiful water views.
Cromwell Heritage Precinct
Passing through the dramatic Lindis Pass, stop in Cromwell to explore the charming Heritage Precinct, set on the shores of Lake Dunstan. This historic area features beautifully restored buildings from Cromwell’s early days—some carefully relocated and others preserved in place before parts of the old town were submerged.
Queenstown
Arrive in Queenstown and end your tour with a serene retreat perched above the Shotover River. Soak in a private cedar-lined hot tub while enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and river below. This tranquil experience offers the perfect balance of luxury and nature. It's time to say goodbye as we drop you off to your preferred location in Queenstown. May these memories stay with you forever.
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 activities.
Pickup included
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 10 activities.
Pickup included
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
Operated by Waimate Journeys