COVID-19 (Coronavirus) - Read our updates on global travel here.
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) - Read our updates on global travel here.
Dates: August 3rd-14th 2023
Duration: 11 Nights/12 Days
Group Size: 12 people maximum
Cost: $4,995 USD per person
This trip has been created especially for women who are travelling to New Zealand for the Women's World Cup Soccer tournament and want to join an 'off the field' women's trip to explore the best our country has to offer. Of course any women who want to visit New Zealand in winter are welcome to join this trip too. We're all so excited to be hosting the World Cup tournament this year, and especially proud of our New Zealand Football Ferns' contributions both on and off the field. Like them, we believe we have a responsibility for making a positive impact in our work and play.
This trip is for the female traveller who wants to:
NOTE: This trip does not include any World Cup tournament games, but has been scheduled to run after the group stage matches and before the semi finals.
Want to know more? Send us an email or register your interest here.
Ready to sign up? Click here to complete your booking form and secure your spot!
Day 1
Welcome to New Zealand. Our trip will begin today in Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington where your Off the Field adventure will kick off at Hillside Kitchen. You'll enjoy a hyper-local plant based degustation for your welcome dinner.
Spend the evening getting to know your fellow women travellers and setting the tone for the rest of your trip.
Our lodging for our first two nights is Naumi Wellington, a hotel that places heart & humanity at the centre of everything they do. Celebrating diversity, inclusion, equality, community and our planet, Naumi always goes above and beyond to create a lasting impact.
Day 2
Today we’re heading up the Kāpiti coast and taking a ferry from Paraparaumu Beach to breathtaking Kāpiti Island, a nature reserve that is home to some of New Zealand’s most treasured and endangered species. We’ll be hosted by Kāpiti Island Nature Tours who have been welcoming visitors to the Island for generations and will share the unique ecological and human history of this place with you.
We'll explore the island with our hosts and spend the day either wandering and bird watching at the base of Kāpiti’s maunga (mountain), or by climbing the trig track to a spectacular view at the top.
We'll travel back to Wellington in the late afternoon and enjoy another night soaking up NZ's vibrant capital city.
Day 3
Today we’ll leave the North Island of Aotearoa and head south on the Interislander Ferry, arriving via the picturesque Marlborough Sounds. We’ll settle in to Kimi Ora Eco Resort in Kaiteriteri, where we’ll be spending the next two nights while we explore the Nelson-Tasman region. Climate Positive Kimi Ora offers us lovely accommodation and stunning views of Kaiteriteri Bay while dining on sumptuous locally sourced and seasonal vegetarian dishes.
The Nelson Tasman region is committed to reducing their carbon footprint and this afternoon we’ll spend time with some of the trailblazers who are certified Zero Carbon or Climate Positive businesses. We’ll learn about what it means to be Zero Carbon while experiencing the wonderful local offerings of the “Top of the South” - flat whites and forest walks, canyons and craft beers.
Day 4
Today we’ll explore the stunning Abel Tasman coastline in a paddling waka (Māori canoe). Embracing the spirit of adventure, together we’ll push off from the golden sand beaches and paddle out into the turquoise waters of Abel Tasman National park. Paddling a waka is a journey of discovery, combining idyllic scenery, exercise, history, storytelling and tradition. This unique experience leaves you feeling connected and empowered.
Lee-Ann and Todd Jago own Waka Abel Tasman, and are passionate about waka, the outdoors, tikanga Māori (practices and behaviour customary to Māori) and sharing these things with others. Their community is at the heart of everything they do as well as uplifting rangitahi (young people). By spending a day with Waka Abel Tasman, we are helping their community’s growth and empowerment.
Day 5
Leaving the gorgeous Nelson Tasman region behind, we’ll travel the stunning scenic drive down the east coast of the South Island, to Kaikōura, nestled between the mountains and the sea. Keep your eyes open for seals along the coastline playing in the rock pools. Lunch today will be among the vines at a sustainable vineyard on our way South.
We'll be staying at the Sudima Hotel for the next two nights, appreciating their commitment to sustainability and support of the local community through their various local projects.
Day 6
You have a full day to experience the magic of Kaikōura today. With an abundance of marine wildlife, Kaikoura offers a choice of activities today. Bird lovers can join an albatross encounter, while marine animal lovers can swim with dolphins or look for whales on a whale watch tour. You can choose to add any of these optional activities (at your own cost), or just relax by the ocean for the day. The choice is yours.
Day 7
Today we'll continue further south to Ōtautahi/Christchurch, the garden city. You'll have all afternoon to experience the resilience of beautiful Christchurch, with its vibrant river front bars and restaurants that have come back to life after the devastating 2011 earthquakes.
We'll be staying in Hotel Give tonight, a hotel committed to social sustainability where all profits from our stay will be reinvested back into programmes and services offered by the YMCA.
Day 8
We'll journey towards the spectacular Southern Alps today, enjoying vistas of turquoise lakes and Aoraki Mt Cook along the way. On a clear night, the stars from our lodgings tonight are beyond imagination as we stay in the middle of an international dark sky reserve.
Relax in your lake-side lodging and wonder how the scenery can get any better. Nestled in the mountains, Lake Ōhau Lodge offers genuine kiwi hospitality by Mike and Louise Neilson who have owned and operated the lodge since the mid 1980's. Mike and Louise have a passion for this outstandingly beautiful, yet stark landscape and a strong desire to see its special environment preserved.
Day 9
You'll continue south today to breathtaking Tāhuna/Queenstown. Set on Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is well known as the adventure capital of the world with any and all activities you can imagine on offer.
Our lodging for the next three nights, Sherwood Hotel, is ranked within the world's top 10 sustainable hotels. With views over Lake Wakatipu, Sherwood prioritises the wellbeing of its community and environment operating in a way that looks after both. Everything about Sherwood reflects a sense of place, and a moment in time. You'll gain an authentic understanding of Queenstown's landscapes, culture, and people.
Day 10
Today offers an epic off-road safari on a remote high country station (large farm). Our skilful local guide negotiates a cliffside road, high above Lake Hāwea, to bring you through this spectacular landscape. You'll also walk through an alpine meadow with incredible wide open views of Lake Hāwea and the surrounding mountains before enjoying a relaxing riverside picnic lunch.
Day 11
Your last full day on tour offers a free day to explore the breathtaking Queenstown Lakes area. Whether it's a wine tour, a day hike, a bungee jump, or endless other options, there is something for everyone. A list of choices will be provided upon request (activities at own cost).
We'll enjoy a farewell dinner together tonight, sharing stories, memories, and inspiration with each other, reflecting on the 'off the field' contributions we've made throughout this trip and perhaps in the future.
Day 12
You’ll farewell new friends today, as you prepare to depart today from Queenstown. If you let us know of your return travel plans in advance we can assist with your airport transfer or other requirements.
We seek to reduce our environmental impact as much as possible, and to contribute to the regeneration of habitats and ecosystems. This includes measuring, reducing and offsetting our carbon emissions, minimising waste, and partnering with businesses committed to the stewardship of their natural environments. A significant aspect of that is about reconnecting with nature, and we acknowledge the privilege and responsibility of visiting taonga (treasured) and often endangered ecosystems.
We're deeply committed to partnering with New Zealand owned and operated businesses, ensuring as much as possible of your trip cost is going back into the local economy, and to NZ businesses who have faced immense challenges over the last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are committed to supporting Māori business, and have actively sought to partner with businesses owned by Māori and minority groups.
Donation:
As a part of our commitment to giving back to our host communities and environments, $100 USD of each participant’s trip cost will be donated to a charity supporting New Zealand women and girls in sport.
Our commitment is to:
Your host for this experience is Frankie - environmentalist, experienced guide and previously a member of the international football team for Wales!
"Kia ora, I'm Frankie, and I live in a beautiful small town called Lake Hawea, nestled at the foothills of Kā Tiritiri o te Moana/Southern Alps. I live with my partner Emily and a huge ginger cat called Kehu. Since moving to New Zealand, I've been a hiking guide in Mount Aspiring National Park and a climbing instructor, and now own a vegan dehydrating food business.
I have a deep passion for nature and preservation of Papatūānuku/Mother Earth and all our unique birds and plant life. I have spent many a great moment trapsing over hills and through valleys with people from all over the world, and thoroughly enjoy sharing stories and adventures. My love of nature extends through my life as a vegan, and I'm super passionate about great food and local produce. In my personal time I am an avid rock climber, travelling to seek out challenging rocks and diverse landscapes.
Prior to my highly adventurous life in New Zealand (and Australia before that) in my younger years I played soccer for my country - Wales, UK. I remember playing from a very young age with all the boys, and as a teenager I joined a women's team and eventually played in the UK Premiership. I love soccer and I am so excited to see how far women's football has progressed, and the support it now receives.
In summary, I'm a typical 'adopted' kiwi who loves everything outdoors; hiking, mountain biking, skiing, climbing, mountaineering, swimming as well as meeting new people, adventuring and eating good food!"
The cost of your trip includes the following:
Please note that the following are not included and are your responsibility to arrange:
Cost per person: $4,995 USD
$416 USD per day including all accommodation, some meals, regenerative tourism activities, project donation, carbon offsetting and privately guided travel within New Zealand as outlined in the Includes tab. Payment plan options are also available.
To secure your spot on this trip, we require a non-refundable deposit of $500 USD per person.
Please click the Book Now button below to book your spot. You will then be directed to pay your deposit of $500. If you would prefer to pay via payment plan, please contact us. Before you make your payment, please make sure you’ve read and understood our terms of service. If there is anything in our terms of service that you’d like us to clarify, please contact us for more information.
Our trip will be confirmed once we have the minimum number of participants needed. Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip is confirmed.
Travelling During COVID
GOOD Travel is committed to minimizing the risk to our travellers, team leaders, our partners and the people in each destination we visit. We also want to give greater confidence and flexibility to our travellers in response to the uncertainties present within international travel. Therefore we have adjusted our policies and safety protocols. You can find more information in our terms of service.
We follow safety recommendations from the WHO, CDC and the official recommendations from each country we visit, and we work with partners who adhere closely to health and safety protocols.
Sign up to receive free GOOD tips and inspiration in your inbox.
