We take regular stops on the trail to refuel |  <i>Lachlan Gardiner</i>

Meet our team

Reliability is the key to our team

Whether you're talking to our office team, or our guides in the field, everyone at Adventure South NZ is committed to providing you with the best possible experience. All of our staff are keen travellers at heart - we know what you're seeking out of your experience - and we are here first and foremost to help you get the most out of your time in our wonderful wilderness of New Zealand.

Want to join our team? - Apply here.

  • Philip Wyndham General Manager

    Phil has been involved in the travel and adventure tourism industry for many years including guiding, sales, marketing, industry liaison and business management. He has a passion for trail running and mountain biking but is an all round outdoor guy. His enthusiasm for encouraging people to get out and be their best self in the outdoors is infectious.

  • Sandra Appleby Sales

    Sandra is often the first person to greet you when you contact us. She loves all things outdoors and has cycled the length of Britain, through Pakistan, South America, London to Istanbul, China, Tibet, Northern India and Spain. She loves inspiring people with her cycling and hiking stories and organising your adventures.

  • Brett Leyden Operations Manager

    With a background in Physical Education and Endurance Sport, Brett loves the opportunities for biking, hiking, and skiing in the South Island. Brett has guided cycling, hiking and kayaking tours for the last 3 years and is now fortunate to support an amazing team of guides as the Operations Manager at Adventure South NZ.  

  • Kaye Wilson Finance Manager

    Kaye is the number cruncher of the team and she has a serious chocolate addiction. She processes all of our accounts, and she emails out the friendly reminders when the balance of a tour is due for your trips. Kaye also pays the Adventure South team - so we keep her well stocked with Whittakers chocolate.

  • Angela Sexton Angela Sexton Operations and Regenerative Travel

    Ange began her career guiding in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado before making a permanent migration to the Southern Hemisphere in 2007. After 16+ years guiding in NZ, Australia and South America, her evolving passion has led her into Adventure South Operations, supporting the amazing team of guides. With an academic background in Environmental Science, Ange also looks after our growing sustainability initiatives. She is fortunate to be able to balance her work passion with great mates, great biking and a cheeky choccie lab.

  • Abram Mahoney Bike Mechanic

    Abram grew up in New York State, building and racing bikes for as long as he can remember. His quest for epic mountain bike riding brought him to New Zealand in 2017. When not out riding, he loves creating all sorts of interesting food and cocktails, and playing and writing music.

  • Adventure South NZ Guide Ollie |  <i>Bec Adams</i> Ollie Trump Guide

    Born in the USA, fourteen years in the UK and fourteen years in Australia and now settling into the South Island, Ollie loves everything outdoor related. For three years Ollie guided hiking and canoeing trips in the remote Yukon Territory of Canada and has spent the last two years as a trekking guide on Central Australia's Larapinta trail. Ollie is no stranger to beautiful places. He loves hiking and cycling, specifically touring (ask him about his travels through British Columbia as well as the UK) and is an avid climber and mountain lover. We think he will settle in on the South Island just great!.

  • Bas Kruisselbrink Guide

    Bas was born in the Netherlands and was literally raised on a bicycle. At 16 he cycled with a friend from Holland to Spain and Portugal and that was the start of a life full of cycling adventures. Bas loves sharing his cycle expertise and speaks Dutch, English and German and is proficient in French and Spanish.

     

  • Chris Cameron Guide

    Born and bred on a farm in the North Island, Chris trained in Physical Education and Spanish and taught for many years in secondary schools, making the switch to guiding 5 years ago. She has a real passion for nature, cycling, hiking, kayaking and skiing and loves sharing her adventures with travellers in our spectacular New Zealand. 

  • Will Turner, Adventure South NZ guide Will Turner Guide

    After managing a bike store in Auckland for 8 years Will took a career change into adventure tourism, starting work as a guide in 2018. In guiding he found a true passion in helping to create amazing experiences for his guests. Will currently resides in Japan where he works together with his wife, running tours and helping to develop adventure tourism in the region where they live. He returns to NZ in the summer to guide, adventure and get his fix of fish n chips!

  • Dave Monk     Guide

    You won't find Dave living within the confines of a white picket fence and 3 bedroom suburban villa. What makes Dave tick is his passion for life in the outdoors; be it hiking, surfing with his sons, or scheming up his next tour cycling adventure with wife Rachel. Dave's love for tour cycling, ensure he will probably love your tour just as much as you do. 

  • Erin Greene Guide

    Growing up in Dunedin racing my mountain bike since high school I’ve done a lot of awesome events all over the world. 24hr mountain bike races, mountain bike stage races, multisport events, Southern Traverse and Godzone events. Working winters ski patrolling and guiding in summer it’s just a perfect life getting to show off our little corner of the world.

  • Fiona Macdonald |  <i>Fiona Macdonald</i> Fiona Macdonald Guide

    Fiona grew up on a farm in Hawkes Bay where she developed an early appreciation for the outdoors. After travelling extensively overseas in her youth, she became a travel agent, and helped others explore the world. Fiona moved to Taupo 15 years ago where she started her guiding career on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. She loves to share her passion and swap stories with others.

  • Heather Gallagher Guide

    Heather is a 5th generation kiwi from Christchurch and grew up on the family farm enjoying the foothills, lakes & Southern Alps of the South Island. She enjoys all of the outdoor activities Kiwis love, including skiing,hiking, biking, boating and horse riding. Heather loves sharing her backyard with like minded people.

  • Howie Barnes    Guide

    Born and raised in NW England, Howie fell in love with the great outdoors whilst attending an Outward Bound course aged 17. After leaving school he followed his childhood dream of joining the army and served for 18½ years. Since emigrating to NZ in 2006 Howie has worked in the agricultural and outdoor sectors. He has led eighteen World Challenge expeditions to the developing world and guided throughout Aotearoa.

  • Ian Ogilvy Ian Ogilvy Guide

    While having a background in the military and more recently as a registered Nurse, Iain is keen to go anywhere and do anything outdoors. This includes hiking, biking, sailing, diving, and fishing. Having worked in many areas of rural NZ, including nursing on the Chathams, Iain enjoys getting off the beaten track and showing off NZ.

  • Marcus Brown, Adventure South NZ guide MaRCUS BROWN Guide

    Marcus and his family moved to New Zealand in 2003 and are now Kiwi's and avid All Black's fans. His professional background is Countryside Management and Recreation, Project and Property management. A keen fly fisherman, and cyclist, he's recently completed the Cyclocross winter series in Dunedin and is a keen mountain biker.

  • Mike Revell | Guide |  <i>Mike Revell</i> MIKE REVELL Guide

    Having ridden bikes for over 50 years, Mike has completed most of the many bike trails that now exist in NZ. He is keen to share with others his passion for exploring the back country of NZ by mountain bike, road bike or hiking and if you have a question about the weather, ask Mike - he spent 40 years studying it at MetService and Niwa.

  • Nicki Evans Guide

    Nicki grew up in Auckland however her passion for the outdoors and exploring lured her to the South Island. She loves getting off the beaten track on her bike, hiking or skiing to discover amazing scenery, nature and wildlife. She has a background in professional theatre and teaching with a Degree in Art History. Nicki loves sharing the delights of NZ with others.

  • Rich Mortiboys Guide

    After leaving university, Richard began a career in the outdoors by organising trail running events along the coastline of the South West of England before becoming a road cycling guide in Europe. Richard is constantly thinking about food, so you’ll be in good hands when it comes to snacks on the trail.

  • Rudy Tetteroo Guide

    Born and educated in Nelson, Rudy’s early work was in environmental forestry before working as a park ranger and community based field officer for the Department of Conservation. Rudy is a keen tramper, runner, cyclist and trout fisherman, and after retiring early he is excited to share his experience and knowledge with visitors to New Zealand.

  • Sarah Inglewood, Adventure South NZ guide SARAH INGLEWOOD Guide

    After spending her youth exploring the far corners of the globe. Sarah returned to New Zealand to work as a police emergency responder and as part of the police search and rescue team. Her passion for the outdoors inspired a move to guiding, where she loves sharing adventures in her beautiful homeland.  

  • Seán Mulvany |  <i>Seán Mulvany</i> SeÁN Mulvany     Guide

    Born in the UK, raised in Germany with Irish heritage, Seán was always likely to end up living somewhere else. His Kiwi partner made the decision simple and the Marlborough Sounds is now definitely home. From military background, Seán has also worked in outdoor education and spends his winters working locally in the ski industry. 

  • Steven Franklin Guide

    A proud kiwi, lucky to call the pristine waters and alluring habitat of Abel Tasman my backyard! My passion for the outdoors inspired me to study adventure tourism. Since, I have had the pleasure to work in both New Zealand and Norway as a kayak and hiking guide. I thrive in challenging environments, meeting new people, and making them smile.

  • Sue clark Guide

    A Kiwi for the past 25 years Sue is originally from the UK but is passionate about this country and loves to show it off to visitors, especially on a bike! Before guiding Sue had a lengthy indoor corporate career and has no regrets about heading outdoors and combining 3 of her favourite pastimes, cycling, exchanging stories with like-minded people and exploring.

  • Damian Stones Damian Stones Guide

    Mountain bike adventurer, Guide and bike skills instructor, Damian has been involved in mountain biking for 20 years and is a brand ambassador for a number of different companies including Santa Cruz Bicycles, Shimano, Ground Effect clothing, CLIF Bar and Yakima Bike Racks. Notable missions include the Waiau Toa Odyssey - biking and pack rafting from Lake Rotoiti to Kekerengu.

  • Jake Rowse JAKE ROWSE Guide

    I am a Cantabrian through and through and have been a part of the Canterbury road and track cycling scene since the early 90’s. I was a NZ representative for track cycling in 1993/94 before backing off the racing for a career in communications and then policing. A stint living in Europe reignited the passion for cycling, which lead into guiding cycle tours in Europe since 2013. I truely believe the best way to see a country is by bicycle.

  • Rob Pieper |  <i>Rob Pieper</i> Rob Pieper Guide

    Rob was born in the Netherlands and has always had an interest in the relationship between humans and the natural world. He holds a BSc in Agriculture, a Diploma in Horticulture, and has worked in dairy farming to which he applied principles of sustainability and organics. He has an Advanced Certificate in Leadership and Guiding and in addition to guiding with Adventure South, has also worked as a guide at Fox Glacier. Rob has built his own home and currently lives off the grid on a small farm..

  • Steffan Rolfe, Adventure South NZ guide Steffan Rolfe Guide

    Originally from the South Island, Steffan decided to change tack and has spent the last 6 years working in tourism, as a guide and boat driver. Steffan has guided in Mt Cook and Fiordland, and around the wider South Island. Sadly, due to COVID, he has returned to office work - but enjoys getting out on tours to guide people around when he can. When not working Steffan enjoys getting out and exploring the outdoors – hiking, kayaking, biking, climbing.

  • Annie Lowerson |  <i>Annie Lowerson</i> Anne Lowerson Guide

    Born in Melbourne, Anne studied Physical Education/Outdoor Recreation and eventually made her way to NZ in 1996. She is an avid adventure racer and bike-packer and has spent a huge amount of time exploring, training and racing in NZ. She spent 25 years in the English teaching industry in which she was a teacher and later a Director of Studies. Anne decided life was too short to pass it by indoors, so turned to guiding to use her skills, experience, and passion for inspiring others.

  • Shantel Thilman |  <i>Shantel Thilman</i> Shantel Thilman Guide

    Shantel was born in the USA and enjoyed her first long distance bike trip riding from Alaska to Mexico. She moved to NZ in 2019, but had traveled here previously throughout the years. Shantel has explored NZ as a backpacker, a van goer, and a cycle tourist. Shantel rode from Cape Reinga to Bluff on the Tour Aotearoa and also enjoys having some good bush time- I love New Zealand and cycling and sharing this joy with others.

  • Robbie Marchant |  <i>Robbie Marchant</i> Robbie Marchant Guide

    Robbie was brought up on a sheep and cattle farm South of Auckland and grew up spending her weekends outdoors building huts and catching eels. She spent nearly 30 years in the clothing industry and has travelled the world extensively. Robbie competed and crewed in multi-sport and adventure races. She really embraced a love of cycling over the last 15 years travelling within NZ and overseas on numerous occasions to race, ride, guide, bike-pack and explore what is on offer. 

  • Ellie Hammond |  <i>Ellie Hammond</i> ELLIE Hammond Guide

    Ellie's parents brought her to NZ from England so she would be able to grow up enjoying the great outdoors. Sure enough, by the time she was out of school she was already loving the worlds of mountain biking, tramping, climbing, and kayaking. Since then, Ellie has been keen to share her passions with others - through guiding, instructing, and teaching – and still can’t quite believe how lucky she is that she can make a living of it!

  • Chris Heaphy |  <i>Chris Heaphy</i> Chris Heaphy Guide

    Chris trained as a teacher in the 80's and has worked in a variety of education roles - always tainted by an adventure-based learning guise. In between, he has worked in the NZ and Australian backcountry as a wilderness guide and had a season down in Antarctica. Chris has a bunch of travel under his belt and plenty of wild stories to tell from India and Central Asia. As well as his stories, Chris enjoys sharing his knowledge of natural history. In his spare time you’ll find him out tramping, mountain biking or skiing.

  • The trail takes you along stunning coastline into Greymouth |  <i>Lachlan Gardiner</i> Tereza Unzeitigova  Guide

    Born in Czech Republic and spending the majority of her time outside - Snowboarding in winter, climbing and biking in summer, Tereza ended up studying Outdoor Ed in Czech and the UK - Lake District. Her love for travel and adventure brought her all the way to NZ, where she lived on a sailing yacht for the last 13 years. Tereza’s passion for the outdoors, and curiosity about NZ culture and history, led her to work as a guide all over New Zealand.

  • The trail takes you along stunning coastline into Greymouth |  <i>Lachlan Gardiner</i> Emma Holdaway Guide

    Emma was born into a backpack and shown the world as a baby before growing up in Aotearoa New Zealand. Since then, her sense of home is in the outdoors. She trained as an Outward Bound instructor in Washington USA, and loves to connect people to the power of the environment. She spends her pass time planning bike and hike trips to find old historic huts off the beaten trail, and to soak in naturally occurring hot springs around New Zealand.

  • The trail takes you along stunning coastline into Greymouth |  <i>Lachlan Gardiner</i> Jude Fieldhouse Guide

    Jude owned two Pita Pit stores in Palmerston North for 10 years ann sold them in 2021 to pursue her passion for the outdoors. She has biked the Camino de santiago, Vietnam, the Netherlands and most of the NZ Cycle Trails. Jude purchased a Camper Van in 2021 and travelled NZ for 12 months. In 2022 Jude biked Cape Reinga to Bluff to raise funds for Diabetes NZ.

  • The trail takes you along stunning coastline into Greymouth |  <i>Lachlan Gardiner</i> Martin Cleland Guide

    Kiwi born and bred. Moulded by years of remote backcountry experience having worked in indigenous forest management and environmental restoration. At home beyond the city limits, loves time shared with his adventure driven partner; tramping, bike-packing, and cycle touring. Recently biked and hiked through; California, Dolomites, Pyrenees, UK, Queensland, Southern Italy/Sicily and Nepal. Especially enjoys exploring the West Coast, from his home in Westport.

  • The trail takes you along stunning coastline into Greymouth |  <i>Lachlan Gardiner</i> Sam Prior Guide

    With a background in physical geography, Samuel has always enjoyed the outdoors, and has ridden a bike for most of his life! After graduating from university in the UK, he has spent the last few years guiding cycling tours around Europe. He is super passionate about the natural environment, and will gladly over explain the details of the landscape formation to anyone willing to ask! When not on a tour, Samuel can be found climbing or hiking around his new base of Christchurch! .



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