Based in Christchurch, New Zealand, we are a premier travel company, specialising in small-group guided tours across the picturesque landscapes of Te Waipounamu, the South Island of New Zealand. The "Koru" in our name, and our current logo, are inspired by the Māori symbol representing new beginnings, growth, and harmony, and reflects our commitment to providing unforgettable experiences that conn
ect travellers with the natural beauty and richness of this remarkable island
Our story has its origins in early 2000, when our founder and CEO, Alan MacKay, made the decision to move to the South Island from his home on the Coromandel Peninsula in the North Island. He came down here with the intent of setting up his own outdoor adventure tourism company with a good friend, but alas, it was not to be:
Some 20 odd years later, with 3 seasons in Milford Sound behind me (two of those guiding on the Milford Track), and another season based at Mt Cook in the Hospitality industry, and a lifetime, and a family, in between, I finally launched my tour business as an extension of my cherished landscape photography hobby-business, squarely aimed at photographers, and without the “Adventure Tourism” tag. Hit hard, like most of the hospitality and tourism industry, by the pandemic that hit early 2020, I took a good long look at where we were, and what I wanted, and decided to drop the niche “photography” aspect and re-name, re-brand, and re-position ourselves to tackle the wider tourism market, while concentrating on small group scenic tours around the South Island with a range of tour options. On a personal level, I've always enjoyed the outdoors, and loved sharing about Fiordland as a trekking guide all those years ago. In addition, to the landscape-photographer, I'm also a scout leader, and former ambulance officer. I'm married to a Japanese lady with whom he has three pretty cool kids
I hold a full NZ driver’s licence with Passenger endorsement, allowing me to carry up to 11 guests (although I limit my groups to six allowing for a more personalised service, and my current vehicle doesn't have enough seats anyway!), along with a Small Passenger Transport Service Licence issued by the New Zealand Transport Authority, legally allowing me to operate the Tours side of my business. My vehicle of choice is a comfortable, fully airconditioned, all-wheel-drive, late model version of the ever popular Toyota Hi-ace minibus, which we've retrofitted with USB charging ports on most of the seats. I also hold a concession issued by the Department Of Conservation (DOC) for a range of short tracks around the South Island, further enhancing the tour packages that I’m able to offer my clients, along with an Adventure Mark reviewed Operations and Health and Safety Plan. I have also recently completed an NZOIA (New Zealand Outdoor Instructor’s Association) Bush Leader qualification, which has only enhanced my understanding of safety within the outdoor environment that I operate some of my short bush walks in. My driving passion is to bring you, my guests, to the natural wonders of New Zealand’s South Island, bringing those wonders to life, complete with sights, smells, sounds, and history for you. I have this theory: “If I can’t bring the South Island to you, then I must bring you to the South Island”
With a range of half, full, overnight, and multiday scenic tours, and fully bespoke options, we have something for everyone, from those who just want to see the sights, to those who want to leave the vehicle on short excursions to more fully appreciate the area the tour is passing through. Our scenic tours are designed for exclusive, small groups of up to six people at a time - Just you and your family or a small group of close friends. All our full day or longer tours have two options for you to choose from: Standard, and Premium. Our Premium tours are fully inclusive of meals and accommodation (where appropriate). All our scenic tours are ex Christchurch and return, and our prices range from $740 per group of 2 ($370 pp) on our shortest half day tour, up to $45,000 per group of 6 ($7,500 pp) on our seven day South Island Big Loop. Note that our tour prices are on a sliding scale: the more people you bring with you (up to a maximum of six including yourself) the cheaper it gets per person. Blackout periods also apply
We also specialise in crafting bespoke guided tours that cater to a wide range of interests. Whether you're an adventure enthusiast, a nature lover, or a cultural explorer, we can craft the perfect tour for you. Our experienced guides are passionate about sharing their knowledge and love for New Zealand, providing insightful commentary and ensuring a seamless travel experience
We can also build photography workshops into most of our scenic tours, on request. See our website or browse our FB and Instagram profiles for more.
