AUCKLAND TOURS FAQs

AUCKLAND TOURS FAQ’s

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions.

Have we have covered yours?…if not PLEASE send us an inquiry.

Get your friends together…

we give a FREE TOUR to the “organiser” of 6+ person groups

# Do you operate every day?
- ULTIMATE TOUR: (operates 1 Oct – 30 April) and AUCKLAND TOURS (operates all-year-round) Everyday except; Dec 24, 25, 26, Jan 1, 2, Good Friday, and April 25. There MAY be other days during the year when we have to close to attend to our farm work…(so a quick email to us is all that is needed to find this out)

# How many people will there be on these day trips?
- Our tours are normally small group (our regular Auckland tour is no more than 11 persons) and probably between 4 and 8. This way, you will get personal service! If you require EXCLUSIVE tour, please refer to our ‘Exclusive Experiences’ option. If you require LARGE GROUP tour, please refer to our ‘Group Tours’ option

#I’m not in New Zealand yet, can I still make a tour booking?
- YES, please email us to make an inquiry.

#I get a bit car-sick, will there be plenty of stops during this Auckland day tour?
- YES, this is what makes us so appealing! We stop at least 7 times during the trip…and you don’t have to get out of the vehicle if you don’t wish to either! (There are also toilet facilities at each stop.) We are understanding, and always drive accordingly.

# Is there a lot of walking on this tour?
- NO, the only ‘walk’ [...and this is a stroll...]  is out to the sea-bird colony…and then you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.

#Could this sightseeing tour be affected by the weather?
- Hmm…if only we could control the weather!! We carry coats, and there are boots to wear when we do our farm activities. Most of the outdoor activity is when you arrive at our farm, and if you cannot get outside to see the animals…well, we will bring some of the animals to see you! If you are in New Zealand for a few days, please check the long-range weather forecast…(it’s usually fairly accurate!)

#We’re staying outside your free pick-up zone, can you still pick us up?
- We are really sorry, but you will have to make your way into the City. The reason for this is because of time; -as others need to be picked-up in the morning. (…But DO ask us, because if you are just outside the pick-up zone then we MAY be able to drop you offafter the tour!)

#Where do your day trips leave from?
- We pick-up from ALLinner Auckland city accommodation. The Sky Tower (Hotel part), Ferry Buildings, or Britomart railway are other places for people staying ‘out-of-the-city’ to meet us at. Your pick-up location can be easily arranged at booking time.

#Are there any extra costs on this tour?
- NO!…this is an ALL-inclusive day tour. All entry fees, lunch, wine & honey tasting, afternoon tea, transport, is INCLUDED. Your only costs come from what you choose to buy during the tour. Please note that you will have opportunity to shop on this tour, but in no way will you be pressured into doing so. (We receive absolutely no commissions or payments for taking you to the places we stop at).

# What is this Carbon Credit Native Tree planting, and do I HAVE to participate?
-WE plant a Native tree for every tour we do, and a numbered tag is designated for each tree. This tree then becomes ‘tree-of-the-day’ which our guests become joint custodians of. We also have trees available if anyone wishes to purchase an individual tree, but this tree planting is entirely over to you, and if you do not wish to participate in it, no pressure will be put on you to do so.

# What is the cost of these tours?
- Firstly, we want you to get value for your $. We have had positive feedback relating to this. But, please compareour itinerary and price with other Auckland tours…(bearing in-mind that they may or may not include lunch, and may only take you to one or two places during the to). Also, to our knowledge ‘Coast to Coast Tours’ is the only tour company in the Auckland area where you will visit the operator’s own farm, come inside their home for afternoon tea, and have the opportunity to plant your own carbon credit Native tree to make your tour carbon neutral. Please refer to our COSTS page for a full breakdown on our prices. For individuals, we do not take deposits, nor sting you with a cancellation fee or re-scheduling fee!! We give 10 % discount for direct bookings (via email or telephone) where payment is in CASH [paid at the end of the tour]. We accept Visa/Mcard…but sorry no discount for payment via this method. We do NOT accept American Express.

#Can you provide an in-depth wine tasting tour?
-Our ‘Coast to Coast’ wine tasting tour combines Auckland sightseeing, and an historical overview of Auckland’s original wine producing region of Kumeu. Although we’d love to have you join us on one of our Auckland tours, if you are a wine connoisseur and want expert guiding in wine tasting, we do suggest other Auckland wine tours.

#Can you provide multi-day tours?
-We are really sorry, but our tours are ONE day tours only. There are a few excellent Auckland NZ tours available, with many companies travelling to other regions on an Auckland bus tour. Alternatively, there is the Auckland Rotorua Tour, or other Auckland coach tours which can take you on multi-day tours.

Please refer to our COSTS page for a full breakdown on our prices.

You get 10% DISCOUNT off our AUCKLAND TOURS

for DIRECT bookings and when you pay in CASH (at the end of the tour)

- LUNCH on our Auckland tours

# Is lunch included in the tour price?
-YES, lunch is included on ALL of our tours.

# What kind of food is available?
- We stop at an upmarket cafe that serves a variety of NZ-european style foods. The choice is entirely upto you.

# Can I have an alcoholic beverage with my meal?
- YES, a glass of wine, beer, juice, soft-drink, tea OR coffee is included with the lunch. However on our Exclusive tours lunch beverages are at your own expense.

# Can you cater for my dietary/religious requirements?
-YES, if you discuss this with us at time of booking, we will do our best to accommodate your requirements.

# Are children’s meals available?
- YES, (but we ask that you pay the cost of the lunch for your under 5 year olds. Lunch for children over 5 years is included)

# What is the ‘Kiwiana-themed’ lunch?
- This is a themed lunch which includes a lamb BBQ, and is held at our farm Homestead. It is for group tours; (minimum 16 and maximum 24 persons). Prior bookings for this are essential.

You get 10% DISCOUNT off our AUCKLAND TOURS

for DIRECT bookings and when you pay in CASH (at the end of the tour)

- Shopping at the CRAFT MARKET

# Will I be pressured into buying items from this shop?
- Certainly not!! The only reason we stop at ‘CraftWorld’ is because the items sold there have been made in New Zealand. We do not receive any commission or other incentive for bringing visitors to this store. (You don’t even have to go into ‘CraftWorld’ if you don’t wish to).

# What kind of crafts are there at this market?
- ‘CraftWorld’ has hundreds of different booths, each containing a different NZ crafter’s wares. Anything (and everything!) from NZ greenstone (pounamu), knitting, woodwork, quilting, carving, jewelry, pottery, paintings, ceramics…to name but a few.

# Have these crafts been made in New Zealand?
-YES, this is the reason why we favour this shop.

# Will these crafts be any cheaper than the souvenir shops in Auckland city?
- In some instances yes. However, many of these products are ‘one-offs’ and are not mass produced. Most of these items are unavailable in regular souvenir shops anyway.

# Oh! I saw an item I liked but my size/colour wasn’t there for me to buy on the day, what should I do?
-Talk to one of the sales assistants and place an order. Leave your contact details with us also.

# Are there any more places where we can buy other products on this tour?
-Absolutely! There will be items for you to purchase at just about every stop; (Arataki Information Centre, wine, and honey.) We even have a few products for sale at our Homestead (some of these include; lanolin skin care, our Carbon Credit Native trees, and the irresistible manuka honey candy which you will sample!)

#I’m not really interested in crafts, are there any other shops to look at instead?
-YES, within a few metres there is ‘Farmer’s’ (a department store), ‘No.1 Shoe Warehouse’ (a bargain shoe shop), ‘The Warehouse’ (a bargain department store), ‘JB HiFi’ (an appliance shop), ‘Noel Leeming’ (another appliance shop), ‘Starbucks Coffee’. (…and complimentary tea/coffee is also available inside the ‘CraftWorld’ store, along with toilet facilities). Plus, there’s even a Pet Shop close-by !!

# If I buy any products on this tour, will they be safe if I leave them in the vehicle?
- Most certainly! We have a lockable compartment in our van, and we always lock the vehicle if it is unattended.

You get 10% DISCOUNT off our AUCKLAND TOURS

for DIRECT bookings and when you pay in CASH (at the end of the tour)

- Auckland WINE TASTING

# What winery will we be visiting?
- We usually go to the Nobilo and/or Matua winery because we have had a long affiliation with them. We feel that they give our visitors the best service, (AND…their wine is pretty good too!!)

# Can we purchase wine from these wineries?
- Most definitely! Not only can you sample a huge variety, these are also available for you to buy.

# Would there be enough space in your vehicle if I bought several bottles?
- Certainly. The staff at the winery will also package it for you!

You get 10% DISCOUNT off our AUCKLAND TOURS

for DIRECT bookings and when you pay in CASH (at the end of the tour)

- BEESONLINE (Honey-tasting)

# Do I have to pay to taste the honey at BeesOnline?
- NO!, this is INCLUDED on your tour.

PLEASE NOTE: As from Feb 1 2011 ‘BeesOnline’ will be closed every Monday + Tuesday. (We can have an alternative honey-tasting if required)……..sorry! but this situation is beyond our control!!

# What kind of honey products are available here?
- Almost everything! (check out the BeesOnline website)

# If I purchase honey, can I take it back into my home country?
- Most countries are fine, but the staff at BeesOnline are best to answer this, as some regions have regulations. We do have a Customs Document though, which we will issue to you if you forget to pick one up with your purchase.