Terms and Conditions

DEPOSIT: A deposit of 10% of the total tour cost per person is required within 7 days of confirmation to secure a booking. A tax invoice for this amount will be sent within 48hrs of booking request. On receipt of deposit, Great Experiences will deliver tour confirmation within 7 days.

FINAL PAYMENT: The balance of monies is due no later than 60 days prior to departure.

PAYMENTS: MasterCard, Visa and American Express are accepted and incur fees of between 1% and 3% (payments from Australia only), subject to variation.  If paying by direct deposit into our bank account, our bank account details are printed on the bottom of our tax invoices.

BOOKINGS: Bookings will be automatically cancelled if the deposit is not received within 7 days of confirmation.

LATE BOOKING FEE: A late booking fee may apply to bookings that incur a room upgrade and for levies charged by our suppliers and operators.

VARIATION FEE:  A variation fee may apply for changes made to the client’s original tour booking to cover administration costs. All changes must be advised in writing to Great Experiences New Zealand.

CANCELLATIONS: In the event of client cancellation, fees are listed below.  Travel insurance is highly recommended and Great Experiences New Zealand can assist Australian travellers with insurance arrangements. For clients from other countries, we suggest you speak with your travel agent for proper advice regarding travel insurance.  All cancellations must be advised in writing to Great Experiences New Zealand.

1. Should a tour be cancelled prior to 60 days before departure, deposits will be refunded less any expenses incurred. (eg credit card fees, hotel cancellation fees, etc).
2. Within 60 days from departure – the tour deposit becomes non-refundable.
3. Within 30 days from departure – 50% of the tour cost is non-refundable. 
4. Within 7 days from departure – 100% of the tour cost is non-refundable.
5. After commencement of tour unused vouchers or unused portions of the itinerary are non-refundable.  Refunds cannot be issued by service providers.
6. If you wish to transfer your tour dates to another departure, the above cancellation fees may apply.
7. Any airfare related monies paid shall be in addition to the above (refer to AIRFARE TERMS & CONDITIONS).

PRICES:  All pricing is in Australian dollars with an indicative price in New Zealand dollars.  Prices are based on schedules, fares and tariffs current at the time of printing.  Great Experiences New Zealand reserves the right to vary the cost of tours if necessary, by reason of currency fluctuation, tour component cost increases or airfare increases.  New Zealand land costs include New Zealand Goods & Services tax of 15%.

DELIVERY POLICY:  Upon receipt of your booking request we will send you written confirmation of that request.

Once your booking request is confirmed we will send you a deposit invoice for payment within 7 days. 

Once the deposit is paid you will be sent an invoice acknowledging the payment of deposit and requesting final payment, to be paid no later than 60 days prior to departure.

Once final payment is made we will send you your travel documents within 3 working days (if residing in Australia). For delivery of documents to countries outside of Australia please allow 5 – 15 working days.

If you have not received your travel documents 21 days prior to departure please contact our office urgently so that we can take appropriate steps to resend or replace your documents.

Special arrangements for delivery of travel documents will be made for late booking passengers and these arrangements may attract additional costs to be agreed on and paid by the passenger at the time of booking.

CHILDREN: Children under 12yrs of age are not suitable for our coach tours and not permitted to travel.

SINGLE TRAVELLERS: A single supplement is applicable for clients who do not wish to share a room with another same gender traveller.  For single travellers who wish to share, Great Experiences New Zealand will endeavour to find a compatible room-mate, however, this cannot be guaranteed and as such, single supplements will apply.

SMOKING: Smoking is not permitted on coaches or in any licensed premises (including restaurants and casinos) in New Zealand and smoking rooms at hotels are subject to availability.

SEAT ROTATION: To ensure maximum enjoyment for all, passengers are subject to daily coach seat rotations.

INCLUDED IN TOUR PRICE: All coach travel in New Zealand, hotel accommodation on a room only basis, specialty meals, sightseeing, hotel porterage and admissions for attractions, as specified in the itinerary, are included in tour price.

NOT INCLUDED IN TOUR PRICE: Travel insurance, pre-travel documentation, meals not specified in itinerary, drinks, laundry, mini bar, phone calls, tips and gratuities, medical expenses, optional activities and leisure options and items of a personal nature are not included in tour price.

ACCOMMODATION: Accommodation and airport/hotel transfers required before or after the tour dates are not included in tour price. Additional pre and post touring can be arranged at an additional cost.  Refer to our TOUR EXTENSIONS. 

ATTRACTIONS AND INCLUSIONS: Tours and admissions to some attractions are subject to availability and operational or seasonal factors.  Some operators stipulate a minimum or maximum number of bookings which may affect availability.

SPECIAL DIETARY AND/OR MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: All special dietary or medical requirements must be notified at time of booking and Great Experiences New Zealand does not guarantee the ability to accommodate special requests, however, we will use our best endeavours to assist.

FITNESS TO TRAVEL: Payment of deposit by clients to Great Experiences New Zealand acts as a warranty that the client is reasonably healthy and fit to participate in the tour and the client indemnifies Great Experiences New Zealand from all actions, claims and demands arising out of any want of health and fitness. Great Experiences New Zealand reserves the right to remove a client from a tour if their health and/or fitness interferes with other clients or the tour or tour experience in any way.

OPTIONAL TOURS:  Great Experiences New Zealand does not operate these excursions. As such, no person employed or associated with Great Experiences New Zealand has any connection with the operators of these excursions. Accordingly, Great Experiences New Zealand cannot and does not take any responsibility for any injury, action, loss or damage of any type, arising in any manner from these excursions.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Great Experiences New Zealand will not be responsible and will be excluded from liability for any loss, damage, omission or acts being negligent or otherwise, committed by operators of airlines, coach companies, hotels or attractions used in connection with tours.  We do not accept liability or tort (actionable wrong) for any injury, damage, loss, delay, additional expenses or inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by events not limited to, war, civil disturbance, fire, floods, acts of God, acts of Government or any other authorities, accident to or failure of machinery or equipment or industrial action.

VARIATION OF TOUR: Great Experiences New Zealand reserves the right to cancel or alter the content of its tours should the need arise. Set departure dates may be changed or cancelled. If this occurs, the client’s consent to an alternative departure date will be sought.  If the client does not accept the alternative offered, Great Experiences New Zealand will refund all monies paid to Great Experiences New Zealand.

DISPUTE: The law of this contract is the law of the State of New South Wales and where applicable, the law of the Commonwealths of Australia and New Zealand.

DOCUMENTATION: All passengers need a passport with a minimum of 6 months validity to enter New Zealand. Clients are responsible for the acquisition of passports and all relevant visas where necessary.  We strongly recommend that all clients finalise their documentation at least 60 days prior to tour departure date.

TOUR BROCHURE VALIDITY: The tour brochures (both printed and on-line) and these terms and conditions are valid for the departure dates published unless otherwise indicated on itineraries and supersedes all previous publications and brochures.

ILLUSTRATIONS: The images and photographs of locations, accommodation, attractions and inclusions used in our brochures and web-sites are indicative only.