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In Murupara we spend one night in a Māori Village in a 5 bedroom house, a 220 sqm2 building with polished floors, a full working kitchen with a large island, ducted heating, 3 full bathrooms and 2 additional washrooms. Note that all facilities and rooms are shared. Single supplements will NOT apply for this one night.
VISAS: Most travellers from Australia, Canada, The United Kingdom and The United States do not require a visa, however they do require an NZeTA to enter New Zealand for up to 90 days. You must apply before entering New Zealand, and it may take up to 48 hours. Exceptions may apply and all visas are the responsibility of the traveller. For more information, click here.
CULTURE SHOCK: New Zealand is a highly-developed Western Nation. Crime rates are very low and the nation is generally safe. Still, it’s recommended you leave valuables at home or in your hotel room.
LOCAL LGBT SCENE: New Zealand is a progressive leaning country with an even more progressive leaning Prime Minister—at the time of being elected, Jacinda Ardern was the youngest serving female head of state in the world. So it should come as no surprise that LGBT laws are heavily in our favour. But acceptance in New Zealand goes beyond laws and regulations. Opinion polls show wide-spread acceptance of LGBT rights and same-sex marriage. While pockets of prejudice still exist in some rural regions, you’ll feel more than welcome in this small nation.
WEATHER: While New Zealand weather tends to fluctuate quickly, February in the North Island is usually quite sunny with comfortable breezes and light rain (depending on where you are, of course). The chance of rain increases along the west coast. The temperature does drop in the evening and you’ll likely be happy to have a sweater or light jacket handy. Please note: New Zealand’s sun is extremely strong and all travellers should wear at least 50+ SPF and hats even during cloudy days.
VACCINATIONS: Based on the entry requirements, there are no other immunizations needed for entry. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, consult with your doctor or a travel medical clinic. Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
ELECTRICITY: In New Zealand the power plugs and sockets are of type I. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. For more information visit https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/newzealand/.
CONNECTIVITY: We should have reliable Wi-Fi in our hotels, however the connection the yacht in Milford Sound does not have Wi-Fi—think of it as an excellent opportunity to unplug. Feel free to tweet, pin, post and share your experience with your friends and family at home.
We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, but it is our belief that each traveler has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travelers from COVID-19. As of May 1, 2023, Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on most of our tours. If vaccination is a requirement for entry, or on select cruises, this will be communicated at the time a trip is confirmed to depart. Before booking, we recommend that you read our COVID-19 Information Page and our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions to understand what we’re doing to minimize risk, and what will happen if you contract COVID-19 before or during an Out Adventures tour.
Out Adventures is all about good times with like-minded guys. Whatever’s on the itinerary—from fireside camping to five-star decadence—our goal is to make the experience magical. We’re also committed to supporting the communities we visit by hiring local guides, staying at locally-owned accommodations when possible, and celebrating local cuisine. It all adds up to a great way to immerse yourself in the culture.
For everybody’s peace of mind, medical travel insurance is required on all Out Adventures tours. At a minimum, your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses, emergency repatriation and personal liability, with a minimum medical coverage of US $200,000.
Click here for more details on our requirements and how to obtain coverage. We highly recommend that you insure your full purchase, including trip cancellation and medical.
All Out Adventures are led by a gay (or gay-welcoming) guide. Whenever possible, we hire destination locals. And we can also connect you with the right people if you’d like to delve deeper into the local culture.
Out Adventures are a great way to meet people from around the world and all walks of life. Bear in mind that everybody’s there for a good time, so mutual respect will go a long way. Please be on time for any meet ups, empathetic to the needs of others, and ready to roll with whatever the adventure brings.
Although we can’t tell you who your fellow travellers will be for privacy reasons, we can tell you many great friendships began with an Out Adventure. And just because we’re a gay tour operator doesn’t mean we’re exclusive: friends and family are always welcome to join the fun.
If you’ve never travelled on your own, it’s an amazing way to get to know yourself while making new friends along the way. We can arrange for you to share a room with people in your age range at no charge, or you can pay a supplement for your own room. If there’s an odd number of solos, we’ll rotate a single room on a random basis.
The itinerary is correct at time of publishing. If anything, it will only improve with feedback from prior travellers and our own research. It’s best to reference your final trip documents, rather than our website, in case there have been any changes that affect your departure.
Every Out Adventure offers optional excursions that are not included in price of this trip. Please see the daily itinerary in your final pre-trip packet to learn what’s available.
Breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 7 dinners are included on this trip.
M Social Auckland
196/200 Quay Street, Auckland CBD
Auckland 1010, New Zealand
T+64 9 377 0349
Standard check-in time is after 3PM. We are usually unable to arrange early check-ins, but you may store your luggage if you want to explore the area while you wait. If you want to guarantee an early check-in, you’ll need to reserve either an extra night of accommodation or a half-day.
M Social Auckland
196/200 Quay Street, Auckland CBD
Auckland 1010, New Zealand
T+64 9 377 0349
New Zealand’s currency is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). Debit and credit cards should be accepted and work throughout the country. We recommend bringing about $400 USD in case of an emergency, or if your credit/ATM cards are placed on hold.
No gratuities are included on this tour as New Zealand generally does not have a tipping culture. However, if you are happy with services throughout your trip, a tip is recommended for your host & group leader. Tipping details will be provided in your final trip documentation. We recommend budgeting approximately $100-120 USD.
Please keep your baggage under 20kg/44lb to avoid costly surcharges on domestic flights. You should also bring something smaller to carry a water bottle, your camera and souvenirs on day trips. This packing list is a guideline, not gospel, but we are happy to answer any specific questions about how much (or little) to bring.
Travel Documents
General Personal Items
Shoes
Bottoms:
Tops
Jackets
Other
Health-related Items
We love when groups of friends join us on an OUT Adventure, whether you’re celebrating a major milestone, or you just love to travel together. However, since we have travellers that will be flying solo, or as a couple, we would love your help ensuring everybody feels welcome and has an epic time. Here are some ways you can give us a hand, while also getting to know and befriending your fellow travellers:
If you’d rather relish an exclusive escape with just your own party, we also offer private departures. This is a great way to create and manage your own holiday guest list, while possibly saving money as well. Please contact one of our Adventure Specialists if you’re interested in a customized quote.
All Out Adventures guests must have a good level of health. All tours, regardless of activity level, involve uneven steps, stairs, walking tours, and you will be required to carry your own luggage from time to time. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate individuals with limited mobility unless they are willing to absorb the cost of a private guide/assistant which varies by country and is only possible on a case by case basis. It is also your responsibility to advise Out Adventures of any pre-existing medical conditions that may increase the risk of you requiring medical attention, or that may affect the normal conduct of the tour and the enjoyment of the tour by other participants.
Below is a breakdown of our Physical Rating guide.
1 – Relaxing
2 – Light
3 – Average
4 – Demanding
5 – Challenging