Take a Break In New Zealand
New Zealand is ideal for those seeking to break free from the mundane and journey on an exciting new adventure. Whether you're looking for a career change or a sabbatical, our Adventure Guide Program offers the perfect blend of outdoor adventure, immersive travel experiences and personal development. Transform your life by learning leadership skills, conquering new challenges and discovering your true potential. Step into a world of possibilities and see where it takes you!
Download the New Zealand Program Brochure
What Is The Adventure Guide Program?
Our New Zealand Adventure Guide Program is ideal for those seeking to break free from the mundane and journey on an exciting new adventure. Imagine swapping your office for the rugged mountains and pristine lakes of New Zealand. This destination offers a unique adventure, blending breathtaking scenery with thrilling experiences.
During the program, you'll participate in a wide range of outdoor pursuits, from hiking iconic trails within national parks, to learning about the native flora & fauna. You'll also engage in team-building exercises, leadership training and outdoor skills advancment. These experiences are designed to challenge you and foster personal growth, helping you develop the resilience and confidence needed to lead others.
Whether you're a new to adventure travel or have prior experiences in the outdoors, our program offers a structured, progressive path that adapts to your desires. From immersing yourself in vibrant cultures to journeying on exhilarating adventures, explore the outdoors like never before. Upon completion of the program, you'll have expanded your horizons and gained personal confidence from your transformative journey.
Program Testimonials
Our Alumni
"I didn’t know what I wanted to do in life, all I knew was that it had to be outside and include travelling to different places and learning new skills, this has opened up that opportunity to do it!"
Florian K. Netherlands.
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