Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Can we bring dogs?
Answer: Sorry, no dogs allowed.
Question: What level of fitness is required?
Answer: We recommend a reasonable level of fitness, especially for Day One. Take a look at our distances on the 'About The Walk' pages and ensure you do some hill training before you walk!
Question: Is there any cell phone coverage?
Answer: Yes - there is some Spark and Vodafone coverage on the walk, but only limited coverage at the accommodations!
Question: Is there somewhere to purchase more petrol or alcohol etc before arrival at the Whareama Walk?
Answer: The last place to fill up or shop is in Masterton, however, you can purchase extra wine when staying in the Homestead B&B.
Question: What are the bedroom/sleeping arrangements? Are there bunks? Do we share a room?
Answer: There are 4 bedrooms at the homestead and retreat lodge. There is a mixture of single beds, bunks and queen beds. You will NOT be expected to share a room with someone you do not know. See The Accommodation page for more details.
Question: Is there somewhere to leave our cars?
Answer: Yes, at the Ica Station Homestead there is ample parking. The car park is well off the road on private property.
Question: What time do you recommend we book our return flights?
Answer: We recommend you book your return flight for after 5pm on your final day.
It takes 2 hours+ to drive to Wellington from Whareama, so give yourself plenty of time.
Question: How do I pay the balance of the booking?
Answer: The remaining balance can be paid individually on the night of your arrival at Ica Station Homestead in cash or by credit card.
(A 3% transaction fee applies to credit card payments). If you prefer to pay by bank transfer, please do so at least 2 weeks prior to arrival - again use your surname and walk arrival date as the Reference. Please note - we DO NOT have Eftpos facilities and no longer take cheques.
Question: What is your cancellation policy?
Answer: If you cancel more than 30 days prior to your arrival date, a $50 administration fee will be charged and the remainder of your deposit refunded. Cancellation giving less than 30 days notice, sorry we are unable to provide a refund of your deposit. There is no deposit refund when cancelling a Day Walk booking. There is no refund for walk vouchers issued , as these have a unique number (not named) and can be gifted to anyone.
Question: Do you offer a 2 Day/1 Night Stay option?
Answer: Yes............. however, this is only available to groups of 4 or more persons during the week - arrive Mon, Tue or Wed. You are accommodated in Whareama for your 1 night stay and the cost is $250 per person, please email us for further details.
Question: Do you offer a Self-Catered Option?
Answer: Yes we do! .....If you are a group of 6 or less persons, then you have the option to cater for yourselves, as each accommodation is equipped with full cooking facilities, a gas BBQ and all the cooking utensils you may need. The cost is $230 per person for a 2 Day/Night Walk and $335 for a 3 Day/Night Walk.
Question: Do you offer a discount for children?
Answer: Yes, there is a discount for children, however, we recommend this walk is not suitable for children under the age of 6 years. Children 12 years and under receive a $45 discount each on our fully catered walks. There is no discount for children on any of the other walk options we offer.
Question: Do you have a linen option?
Answer: Yes, for our overseas visitors (or anyone who prefers), we can provide full bed linen, (cotton top sheet, duvet and towels) for hire - $30 extra per person. Please request when making your booking.
Question: There is only two of us, can we book your walk?
Answer: YES, you can! .....But please note:
If by the time you arrive you are still the only 2 walkers, you will be collected and accommodated in Whareama each night.
Sorry we no longer accept 'lone walkers', as for health & safety reasons, you must always walk in at least 'pairs'.
Question: Do you recommend any local walks for our arrival day?
Answer: Yes, on the way to Whareama, you pass Rewanui Forest Park, where you have a choice of 3 Bush Walk loops, from 3/4 hrs (moderate) to 2 hrs (steep). Please see www.trimblefoundation.org.nz for more details.
Answer: Sorry, no dogs allowed.
Question: What level of fitness is required?
Answer: We recommend a reasonable level of fitness, especially for Day One. Take a look at our distances on the 'About The Walk' pages and ensure you do some hill training before you walk!
Question: Is there any cell phone coverage?
Answer: Yes - there is some Spark and Vodafone coverage on the walk, but only limited coverage at the accommodations!
Question: Is there somewhere to purchase more petrol or alcohol etc before arrival at the Whareama Walk?
Answer: The last place to fill up or shop is in Masterton, however, you can purchase extra wine when staying in the Homestead B&B.
Question: What are the bedroom/sleeping arrangements? Are there bunks? Do we share a room?
Answer: There are 4 bedrooms at the homestead and retreat lodge. There is a mixture of single beds, bunks and queen beds. You will NOT be expected to share a room with someone you do not know. See The Accommodation page for more details.
Question: Is there somewhere to leave our cars?
Answer: Yes, at the Ica Station Homestead there is ample parking. The car park is well off the road on private property.
Question: What time do you recommend we book our return flights?
Answer: We recommend you book your return flight for after 5pm on your final day.
It takes 2 hours+ to drive to Wellington from Whareama, so give yourself plenty of time.
Question: How do I pay the balance of the booking?
Answer: The remaining balance can be paid individually on the night of your arrival at Ica Station Homestead in cash or by credit card.
(A 3% transaction fee applies to credit card payments). If you prefer to pay by bank transfer, please do so at least 2 weeks prior to arrival - again use your surname and walk arrival date as the Reference. Please note - we DO NOT have Eftpos facilities and no longer take cheques.
Question: What is your cancellation policy?
Answer: If you cancel more than 30 days prior to your arrival date, a $50 administration fee will be charged and the remainder of your deposit refunded. Cancellation giving less than 30 days notice, sorry we are unable to provide a refund of your deposit. There is no deposit refund when cancelling a Day Walk booking. There is no refund for walk vouchers issued , as these have a unique number (not named) and can be gifted to anyone.
Question: Do you offer a 2 Day/1 Night Stay option?
Answer: Yes............. however, this is only available to groups of 4 or more persons during the week - arrive Mon, Tue or Wed. You are accommodated in Whareama for your 1 night stay and the cost is $250 per person, please email us for further details.
Question: Do you offer a Self-Catered Option?
Answer: Yes we do! .....If you are a group of 6 or less persons, then you have the option to cater for yourselves, as each accommodation is equipped with full cooking facilities, a gas BBQ and all the cooking utensils you may need. The cost is $230 per person for a 2 Day/Night Walk and $335 for a 3 Day/Night Walk.
Question: Do you offer a discount for children?
Answer: Yes, there is a discount for children, however, we recommend this walk is not suitable for children under the age of 6 years. Children 12 years and under receive a $45 discount each on our fully catered walks. There is no discount for children on any of the other walk options we offer.
Question: Do you have a linen option?
Answer: Yes, for our overseas visitors (or anyone who prefers), we can provide full bed linen, (cotton top sheet, duvet and towels) for hire - $30 extra per person. Please request when making your booking.
Question: There is only two of us, can we book your walk?
Answer: YES, you can! .....But please note:
If by the time you arrive you are still the only 2 walkers, you will be collected and accommodated in Whareama each night.
Sorry we no longer accept 'lone walkers', as for health & safety reasons, you must always walk in at least 'pairs'.
Question: Do you recommend any local walks for our arrival day?
Answer: Yes, on the way to Whareama, you pass Rewanui Forest Park, where you have a choice of 3 Bush Walk loops, from 3/4 hrs (moderate) to 2 hrs (steep). Please see www.trimblefoundation.org.nz for more details.
