Whenever I have the chance to guide travellers who have trusted me to venture outside of the usual touristy kiwi spotlights, I make a point of spending a few days in my hometown, Dunedin. And I always get the same feedback….”now we know why you live here…”.

Obviously what is a 5 or a 6 star for one person is different for another. New Zealand is one of the very few countries in the world that can deliver such level of exclusivity and luxury in such a small area with ever changing landscape

Carved by 15 fiords, home to a prolific and remarkable mix of flora and fauna, from alpine parrots to black coral, pods of bottlenose dolphins, moss carpeted valleys and vertical mountain sides with waterfalls dropping over 850m, Fiordland is indisputably one of the world’s last great wilderness areas in the southern hemisphere.

Of the thousands of trails across the country, averaging from 30 minutes to several hours, New Zealand also has an extensive network of multi-day walks. However, the one trek I prefer for our guests is the Hollyford Walk, located in the same area as the Milford and Routeburn tracks, on the west coast of the South Island. Why?

The highlight is the Victorian Precinct, the original commercial and business district of Oamaru that served as the focal point for trade through the port. The historical buildings consisted of large grain and seed warehouses which served the prosperous agricultural sector in the district during the later part of the 19th century.

One of New Zealand’s most epic hike, the Abel Tasman Coastal track. Experience with private guide, on board a chartered sail boat. A true luxury hiking experience in one of the most scenic areas of New Zealand.

I wanted to touch base with all of you who have travelled and supported us over the years. As we enter our fourth week of isolation in a complete lockdown here in New Zealand, we all face the chaos and health hazards of the pandemic around the world…

I often found myself wanting to stop time on our voyage south, and, for a split second, I realised I could, before a gentle rock from a wave would reemphasise the transition from present to past. It made me understand people’s desperate need for photos – forever trying to capture that feeling of “now”. I joined them in their frantic focusing on a rare snipe that would make itself known…