New Zealand Tours FAQs

All tours include:

• Private transport throughout your trip 
• Small group tours of 24 people maximum
• An awesome guide who will share information and recommendations with you
• Accommodation in a shared tent or dorm room throughout your tour (option to upgrade to cabins or private rooms)
• A range of included meals

Generally, 10 to 20 days will be enough time to see a good taste of New Zealand. If you are limited on time, choose one island (either the North or South Island) to travel to give you a taste of what New Zealand has to offer. The South Island is the most popular for tourists as tours will generally include key highlights such as Queenstown, Milford Sound and Fiordland. 

The average age of a Flying Kiwi passenger is generally between the age of 20 and 45, but we really believe that age is just a number and if you want to come and enjoy the New Zealand outdoors then you are welcome on-board. 

No matter your age we find we attract people who want to meet other travellers and explore! If you want to travel with younger family members please contact us as this is done on a case by case basis, although children must be a minimum age of 12 years.

New Zealand has a wide variety of climates, so it's important to be prepared with clothes that can be layered. It is widely accepted that you can experience ‘Four seasons in one day’ throughout the year. We ask that you try to limit the weight of your main bag to 20kg. You can bring either a suitcase or a backpack, as well as a smaller day pack (rucksack or bag) to bring your water bottle, camera, snacks, etc.

We have put together a recommended list below for you to use a guide when packing: 

Clothing

• Underwear & socks (though you will mainly be wearing sandals/flip-flops)
• Swimwear
• T-shirts
• Shorts
• Long-sleeved shirts & long pants (for cooler nights, and for protection from mosquitoes/sandflies)
• Warm jacket (for cooler nights, ideally a lightweight puffer as they're easy to pack)
• Waterproof jacket with hood (light, for hiking or summer showers)
• Sun hat
• And last but not least, something nice to wear for the odd night out in town!

Footwear

• Comfortable trainers (we also recommend bringing a pair of sturdy walking boots if you're looking to take part in tougher hikes)
• Sandals/flip-flops (great for getting in and out of your tent quickly and the main footwear New Zealanders use!)

Other Necessary or Useful Items

• A small day pack that can be kept with you on the bus and on hikes
• Sleeping bag (you can bring your own or hire one from us). If you are bringing your own, we recommend aiming for a comfort range of 5°c. There may be a few nights on your tour that get to 0-5°c, but the rest will be around 5-10°c.
• Head torch
• Sun protection - hat and sunglasses and some good sunscreen - at least 30+ SPF
• Small Travel Pillow (as we provide a mattress for your tent only - this could be a pillow case that you stuff with your puffer jacket, or an inflatable pillow to save space)
• 1-2 towels (for showering and swimming)
• Personal toiletries (shampoo etc)
• Insect repellent
• Reusable Drink Bottle
• Adapter for electrical appliances
• Portable charger/power pack
• Reusable shopping bag (for grocery shopping etc)
• Additional bag for your laundry

New Zealand's Summer (between December to February) is the best time to visit as the days are longer and the temperatures range between 20-30°C (68-86°F). Travelling through New Zealand allows you to enjoy the beaches, water activities such as swimming, boating and diving. Summer, however, is the peak tourism season, so be aware that many New Zealanders are also on holiday during this period, and international visitors also choose this time to enjoy our country.

 Autumn and Spring are also great times to choose for your Kiwi adventure, as their temperatures are more inviting for active adventures such as hiking and cycling around the country.

Winter is especially attractive for those wishing to ski, especially around Queenstown

New Zealand experiences its coldest month in July, with the winter season officially spanning from June to August. Due to New Zealand's significant latitudinal spread from north to south, there are considerable climatic differences between the North and South Islands during winter.

While the North Island generally experiences milder winters, with average temperatures ranging from 5°C to 12°C, the South Island sees much colder conditions. Southern South Island temperatures can drop significantly, ranging from 0°C to 8°C in many areas, and often falling below freezing in alpine regions, leading to heavy snowfall. The Southern Alps, for instance, are renowned for their winter sports due to consistent snow cover throughout the season.

For those keen to upgrade their accommodation from camping to cabins, this can be pre-booked prior to your trip or each day on arrival into camp. If travelling during December, January or February we recommend pre-booking with us prior to travel as all cabin upgrades are subject to availability. Get in touch to pre-book your cabin upgrade. Please note that there is an administration fee which is 10% of the total upgrade cost.

You don’t have to be super fit to travel with Flying Kiwi – all walks, bike rides and activities are optional and they range from light strolls to full day hikes in Alpine terrain. 

Easier options or alternatives are always available on our tours, and your Tour Guide guide is always happy to discuss the level of fitness required for each hike. 

Our tours are perfect for solo travellers! New Zealand is a relatively safe country and the communal nature of our tours means that you will have plenty of chance to make friends as we spend so much time together. Safety is of the utmost importance to us and our awesome Guides are always around to hear your thoughts or concerns if the need should arise.

Yes! Charging ports are available at most campsites. Your Guide will give you a rundown each day so you'll have plenty of notice if this isn't possible.

Yes! Most campsites have laundry facilities, usually coin-operated.

Your transport, accommodation and most meals are included throughout the tour. You'll need money for any additional food or drinks and optional activities you'd like to do. The majority of NZ takes payment by debit or credit card, and if you do need cash there are lots of ATMs. Your Guide will let you know in advance if you specifically need cash for an activity or campground.

Yes, you can reach out to us by phone or email if you prefer, You can find our contact details here. 

All prices are given in New Zealand dollars unless explicitly stated. If you'd like to understand prices in your own currency, you can use the Universal Currency Converter for an approximate price.

Yes, you can secure your booking with just a $200 NZD deposit or you can hold your seat for 48 hours free of charge, which will allow you time to arrange travel insurance and flights. Please see our terms and conditions for more information.

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