Mast Image: Otahuna Lodge©

Frequently Asked Questions

Please browse the frequently asked questions below or contact us so we can answer any questions you have directly.

Why should we travel with Lookout Point?
Lookout Point will design a New Zealand vacation tailored to your unique needs. We provide full support to manage every aspect of your travel bookings, transfers and leisure activities.
As a New Zealand based company, Lookout Point has the local knowledge and networks to ensure the success of your New Zealand vacation.

What support does Lookout Point provide?
Lookout Point provides unlimited email and telephone support prior to your travel commencement and then 24 hour telephone support during your vacation. Managing your travel and being available to you at all times during your stay in New Zealand is important to us.

Will we be met by a Lookout Point representative on arrival?
Most clients will be met on arrival in New Zealand by a representative from Lookout Point and escorted to their first nights accommodation. Lookout Point will discuss individual arrangements with each client.

How do we contact Lookout Point while in New Zealand?
Lookout Point has a 24-hour free phone number that makes contacting Lookout Point while you are in New Zealand very simple. That number from within New Zealand is 0800 566 568. If you have a query that is not urgent then you may email info@lookoutpoint.co.nz. If you require a contact number to leave with friends or relatives, they can contact Lookout Point on +64 3 379 4401 or 1800 731 7980 from North America.

Where is Lookout Point based?
Lookout Point’s office is based in Christchurch. Christchurch is the largest city in New Zealand’s South Island and a key hub between popular destinations. Lookout Point is a part of New Zealand Travel Holdings Limited.

What type of accommodations does Lookout Point recommend?
Lookout Point works actively with, and recommends, a core group of New Zealand’s finest luxury lodges, boutique hotels and private retreats. These lodgings cater for small numbers of guests and pride themselves on the quality of the service that they offer as well as the uniqueness of their location.

What will Lookout Point provide me with after I have booked?
You will receive a comprehensive itinerary with detailed daily breakdowns. You will also receive information regarding your confirmed accommodation, activity bookings and transfers. Where applicable you may receive travel vouchers to redeem with confirmed operators. Clients that have rental vehicles booked will receive detailed driving directions and maps. Lookout Point will also re-confirm all bookings with operators made through Lookout Point.

Does Lookout Point arrange family vacations?
Lookout Point recognises the importance of families travelling together and pride ourselves on being able to deliver luxury vacations for this market. We work with a number of lodgings and service providers that are family friendly who provide the ultimate location and activities for all generations.

Can Lookout Point organise New Zealand travel for groups?
Yes. If you have a family, special interest group, sports team or business group we can happily assist you in making luxury travel arrangements for you. We specialise in customised travel for private groups as well as incentive packages and client entertainment for organisations.

Are there reputable nanny-services we can use in New Zealand?
Lookout Point can work with you to provide a nanny service during your visit to New Zealand. Many of our luxury lodgings are in remote locations but with adequate notice we can make arrangements for experienced care givers. If you have your own nanny or au pair who will travel with you, please advise us and we will ensure that appropriate accommodations are booked on site.

Can Lookout Point organise our wedding or honeymoon arrangements for us?
Yes. Lookout Point can design the ultimate wedding or honeymoon featuring the very best of New Zealand. For weddings we work with New Zealand’s most respected wedding planners to ensure every detail is taken care of for your special day. New Zealand is the ultimate destination for a honeymoon with spectacular scenery and exhilarating adventures, coupled with luxury secluded accommodation.

Do you have guides available who can escort us on our vacation?
Lookout Point has available expert guides who are trained in providing the ultimate in client satisfaction. From local knowledge, driving your luxury vehicle, to managing your day to day itinerary, Lookout Point’s guides will go the extra mile to ensure you are comfortable and informed. They also recognise the importance of personal space and will discreetly remain at a distance.

Can Lookout Point advise accommodations of our dietary requirements and allergies?
If you have any special dietary requirements, religious beliefs, allergies or dislikes, please advise us at time of booking and we will discreetly pass these on to our accommodation partners. This is a regular occurrence and chefs are used to handling these issues. Advising us at time of booking avoids any potential awkward moments during your vacation.

Should we bring our own fishing/hunting equipment?
Lookout Point offers fishing and hunting trips with New Zealand’s foremost guides and outfitters. These operators are able to supply you with equipment including rods, reels, waders and rifles. Many clients bring their personal gear with them that they are comfortable with. At time of booking, Lookout Point will liaise with clients and advise what is needed. Hunters travelling to New Zealand need to obtain a licence for imported firearms which is a quick process at their first port of entry.

Should we bring our own golf clubs?
Most golfers feel more comfortable playing with their own set of golf clubs, however Lookout Point can arrange a full set of executive hire clubs to use in New Zealand. At a minimum we suggest that you bring your own soft-spike golf shoes. Experience suggests that new or hired shoes which do not fit correctly do not produce happy golfers! To protect New Zealand’s island quarantine status please ensure shoes are cleaned prior to your arrival of all dirt and grass. During your stay Lookout Point can arrange storage of your clubs until departure, as well as shipping your clubs home unaccompanied, while you continue your travels.

How do we book our vacation with Lookout Point?
After contacting Lookout Point with your requests via email or telephone, Lookout Point will design a unique itinerary to meet your requirements. After a consultation period with you to make sure you are comfortable with the itinerary, Lookout Point will ask you to confirm your acceptance. After receiving a 25% deposit from you, Lookout Point will then confirm all bookings with the lodgings and service providers included in your itinerary. Lookout Point will require full payment of the outstanding balance 60 days prior to travel commencement. If your booking is made less than 60 days prior to travel, full payment will be required at time of booking.

How do we pay for our vacation?
Payment can be made by wire transfer or credit card. Lookout Point requires a 25% deposit to confirm your itinerary and the balance 60 days prior to travel commencement. If a vacation is booked less than 60 days prior to travel, full payment will be required at time of booking. All prices are quoted will be in New Zealand dollars, unless prior arrangement has been made. Prices will be subject to New Zealand Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 12.5%.

What if I need to cancel my vacation or parts of it?
Lookout Point understands that sometimes cancellations are necessary. To protect yourself from any unnecessary cost and hassles in the event of having to cancel part or all of your vacation, Lookout Point recommends all travellers take out comprehensive travel insurance covering cancellations, health and personal belongings.
While we do our best to work with clients and make changes where necessary, Lookout Point has firm cancellation and refund policies that are passed through from our suppliers.

.: 60 days or more before day one of your itinerary    25% Penalty

.: 59-31 days before day one of your itinerary           40% Penalty

.: 30 days or less before day one of your itinerary      100% Penalty

Do I need travel insurance?
It is strongly recommended that comprehensive travel insurance be taken out to protect you in the event of; loss of deposit, cancellation charges, loss or damage of personal effects, ill health, medical expenses and any other unforeseen insurable events. Please discuss this with your Lookout Point at time of booking.

Will I be charged for any changes or amendments to my itinerary?
Lookout Point is a travel management company and it’s our job to make things work for you our client. Where possible, Lookout Point will make changes and alterations to your itinerary free of charge. However, necessary costs may need to be passed on from a supplier and Lookout Point will advise and seek acceptance from you before proceeding. Any changes that result in a cancellation of confirmed bookings will carry the applicable cancellation fees.

What should I budget to spend per day in New Zealand?
This is totally dependent on your own requirements and budgets. However Lookout Point’s clients’ generally expect to spend at least $USD1,500 per day/per couple including dinner, bed, breakfast, transfers and some of their leisure activities.

What meals are included in my tariff?
This will differ for each of our clients dependent on their custom itinerary. However, the tariffs for most of New Zealand’s luxury lodges include a superb four course dinner and full breakfast. Dinner is either served table d’h�te or a la carte with a menus changing daily. Guests may dine separately or in a communal setting discussing their day’s experiences with other guests.

Does Lookout Point arrange all of our domestic transfers?
Yes, Lookout Point takes responsibility for your total travel management while you are in New Zealand, including internal transfers. While geographically New Zealand is not a large country, distances between locations can be deceptive. Lookout Point has a detailed knowledge of the best ways to move between destinations. We ensure a balance between seeing the sights and using your valuable vacation time. Typical transport options used by Lookout Point include a combination of commercial flights, helicopters, charter jets and rental vehicles.

Can you book our international flights as well?
Lookout Point specialises in your travel arrangements once you have landed in New Zealand. We can however arrange your international flights and transfers through one of our strategic partners if you wish.

Should we drive ourselves or have a chauffeur?
This is totally dependent on your personal preference and how comfortable you would be driving on the left hand side of the road. Travelling by road opens up some wonderful opportunities for sight seeing in New Zealand, and Lookout Point will work with you to decide whether you drive yourself or travel with the comfort of a chauffeur escort in a luxury vehicle.
New Zealand's tourist routes are in most part only two lanes and generally sealed and of a high standard. All roads, including those in rural locations, are well signposted. You can legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months if you have either a current driver's licence from your home country.
Lookout Point recommends to all clients that parts of your vacation should use air travel to best maximise your time in New Zealand.

Do I need an international licence to drive in New Zealand?
You can legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months if you have either a current driver's licence from your home country or an International Driving Permit.

Where should I book my international flights to arrive and depart from?
The two largest international airports are Auckland and Christchurch. Lookout Point can recommend an itinerary that best utilises your time in New Zealand which may see you arrive at one airport and depart from another.

Can you cater for private jet aircraft?
Yes we can. Lookout Point has excellent relationships with ground handling organisations in New Zealand and can advise on all matters including procedures for private aircraft operating within New Zealand airspace.

Do we travel alone or in a tour group?
All of our itineraries are customised especially for your requirements. We do not offer packages where you travel with others as part of a wider tour group. Your travel plan is prepared exclusively for your party which could be for an individual, a couple, an extended family or small group of friends.

How long should we travel to New Zealand for?
That is entirely dependent on your budget and available time. Most visitors to New Zealand wish they could have stayed for longer! Unless you are visiting for a specific meeting or have a very tight schedule, Lookout Point would recommend an absolute minimum of one week. The typical vacation is at least two weeks which allows clients the opportunity to explore at a slightly more relaxed pace. For those with only a week or ten days, Lookout Point recommends that you only visit either the North or South Island to best use your valuable vacation time.

When is the best time to travel to New Zealand?
New Zealand is an ideal destination to visit at any time of the year. Summer and winter temperatures vary by only about 10ºC over most of the country. New Zealand’s summer is the busiest time to visit but is still quiet in comparison to many international destinations.
New Zealand has four quite distinct seasons - Spring (Sept-Nov), Summer (Dec-Feb), Autumn/Fall (Mar-May) and Winter (June-Aug).

What is New Zealand’s climate like?
New Zealand has a largely temperate climate. While the far north has subtropical weather during summer, and inland alpine areas of the South Island can be cold in winter, most of the country lies close to the coast. This means mild temperatures, moderate rainfall, and abundant sunshine.
Because New Zealand is located in the Southern Hemisphere, the average temperature decreases as you travel south. The north of New Zealand is subtropical and the south temperate. The warmest months are December, January and February, and the coldest June, July and August. In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20-30ºC (68-86ºF) and in winter between 10-15ºC (50-59ºF).

What clothes should we bring?
Dress is informal and relaxed on most occasions. Smart casual clothes are acceptable at most restaurants and night-spots. Men are generally not expected to wear a jacket and tie, except in a few of the more exclusive formal bars and restaurants in major cities.
In summer a light jacket or sweater should be included in your luggage should the weather turn cooler or you visit higher altitudes. You can expect some rain, so include a light rainproof jacket or coat. If visiting between May and September, pack warm winter garments and layer your clothing.

What tax is there is New Zealand?
All goods and services purchased in New Zealand are subject to a Goods & Services Tax (GST) of 12.5%. There are no additional regional or state sales taxes.

How much should I tip in New Zealand?
Tipping is not commonplace or expected in New Zealand, however excellent service is becoming increasingly recognised within the service and tourism industry.

How close to Australia is New Zealand?
Australia is approximately three and a half hours flight time from New Zealand across the Tasman Sea. The main Australian airports offering services to New Zealand are Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Do I need a passport or visa to enter New Zealand?
All visitors to New Zealand must carry a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date you intend to leave the country. Most visitors who intend to stay for less than three months do not require a visa. If you want to stay longer than three months, or your country of origin does not have a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand, then you will need to apply for a Visitor's Visa.

When is the best time to go hiking in New Zealand?
Tracks such as the Abel Tasman, Heaphy and Queen Charlotte Sounds Walkway located at the top of the South Island can be walked all year round. However, those tracks at higher altitudes such as the world famous Milford Track, Kepler and Routeburn are closed in the winter due to snow. You must book to walk the Milford and Routeburn tracks, which are open between October and April.

What is a ‘Kiwi’?
The kiwi, New Zealand's national emblem, is a rare nocturnal, flightless bird with hair-like feathers and a long, slender bill which it uses to pull worms and insects out of the ground. Found only in New Zealand, it is active at night in the wilderness areas of the country. New Zealanders often refer to themselves as Kiwis.

What is New Zealand's smoking policy?
To protect people from the health effects of second-hand smoke, smoking in all hospitality venues, including bars, restaurants, cafes, and casinos, is prohibited in New Zealand. If you smoke, please remember to smoke outside.