Tipping for tours?

Since tipping is not required or generally accepted for food/taxis and in both AUS and NZ, do tour guides generally expect tips for excursions?

No. Tipping is not the norm for anything in NZ, nor I believe in Australia.

While tipping is not expected or required, it will be be gratefully accepted should you wish to thank someone for exceptional service.

Tipping has become more prevelant in the major tourist destinations of Australia and New Zealand.

We had a tour guide who sure thought she should get a tip. We (three from US and 1 from Netherlands) declined. The guide had not done a great job.

Of course tips are ACCEPTED! No-one will decline them.

Because tips are not expected for every basic bit of customer service rendered, a small token of appreciation will delight most people.

But DO tip in cash!

:)

No. Tipping is not the norm for anything in NZ, nor I believe in Australia.

We were on a Dawn Princess cruise to Queensland. On the shuttle into Airlie Beach, which cost $5, I was suprised to see some overseas cruisers tipping the driver! This is not the "norm" in Australia. But, I am sure they appreciated the tip.:)