Important Information

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 LGBTQ+ SCENE: New Zealand is a progressive leaning country with an even more progressive leaning government. So it should come as no surprise that LGBTQ+ laws are heavily in our favour. But acceptance in New Zealand goes beyond laws and regulations. Opinion polls show wide-spread acceptance of LGBTQ+ 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 South Island is usually a sunny month with comfortable breezes and light rain (depending on where you are, of course). The chance of rain increases significantly around Milford Sound and a rain jacket is definitely required. Also, the temperature does drop in the evening and you’ll likely be happy to have a sweater or light jacket handy.

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, our ship 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, and it is our belief that each traveller has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travellers from illness. Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, nor to isolate in the event of respiratory illness. Our Hosts and/or Group Leaders may ask those with respiratory or cold symptoms to wear a mask in confined areas. Local laws may be more strict and will always supersede our policies.

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 an LGBTQ+ (or LGBTQ-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, 3 lunches and 5 dinners are included on this trip.

Fable Christchurch Hotel
166 Gloucester Street, Christchurch
T +64 3 943 3888

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.

Ramada, Queenstown
18-24 Frankton Road,
Queenstown Central,
New Zealand

T +64 3 244 9000

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 $110-130 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

• Passport/Visas/Flight Itineraries/Travel Insurance
• Pre-trip packet
• Credit/ATM card

General Personal Items

• Eye mask, ear plugs
• Smartphone, camera, charging cables and travel adapters
• Daypack
• Luggage lock
• Guidebook, phrase book, reading material

Shoes

• Socks (Preferably both hiking and quick-dry socks)
• Hiking shoes or hiking boots (Worn-in)
• Sandals or Water shoes
• A pair of shoes you’d feel comfortable wearing to a restaurant

Bottoms:

• Underwear (Preferably sweat-wicking briefs)
• Pants (Preferably lightweight hiking pants with zip-off legs)
• Shorts
• Swimwear
• Pants you’d feel comfortable wearing to a restaurant

Tops

• Short-sleeved shirts (Preferably sweat-wicking)
• Long-sleeved shirts (Preferably sweat-wicking)
• Sweaters (Lightweight and preferably fleece)
• Shirts you’d feel comfortable wearing to a restaurant

Jackets

• Light jacket for cool evenings
• Waterproof jacket/poncho

Other

• Sunglasses/Hat
• Small Umbrella
• Refillable water bottle
• Daypack
• Walking sticks/poles (optional)
• Light gloves for cool mornings (optional)

Health-related Items

• Small First aid kit including ibuprofen, acetaminophen, zinc oxide tape and small scissors, blister pads, diarrhea tablets, dioralyte rehydration packs
• Personal Medication
• High protection sunscreen/lip balm
• Insect repellent/bite cream/antihistamine
• Antibacterial gel/wipes
• Toiletries including toothbrush, toothpaste & deodorant
• Vaseline to prevent chafing skin and heel friction blisters
• Blister pads such as Band-aid or Dr. Scholls blister cushions

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:

• Sit with (and get to know) different people at different meals
• Mix up walking partners on excursions
• Invite solo travellers to join you for an optional excursion or meal
• Enjoy inside jokes in privacy, or let the group in on the secret 😉

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

• Very little or no hiking
• Light activities such as walking, bike tours, paddling or swimming are completely optional
• Low altitude
• Suitable for all fitness levels

2 – Light

• Light walking and hiking (2 hours or less per day and at low altitude)
• Light activities such as bike tours, paddling or swimming are completely optional
• Suitable for most fitness levels

3 – Average

• Light walking and hiking (3 hours or less per day, rarely at high altitude)
• Some activities such as biking, paddling or swimming. Active days are mixed with relaxed days
• Suitable for an average fitness level

4 – Demanding

• Walking, hiking is a component of the tour (can range from 2 hours to 6 hours per day, at various altitudes)
• Activities such as biking, paddling or swimming may be mixed in
• Suitable for a good fitness level

5 – Challenging

• Walking, hiking, biking, paddling or kayaking are the vast majority of the trip (can range from 2 hours to 8 hours per day, generally at high altitude)
• Activities will likely happen day after day with limited rest days
• Suitable for above average fitness level