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, 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.

iHub Outdoor Activity and Information Centre, Twizel

 

We now operate from the Twizel iHub Outdoor Activity and Information Centre. The office is staffed 7 days a week although times vary according to the season. With our intimate knowledge of the local region, we can advise you on where to stay and what to do, as well as booking our own activities and tours.
 

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 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!
 

The Team

Jane Nicholls
Jane also Worked for the Department of Conservation in Aoraki Mount Cook and took trips to the Tasman Glacier in the 1980s, so has personally seen the greatest changes to the glacier of all the Discovery Tour guides. Jane has a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and also has done a psychology degree and is a qualified. Jane also guides for the Department of Conservation on Black Stilt (Kaki) tours in Twizel and works part time at a local plant nursery. Jane was an "Orcling" babysitter for many of the local parents who were involved with filming in the Return of the King scenes filmed around Twizel. Jane is also involved with community education and is a volunteer for St John Ambulance. Jane loves sea food, has a secret store of a New Zealand delicacy (white bait) and drinks her coffee black.

Heather Purdie
Heather is a qualified teacher and pharmacy technician with an interest in learning and imparting knowledge outside the classroom. She has a Science Degree from Massey University (the degree was based on studying the geographical changes in the earth for the last 2.5 million years) and is currently working on her PhD on the Tasman Glacier with Victoria University.  After three years of moraine and ice bashing doing research on the Tasman Glacier in all sorts of weathers, Heather is now our Chief "glaciator"! She's has also worked for the Department of Conservation in Aoraki Mount Cook in both the visitor centre and in the field doing conservation projects. Heather enjoys working in her garden where she has planted lots of natives and enjoys drinking herbal tea.
 

Dawn Goorah
Dawn, office manager extraordinaire! Originally from the UK Dawn decided NZ was Godzone and stayed. Loves the area and has completed most of the activities here so if you want information on anything local, she's the one to ask. Since joining us she has become a Lord of the Rings addict and is currently training to be a LOTR guide. Mum of two and, as she used to managed and cook in her own café before coming to work with Discovery Tours, she's the best low fat muffin maker in town, she use to own and chef in her own cafe! Dawn drinks cappuccino coffee like it is on tap.

Angie Spence

Angie has 20 years experience working in the travel industry and has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to New Zealand as a travel destination. After holidaying in Twizel for the past 25 years, she decided to move 2 years ago and make Twizel her home. She has a passion for the great outdoors and in her spare time enjoys cycling, tramping, snowboarding, windsurfing and surfing. Angie is partial to soy lattes and anything made of chocolate!

 

 

Helibike.com

Discovery Tours Ltd are the operators and part owners of Helibike.com Ltd. 

Helibike.com Ltd run helibike and mountain bike tours in the local Benmore and Ohau Mountain Ranges around Twizel. With our knowledge of Helibiking and mountain biking in New Zealand, we can also book great deals for you with other Heli bike and Mountain Bike Operators. The 3 directors are Vernon Reid from Discovery Tours, Mark Wallace-Bell of Cycleogy Ltd and Sara Leadbetter, one of the best Tourism Business Advisor in the country. Mark and Sara are based in Christchurch, both love mountain biking and Mark enjoys competition riding and training athletes in the psycology of sport.