New Zealand Options - Hang Gliding and Glow worm caves

CatLover8

We have heard that Tauck will give folks an option to tour a glow worm cave. Has anyone does this? Did you enjoy it and in what city do they do this? Also, we hear that Queenstown is the "adreneline capital of the world," so we thought we might try something we've never done - hang gliding. Has anyone done hang gliding in New Zealand? If so, where and with whom?

AshvEd

Queenstown is definitely "adrenaline city" and so much fun. On one of the days with Tauck we did the jet boat ride in Skipper's Canyon, then were helicoptered to Bob's Peak for lunch. There was tandem paragliding from that location back down to Queenstown. We took the gondola which was included. Not enough nerve to paraglide. The trip is amazing.

sidecar

We did the zip line down from Bob's Peak. Had never zip lined before and it was lots of fun and beautiful views. Also went on the Luge while waiting for the zip line. I would also be nervous about paragliding. although might get up the nerve to try it someday. We got the tickets through the hotel.

CatLover8

Is there free time at Bob's Peak so you could take the funicular down anytime? Do you know if you have to book paragliding in advance?

What about the glow worm caves? Did you have that option?

AshvEd

Day 16-We arrived at Bob's Peak at about 12:45 and had lunch. Tauck gave us tickets for the gondola and we could take it down at anytime. The rest of the afternoon was free until our dinner at the hotel and we had a choice of reservation times. At Bob's Peak they offered (at additional cost) a Zip Trek, Luge, tandem hang gliding and Bungee jumping. Check the Bob's Peak website for particulars on reservations.
Day 17-We had free time until about 3:30 PM.

CatLover8

Thank you so much for sharing the options at Bob's Peak. Something to look forward to!

CatLover8

We are scheduled to do the following on Day 17:
Cruise on Lake Wakatipu on a steamer
Sheep farm & shearing
Barbeque dinner

It doesn't seem like we will have any free time on that day. Maybe they changed the itinerary.

AshvEd

That's exactly what we did and departed at about 3:30 PM to cruise the lake. Check the itinerary and see if Free Time is indicated.

vbeachjan

CatLover8 wrote:

We have heard that Tauck will give folks an option to tour a glow worm cave. Has anyone does this? Did you enjoy it and in what city do they do this? Also, we hear that Queenstown is the "adreneline capital of the world," so we thought we might try something we've never done - hang gliding. Has anyone done hang gliding in New Zealand? If so, where and with whom?

Hi Catlover8, What date is your tour? We are going on the March 5 tour and plan to do an add on at the end of the trip that includes the Hobbiton and Glow Worm Cave. I believe it is a full day tour with pick up from the hotel in Aukland.

CatLover8

vbeachjan wrote:

Hi Catlover8, What date is your tour? We are going on the March 5 tour and plan to do an add on at the end of the trip that includes the Hobbiton and Glow Worm Cave. I believe it is a full day tour with pick up from the hotel in Aukland.

Hi VBeach!
We are on the same March 5 tour. We are flying home on March 24th, but also adding in Hobbiton on that day and getting a 7:30 p.m. flight home that night. Who is doing your Hobbiton and Glow Worms tour? Do you return on March 25th?

CatLover8

AshvEd wrote:

Day 16-We arrived at Bob's Peak at about 12:45 and had lunch. Tauck gave us tickets for the gondola and we could take it down at anytime. The rest of the afternoon was free until our dinner at the hotel and we had a choice of reservation times. At Bob's Peak they offered (at additional cost) a Zip Trek, Luge, tandem hang gliding and Bungee jumping. Check the Bob's Peak website for particulars on reservations.
Day 17-We had free time until about 3:30 PM.

Was the lunch on Day 16 a group lunch or lunch on your own? What would be the earliest that would be safe to schedule activities (we are thinking of booking in advance) and what time do you need to meet for dinner that night?

vbeachjan

CatLover8 wrote:

Hi VBeach!
We are on the same March 5 tour. We are flying home on March 24th, but also adding in Hobbiton on that day and getting a 7:30 p.m. flight home that night. Who is doing your Hobbiton and Glow Worms tour? Do you return on March 25th?

Hi, We're staying until March 28. We haven't booked our tour yet, but looking at tripadvisor there are a couple of interest. One that is a full day with hotel pick up that includes the glow worms and Hobbiton. Since we'll have a few days to choose from, I thought we'd wait until we're there to book so that we can ask the advice of the Tauck guides.
Janet

AshvEd

CatLover8 wrote:

Was the lunch on Day 16 a group lunch or lunch on your own? What would be the earliest that would be safe to schedule activities (we are thinking of booking in advance) and what time do you need to meet for dinner that night?

At Bob's Peak it was a very nice buffet. Tauck had reserved tables for us and they covered the cost of lunch. I think 2 PM would be a safe time to book something. We had dinner at 7:30 or 8:00 PM and just booked a time with one couple.