FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best season to visit New Zealand?

The weather in NZ is mild throughout the year but the best season for tourists is undoubtedly Autumn (March, April and May). Settled weather, warm days with cool nights, it is an absolute pleasure!!

Our Summer months (December, January and February) are filled with copious sunshine, warm temps and an uncontrollable desire to be outdoors!

Spring (September, October and November) is an unsettled season with typically all four seasons in a day. We are of course accustomed to this weather so we remain fluid with our tours and can shape and adjust them subtly to suit the conditions on the day.

Although Winter (June, July and August) is generally wet and not too ‘outdoor friendly’, it doesn’t stop us enjoying the other tours that we offer like the City, Gallery and Historic tours, and for those who are tough, we are more than happy to bundle you up in warm and waterproof gear so you can enjoy our rugged outdoors – even in the rain!!

How many people will be on my tour?

We cater specifically for families and small groups and try to keep it down to no more than ten visitors per guide/vehicle. This allows us to make your tour much more personal and gives everyone plenty of time to enjoy the sights, take many pictures and pick your guide’s brain on our wonderful country! If your group is larger than that, we may well split you into two with a guide and vehicle of your own.

What do I need to bring?

Most importantly, bring a smile and your camera to capture it!!

The New Zealand climate can change quickly so being prepared is always a good idea! In all seasons, sunscreen or SPF clothing and a hat are essential as the sun here can quickly cause sunburn. Sensible shoes – trainers, walking shoes or hiking boots of some sort and woollen socks are highly recommended for all tours except the City, Historic and Gallery Tours.

In Spring and Summer, bring a light waterproof jacket, otherwise make sure you bring enough to keep you dry and warm if the weather turns nasty, including a beanie (woollen hat) in Winter. We do carry umbrellas and ponchos in all our vehicles for the odd occasion they might be needed.

How fit do I need to be?

If you can walk non-stop for one kilometre in the city without feeling exhausted, you will be fine on any of our tours! Our guides are not out to prove how fit or fast they are, or rush you from one spot to the next, and we believe that taking your time is essential to seeing all that there is to be seen on our tours.

If you have any special needs or are unsure of your physical capabilities, please do contact us so that we can assess you personally and advise you of the best tour to take according to your ability.

Should I worry about bugs, snakes or wild animals?

Nope. We have virtually nothing that is poisonous in this country, unlike Australia!

We do have the completely harmless Giant Weta, the world’s heaviest insect, and spotting one of them in the bush is really cool!

In summer, we get some mozzies and a smattering of sand flies, but nothing to worry about!

What is kauri dieback?

New Zealand’s beloved kauri trees are facing extinction due to a deadly soil borne pathogen for which there is no known cure. It is carried and spread in the soil on our shoes as we walk around the forests admiring the scenery, and once a tree has been infected it will most surely die. It is vital therefor, that we thoroughly clean and disinfect our shoes when going in to and coming out of areas where kauri grow. Please help us in New Zealand to stop the spread of this destructive disease.

Where do you pick-up and drop-off?

We offer pick-up and drop-off in central Auckland. In the city we can pick you up from your hotel, Princess Wharf i-SITE centre (137 Quay Street) or Sky City. For out-of-area pick-up or drop-off please let us know and we’ll do whatever we can to accommodate you.

We do ask that you wait at the entrance of your hotel since parking can be quite a problem when picking up from some Auckland inner city hotels.

I want something a bit different, can you help?

Absolutely! Let us know what your ideal tour would look like and we’ll get back to you with some suggestions and pricing options based on what you tell us. Then we can work with you to design a custom tour that matches exactly with your needs.

Any tour, any length, any region, we’re sure we can come up with the perfect tour for you!

Can I get a refund if I need to cancel?

Don’t worry, we know plans can change so if a tour is cancelled more than 30 days before the tour date, there will be no charge and a full refund will be made to the original purchaser. Between 30 days and 48 hours of the tour date, a 20% charge will be made and you will be refunded 80% of your payment. Within 48 hours of your tour date or if you are a no-show on the day, there will be no refund. Payment for tours are made directly on our website using your credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express).

Four reasons to choose us

We are passionate about sharing our fabulous ‘back yard’ with you

We offer unique visitor experiences

We keep groups small and intimate

We are committed to sustainable tourism in NZ

Explore Our Tours

Visit our Tours and find your dream tour in New Zealand

Eco Tours

Explore The City

Further Afield

South Island

Contact

Geoff Dunne and Lily Sha
info@whitecloudtravel.com

 

 

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