Touring with Confidence - On Tour

Name Badge

For travellers receiving their documentation pack prior to arrival in New Zealand, please ensure you are wearing your personalised name badge upon arrival at the airport for easy identification. 

For all other travellers, your name badge will be included as part of your documentation pack made available at your first night’s accommodation based on the tour itinerary. 

Please ensure you wear your name badge at all times while on tour.

New Zealand Airport Transfers

Airport transfers in New Zealand are included on the first and last day of your GPT tour. This includes any pre or post tour accommodation directly linked with the tour hotel. If your flight details have changed, please contact your Travel Agent or on the day of departure, contact GPT Australia. Transfer vehicles will wait up to 1.5 hours after the flight lands in New Zealand.

If you miss your pre-booked transfer for any reason or require assistance when in New Zealand, you can contact our North Island or South Island Operations. All emergency contact numbers can be located on your tour itinerary, on the Emergency Contact card located in your ticket wallet or via our website. Depending on the situation either a replacement transfer will be arranged, or you may be required to make your own way to / from the GPT tour hotel at your own expense.

New Zealand arrival and departure airport transfers are provided subject to GPT’s Booking Terms and Conditions. Transfers are based to / from the airport / tour hotel only and cannot be re-routed to other pick-up points or destinations; cannot be provided in tandem with car hire pick-up and drop-offs; cannot be provided for hotel pick-up/drop-offs located at the airport. Inter-terminal airport transfers are not included. No refund can be provided for unused transfers.

Electricity

New Zealand’s electricity supply runs at 230 - 240 volts (the same as Australia). An angled 2 or 3 pin plug is used.

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

All goods and services purchased in New Zealand are subject to a 15% Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Smoking Laws

Smoking is not permitted in any indoor spaces in New Zealand hospitality venues. This means you cannot smoke inside places such as bars, gaming venues, clubs, hotel rooms and restaurants.

Time Zones

New Zealand is 12 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). In Summer, New Zealand uses ‘Daylight Saving’, with clocks put forward one hour to GMT+13. Daylight Saving begins on the last Sunday in September and ends on the first Sunday of the following April.

Time differences between New Zealand and Australian states:

• ACT / NSW / VIC / TAS 2 hours behind
• QLD 2 hours behind, 3 hours during daylight savings
• NT / SA 2.5 hours behind
• WA 4 hours behind, 5 hours during daylight savings

Weather

New Zealand’s climate varies from the North Island to the South Island, however, most of the country lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures year-round. 

The average New Zealand temperature decreases as you travel south. January and February are the warmest months, and July is the coldest month of the year.

To learn more about New Zealand weather visit www.metservice.co.nz

Calling Home

There are many options available to call home, one is via a prepaid calling card that you can use from almost any touchtone phone (additional charges may apply if calling from your hotel).

Prepaid calling cards are available to purchase at most convenience stores, service stations and supermarkets around New Zealand. If calling from your mobile phone, you may incur increased charges.

It is recommended that you contact your telecommunications service provider for details on mobile roaming and coverage prior to your departure.

Accommodation Information

The hotels noted as part of each GPT itinerary are rated based on New Zealand’s Qualmark rating system. They represent the majority of inventory booked for each tour date, in each location. On various dates, where the designated hotel is not available, an alternative property of an equivalent standard will be booked. Any change in hotel will either be advised at the time of booking or within the final personalised tour itinerary. Any last-minute hotel change that occurs post the distribution of documentation, will be advised by the GPT Crew on tour. GPT endeavours to utilise the most suitable hotels available in each location to ensure you enjoy a consistent level of cleanliness, comfort and service. In more remote locations, hotel standards and facilities may differ to city hotels. As hotel allocations are booked in advance, room upgrade requests are not permitted. For bookings made on a Twin basis; the Twin room configuration at each hotel will range from Single to Queen size bedding. Bedding requests are not permitted.

Pre / Post Tour Accommodation

Hotel check-in time is approximately 3pm and check-out is approximately 10am. If early hotel check-in or late check-out is required due to flight schedules, additional accommodation will need to be purchased. The rates quoted in our brochure are only valid for one night, room only and subject to availability. Any additional meals will need to be ordered and purchased directly with the hotels, Bed and Breakfast rates cannot be provided. Additional nights are subject to availability and may be charged at the prevailing rate by the hotel.

Accommodation Room Requests

For single travellers paying the single supplement, this covers the sole use of accommodation only. 

Travel on the Ultimate 20 seat coach is Business Class style individual seats for the entire journey. On the Signature 32 seat coach you will rotate between an individual seat and dual seats with another traveller. 

The option to twin share with another single traveller is not available on any tours.

The option to triple share with three travellers is not available on any tours.

Dietary Requests

GPT limit special dietary requests to Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free, Lactose Free, Diabetic and any life-threatening allergies (whereby the traveller carries an EpiPen). These requests will be forwarded to the hotel and / or attraction suppliers but cannot be guaranteed and does not constitute a term of your contract with us. Tour meal options may be limited. As a volume group tour operator, contracting specific menus which range from Buffet to A-la-carte, the logistics of arranging meals meeting the correct criteria over an extended touring itinerary can be challenging and cannot be guaranteed to meet the expectations of the traveller(s). Therefore, religious dietary requests (Hindu Vegetarian, Kosher, Halal) cannot be accommodated. Any further intolerances needing to be managed are your responsibility. Airlines have restricted dietary conditions which vary.

Wine Time

GPT promote Wine Time (discounted drinks) as an initiative for travellers to gather and socialise at a designated time prior to dinner on selected days of the itinerary when dinner is included at the hotel. The discounted beverage price is at the hotels’ discretion and subject to change at any time. You must wear your GPT branded name badge to be identified by bar staff. Participation by travellers in Wine TIme is not compulsory. GPT strongly encourages responsible drinking.

Coach Seat Rotation

For the enjoyment and fairness of all travellers, GPT operates a daily seat rotation system which all travellers must participate in as a condition of booking. There is no exception to this policy and special consideration to an individual’s specific needs cannot be accommodated. The coach seat plan is displayed inside the coach for your reference.

On the Ultimate Small Group Touring coach, the configuration of the coach seating is an individual seat on the left side of the aisle and an individual seat on the right side, all with panoramic viewing. You will rotate between seats and enjoy the luxury of Business Class style comfort.  Couples will always rotate together to be seated in the same seat row.

On the Signature Mid-Size Group Touring coach, the configuration of the coach seating is two seats on the left side of the aisle and an individual seat on the right side, all with panoramic viewing. All travellers will rotate and enjoy the variety of armchair comfort in the dual seats but also will experience the same Premium Economy Comfort on other days in a spacious individual window seat. For two people travelling together, the individual seats will flow in front and behind each other. For single travellers you will rotate between an individual seat and dual seats with another traveller, paying the Single Supplement is a cost related to the hotel accommodation only. 

For SOLO Travellers tours, the seat rotation will operate on a single basis as it has been specially designed to allocate a different seating companion on a regular basis. If you are travelling with a known companion, you will participate in the SOLO tours seat rotation system as individuals.

Optional Activities

It is important to take your Optional Activities Directory to New Zealand. These activities are to be booked with the Coach Captain and/or Tour Leader while on tour. Payment is direct to the operator of the activity. GPT does not operate these activities, as such no person employed or associated with GPT has any connection with the operators of these activities. Accordingly, GPT cannot and do not take any responsibility for any injury, action, loss, or damage of any type, arising in any manner from these activities.

Optional Activities are subject to availability. Once booked cancellation fees may apply. If you choose to pre book activities directly with the operator, you do so at your own discretion. In this instance, should the touring itinerary change due to unforeseen circumstances, GPT are not responsible for any amendments or cancellations made with the operator of the activity, including any applicable fees that you may incur.

Optional Supa-$aver Coupons

Located in the Optional Activities Directory, these activities are to be booked and paid directly with the tour operator. Our recommendation is to book in advance, prior to your arrival into New Zealand to avoid disappointment. Once pre booked, any administration of amendments or cancellations is your responsibility. GPT does not operate these activities. As such, no person employed or associated with GPT has any connection with the operators of these activities. Accordingly, GPT cannot and do not take any responsibility for any injury, action, loss, or damage of any type, arising in any manner from these activities. Each Supa-$aver activity is subject to availability. Once booked cancellation fees may apply.

Internet

The Ultimate Small Group Touring and Signature Mid-Size Group Touring coaches include a daily allowance of free Wi-Fi. Due to New Zealand’s terrain, connection may not be available in various locations. All hotels utilised on tour offer free Wi-Fi based on varying terms and conditions. Wi-Fi access is not available in conjunction with the Overnight Cruises in Milford or Doubtful Sound.   

Lost Property

GPT does not accept responsibility for the retrieval of lost or misplaced property. All costs associated in the retrieval of lost or misplaced property is at your expense.

Tour Farewell

Depending on your tour selection, you will enjoy a farewell dinner with fellow travellers on your last tour night. Unfortunately, your Coach Captain is generally not able to attend due to restrictions on driving hours.

Tipping and Gratuities

As GPT Coach Captain’s and / or Tour Leader’s work exceptionally hard to provide all travellers a memorable holiday, tipping is appreciated for extra special service. Many tours arrange an envelope to be circulated for a farewell group presentation to the Coach Captain and / or Tour Leader with any contributions based on individual appreciation.

Touring Disclaimer

Itineraries: GPT has compiled the content of all tour itineraries based on the knowledge that all accommodation and attraction suppliers will be operational within the relevant touring season. Prior to the tour commencing, or whilst on tour, for reasons beyond our control (i.e. seasonality, weather), an itinerary could be interrupted, and content altered and GPT will aim to provide a similar touring experience, noting some unique inclusions may not be available. 

If for any reason a published tour inclusion cannot be facilitated or replaced, a refund based on GPT’s negotiated pricing (not retail pricing) will be provided.

Interislander ferry: Interislander manage the Rescheduling Timetable and scheduled Maintenance Days for the various vessels used to connect the North and South Islands of New Zealand. If a ferry crossing is changed on a specific date affecting our advertised tour inclusions, this is beyond the control of GPT.

TranzAlpine and Coastal Pacific rail journeys: Great Journeys New Zealand manage the Seasonal Timetable and scheduled Maintenance Days for both the Coastal Pacific and TranzAlpine rail journeys. If a rail journey is not scheduled to run on a specific date affecting our advertised tour inclusions, this is beyond the control of GPT. 

Variation

GPT reserves the right to cancel or to vary the content of its tours including the replacement of the Ultimate and Signature coaches should the need arise under extenuating circumstances out of our control. Due to the limited number of Ultimate and Signature coaches available, any compensation will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, but not guaranteed.

Our Nominated Charity

GPT is an official National Awareness partner of Dementia Australia. A collection tin will be made available at your farewell dinner (selected tours only) for any loose change to be donated at your discretion.

Your Feedback is Important

Included in your Documentation Pack is a Tour Questionnaire. Once you have completed and sealed it for confidentiality, it will be collected on your last tour night by a GPT representative. If you are seeking a reply to your feedback, a personalised letter or email must be sent to GPT Australia. We do ask for your patience regarding the response time.

Validity

All information is subject to change at any time.