FAQs

We're sure you've got some questions about the expedition, so we've compiled a list that should hopefully answer them all - take a peek below.

General

How many people will be on the expedition?

Until the applications are all in, we won't have an exact number, but it will be 6 families in total (including us).

What languages do you speak?

English is our first language and Tash speaks Spanish (not fluently yet!).

Will we see any wildlife on the expedition?

That's the plan! Of course we can't make the animals come to us and display their beauty, but fingers crossed we will see seals, sea lions, kea parrots, penguins and dolphins.

Are there supermarkets along the way?

Yes! We'll give you a detailed itinerary with all of the supermarkets along the way so you can plan.

Do I need travel insurance for the expedition?

We strongly recommend you have travel insurance.

Does the family need to be made up of a mum, dad and kids?

Not at all. We understand that families are made up of all sorts of people - mums, dads, aunties, grandads, caregivers etc - all are welcome! Of course there needs to be at least 1 kid per family because this is a family expedition after all ;)

Do you tip in New Zealand?

Nope! Some cafes may have a tip jar at the front counter but it's not a culture here. Same goes with adding tax onto purchases - it's already included in the price so there is never anything extra you need to pay when you're paying for your items in a store.

What do we need to pack for the expedition?

New Zealand is known to have 4 seasons in one day (fun times!) so we suggest you pack for all weather types. Good walking shoes, a hat, bug spray (sand flies and mosquitoes like to bite ankles on the West Coast), a light raincoat, long pants, shorts, a backpack and a camera!

What if we get sick on the expedition?

Ah yes, bugs, one of life's annoying things that makes us rest and relax when we don't want to. Getting sick is part of life but in this day and age it can be harder to keep exploring when you're sneezing and coughing in front of everyone. We highly recommend you have travel insurance that covers you in the event of unexpected illness/injury etc as you will more than like be unable to participate further on the tour. In the case of illness/injury, unfortunately there will be no refunds and this is why we highly recommend having travel insurance that covers you in the event of illness/injury.

What is the weather going to be like on the tour?

It will be spring, so the weather will be warming up but there can still be cooler days with rain (and sometimes even snow!).

What extra costs do we need to consider on the tour?

Aside from what's not included (click here to read more), you may want to factor in purchasing souvenirs, activities for the kids for the longer drives, extra activities you may want to book along the way, coffee etc.

Do we need a visa to enter New Zealand?

Every country has a different visa requirement, please contact your closest embassy to find out if a visa is required.

Why do you have an application process?

By having an application process, it allows us to balance out the group so that we have range of diversity (we'd love people from all cultures and countries to apply) and we can make sure that everyone on the expedition shares similar values, loves adventure and has a good vibe. We want good vibes and good times as this is a huge factor towards creating a memorable expedition for everyone involved.

How old do the kids need to be?

The minimum age for kids is 5 years old due to age requirements on some of the activities. Kids over 12 will be charged adult rates.

Acitivites

Do I need to be fit to do the activities?

You don't need to be fit to do any of the activities. If you have an injury or disability that you think may prevent you from going on an activity, reach out to us and we'll make contact with the company to find out we can accommodate you for that particular activity.

Are there any age restrictions for the activities?

As much as we'd love to have all ages on the expedition, kids must be a minimum of 5 years old due to the age restriction on of some of the activates.

Are there any weight or height restrictions for the activities?

Certain activities may have weight restrictions, please contact us to discuss this with you.

There is a height restriction for the Hagglunds ride at the Antarctic Centre where you must be taller than 1.2m to ride it (there is so much to see and do at the centre if someone is unable to go on).

Children under 6 years old or 110cm in height (at least 80cm in height, but no taller than 120cm) will need to ride the luge in tandem with a responsible adult.

There are 1 or 2 activities that I don't want to take part in, but still want to go on the expedition, is this possible?

We want everyone to join in with the activities that we have organised, so we're really looking for families who are keen to do everything on this expedition.

Campervan & Driving

I've never driven a camper before, what are they like?

We hear you! When we first hired a camper, we jumped headfirst into a big 6 berth camper and it felt just like driving a car! Take your time with it and you'll most likely find yourself feeling comfortable fairly quickly.

Do I need a special licence to drive a camper?

A current and full motor vehicle driver’s licence is required and must be produced upon vehicle collection. Should a foreign licence be in a language other than English, it must be accompanied by an accredited English translation. The translation must be provided by an authorised translation service or a diplomatic representative at a high commission, embassy or consulate, or the authority that issued your overseas licence (an International Driving Permit may be acceptable as a translation if in English).

How do we get rid of the waste water and grey water?

You will be given full instructions on how to sort the toilet, grey water and fresh water tanks upon picking up the camper. There are dump stations all over the South Island and most campsites have them and we will notify you of these once we're there.

How many people can fit into the camper?

This depends on which campervan you choose. Click here to find out which one will suit you best.

Will there be a lot of driving involved?

This is an action-packed expedition with lots of driving most days. We will make scenic stops but also have a schedule to stick to. Click here to read the itinerary and look at the grey box on each day and it will tell you how much driving is to be done that day. It can take a while to get to the next awesome town in New Zealand!

What are the campervans like inside?

Click here to take a look at the campervan setup.

Are the drive times on the itinerary accurate?

The times are approximate and don't factor in things like roadworks, traffic, stopping for photos etc

Accommodation & Meals

What meals are included?

- We'll provide 7 continental breakfasts for each family (from 10 - 16 Oct)
- 2 dinners will be provided at restaurants
- 1 dessert will be provided by us on the 9th Oct

What food should we expect for breakfast?

Pickled eyeballs and jelly boogers! Just kidding - breakfast will be continental so cereal, milk, toast and fruit.

Do you cater to certain dietary requirements?

We will do our best to accommodate all dietary requirements, so in the application form please let us know if you have any. Unfortunately we cannot cater to severe/life threatening allergies.

Payment, Booking & Cancellation

What happens if an activity is cancelled due to bad weather?

Fingers crossed this won't happen, but occasionally bad weather can prevent fun things from happening, so we will try our best to substitute the activity for something just as awesome, otherwise our cancellation policy will apply and you will get a refund on those activities that we are unable to participate in due to bad weather (less any unrecoverable costs).

When I apply, does this mean my family is automatically accepted on the expedition?

No, so please don't make any travel arrangements until you hear from us! Our selection process is fairly quick, so you'll hear back from us shortly after you submit your application.

What is your cancellation policy?

You can view our cancellation policy by clicking here.

When is payment due? Do I need to pay a deposit?

A deposit of 20% is required to secure your spot and must be made within 72 hours of being accepted on the expedition. This deposit is non-refundable.

The final payment is due 60 days prior to the beginning of the expedition. If you don't pay, then you will forfeit your deposit and your spot will be given to another family and we really don't want you to miss out! Click here to see our booking terms and conditions.

Is there a minimum requirement of families for the expedition to go ahead?

Yes, we will only confirm the expedition as going ahead once we have 6 families (including us!) confirmed and booked in. We will let you know as soon as this happens so you can be as excited about this adventure as we are! There will be a cut off date, which we will notify you of through the application process.

I have no kids, can I join?

This expedition is for families, so kids must be involved, however you are welcome to bring along a grandchild, nephew etc.