These Terms and Conditions apply to all tours and services provided by Back to Nature Tours (NZ) Ltd. By making a booking with us, you acknowledge that you have read and accepted these Terms and Conditions.
1. Bookings & Payment
For standard day tours, full prepayment by credit card is required at the time of booking. Your booking is confirmed once payment has been successfully processed and confirmed by Back to Nature Tours (NZ) Ltd. Please note that bookings made online may incur an additional booking fee charged by our secure online booking provider. Our online booking system is safe and secure. Credit card details are encrypted, and an electronic receipt will be issued immediately following payment. For customised tours, private charters or multi-day expeditions, payment schedules may differ and will be detailed on your quotation or booking confirmation. Unless otherwise stated: A 25% deposit is required to confirm multi-day tour bookings. A further 25% payment is due approximately six months before departure. The remaining balance is due approximately four months prior to departure. Bookings are not confirmed until the required deposit has been received.
2. Prices
All prices are quoted in New Zealand Dollars (NZD) and include Goods and Services Tax (GST) unless otherwise stated. Rates published on this website are valid from 1 May 2026 until 30 September 2027. Quoted prices are based on supplier costs applicable at the time of quotation. Should accommodation, Department of Conservation (DOC) fees, transport or other supplier costs increase before a booking is confirmed, Back to Nature Tours (NZ) Ltd reserves the right to amend the quoted price.
3. Cancellation Policy – Standard Day Tours
Re-booking is available at no additional cost, subject to availability. For cancellations made more than 24 hours before the scheduled departure time, Back to Nature Tours (NZ) Ltd will provide either: a full refund less a 5% credit card transaction fee; or a credit towards a future tour. For cancellations made within 24 hours of departure, Back to Nature Tours (NZ) Ltd reserves the right to charge up to 100% of the tour price. If your cruise ship is unable to berth at Port Chalmers due to adverse weather, mechanical issues or other circumstances beyond your control, we will provide a full refund.
4. Customised Day Tours & Private Charters
For private charters, educational groups, customised itineraries and special-interest tours, the following cancellation policy applies unless otherwise agreed in writing.
More than 15 days before departure – Full refund.
0–14 days before departure – 100% cancellation charge.
Once the tour has commenced – No refund.
Failure to meet the guide at the agreed meeting point – No refund.
5. Cruise Ship Port Cancellation Guarantee
This guarantee applies to any tour or private charter booked specifically in connection with a cruise ship’s scheduled visit to Port Chalmers or Dunedin.
If the cruise ship cancels its scheduled port call, is diverted to another port, is unable to berth, or changes its arrival or departure time so substantially that the booked tour cannot reasonably operate, Back to Nature Tours (NZ) Ltd will provide a full refund.
This guarantee applies regardless of the reason for the ship’s cancellation, diversion or failure to berth, including but not limited to:
Adverse weather or sea conditions;
Mechanical or technical problems;
Medical emergencies;
Port closures or restrictions;
Changes made by the cruise line, ship’s captain or port authorities;
Operational or scheduling changes;
or Any other circumstance outside the guest’s reasonable control.
No cancellation fee or 5% credit-card transaction fee will be deducted by Back to Nature Tours (NZ) Ltd in these circumstances.
The refund will include all tour payments and deposits received directly by Back to Nature Tours (NZ) Ltd. Any separate booking or service fee charged and retained directly by an independent booking platform may be subject to that provider’s refund terms. Guests should notify Back to Nature Tours (NZ) Ltd as soon as reasonably possible after becoming aware of a cancelled or altered port call. We may request confirmation of the cancellation or itinerary change from the cruise line. If the ship’s time in port is shortened but sufficient time remains to provide a safe and worthwhile tour, we will contact the guest and offer an adjusted itinerary. If a suitable alternative cannot reasonably be provided, the guest will receive a full refund.
This guarantee does not apply when:
The ship berths and the tour can operate as scheduled, but the guest decides not to participate;
The guest fails to disembark or meet the guide at the agreed time and place;
The guest is refused permission to disembark for personal, medical, immigration or other individual reasons;
orThe guest misses the ship or is not travelling aboard the cruise ship connected with the booking.
This Cruise Ship Port Cancellation Guarantee takes precedence over any inconsistent cancellation, supplier-cost or force-majeure provision contained elsewhere in these Terms and Conditions.
6. Multi-Day Tours & Expeditions
Multi-day tours require significant advance commitments, including accommodation, Department of Conservation (DOC) hut bookings, transport, guides and other supplier services.
Cancellation Charges
More than 180 days before departure Deposit retained
180–121 days before departure 50% of total tour price
120–61 days before departure 75% of total tour price
60 days or less before departure100% of total tour price
These charges reflect supplier commitments and costs incurred in preparing your tour. If Back to Nature Tours (NZ) Ltd is able to recover supplier costs or resell the booking, we may, at our sole discretion, provide a partial refund.
7. Changes to Bookings
Requests to alter dates, participant numbers or itineraries will be accommodated wherever possible but remain subject to availability. Additional supplier costs may apply. For group bookings, reductions in participant numbers after confirmation may result in revised pricing where accommodation or transport commitments have already been made.
8. Tour Changes
Back to Nature Tours (NZ) Ltd reserves the right to modify or substitute any part of an itinerary where necessary in the interests of: participant safety; weather conditions; track or road closures; operational requirements; supplier availability; orany other unforeseen circumstance. Where practical, suitable alternatives will be provided.
9. Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that all guests participating in customised or multi-day tours obtain comprehensive travel insurance covering: cancellation; medical expenses; evacuation; personal belongings; and travel disruption.
10. Biosecurity
New Zealand has strict biosecurity regulations. Guests bringing hiking boots, tents or camping equipment into New Zealand should ensure all equipment is thoroughly cleaned before departure. Failure to comply with New Zealand Biosecurity requirements remains the responsibility of the traveller.
11. Liability
Participation in outdoor activities involves inherent risks. Back to Nature Tours (NZ) Ltd, its directors, employees and guides accept no responsibility for loss, theft of or damage to personal property. Except where liability cannot be excluded under New Zealand law, Back to Nature Tours (NZ) Ltd shall not be liable for any loss, injury, illness, delay or additional expense arising from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including adverse weather, natural hazards, road closures or actions of third-party suppliers. Participants are responsible for ensuring they are medically fit and suitably equipped for the activities undertaken.
12. Force Majeure
Back to Nature Tours (NZ) Ltd shall not be liable for cancellation or interruption of services caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to: severe weather; flooding; earthquakes; wildfires; pandemics; government restrictions; industrial action; airline disruption; orclosure of roads, tracks or public facilities. Where possible, we will offer alternative arrangements or reschedule the tour. Refunds will be considered after deducting any unrecoverable costs already incurred.
13. Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of New Zealand.Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the New Zealand Courts.
