Ridgeline ADventures, Lake Wanaka - Vineyard & Adventure Tours
Mark Orbell
Owner/guide
Mark is a 6th generation New Zealander, his family arrived from the UK onboard the Mariner in 1849, one of the first European ships to arrive at Dunedin on the east coast of the South Island.
From growing up on the family farm at Waikouaiti, just north of Dunedin to his tourism studies at university, Mark has a great appreciation and knowledge of New Zealand's magnificant natural heritage which he has shared with all the clients he has met over the years.
From an early age Mark realised the importance of conserving New Zealand's outstanding natural features while all along appreciating that visitors from all over the world find the same enjoyment in visiting Mark's "office".
Over the last 14 years he has worked as a tour guide for many of New Zealand's finest, award winning adventure guiding companies - over six summers he guided the iconic Routeburn track, walking it over 100 times!- see www.ultimatehikes.co.nz, he has spent 4 seasons leading hiking tours all over the South Island for Hiking New Zealand -see www.hikingnewzealand.com.
Mark is also an accomplished landscape photographer, published in guide books, calendars and magazines with his own range of postcards of the Milford and Routeburn tracks. Feel free to browse his image collection online at www.photonewzealand.com
After a decade living out of a pack 'on the trail' and extensive travels throughout the UK and Europe, Southern Africa and Asia, Mark decided the time was right to put some permanent roots down and now lives on the outskirts of Wanaka with his Scottish wife Ceri (chief organiser)and their 2 boys Archie (chief muffin tester) and Harris (chief van washer)and Duma the Labrador ( chief rabbit controller). Together the family forms the backbone of Ridgeline Adventures.
So next time you pass by Wanaka call in and say hello, "the kettle is always on".
Cecily Anderson (Cec)
Chief Guide
Cec has grown up with tourism with her father owning and operating a commercial launch on Lake Wanaka for many years, so she has seen Wanaka grow from a small retirement village to what you can see today. When she first came to Wanaka 43 years ago there were few sealed roads and the telephone system was by party line.
Cec has worked at many and varied jobs over the years but would, along with her husband Rod, count bringing up 4 children as her biggest success and now enjoys spending time with her 4 gorgeous grandchildren.
She loves the outdoor lifestyle and having just retired after 15 years in the Real Estate industry is now able to put her extensive local knowledge to good use in her role as guide for Ridgeline Adventures.
With a love of gardening, boating, horse trekking, 4wding, and walking the many and varied tracks now available around this area, Cec is passionate about the Wanaka area with all it has to offer and would love to show you “her” special part of New Zealand.