Guides
Our guides' experience, dedication, and enthusiasm make them ideal ambassadors for your destination. They chart the course, finesse the details, and speak the language (English, as well as the local language). They also possess a truly rare skill, knowing when to let serendipity and inspiration take the lead.
Rene Schwaller
Rene Schwaller moved to Queenstown from Switzerland in the 1980’s and was a pioneer heli-ski and rafting guide. He then brought the first paragliders into New Zealand and manufactured his own brand of glider – Renegade! Rene spreads his time between leading hiking and cycling tours and working as a tandem paragliding pilot in the summer and heli-skiing in the winter. Rene’s long history of adventuring in New Zealand means he is often running into friends who are local characters during his travels.
Vanessa Wards
Having grown up on a farm in the North Island, Vanessa Wards, or Ness, loves all things involving the outdoors, including many adventure sports common in New Zealand. After completing a degree in Sport and Recreation Management at the Auckland University of Technology, she went on to work in an array of occupations before a love of travel and adventure took her across the globe, visiting Ireland, France, Germany, Sweden, and Morocco, among other places. Upon returning to New Zealand, she has been able to share her passion for introducing the scenic landscapes of the South Island by guiding adventures throughout her home country.
Brenda George
Raised on a sheep and cattle farm on New Zealand’s South Island, Brenda George began her guiding career working as a trekking guide on the Routeburn Track while attending Lincoln University. Following graduation, Brenda moved to the alpine town of Wanaka working on ski patrol at Treble Cone Ski Resort in winter and as a trekking guide during the summer. Brenda has been guiding for Country Walkers for more than 10 years and loves to show off her favorite places on the South Island.
Yvonne Cook
Yvonne Cook has worked as a guide, interpreter, and educator for small groups on adventurous expeditions in the polar regions in addition to being a kayak and trekking guide in both New Zealand and internationally. A university education in natural sciences combined with wide-ranging guiding experience has given her a broad knowledge base with her main areas of expertise being geology, glaciology, oceanography, meteorology, marine mammals, and botany. As a South Island local she is committed to understanding and protecting New Zealand’s natural environment. In addition, she has three decades of managing national and international field projects and personal expeditions that have all provided extensive experience in risk management, team work, and interacting with people from a variety of cultures.
