safety and hazards
All the information you need to have a safe experience with Forgotten World Adventures.
Guest Responsibilities
When participating on one of our tours, guests are expected to:
Listen to and follow instructions given by their designated guide for the duration of their trip
Disclose any medical conditions which have not been provided ahead of arrival via the pre-arrival disclosure form/process, to the designated Guide before the trip commences. We do have a step to aid those with mobility issues getting on and off of the carts – we ask guests to kindly let us know if you require assistance getting on and off the carts at the start of the trip so staff are aware of their specific needs
Disclose any dietary requirements which have not been provided ahead of arrival via the pre-arrival disclosure form/process, to the designated Guide before the trip commences
Be aware of the physical requirements of the trip they are about to experience. See Physical Requirements section below for more details
Abide by FWA’s Guest Education Plan for Responsible Travel, aimed to encourage guests to adopt our eco-friendly practices during their experience with us. This plan is presented verbally to guests during their introductory briefing at the start of their trip and can be seen in full here
Adopt the ‘Leave no Trace’ concept in line with the Tiaki Promise – to respect local cultures and be mindful of flora and fauna
Take note of our recycling and waste disposal practices at base (on site at the Forgotten World Motel), at our lunch stop at Tokirima and throughout their trip on both land and water, in line with our approach to sustainability
Bring their own reusable water bottle – no single use plastic permitted on trip
Physical requirements for Guests
- We ask that guests inform us of any medical conditions which could impact on your ability to complete or participate on any one trip ahead of your arrival. This can be done via the pre-arrival disclosure form they are sent via email
- Our rail cart trips are accessible to most guests. Unfortunately, we do not currently have a wheelchair accessible cart but we are working on a prototype. Guests of all ages and abilities can ride comfortably in our rail carts. There is the option to get out of your cart at scheduled stops along every route but if a guest has mobility issues, they can opt to remain in the cart and if we are advised in advance, we can position you in the centre of the convoy so as you are well placed to listen to the Guide’s commentary at these scheduled stops
- Our jet boat trips are accessible to most guests, although it is not possible to take a wheelchair onto the boat. These trips are scenic rather than an adrenaline fix and whilst we promote the trips as thrilling, the jet boat moves at a leisurely speed. Our skipper will need to navigate rocks and the boat will move around the water but we aim to keep jumps and bumps to a minimum. Guests are given the option to experience a 360 degree spin during their trip – if this is something guests to do wish to experience, they should make this known to their jet boat skipper
- Reasonable mobility is required to complete the Bridge to Nowhere guided bush walk which totals 5.4km return. The walk is relatively flat but can be more challenging in wet weather if the ground becomes slippery. Guests with mobility issues can opt out of doing the walk and wait at the shelter just above the landing for the skipper and other guests to return. Guest with mobility issues should declare these ahead of their trip. We advise all guests to wear appropriate footwear for the walk, which does not include jandles, open toed shoes or heeled shoes – walking shoes or trainers are preferable
- We do have a step to aid those with mobility issues when getting on and off of the carts. We ask guests to advise us if they require assistance getting on and off the carts at the start of the trip so staff are aware of their individual need
- We can experience four seasons in one day and it can be very cold inside the tunnels. We therefore advise all guests to come prepared with layers of clothing, a warm waterproof jacket, warm hat, scarf and gloves
- Additionally, each rail cart has a blanket which can be used in colder weather
Disclosure of Risks and Hazards
Safety is our top priority and we will do everything possible to minimise or eliminate risks during the course of your trip. However, due to the working environment, some aspects are beyond our control including:<br>
- Vehicle accidents during the bus ride
- Slips, falls and trips
- Human error
- Exposure to elements (cold weather)
- Other rail-related incidents
Safety Measures Undertaken
We implement numerous measures to ensure the safety of our guests, such as:
- Annual audits from NZTA
- Comprehensive safety briefings for guests
- Limiting group sizes
- Regular inspection of equipment and carts
- Advising guest to dress appropriately for warm and wet weather
- Comprehensive Health and Safety and First Aid training is completed by all field and operational staff and we hold regularHealth and Safety meetings
Journey into the heart of wild New Zealand
