Frequently Asked Questions

Factory Tour

Take a tour of the Tip Top Factory! Come and see how we make the world’s best ice cream and taste it for yourself.

Where is the Tip Top Factory?

Location: 113 Carbine Road, Mt Wellington, Auckland
Contact email: [email protected]

When do you run tours?

Tours can be booked for start times between 9:30am and 12:30pm, Monday to Friday. Tours run during school terms and school holidays. Exceptions are the July school holidays when the Tip Top factory has an annual closure and over the Christmas/New Year holiday period. There are also no tours on weekends or public holidays.

How do I make a booking?

Make an online booking if you are a member of the public. If you have a wheelchair user in the group, if you are booking on behalf of an organisation, or you are booking a large group (more than 12 people), then email us on [email protected]

How much does the tour cost?

Each tour costs $12.50 per person. Babies under 6 months are free, but must be included in tour numbers. Payment is required for all those attending; students, teachers, caregivers, parents. Payment is to be made on the day by EFTPOS or credit card. We can send an invoice to organisations by arrangement if you want to pay by bank transfer but we do not accept personal bank transfers from individuals. Sorry we do not accept cash payment.

What does the tour involve?

The tour involves observing the production of ice-cream through a series of viewing windows. Your tour guide will provide information about the process and the history of Tip Top. The tour finishes with each paid person choosing one item from the chest freezer and watching a short movie.

How long does the tour take?

Each tour is up to one hour long.

What is the maximum number of people per tour?

The maximum number of people per tour is 35 and a minimum of 12. This number includes all those attending; students, teachers, caregivers, parents and babies. In the school holidays we run private tours for a minimum of 35 people.

Is there parking available on site?

There is plenty of parking on site. When you arrive at the security gate you will need to tell the security guard the name of your booking. They’ll then direct you where to park. Also you can click HERE in advance for a map to guide you.

The Mobility parking is temporarily unavailable due to construction work. Please contact us for information on where to park with a Mobility Permit. Email us on [email protected]

Can I arrive on foot or by public transport?

Visitors must arrive on site in a vehicle. Using public transport is not permitted. Visitors arriving on foot will be denied access to site. Visitors must NOT be dropped off on Carbine Rd but may be dropped off and picked up from the designated Tour Car Park onsite.

Is the tour suitable for any age group?

The tour is suitable for any age and will be tailored to the developmental level of the group. We can offer additional content to school and tertiary groups.

Is the tour suitable for any accessibility level?

Visitors need to be physically able to cope with climbing stairs. There are 68 stairs from the carpark to the tour reception and a further 24 steps to access the tour galleries.
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There is wheelchair access by prior arrangement only but not all areas within the factory are accessible, so wheelchair users will not see some parts of the tour (tub ice cream freezing and filling). Please contact us for information on where to park with a Mobility Permit. Email us on [email protected]
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Push chairs and prams are not permitted on the factory tour. Babies and children must not be carried by hand on the tour. If a child needs to be carried they must be in a back pack, front pack or baby sling.

Can I have a birthday party at Tip Top?

Sorry, we don’t offer birthday parties at Tip Top. You are welcome to celebrate a birthday by coming on a tour, but there may be members of the public on the same tour. The Tour Guide will not be obliged to acknowledge any person's birthday during the tour.

Can schools and other groups book tours?

Yes, we offer tours for schools and other groups. Schools and other organisations should NOT book online, but email us on [email protected] . We require 1 adult to 6 children for preschoolers, primary schools and holiday programmes. The ratio is 1 adult to 10 children for Intermediate and College students.