Chris is a regular sight on the trails around the South Island in particular. She works as a guide for tour operator Adventure South NZ.

Over the past 10-or-so seasons she’s taken hundreds of Kiwis and international visitors on adventures into nature following itineraries of varying lengths and soaking up vast landscapes.

“The landscapes in New Zealand are jaw-dropping and each of the Great Rides I’ve done are great for a very good reason,” says Chris. 

The outdoor enthusiast has tackled many of the spectacular Great Rides and has just four of the 23 left to complete - Northland’s Pou Herenga Tai - Twin Coast Cycle Trail, Bay of Plenty’s Motu Trails, Mountains to Sea Ngā Ara Tūhono  in the central North Island and the Coppermine Trail in the Nelson region. 

“I don’t have a specific timeframe in mind, but I would love to experience them all and it would be a satisfying accomplishment,” says Chris.

She loves that the Great Rides boast high-value landscape experiences, while off-trail there’s plenty of tried-and-true fantastic experiences to enjoy. 

The likes of the Alps 2 Ocean Great Ride boasts massive landscape contrasts daily, from canals, lakes and mountains to descents along river systems, dams and the sea. 

It’s the reason why Alps 2 Ocean is one of Chris’ favourites, though she says every Great Ride is a positive experience. 

“Food is an absolute feature of these trips, a lot have wine tastings, vineyard or brewery experiences built in or there are experiences like on the Roxburgh Gorge Trail Great Ride featuring a scenic jetboat transfer and plenty of history.” 

Chris encourages bikers and non-bikers alike to explore New Zealand’s landscapes by bike - at their own pace.

^{This bungy bridge connects the Arrow River Bridges Trail and Gibbston River Trail. A photo stop on the Southern Discoveries Bridge is usually compulsory.}

"It is a well-paced way to take in the scenery and the environment. You're very much in the landscape, you’re not just an observer, you’re feeling it first-hand and you’re being physical with the terrain. 

“In central Otago for example you’ll experience the dust, you’ll feel the breeze, you’ll climb the hills and taste the food...” 

Not only is cycling great exercise, but riders can choose the way they ride in terms of opting for standard bikes or e-bikes. 

“The beauty of cycling is that it is accessible to everyone. Whether you ride independently or choose to do it through a company, I strongly advise people whatever their ability to get out on a trail and embrace the experience,” says Chris. 

She headed south to university where she took up tramping and skiing before veering off into adventure racing that included biking, hiking and kayaking. 

“We were actually early converters of mountain biking back then - before single tracks were even thought of we were out biking the forestry tracks and journeying on the farm tracks of big sheep stations.”  

Before she became a guide Chris worked as a PE and Spanish teacher. She's also been a ropes course instructor and worked at outdoor education organisation Outward Bound in Wales.

She raised her own family in South Canterbury, though these days when she’s not working as a tour guide she supports an outdoor education programme back on her home turf in the North Island. 

Wherever she is the landscapes continue to astound Chris, and she loves nothing more than showing them off to her tour groups.  

“Our landscapes in New Zealand are outstanding. I never tire of being a guide. You're seeing different seasons, different weather... it stays fresh somehow and I find myself taking as many photos as most clients!”  

So, is it the best job in the world?  

“Being out in the environment, among the elements, and working physically gives me a great feeling of wellbeing, it’s what makes me happy, it feeds my soul. I would say it really is the best job in the world.”

_{Chris takes a well-earned break at the top of the Rāpaki track, one of the most popular trails on the Port Hills in Canterbury}