We are private tour guides and we are locals. With that comes the connections, relationships and inside knowledge that afford us opportunities to provide experiences others simply can’t.
LEE SAUNDERS – FOUNDER OF ALPINE LUXURY TOURS
Lee Saunders is the Founder and Director of Alpine Luxury Tours, inspired by a lifelong passion for sharing the beauty and diversity of New Zealand. Having grown up in and around Queenstown and travelled extensively throughout the country, Lee offers guests authentic local insight and a deep connection to the land.
Raised on a sheep and deer farm in the lower South Island, Lee developed a strong appreciation for nature early on. After a varied career in forestry, construction, and management in Australia, he returned home in 2012 to establish Alpine Luxury Tours-combining local knowledge with exceptional service to create unforgettable experiences.
Today, Lee lives in Queenstown with his wife Dani, rugby-loving young son, and their energetic black Labrador Rua. When he’s not guiding guests or designing new experiences, he enjoys exploring New Zealand’s great outdoors, continuing to find new stories to share along the way.
Favourite Tour: Middle Earth Waterfalls Heli Hike
LINDA – BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Born and raised in New Zealand, Linda has called the South Island home for over 23 years. Passionate about the outdoors – skiing, walking, boating, gardening, and yoga, and a lover of fine food and wine, she brings over two decades of tourism experience and a dedication to sharing the region’s exceptional beauty and experiences with visitors from all over the world.
As the Alpine Luxury Tours Business development manager, Linda plays a key role in securing partnerships with both international and domestic inbound operators (IBOs), helping to strengthen connections and create exceptional experiences for our global network of guests.
AUSTIN – RESERVATIONS & LOGISTICS MANAGER
Hailing from the USA, Austin has called Queenstown home since 2019 after instantly falling in love with the region’s incredible variety of activities, distinct seasons, and unforgettable experiences. Though much of his hospitality career has been within accommodation, his passion for tourism grew during his years as a hotel concierge, where he developed a deep appreciation for sharing exceptional local luxury experiences with visitors.
Favourite Tour: Heli Picnic at Middle Earth Waterfalls
SHALAKA – RESERVATIONS
Hailing from Mumbai, India, Shalaka is an avid hiker, enthusiastic reader, and passionate explorer of new food spots. She enjoys meeting people, a natural strength in her travel service work. Her travel career began at Villa Escape in Mumbai, where she learned to understand guest preferences and create personalised itineraries.
After moving to New Zealand, she has since worked in sales and reservations roles across the tourism sector, developing expertise in agent relationships, commission systems, high-volume bookings, and crafting bespoke itineraries for luxury travellers from both India and New Zealand.
DANI – GUIDE, MARKETING & ADMIN MANAGER
Dani has over 11 years of local and international guiding experience, having lived in Queenstown for a number of years. Dani is a trained Jet boat driver working for companies all over New Zealand. She has also worked internationally as a River guide in Japan and New Zealand. Dani holds certification in Instruction and Guiding, which allows her to showcase NZ’s flora and fauna wonderfully to our guests. Her local knowledge of the region and beyond makes her a valuable asset to the team at Alpine Luxury Tours.
Interests include hiking, the outdoors, bike riding, wineries, and meeting new people. She is also a keen traveller with her husband Lee, the owner and founder of Alpine Luxury Tours.
Favourite Tour: Routeburn Track Hike
ROB – HEAD GUIDE
Having spent 8 years in the tourism sector Rob is a seasoned tourism professional with a deep love for outdoor adventure.
He began his career as a ski instructor in Canada and spent most of his twenties as a luxury guide and host in the French Alps within the ski industry. Within New Zealand, he has been guiding guests to Mt Cook, Milford Sound, and Queenstown.
In his leisure time, he indulges in mountain biking, hiking, and exploring local wineries and breweries in the Queenstown Lakes region.
Favourite Tour: Rob Roy Glacier Heli Hike
VICKY- GUIDE
Vicky arrived as a backpacker 30 years ago and quickly fell in love with the region, leading her to establish deep roots in the tourism industry. Her enthusiasm is contagious. With extensive experience, from a Great Walks hiking guide and a ‘Lord of the Rings’ extra to a retail manager for a rafting company, 17 years managing visitor holiday travel guides/publications and a conservation department employee, Vicky possesses a wealth of knowledge.
Her rich narratives include witnessing the emergence of the Gibbston Valley wine industry and interacting with vibrant local personalities who have influenced the area’s development. A passionate skier, avid biker, and hiking enthusiast, she cherishes her outdoor adventures with her springer spaniel, Dexter, and her daughter.
Favourite Tour: Bob’s Cove Flora and Fauna Hike
TREVOR – GUIDE
With over 11 years of local guiding experience and having lived in Queenstown 30+years and originally from Perth WA. Trevor is a trained chef and has worked over the world in the past years. His local knowledge of the region and beyond makes him a valuable asset to the team at Alpine Luxury Tours
Interests include the outdoors, soaking up this beautiful environment, bike riding, golf, meeting new people and is also a keen traveller.
SAM – GUIDE
After 20 years working across the hospitality and events sectors in both New Zealand and Australia, Sam has returned to his tourism roots an industry he has always felt deeply connected to.
With strong family ties to the Central Otago farming community, Sam carries a genuine love for the region and its people. Growing up surrounded by stories of the land, hard work, and rural life, he brings an authentic local perspective that enhances every guest interaction. His extensive knowledge of the area’s history, landscapes, and character helps visitors experience Queenstown in a way that feels both personal and special.
Sam enjoys tennis, swimming, and discovering new dining spots throughout the region. A passionate supporter of Queenstown’s world-class wine and food scene, he loves guiding guests toward the hidden gems and standout flavours that make the area so exceptional. His warm personality, sense of adventure, and dedication to high-quality service make him a valued member of the team and a natural storyteller who elevates every tour.
JONO – GUIDE
Jono has called Queenstown home for over 30 years. With a rich background in the local ski industry and a deep-seated passion for alpine sports, hiking, and the great outdoors, he brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to showcasing the best New Zealand has to offer.
Jono’s long-standing connection to the region and his love for adventure make him an ideal guide for anyone eager to explore the stunning landscapes and thrilling activities that Queenstown and its surroundings have to offer.
Favourite Tour- Heli Picnic at Middle Earth Waterfalls
ANDREW – GUIDE
Andrew began his guiding career in Central Australia in 2016 and has since built extensive experience as a tour guide and driver across New Zealand. After six years guiding throughout the South Island and has completed the Auckland to Queenstown route more than a dozen times.
His expertise also extends to film and television, having worked on seven productions around Queenstown and the wider South Island. Known for his skill and confidence behind the wheel, His favourite stretch of road is the scenic drive to Glenorchy.
Passionate about creating memorable guest experiences, his favourite tours to host are wine tours, where he enjoys showcasing the region’s world-class vineyards.
Outside of work, he loves snowboarding, motorbiking, and travelling whenever he gets the chance.
Favourite Tour: Queenstown and Central Otago Wine Tour
THOMAS – GUIDE
Thomas is originally from Argentina and speaks both Spanish and English. He grew up playing rugby, and some of his favourite hobbies include open water swimming, biking, and hiking. He has lived in Queenstown for 8 years and enjoys getting outside, being in nature, and travelling. Over the years, he has worked in maintenance, construction, and truck driving.
Thomas is very knowledgeable about the region, having guided in and around Queenstown for many years.
When he’s not working, he enjoys exploring the activities that New Zealand is most known for, kayaking, bungy jumping and 4WDing.
ALLAN – GUIDE
Having spent over 30 years living in Queenstown, Allan feels incredibly fortunate to have grown up surrounded by some of New Zealand’s most spectacular natural landscapes.
Having built a long-standing career in hospitality and the wine industry, he has always been passionate about meeting people from around the world and sharing the remarkable region he’s proud to call home. After several years specialising in wine tours, he developed a deeper appreciation for creating meaningful, personalised experiences that go beyond the tasting room.
He’s always found Queenstown’s history fascinating, from its gold mining origins to its evolution into a world-renowned destination. And genuinely enthusiastic about sharing these stories and insights with guests who are curious to learn more.
JAMIE – GUIDE
With over 13 years’ local guiding experience, Jamie passions include teaching, travel, wine and New Zealand’s great outdoors. A fully qualified Outdoor Leader, Jamie has also obtained his WSET Level 2, making him an ideal guide for guests with a passion for fine wines as well as fine views.
When he’s not busy showcasing Queenstown’s vibrant wineries and outstanding landscapes, you’ll find him scaling local mountain peaks, snowboarding or relaxing over a round of golf.
