About Us

We are a small family-owned "soft adventure" tour operator based at Lake Wanaka, New Zealand.   We keep things small, personal and fun. We appreciate your time here is precious so we only employ the best to ensure you leave Wanaka with your expectations exceeded and new friends made.

So get to know your guides below before you arrive:

Mark Orbell

Ridgeline Adventures 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.

Tracing his families pioneering footsteps here in Otago is a fascinating story in itself and early life for the Orbell family in NZ is documented in a rare journal written by McLeod Orbell- one of 11 children that arrived with their

parents, John and Catherine in Dunedin in 1849.

For those interested in early european life in Otago, Mark is available for privately guided tours exploring sites and towns related to his family. Conatct mark directly at mark@ridgelinenz.com for more information.

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 magnificent natural and human heritage which he continues to share clients from all over the world.

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! He also led hiking tours all over the South Island.

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 vehicle 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,  Mark and his family would love to show you around.

Cecily Anderson (Cec)

Ridgeline Adventures 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.