Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Can we bring dogs?
Answer: Sorry, no dogs allowed.
Question: What level of fitness is required?
Answer: We recommend a good 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, everyone is allocated their own bed. 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: What time can we arrive?
Answer: Any time from 4.00pm onwards - we prefer you to arrive by 6.00pm please.
Question: How do I pay the balance of the booking?
Answer: The remaining balance can then be paid individually on the night of your arrival at Ica Station Homestead in cash. If you prefer to pay the balance by bank transfer, or credit card, please do so at least 2 weeks prior to arrival – again use your surname and walk arrival date as the Reference and call us for credit card payments to be processed. 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, you have the option to carry your full deposit forward to another walk booking or a $50 administration fee per person 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: What is your cancellation policy due to Covid?
Answer: If YOU need to cancel due to having Covid you will need to provide evidence of your 'positive' result and will be given the option to carry your full deposit forward to another walk booking or a $25 administration fee will be charged and the remainder of all money paid refunded to you. If WE need to cancel your booking due to having Covid, we will provide evidence of our 'positive' result and will give you the option to carry your full deposit forward to another walk booking or refund you in full.
Question: Do you offer a Self-Catered Option?
Answer: Yes we do! .....For groups of 8 or less persons, you have the option to cater for yourselves, as our cottages are equipped with full cooking facilities, a gas BBQ and all the cooking utensils you need. With our self-catered option you stay in the same cottage each night. The cost is $300 per person for a 2 Day/Night Walk.
Question: Do you offer a 3rd Night Fully Catered Option?
Answer: Not fully catered.........However, if available, you can extend your stay with us for an extra night in one of our cottages or the coastal lodge on a B&B basis ($75pp extra). Here you self-cater or have your evening meal at one of our local stores (Riversdale or Castlepoint) or local pubs, (the Tinui Cafe & Bar or the Castlepoint Hotel).
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 $35 discount each off our fully catered walk. 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, (100% cotton duvet and towel) for hire - $25 extra per person. Please request when making your booking.
Question: There are 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: We are a group who would like the walk to ourselves - what is your policy?
Answer: To get the walk to yourselves, your group must number at least 10 or pay the equivalent price.
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 good 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, everyone is allocated their own bed. 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: What time can we arrive?
Answer: Any time from 4.00pm onwards - we prefer you to arrive by 6.00pm please.
Question: How do I pay the balance of the booking?
Answer: The remaining balance can then be paid individually on the night of your arrival at Ica Station Homestead in cash. If you prefer to pay the balance by bank transfer, or credit card, please do so at least 2 weeks prior to arrival – again use your surname and walk arrival date as the Reference and call us for credit card payments to be processed. 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, you have the option to carry your full deposit forward to another walk booking or a $50 administration fee per person 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: What is your cancellation policy due to Covid?
Answer: If YOU need to cancel due to having Covid you will need to provide evidence of your 'positive' result and will be given the option to carry your full deposit forward to another walk booking or a $25 administration fee will be charged and the remainder of all money paid refunded to you. If WE need to cancel your booking due to having Covid, we will provide evidence of our 'positive' result and will give you the option to carry your full deposit forward to another walk booking or refund you in full.
Question: Do you offer a Self-Catered Option?
Answer: Yes we do! .....For groups of 8 or less persons, you have the option to cater for yourselves, as our cottages are equipped with full cooking facilities, a gas BBQ and all the cooking utensils you need. With our self-catered option you stay in the same cottage each night. The cost is $300 per person for a 2 Day/Night Walk.
Question: Do you offer a 3rd Night Fully Catered Option?
Answer: Not fully catered.........However, if available, you can extend your stay with us for an extra night in one of our cottages or the coastal lodge on a B&B basis ($75pp extra). Here you self-cater or have your evening meal at one of our local stores (Riversdale or Castlepoint) or local pubs, (the Tinui Cafe & Bar or the Castlepoint Hotel).
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 $35 discount each off our fully catered walk. 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, (100% cotton duvet and towel) for hire - $25 extra per person. Please request when making your booking.
Question: There are 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: We are a group who would like the walk to ourselves - what is your policy?
Answer: To get the walk to yourselves, your group must number at least 10 or pay the equivalent price.
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.
