awesomeNZ — Local services in South Island

Would give zero stars if I could. Confirmed our location as Frankton bus stop at 7.10am this morning. My friend and I pre booked a taxi for 6.50am to ensure we got to the bus stop on time which was $30, bearing in mind when we booked this tour it said hotel transfers included. Yesterday someone CONFIRMED this pickup was Frankton bus stop and that you don’t pick up from Hilton. We accepted this and I literally responded to you that the Frankton bus stop pickup was fine. At 7.30am we tried to call your company, as we have Australian phone numbers it wouldn’t let us call the contact number you had provided. We then had to call our hotel (Hilton) in desperation for them to contact you to see where you were. They told us that you had left without us from another location. No one came to the Frankton bus stop. No one so much as made a quick phone call to see where we were??? Utterly unacceptable. We have now had to pay $40 for another taxi back to town and another $40 back to our hotel. We have been standing in the minus one degree temperature for over an hour with zero communication and a complete mess up of our plans. We are now unable to go to Milford sound as we have no more time here, which was our main reason for wanting to visit Queenstown. You have ruined everything. I will never recommend this company to anyone and have made sure everyone knows what has happened to us this morning. I have screenshots of all correspondence with someone named Angelique, and will be seeking further...

We booked our trip to Milford Sound for our family of four using the Viator site. The trip included a coach there and back from Queenstown, picnic lunch and a boat ride around the fjord. In all a 13 or so hour day starting at 7.30am. Don't let the long drive put you off, as the journey to Milford Sound is one of the most beautiful road trips you are ever likely to take and we were lucky enough to have Pauli Potato as our driver and guide. Pauli has an encyclopedic knowledge of the local area, the geography, geology, history, wildlife, plants, etc. and shares it during the journey along with some of the worst dad jokes you'll ever hear delivered in such a deadpan fashion that only an Irishman could pull off. Pauli stops the luxury coach (leather seats, air conditioning, glass roof) along the way at some amazing beauty spots and truly makes the journey part of the overall experience. Arriving at Milford Sound around lunch time we were treated to a picnic lunch and headed onto a stunning catamaran boat that takes you through what can only be described as a jaw dropping fjord with sheer cliffs and mountains all around dropping into the waters heading out to the Tasman sea. The boat's captain and crew were very welcoming and knowledgeable and ensured we had one of the memorable days our family has ever experienced. We all loved our day out and highly recommend awesomeNZ to look after you and ensure you have a...

DISAPPOINTING! I’m sure this trip would have been wonderful if the departure times were communicated to the group.

Twelve of us were left waiting at the Athol St bus stop for over an hour in 3C temperature only to find out the tour left at 6:55am when our bookings said 7:40am.

There were four separate groups waiting and ultimately missed out on this tour. My group of 5 only came to Queenstown for Milford sound. We spent $1000 on accommodation, $1800 on flights and $800 on this tour (total $3600) just to miss out on experiencing Milford Sound. Another family flew from India and also missed out. How does a tour group leave without 1/4 of their passengers?

No change was communicated to us despite me attempting to confirm the departure time the day prior.

The worst part? We were told by another of their own drivers that this had happened earlier this week and six others were left stranded under the same circumstances! Total incompetence by this company.

Word to the wise, go through a different tour group if you would rather not waste your time + money. What a...