Adventure Travel in New Zealand
If you're excited to travel, explore and experience the beauty of nature our New Zealand Adventure Guide Program is perfect for you! Spend your weeks hiking through stunning, remote native forests, immersing yourself in local cultures and soaking up diverse landscapes. As you traverse iconic locations, you'll create lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories. Discover the world in a unique way and return home with incredible travel stories and personal confidence.
Download the New Zealand Program Brochure
Adventure Guide Program
Start your journey in the stunning landscapes of New Zealand, where you'll hike through lush beech forests, understand Māori stories & legends and immerse yourself in the local culture. Queenstown is famous for its vibrant atmosphere and outdoor lifestyle, it will become your home base for the next 12 weeks.
During the program, you'll participate in unforgettable adventures in some of the world's most beautiful locations. Hike the famous Routeburn Track, with its breathtaking mountain views and pristine lakes. Encounter unique wildlife, such as Hector Dolphins in Milford Sound and Albatross in Dunedin. Experience life as a local while exploring the diverse terrains of the South Island, from Fiordland National Park to Aoraki Mt. Cook, the rugged West Coast, and Dunedin’s sandy beaches.
This journey is designed to offer a variety of experiences that will exceed your expectations. Connect with fellow travellers from all over the world, forge lifelong friendships and create lasting memories. With unique cultural encounters and exciting activities every day, the Adventure Guide Program in New Zealand promises a truly immersive travel experience that will expand your knowledge.
Program Testimonials
Our Alumni
"I’ve never done anything like this before, and it was an absolutely amazing experience, once in a lifetime opportunity to meet awesome and like minded people and get outdoors."
Tia P. New Zealand.
Adventure Guide Program Itinerary
- Pick up in Queenstown Central with your program instructor.
- Meet your fellow adventure buddies and head to the house for orientation.
- Māori Pōwhiri (welcoming)
- Safety briefing, community orientation, program guidelines and overview
- Start the week off with your advanced outdoor first aid course - setting you up nicely for the next few months of adventuring
- Complete your first multi-day hike somewhere epic like the Matukituki Valley, Mt. Aspiring National Park or Fiordland National Park (weather dependant)
- Travel to Wānaka to begin your introduction to climbing
- Learn the fundamentals and technicalities to climb safely outdoors
- It's time to journey through Fiordland National Park
- Cruise alongside Hector Dolphins in Milford Sound
- Hike parts of the famous Routeburn Track
- Camp beneath the stars at a local DOC campsite
- Visit a range of locations and rock types as you learn how to lead climb
- Spend a day volunteering with the local climbing club
- Time to visit Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park and hike among the beauty beneath New Zealand's highest mountain
- Return to Queenstown and complete a two day pack rafting course while gaining your SWIFT Water Rescue 3 certification
- Dive into the heart of Mt. Aspiring National Park as you explore the remote wilderness of the Gillespie Pass
- Venture up the wild west coast of the South Island as you explore Hokitika, Franz Josef and climbing at above the Tasman Sea at the Charleston Sea Cliffs
- Hike to the natural hot springs on the Copeland track and spend the night listening for Kiwi birds at the DOC hut
- Venture to Dunedin and explore Tunnel Beach, watching the Albatross soar high above
- Climb the famous basalt rock on Long Beach
- It's time to practise the skills you have learned on real clients
- Taking them outdoors under the guidance of your program instructor as you dial in your guiding skills
- With your skills dialled and client practise under your belt it's time to complete your NZOIA Bush Leader and NZOIA Rock Leader qualifications
- Gaining internationally recognised qualifications that will take you all over the world working as a guide
- Finish up the program with a farewell dinner and friendly good byes
Program Gallery
What's Included?
- 12 weeks of accommodation in a private house in Queenstown
- Our very own highly experienced program instructors, they'll be with you from start to finish
- Access to your own "Traveller Area" where you can find all the program information you need (pre and post program)
- Our knowledgeable Program Advisors to answer your questions - just a phone call or email away
- All activities outlined in the itinerary (rock climbing, hiking, camping, packrafting, pōwhiri, and so much more)
- All technical equipment required to safely participate in the activities
- All transportation during the program
- Fees to all national parks, DOC land, campsites and huts that you will experience
- Two day pack-rafting excursion in Glenorchy
- Milford Sound Day Cruise
- Farm tour and experience
- NZOIA registration and assessments
- Swift Water Rescue 3 Training and Qualification
- Advance Outdoor First Aid Certificate