Terms & Conditions

Lake Wakatipu: Vast, majestic alpine lake surrounded by dramatic mountains.

1. Parties and Application

These Terms & Conditions form the agreement between you (“you” or “the traveller”) and Silver Beech Outdoors Limited (“we,” “us,” or “our”).

By booking, you agree to these terms. If you book for other people, you confirm that you are authorised to make the booking and will share these terms, the trip information, and our Risk Disclosure with everyone in your group. Each participant must complete any required participant acknowledgment.

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits rights or obligations that cannot lawfully be excluded under New Zealand law, including applicable rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and Fair Trading Act 1986.

2. Private Trips and Minimum Booking Requirements

All our trips are private and operate exclusively for your booked group.

Minimum participant numbers or minimum booking charges are stated on each trip page or in your quotation. Most trips have a minimum of two participants. Signature Multi-Adventure trips have a minimum of three participants.

Bookings below the stated minimum may be accepted by agreement, subject to a minimum booking charge.

3. Booking and Payment

Full payment is required at the time of booking unless we agree otherwise in writing.

Your booking is confirmed when we issue written confirmation and receive the required payment or agreed deposit. Any supplier arrangements that remain pending will be identified in your confirmation. If we cannot secure those arrangements, we will offer an agreed alternative or refund the amount paid for the arrangements we cannot confirm.

Prices are in New Zealand dollars and include GST where applicable, unless expressly stated otherwise.

Your trip page, quotation, and booking confirmation identify the services included and any exclusions or optional extras. Any payment surcharge will be disclosed before payment.

3.1 Signature Multi-Adventure Trips, Fiordland Adventure Escape, Milford Sound Discovery and Custom Itineraries

We recommend booking at least six months before departure to allow time to secure preferred accommodation, activities, and suppliers.

Later bookings may be accepted, subject to availability.

3.2 All Other Trips

We recommend booking at least one week before departure to secure guide availability and allow time for planning.

Later bookings may be accepted, subject to availability and the advance-booking requirements stated on each trip page.

3.3 Booking-Specific Deposits

For some bookings, we may agree a deposit and balance-payment arrangement, including a non-refundable deposit. The deposit amount, payment dates, and cancellation conditions will be set out in your quotation and agreed in writing before payment.

For cancellations made by you, these agreed conditions take precedence over the standard cancellation schedule to the extent expressly stated. Any retained deposit counts towards the applicable cancellation charge and will not be charged again.

A non-refundable deposit does not override your statutory rights or our refund obligations when we cancel your trip.

4. Changes Requested by You

All change requests must be submitted in writing.

Changes to dates, participants, accommodation, activities, or trip selection are subject to availability and our written acceptance. Supplier charges and price differences will be explained before you approve the change.

Changes requested close to departure may not be possible.

A date change does not automatically remove cancellation charges already incurred or reset the cancellation period. The terms applying to the revised booking will be confirmed in writing before you accept the change.

If your group size decreases, the minimum booking charge continues to apply. We will explain any cancellation charges and the revised price for the remaining group in writing, without charging twice for the same loss.

5. Cancellations by You

All cancellations must be submitted in writing to office@silverbeechoutdoors.co.nz.

Cancellation notice is calculated from when we receive your written cancellation to the scheduled departure time, using New Zealand local time.

The following policies apply to voluntary cancellations by you, unless booking-specific conditions have been expressly agreed under Section 3.3. They do not restrict any statutory right to cancel or receive a refund.

5.1 Signature Multi-Adventure Trips, Fiordland Adventure Escape, Milford Sound Discovery and Custom Itineraries

Notice before departureRefund of trip price

At least 90 days–100%, less applicable transaction fees
At least 60 days but less than 90 days–75%, less applicable transaction fees
At least 30 days but less than 60 days–50%, less applicable transaction fees
Less than 30 days or no-show–No refund

5.2 All Other Trips

Notice before departureRefund of trip price

At least seven days (168 hours)–100%, less applicable transaction fees
At least 48 hours but less than seven days–50%, less applicable transaction fees
Less than 48 hours or no-show–No refund

5.3 Transaction Fees

For cancellations made by you, the refund percentages above apply, less any actual payment-processing fees that are not recoverable from the payment provider. These fees or their calculation method will be disclosed before booking.

No additional handling or administration fee applies. Transaction fees will not be deducted twice, and deductions will not exceed the refund otherwise payable. We will provide a breakdown of any deductions.

These deductions do not apply when we cancel your trip or where a full refund is required by law.

5.4 Missed Departures and Early Departure

If you miss the departure or choose to leave a trip early, no refund is provided for unused services, except where required by law or agreed by us in writing.

Please contact us promptly if you expect to be late. We will assist where reasonably possible, but the trip may not be able to wait or accommodate a revised departure.

5.5 Refund Method

Refunds will normally be returned through the original payment method. We will confirm when the refund has been processed. The time taken for funds to appear depends on your bank or payment provider.

Your bank may apply exchange rates or charges outside our control.

6. Cancellations by Us

We may cancel a trip where unsafe weather, road or track closures, access restrictions, supplier failure, guide unavailability, or other circumstances prevent us from delivering it safely or substantially as agreed.

We will notify you as soon as reasonably practicable.

If we cancel the whole trip before departure, you may choose:

A full refund of the amount paid to us for the cancelled trip, including any deposit and without deduction of transaction fees;
Transfer to an alternative date agreed with you; or
A credit valid for 24 months, if you prefer.

Any price difference for an alternative trip will be explained before you accept it.

If a trip is interrupted after departure, we will explain the available alternatives and any refund for services we cannot provide. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.

7. Itinerary and Supplier Changes

Weather, safety considerations, track conditions, access restrictions, and supplier availability may require changes to an itinerary.

We will make reasonable efforts to provide a suitable alternative and explain significant changes as soon as practicable. We cannot guarantee a summit, a particular route, wildlife sightings, a flight, or completion of every planned activity.

If an individual supplier activity is cancelled while the rest of your trip proceeds, we will discuss an alternative with you. If no alternative is agreed, we will explain and refund the amount attributable to the cancelled service that has not been provided, subject to applicable law.

If a proposed change substantially alters the trip before departure, we will explain your options, including accepting the revised arrangements or cancelling the affected booking with an appropriate refund. These terms do not restrict any cancellation or remedy rights you have under law.

8. Events Beyond Our Control

Natural disasters, severe weather, government restrictions, major transport disruption, and other events beyond our reasonable control may affect a trip.

We will notify you promptly and take reasonable steps to manage the disruption. Any cancellation, alternative arrangement, or refund will be handled under Sections 6 and 7 and applicable New Zealand law.

We recommend travel insurance covering disruption to your wider travel arrangements.

9. Risk Disclosure and Participant Responsibilities

Outdoor activities and transportation involve inherent risks that cannot be completely eliminated. These may include changing weather, uneven or exposed terrain, natural hazards, physical exertion, and delayed emergency assistance in remote areas.

Please read our Risk Disclosure before booking. Participants must follow guide instructions, use required equipment, and take reasonable care for their own safety and the safety of others.

Acknowledging these risks does not release us from obligations imposed by New Zealand law.

10. Health, Fitness and Equipment

You must notify us in writing at booking of relevant medical conditions, injuries, allergies, medication requirements, or fitness limitations that may affect safe participation.

Please notify us of any changes before departure and inform your guide of concerns during the trip.

Participants must bring the clothing and equipment specified for their trip or arrange available loan equipment in advance. Your guide may carry out a gear check before departure.

A guide may alter the route, turn the group back, or decline or stop a participant’s involvement where reasonably necessary for safety.

Any financial consequences of declined or stopped participation will be assessed against the circumstances, these booking terms, and applicable law. Non-disclosure does not automatically remove statutory rights.

11. Private Land and Pastoral Lease Access

Some trips operate on private land or Crown pastoral lease land under authorised access arrangements.

Participants must follow the guide’s instructions and applicable permit conditions, including authorised track use, livestock protection, gate management, biosecurity, wildlife protection, and waste removal.

Our Mt Alfred/Ari walk operates within the Earnslaw pastoral lease under a commercial recreation permit with the pastoral lessee’s consent.

Access may be shared with farming operations and other authorised users. Joining a guided trip does not grant independent access rights or permission to return without any permission otherwise required.

Further requirements are explained in our Risk Disclosure and the guide’s briefing.

12. Third-Party Activities

Some trips include services delivered by independent operators, such as accommodation, cruises, scenic flights, helicopter activities, or other attractions.

We will identify these services in your itinerary or booking information. Relevant supplier participation requirements and any additional terms affecting your booking will be provided before you commit to them.

Participants must follow supplier safety instructions and complete any required acknowledgments.

Nothing in this section excludes responsibilities we have under New Zealand law for services we arrange or sell.

13. Special Requests

Please advise us of dietary requirements, accessibility needs, room preferences, and other special requests when booking.

We will explain what we can accommodate. A request is not guaranteed unless confirmed by us in writing.

Where a requirement is essential to your participation, please discuss it with us before booking.

14. Children and Young Participants

Please confirm the suitability of your selected trip for children before booking.

A parent or legal guardian must provide any required consent and relevant health information for a participant under 18.

Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult unless a different supervision arrangement is expressly agreed with us in writing.

15. Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended from the time you book.

Please check that your policy covers the activities and elevations involved, medical emergencies, evacuation, cancellation, travel disruption, and personal belongings.

Insurance does not replace or limit any rights or obligations under New Zealand law.

16. Images and Feedback

Permission to use identifiable photographs or video of you for promotional purposes will be requested separately. Agreeing to these Terms & Conditions does not itself give promotional image consent.

You may decline promotional photography without affecting your booking.

We will obtain permission before republishing private feedback as an identifiable testimonial. Any use of public reviews will comply with applicable law and platform requirements.

17. Privacy

We handle personal information in accordance with New Zealand privacy law and our published Privacy Policy.

Relevant information may be shared with guides, suppliers, or emergency services where necessary to arrange your trip, support safe participation, or respond to an emergency, in accordance with that policy and applicable law.

18. Questions, Concerns and Complaints

Please raise any concern with your guide promptly so we have an opportunity to address it during the trip.

For booking questions or complaints, contact office@silverbeechoutdoors.co.nz. We will review the matter and work with you to seek a fair resolution.

This process does not limit your right to seek an independent remedy.

19. Governing Law and Applicable Version

These Terms & Conditions are governed by New Zealand law. Disputes may be brought before the New Zealand courts or another body with jurisdiction, including the Disputes Tribunal where applicable.

The terms agreed when your booking is made apply to that booking. Later website updates do not automatically change existing bookings. Any agreed amendment will be recorded in writing.