Terms and Conditions

 TERMS - for bookings from 2 August 2024, for tours departing from 01 January 2025.

(Please refer to your tour documents for full terms and conditions for all tours).

Cancellations Fees

If you have to cancel for any reason please contact us by phone or email as soon as possible. We do require the cancellation to be in writing. If you have taken out travel insurance you may have grounds to make a travel insurance claim depending on your individual circumstances. Please see cancellation fees in the tables below.

Domestic/Australia/Pacific Tours

Number of days prior to tour departure
Cancellation charges per person
From deposit payment up to 61 days
Loss of deposit
60 – 0 days (and after departure)
100% of tour cost (no refund).
NB: For New Zealand tours - if you need to cancel, your deposit can be used as a credit towards another tour purchase within 12 months of your cancellation date. Cancellation fee transfer is not applicable or combinable with sale offers.

International Long-Haul Tours/
Great Ocean Road & Murray River Cruise

Number of days prior to tour departure
Cancellation charges per person
From deposit payment up to 91 days
Loss of deposit
90 – 0 days (and after departure)
100% of tour cost (no refund)

Australian Rail Tours

Number of days prior to tour departure
Cancellation charges per person
From deposit payment up to 190 days
50% of deposit
189 - 91 days
Loss of deposit
90 - 0 days (and after departure)
100% of tour cost (no refund)

Cruise Tours

Number of days prior to tour departure
Cancellation charges per person
From deposit payment up to 190 days
50% of deposit
189 - 91 days
Loss of deposit
90 - 0 days (and after departure)
100% of tour cost (no refund)

Calgary Stampede & Rocky Mountains

Number of days prior to tour departure
Cancellation charges per person
From deposit payment up to 245 days
$1,250
244 – 91 days
Loss of deposit
90 – 0 days
100% of tour cost (no refund)

Cancellation due to a Pandemic (prior to tour departure)

In the unfortunate event of a tour cancellation due to Government Pandemic rules; that prevent the tour from departing, our policy is always to refund our customers in full, less any applicable suppliers fees and or airfare credits.

Unused services

After a tour starts there is no refund for cancellations or voluntary unused services. This could be when an activity is cancelled due to extreme weather or a major traffic disruption, or you simply may choose not to participate in an activity on tour.

Price changes

Tour prices are shown in New Zealand dollars and are quoted per adult.  Prices may change, without notice, at any time either before or after a booking.  Tour prices are subject to change should there be any currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges and Government levies imposed.  Travelwise Holidays reserves the right to require further payment to cover any such increases.  The tour cost includes special confidential group rates as well as charges for normal booking procedures, communication costs and administration etc.  The arrangements of all holidays constitute a complete package and, as such, an itemisation of costs will not be rendered.

Shared rooms

Travelwise Holidays will, to the best of our ability, try to match clients in share twin rooms where requested, but this is not a guaranteed service. We try to facilitate a match by putting solo travellers in touch with each other, to discuss and agree if they are compatible travellers. However, if this is not possible, full payment of the single supplement is required from the guests before tour documentation will be issued.

Guests traveling alone must be able to care for themselves, especially in twin-share situations, as room-mates are not expected to provide assistance. You will need to travel with a carer or companion if you require personal assistance.

Variations

Variations in services such as sightseeing and accommodation may necessitate in alterations to itineraries. These will be made to the best possible advantage and every endeavour will be made to maintain a similar standard. Travelwise Holidays reserves the right to alter or cancel any of the tour arrangements, and to cancel the tour should insufficient bookings be received.

Tour departure

The tour will operate subject to reaching a minimum number of approximately 12-15 participants.

Not included in your cost

Travelwise Holidays is not responsible for the payment of insurance, baggage and excess baggage fees, extra meals and drinks, laundry and any other items of a personal nature. Please check with the Hotel front desk when departing to ensure your incidental costs are paid. If Travelwise Holidays receive an invoice from a Hotel for your unpaid incidental costs like laundry, mini-bar, phone charges or room service, you must pay this invoice with a surcharge of $50.00 for our handling costs.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance at the time of booking your tour. It is the same price if you buy it straight away, or close to your departure date, and delaying the purchase leaves you uninsured for the funds you have just invested. Many claims are for guests that were unable to travel due to unexpected events, so we recommend you buy insurance on the day you pay your deposit.

Be prepared - Travel insurance can cover you from the moment you purchase the Policy until you return home. You may be covered for cancellation before your trip takes off and whilst on tour, for unexpected events beyond your control, including lost bags and unlimited medical cover. Feel free to contact us for a quote. We are agents for global insurer - Allianz Insurance.

We have no liability for any loss or damage of any kind you may suffer resulting from cancellation, loss of luggage and personal property, medical expenses and any effects of an accident.

Special Travelling Conditions

Travelwise Holidays aim to ensure that every guest has a very enjoyable holiday. Guests needing special assistance should inform us of their needs in advance so we can address any potential difficulties. We reserve the right to not carry any guest if we believe the guest cannot manage the tour requirements and any necessary services cannot be guaranteed. We will always consult with you on this.

  • A reasonable level of fitness is recommended for our tours. We limit the amount of     walking but there is always some walking involved. Bringing a stick or hiking pole is welcome. Our itineraries are not suitable for passengers requiring full-time wheelchair assistance and we are unable to carry mobility scooters or wheelchairs. Please refer to our Tour Activity Levels (below) as a guide.
  • You will need to travel with a carer or companion if you require personal assistance. Feel free to bring a family member along.

Tour Activity Levels

Every tour has an Activity Level grading from 1 to 3. Please look for this information in our Newsletter, on our website and on our itinerary flyers.

1. A moderate level of mobility is required. Get on and off coaches, trains or boats. Some steps and walking short to medium distances. (Green icon)

2. A higher level of mobility is required. Walking for 1-2 hours over a day and covering longer distances. Possible uneven terrain. (Yellow icon)

3. A higher level of fitness is required. There will be quite a bit of walking over a day. The terrain at times may be uneven and there may be high temperatures or humidity. (Grey Icon)

These Activity Levels are for general advice only. Please phone us for more specific guidance based on your own level of fitness and mobility, and your chosen tour. We’re happy to help!

Health & Safety on Tour

If a guest becomes ill on tour, Travelwise Holidays will do their utmost to assist the guest to arrange medical assistance and the care needed. We can assist with a guest’s insurance policy claim and in the case of the guest needing to leave the tour – we can assist with Hotel, transport and air bookings – this would beat the guest’s expense and generally claimable on a travel insurance policy.

We reserve the right to end the tour for any guest who becomes unwell and will base our decision on NZ Health guidelines and or medical advice. This is to protect both the guest and the rest of the travelling group. We will assist guests to make all arrangements to be able to return home (if safe to do so and on medical advice) or to quarantine at their chosen location and return to home, or to the tour, at a later time. The costs are at the guest’s expense.

Guests may be required to use a mask (if medically possible) whilst on the coach and in close quarters with other people. Also to use good hand hygiene to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all guests.

Past Passenger Discount

A discount of $70.00 (for Australia & Pacific tours) $100.00 (for Other International tours) per person, applies for passengers who have travelled with Travelwise Holidays on a previous tour.

Responsibilities (the fine print)

In arranging and organising the tour, Travelwise Holidays is acting as Tour Organiser and is  referred to as 'The Company'.  The Company does not itself operate the air, sea or land transport, or conduct the hotel or other accommodation arranged for the tour.  The Company, its agents and/or any company or person associated in promotion or arranging the tours do not accept responsibility for any act or omission on the part of those actually performing these services or services incidental there to.  Further, the responsibilities of the air carriers participating in the tour are limited as specified in the tickets, conditions of contract, conditions of carriage and tariffs.  The Company shall be under no obligation or liability to any person as a result of any inaccuracy, misdescription or changes to any tour or its itinerary, or losses or additional expense due to delays or changes in air or any other transport services, sickness, weather, strikes, war, quarantine, Act of God or any other causes.  Nor shall The Company be liable for any loss or damage to baggage or property, or for injury, illness or death, or for any damages or claims whatsoever arising from loss, negligence or delay from the act, error or negligence of any person not its direct employee or under its exclusive control.  The Operators are not responsible for any criminal conduct by third parties.  Bookings are only accepted on these conditions and responsibilities as outlined above.  Payment of a deposit is deemed to be an acknowledgement of this understanding.

Christmas Gift Box Promotion

Any new booking for a 2025 tour received by 13 December 2024 will be eligible for a free Christmas Gift Box. One per person (single/twin) or one per couple. Maximum one for duration of the promotion. This offer is not combinable with other offers - excluding our Past Guest Discount offer.

Upcoming Tours

Need Assistance?

Office hours are 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday. An answer phone takes care of calls after hours and during the weekends.
Phone Toll Free
0800 11 60 60
Phone Within Auckland
09 414 4488