Discovery Tours Ltd
Discovery Tours formed in 2001 from a desire to provide high quality tours which explore the unique features of this part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area. Both directors, Vernon Reid and Elayne Nilson-Reid begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting, have a long association with Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park having worked for the Department of Conservation as park rangers. The company was also the first Aoraki/Mount Cook based company to gain a Qualmark™ Endorsed Visitor Activity rating in 2003. This independent quality audit shows you that we are always striving to exceed industry standards in New Zealand.
Directors
Vernon Reid first got an interest in conservation when he worked for the Conservation Core in Dunedin in the early 1990's, this led to working for the Department of Conservation in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. After 4 years working for DOC he went and worked for the Hermitage Hotel where he became the Guest Services Manager. In 2001 he wanted a complete change that included showing people the fascinating National Park, share his interest in the natural world with people, and working outdoors, so Vernon formed Discovery Tours. His dream was to have tours where people could really learn about the world heritage area with a local guide who had a passion and love for the area. While living in Aoraki Mount Cook, Vernon was a member of the Industrial fire brigade for 10 years and was acting Chief Fire Officer, went exploring the National Park as often as possible by foot, bike, skis and climbing. Now living in Twizel, Vernon continues to be active in the local community as a volunteer floor manager for the local non profit climbing wall, is a member of the Twizel Development and Promotions Association, a member of Pro Guides NZ, and is now volunteering for St John Ambulance service. Vernon has an active interest in geology, history, ecology, conservation and glaciers, so much so, he volunteered for 10 days in 2008 to assist Heather on her PhD study of the Tasman Glacier. Mountain biker, rock climber, skier, and back country hiker, Vernon’s claim to fame was to drive Tom Cruise around Mount Cook while he was filming The Last Samurai, he also drove Orcs from Mount Cook to Twizel for the big battle scenes, and got to watch parts of LOTR being filmed! Vernon bakes a great banana cake with banana whip cream and loves strong coffee!
Elayne Nilson-Reid
begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Ecology (studying the interaction between living things and the physical environment) from Otago University. Worked for the Department of Conservation from 1994 to 2001 in the Aoraki mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre, which included giving out information to climbers and visitors, so she has an extremely good knowledge of the area. Also was Historic Heritage Project Manager involving research into historic assets and the writing of plans to conserve those assets. Elayne started guiding in 2005 and is a member of Interpretation Network New Zealand an organisation dedicated to enhancing interpretation. Elayne likes photographing plants, mountain biking, rock climbing, back country hiking and skiing. Elayne is known as the Lord of the rings Geek in Discovery Tours, what she doesn't know about it is not worth knowing! Elayne is a great bread and muffin maker but does not drink hot drinks, so don't get her to make your coffee!
Discovery Tours also loves doing their Lord of the Rings Tour based in Twizel, Step into a new world of mythology and discover what goes on behind the scenes.
