Backpacking New Zealand

How can I get in touch with my group leader?

Your group leader will email you around 1 day before the tour starts.

Is my money protected?

Absolutely. Your payment is secure. Backpacking Tours is a licensed tour operator in Thailand (TAT Licence No. 11/12642), and we use trusted international payment providers. Your booking is safe, and our team is here to support you every step of the way.

Where do I update my arrival details?

Once you’ve booked your flights, log in to the Manage My Booking area of our website and enter your flight arrival details. If you’re arriving early, we can still arrange your airport transfer. If you also need extra nights of accommodation, let us know early so we can confirm availability and pricing.

Are flights included in the price?

International flights are not included in the price of any tour and will need to be booked separately. You’re free to book your own flights or book here.

How much spending money will I need?

Most things are covered, including activities, transport, accommodation, and some meals. You’ll just need money for extra meals, drinks, shopping, and any onward travel after the tour

Is travel insurance compulsory?

Yes! Travel insurance is a must for all our trips. You’ll need to show proof (on your phone or printed) to your group leader when you arrive.

Need to grab a policy? Get a quote and buy travel insurance here.

What if I’m travelling with a friend or partner?

Awesome! Once you’ve booked, just let us know who you’re travelling with and we’ll make sure you’re roomed together. Easy as that!

What if I’m travelling solo?

Can’t convince your mates? No worries! Most of our travellers come solo, and it’s one of the best ways to experience a new destination.

You’ll join an instant crew, meet amazing people, and make new friends from day one. Plus, you can keep your travel plans flexible and fully your own.

Ready to roll solo? You won’t be alone for long.

What travel insurance do you recommend?

We highly recommend that you travel with insurance for complete peace of mind. Please click here.

How do we travel during the tour?

This tour covers a large part of New Zealand, so you can expect some long travel days. We use a mix of private transport and public buses, and occasional delays due to traffic are possible.

What type of accommodation is included?

This is a backpacker-style trip, with stays in budget multi-share rooms ranging from 4 to 10 beds. The accommodation is clean, social, and suited to travellers who don’t mind sharing space.

What is a Working Holiday Visa?

A Working Holiday Visa (WHV) lets you stay and work in New Zealand for 12 to 23 months, depending on your nationality. It’s available to young people, usually aged 18 to 30, or up to 35 for some countries.

When is the best time to visit New Zealand?

New Zealand is great to visit year-round:

Summer (Dec–Mar): Warm, sunny days perfect for outdoor activities
Winter (Jun–Sep): Snow in the South Island and some parts of the North
Shoulder seasons: Milder weather and fewer tourists

Do I need a visa for New Zealand?

For a short holiday, travellers from Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, and several other countries don’t need a visa, but do need an NZ ETA (Electronic Travel Authority), which can be requested online. We can help arrange this.

If you're joining the NZ Intro Work add-on, you’ll need a Working Holiday Visa (WHV). These are available to travellers aged 18–30, or 18–35 from select countries. They’re valid for 12 to 23 months depending on your nationality.

What is the NZ Work add-on?

The NZ Work add-on includes everything you need to start working in New Zealand:

Help opening a bank account with Wise
A local SIM card and IRD number
Access to the Jobs website with daily job listings
A 'Work in NZ' presentation
One-on-one advice on CVs, interviews, training and more

When should I arrive for the tour?

We recommend arriving on the official start date, as most people arrive then. There are no scheduled activities on Day 1, but the group usually meets for a welcome dinner around 7PM.

If you arrive before the start date, we’ll book you into the tour accommodation from the day you arrive.

When should I book my flight to arrive?

We recommend arriving on the official start date of the tour, as this is when most travellers arrive. There are usually no scheduled activities on the first day, but the group often meets for a welcome dinner in the evening.

If you’d like time to relax or explore before the tour starts, you’re welcome to arrive a day or two early. Pre-tour accommodation can be arranged, just let us know.

What should I pack for my tour?

Backpack or suitcase? Totally up to you. But here’s the golden rule: pack light! We recommend keeping it under 20kg.

A few quick tips:

A backpack that zips open on the side = super handy
Don’t overpack, you can do laundry on tour
You definitely don’t need 16 pairs of shorts

Keep it simple. You’ll thank yourself later!

What’s the best way to access my money?

We recommend grabbing a Wise travel card. It works almost everywhere, lets you withdraw cash at ATMs, and you can use it with Google or Apple Pay.

Top tip: Convert your money to AUD (or NZD) in advance to avoid foreign exchange fees.

If you’re planning to work in Australia or New Zealand, you’ll need one! When signing up, just choose to open an Aussie or Kiwi bank account, that way you’ll be all set to get paid.

Get your Wise card here.

When will my booking be confirmed?

For group tours, your place will be confirmed when 6 or more people have signed up and at least four weeks (28 days) prior to the start of your tour.

For volunteer or private bookings, please wait 2-3 working days.

We will refund you the total amount if the tour is cancelled. Typically, group tours are confirmed six months before departure.