Your Guides: Safety,
Knowledge, and Passion

Learn about the team dedicated to making your adventure unforgettable

Ultimate Hikes have been guiding walkers on the Milford, Routeburn and Greenstone Tracks for over 30 years. We take great pride in providing an incredible experience for walkers from New Zealand and around the world.

Our team of guides is not just there to lead the way – they’re there to enrich your experience. Every guide brings their unique knowledge, stories, and care for the environment, making each walk feel personal and engaging.

Trained and Certified

Each guide undergoes rigorous training, including first aid certification and specialised training to navigate the environments we operate in. Their role goes beyond showing the path – they assist with your needs, provide safety assessments, and act swiftly in emergencies.

Passion and Knowledge

Beyond their safety expertise, our guides love sharing the stories of the landscapes, history, and wildlife around you. Whether you're interested in the history of the Milford Track or curious about the native flora and fauna, our guides will help you see New Zealand through their eyes.
Recruitment and Training

Building a team of Passionate Adventurers

We recruit and train over 70 guides each season, many of whom return year after year because of their love for the job and the natural environment. Our guides come from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures, from New Zealand and across the globe, bringing a rich diversity of experiences and perspectives. They are all united by a common goal: ensuring your well-being while sharing their passion for New Zealand’s extraordinary landscapes.

Join our team

Employment
Employment
Great people,  Great places.
Great jobs.
We operate in the most incredible part of our country. Our operation includes positions on and off track in a dynamic team that helps make our guided walks an extraordinary experience for our guests.  If you are passionate about the environment manaakitanga/hospitality and kaitiakitanga/sustainability, then we want to hear from you.

Join our team

Employment
Health & Safety First

Your safety is our top priority, and our guides are expertly trained to manage the unpredictability of the natural environment. From the moment you step onto the track, there will always be a guide nearby, whether at the front or back of the group, ensuring you can walk at your own pace.

Risk Management

Always Ready

Guides are in constant communication via radio with each other, the lodges, and our base in Queenstown. Whether it’s handling adverse weather conditions or assisting with minor injuries like blisters or sprains, they are prepared to react swiftly and efficiently to any situation.

First Aid and Beyond

All of our guides have first aid certification, with advanced training for the unique challenges of the remote environments. They’re ready to treat minor complaints and, in rare cases, handle more serious incidents until further help arrives.

Continuous Learning

Each guide undergoes ongoing education to stay updated with safety protocols and deepen their knowledge of the regions they guide in. No matter where they come from, their shared love for nature and adventure is what makes them a great team.

Local knowledge and years of insight

Deep Connections to the Land

Our guides bring the tracks to life, sharing stories of early settlers, native wildlife, and the unique ecosystems, our guides love to share what makes each walk special. You’ll learn things you won’t find in any guidebook, and if they don't know the answer, they’ll be eager to help you find it.

Personal Stories

Each guide brings their unique background, and with that comes personal anecdotes and knowledge, enriching your adventure even further. From hiking techniques to hidden gems along the way, our guides help you see beyond the obvious.