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On Tour
WORDS Lucinda Diack IMAGES Rebecca Williams

Watching Lee and Geoff Swift discuss their journey together, it is very clear they have a deep love for the life they have created, and ultimately share with people all across New Zealand.


Geoff and Lee Swift's boutique tour business, South Island Tours, specialises in showcasing the places and people that make our local backyard so unique. Whether by 4WD tagalong, escorted cycle or scenic van tour, they spend their days sharing the South Island with domestic tourists.


‘Essentially whatever people would like to see in the South Island, we would love to show them,’ explains Geoff. ‘We have a number of tours that we design and plan, but also work with clients to custom-design private tours if there is something in particular they would like to experience.’


As they describe tours to Stewart Island, Otago, Golden Bay, the West Coast, Banks Peninsula, the Upper West Coast (the list goes on), they get side-tracked by discussions about a possible new tour in their ‘off season’ – a Night Sky tour in mid-June, traversing the landscape of Geraldine, Tekapo and Mount Cook. They are a couple who never switch off; their passion is contagious, and I immediately understand why they have so many repeat customers.


With the tours ranging in duration from three to five nights and in size from four to nine people, they are intimate excursions with a focus on local. ‘Our philosophy is based on conscious tourism,’ shares Lee, ‘which means we support and include as many other small businesses and individuals as possible in the creation of our itineraries.’ A simple concept which is often the highlight for those on tour.


‘While there are some items we have to get from a supermarket, often when we are away and need something like eggs for breakfast we will hunt out a local farm stall to buy from,’ continues Geoff.


The scenic van tours provide the perfect vehicle for those who are alone, to travel safely and conveniently. ‘Our scenic tours attract a lot of older men and women, particularly those who have been widowed,’ shares Geoff, ‘and are seeking to meet like-minded people. We organise all of the accommodation, any relevant activities and the food, which can take a lot of the challenges out of travel for people.’ While for Geoff some of his favourite tours are the 4WD tagalongs, there is no doubt he is part of the attraction for the repeat customers on these scenic tours. His enthusiasm for the South Island, knowledge of the landscape and the stories he has to tell, are second to none.


For those seeking a little bit more adventure amongst a rugged landscape, the 4WD tag-alongs are hard to beat. ‘These are some of our most popular trips,’ explains Lee.


‘Everyone BYO’s their vehicle and we head off-road,’ says Geoff. Through the use of local support the tours traverse less-travelled trails such as D’Urville Island and Molesworth.



A man is standing in front of a picnic table under a canopy.
A group of people are walking down a dirt road in the mountains.


Staying on-farm, they provide a unique opportunity to experience local hospitality and enjoy the breathtaking views of our rural landscape.


While Geoff is supported out on the road by two other guides, Chris Raateland and Randall Uitendaal, Lee works tirelessly behind the scenes undertaking the day-to-day operations of the business, and most importantly coordinating the baking. ‘The baking can never run out,’ says Lee with a smile. ‘Every tour, particularly the 4WD ones, has plenty of homemade treats on board. Lots of our client feedback includes reference to the fruitcake and yoyos. I am also very lucky to have Anna Buist-Sidey work with me in the office and she brings endless joy and positivity into the business, as well as great ideas.’


The couple have come a long way since their first foray into tourism nearly 30 years ago. ‘When we first met I was in the air force and Lee was a nurse,’ says Geoff. ‘We were both from Canterbury but made the decision to move to the Awatere Valley [Marlborough] for what was to be a three-month stint; 38 years almost to the day we left, we returned to Canterbury.’


During that time the couple owned and operated an orchard before converting to grapes and ultimately selling. ‘Life was always busy,’ explains Lee. ‘We had four children and an orchard and Geoff was still in the air force, but we knew that farm life was high-risk. We needed to diversify to protect ourselves from those harder years where weather and prices impact the success of farming. 


A herd of horses standing in a field with mountains in the background
A wood stove with pots and pans hanging on the wall.

‘So following a trip to visit family on the West Coast and noticing the number of buses over there, I suggested to Geoff we look into tourism. Two days later he had found a business to buy.’ ‘I thought it would be fun, and a low-key thing to get into,’ laughs Geoff. ‘The business I found was a small wine trail operation that needed a bit of tender loving care.’


And as they say, the rest is history. From humble beginnings to a bustling and vibrant business, they have exceeded even their own expectations as to where tourism could take them.


Looking ahead, the couple have identified a need to grow their guided cycling tours and an investment in the e-bike fleet is on the cards, as is the development of a number of new guided scenic tours. So despite a recent move back to Canterbury (Amberley) to slow things down a little, they are showing no signs of doing so. ‘The challenge is still there,’ concludes Geoff. ‘When the challenge is gone, only then will it be time to give up.’


For more information, visit www.southislandtoursnz.com.

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