Driver / Hiking Guide | Hollyford Valley Walk

Casual | Queenstown

Turn an extraordinary journey into an experience our manuhiri will never forget.

Kia ora, outdoor lovers and natural storytellers!

This is no ordinary guiding role. We’re looking for an exceptional Driver / Hiking Guide to host our manuhiri (guests) on an unforgettable journey from Queenstown to Milford Sound, then by helicopter into remote Martins Bay for a truly special luxury experience.

Along the way, you’ll guide guests on foot along the rugged West Coast beach, travel by jet boat on Whakatipu Kā Tuka / Hollyford River, and pause to hear birdsong echo through ancient podocarp forest. Back at the lodge, you’ll share good food, stories, and a warm welcome.

After a night at the lodge, you’ll accompany guests back to Milford Sound for a luxury cruise before driving them safely to Queenstown.

More than guiding a route, you’ll be a trusted host, storyteller, and kaitiaki of the experience—helping people connect with this remarkable place, its stories, and one another.

With a passion for both people and place, you’ll bring the journey to life—sharing stories of Māori and early European explorers, showcasing the region’s distinctive flora and fauna, and creating moments our manuhiri will remember for a lifetime.

About You

You’re someone who combines warmth, sound judgement, and genuine care with a love of the outdoors. You know how to read a group, adapt when conditions change, and make every guest feel welcome. You’ll also bring:

• A warm, welcoming personality—manaakitanga (care for others) is at the heart of what we do
• A passion for storytelling, strong knowledge of ecology, history, and culture, and a natural ability to connect people with place
• Strong tramping and/or guiding experience in Aotearoa
• Good fitness and a commitment to keeping yourself and others safe
• A collaborative, adaptable mindset—you’re at home in a team and comfortable in an ever-changing environment
• Curiosity and respect for te ao Māori, with a willingness to learn te reo Māori and engage with Ngāi Tahu values
• A passenger endorsement licence
• Outdoor First Aid certificate

Why this role matters

You won’t simply drive a road or walk a track—you’ll shape how our manuhiri experience one of Aotearoa’s most extraordinary places. Through your energy, care, sound judgement, and storytelling, you’ll create a sense of awe, connection, and belonging while helping every journey feel seamless and safe.

Why you’ll love working with us

• Competitive pay and industry-leading conditions
• All food, transport, and accommodation covered while guiding
• In-depth, area-specific training
• A supportive, fun, and tight-knit team in one of the world’s most spectacular locations

Sound like your kind of gig?

If you’re an experienced outdoor guide who brings manaakitanga, confidence, and great storytelling to every journey, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today—we review applications as they arrive.

Hollyford Valley Walk is a fun, unique, and safe place to work, and we’re committed to keeping it that way. Successful applicants will complete pre-employment checks, including drug and alcohol testing, as part of our commitment to the safety of you, our team, and our manuhiri.

Learn more: hollyfordtrack.com | ngaitahutourism.co.nz | Waitai Lodge Fiordland Escape

Tēnā, tono mai ki a mātau—we’d love to hear from you.