15-day tour of New Zealand |
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book New ZealandDeposit $1,795 per person
sharing a room |
book New ZealandDeposit $2,005 per person
single private room |
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Day 11, Thursday, 18 February, 2027
Farewell the tranquil shores of Lake Tekapo as we journey south through the breathtaking Mackenzie Basin and into the dramatic landscapes of Central Otago. Along the way, we'll take a break for lunch in the charming town of Cromwell, a region known for its fruit orchards, rolling vineyards, and historic gold rush past. Stretch your legs with a stroll along the lake or browse the artisan shops in the nearby Cromwell Heritage Precinct. In the afternoon, we'll continue our scenic drive toward Queenstown, passing through rugged mountains and along the turquoise Kawarau River. Upon arrival, settle into your accommodation and take some time to soak in the energy of this vibrant lakeside town before enjoying a gourmet dinner. Highlights:
Day 12, Friday, 19 February, 2027 Wake up in Queenstown, surrounded by the breathtaking peaks of the Remarkables and the shimmering waters of Lake Wakatipu. After a leisurely breakfast, we'll ride the Skyline Gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak for panoramic views over the lake and surrounding mountains. Take your time soaking in the scenery, grab a coffee at the mountaintop café, or watch the paragliders launching into the sky. The afternoon is yours to explore as you wish. Known as New Zealand’s adventure capital, Queenstown offers lots of outdoor thrills including jet boating, para gliding, bungee jumping and ziplining. If you prefer a gentler pace, browse boutique shops, enjoy a lakeside walk, or settle in a wine bar with a view. Highlights:
Day 13, Saturday, 20 February, 2027 This morning, we depart Queenstown and begin our journey north through some of the South Island’s most striking landscapes. Travelling via the Haast Pass, we wind our way through towering mountains, ancient rainforests, and glacial rivers, with scenic stops along the way to stretch our legs and soak it all in. We'll do a short walk to the Blue Pools, where a gentle forest trail leads to a swing bridge overlooking vivid, glacier-fed waters surrounded by lush native bush. We’ll stop in the lakeside town of Wānaka, where there's time to explore the relaxed waterfront and take in the sweeping alpine views. Later in the afternoon, we continue on to Franz Josef, a village nestled in the West Coast rainforest. Highlights:
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This tour includes:
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book New ZealandDeposit $1,795 per person
sharing a room |
book New ZealandDeposit $2,005 per person
single private room |
Meet Jess, a trailblazer in Australia's vegan movement.With a background in IT project management, Jess transitioned to a life dedicated to promoting cruelty-free living.
In 2001, she founded the Vegan Grocery Store, initially as an online platform designed to make vegan products more accessible. This venture expanded to physical locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Canberra, becoming a cornerstone for vegans in Australia. Beyond retail, Jess started the Sydney Cruelty Free Festival in 2006, fostering community and awareness around vegan lifestyles. Over the years, Jess has collaborated extensively with her tour partner, Sarah, on numerous projects, including the Vegan Day Out and vegan festivals. These events have been instrumental in enriching Australia's vegan community. Her latest endeavour, Vegan Tours Australia, combines her love for travel and plant-based cuisine. These gourmet tours support local producers and collaborate with chefs to enhance vegan offerings, providing guests with exquisite culinary adventures. Participants will immerse themselves in Australia's culture and stunning environments, engaging with local communities and natural landscapes. The group travel setting encourages the formation of new friendships among like-minded individuals, enriching the journey through shared exploration and connection. Through these tours, Jess aims to share her passion for exploration and delectable vegan food. |
Sarah brings her deep passion for veganism, nature, and community to Vegan Tours Australia.With nearly 20 years in the plant-based movement, Sarah has played a pivotal role in vegan events and was the driving force behind Brisbane's first vegan festival in 2019. A strong advocate for community building, she has established numerous social groups where vegans can come together and enjoy delicious vegan food.
Since relocating to Tasmania in 2021, Sarah has been working with the Bob Brown Foundation, a dynamic environmental protection group dedicated to saving wildlife and preserving the region's remaining wild places. Sarah, is well-versed in the culinary arts, holding a Cert II in Kitchen Operations (Plant-Based) and a Cordon Vert certificate from the UK Vegetarian Society. Between 2017 and 2019, she developed a range of pantry food items for the Vegan Grocery Store and hosted delightful vegan dinner nights featuring three-course meals at Satori Organics, her previous employer. Sarah invites you to embark on a journey of food exploration in her home state, experiencing the rugged beauty and unique flavours that this small isle has to offer. Along the way, you'll also discover the rich indigenous history of Tasmania, home to the Palawa people for over 40,000 years, whose deep connection to the land continues to shape and inspire the island's cultural landscape. |
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Where will we be staying?
We will be staying in 4-star accomodation throughout New Zealand. As we have a lot of ground to cover some stays will be a single night and others eg Rotorua and Queenstown will be for two nights. All double rooms have a Queen bed and twin rooms have 2 x single beds. Can I book extra nights of accommodation? If you'd like to arrive at your joining point hotel early or stick around post-tour to explore, contact us, and we can help you book extra nights of accommodation. I am traveling alone, will I be the only one? No, on average we expect about half the group to be singles. Is there a single supplement? And why? Yes, there is, it is AUD1900 extra for a private room. This is because, unfortunately, our hotels do not offer single rooms so as a single traveller you are paying the full rate for a queen room instead of it being divided by two. How can I avoid paying the single supplement? We can match guests with potential same-sex roommates. We can connect you by WhatsApp or email so you can see if you are compatible to share a double room. Is my $1,795 deposit refundable? No, we have limited space and we have to pay a deposit to secure your accommodation and some of the events so we need a firm commitment from each guest. Please note that the deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE except in the case that the trip has to be cancelled by us due to not meeting the minimum number of participants (10 guests). The trip's go-status will be confirmed no later than 90 days before departure. When do I pay for my tour? Your deposit is paid when you make your booking through our website. The balance (including any upgrades or single supplements if applicable) will be due 90 days prior to your tour's start date. We will send you a personal payment link for the balance of your tour charges then. How many people will be on this tour? There will be a minimum of 10 guests, with a maximum of 18. Is my flight included? No, this is a land package only. How do I book my flights? Please do not book your flights until we advise that the tour has met its minimum amount of bookings (10). This usually happens 3-6 months prior to your tour so you will have plenty of time to book flights then. What do I need to know to booking my flights Make sure that your flight arrives in Auckland no later than the morning of Monday the 8th of February, Auckland time. It is likely that you’ll experience some jetlag so get the most out of your tour we highly recommend arriving in Auckland on or before Sunday the 7th, This will ensure you have time to recover from your journey, acclimatise and enjoy a bit of Auckland before you start your tour. |
How do I get to Auckland?
There are multiple flights to Auckland, New Zealand from multiple locations in America and Europe. Please book your flight to arrive in Auckland airport (AKL). Airport transfers are not included. How much is the cost of the airport transfer? Auckland airport pickup (and drop-off) costs around NZD85 by taxi and takes approximately 35 minutes depending on the time of day. Alternately, there is a Sky Drive Airport Express bus that will take you to from the airport to Sky City in central Auckland which is 11 minutes walk from your hotel. The Sky Drive bus costs NZD20, one-way, takes around 40 minutes and leaves Auckland International airport every 30 minutes. How do we pack? We will provide you with a packing list and further information about climate and excursions at least 90 days before your departure date. Is this tour suitable for children? This tour is not suitable for children under 12 years of age. How many guides will be accompanying us on this tour? You will be accompanied on your tour by two dedicated tour guides. Do I need Travel Insurance? Yes, full cover Travel Insurance is essential and is a condition of participation in this tour. Travel insurance is based on many factors and the price varies from person to person. You can arrange travel insurance through your travel agent, credit card provider, an insurance broker or online. You should purchase travel insurance at the time of booking flights. You will need to provide us with proof of insurance 90 days prior to travel. Do I need any vaccinations for travel to New Zealand? You do not need any specific vaccinations to enter New Zealand. Do I need a visa for travel to New Zealand? All visitors to New Zealand must apply for an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) and pay for an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). For more information and instructions on how to apply click here. The NZeTA costs NZD23 plus NZD100 for the IVL. In most cases you will be notified of the result of your ETA application within 72 hours. We recommend that you apply for your ETA as soon as your tour is confirmed. How many hours a day will we be on a bus? This tour has been designed to balance travel time with sightseeing and relaxation. Most travel days involve around two hours on the bus, broken up with regular stops. On a the two days we're covering longer distances (5-6 hours) there will be plenty of breaks at attractions, lookouts, cafés, or for short walks. Several days have no bus travel at all, giving you time to relax or explore at your own pace. How much walking will there be? This is up to you. At each excursion we will provide an option for shorter and longer walks and for varying fitness levels. There will also be some walking to and from restaurants each day. What is the time differnce between NewZealand and the USA? New Zealand is approximately 13 hours ahead of the US West coast and approximately 19 hours ahead of the US East coast so be sure to double check your arrival date and time to ensure they allow for the time difference. Time differences vary depending on where you are in the US so to find out the exact time difference for your location Worldtimebuddy.com is a useful tool for converting time in different countries or cities. |
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