25 years of Sidetracks 🥳 thank you for being part of it

On 17 January 2001, I founded Sidetracks. At the time, I couldn't have imagined what the next 25 years would bring - the landscapes covered, the people met, the unexpected turns that would shape everything.

This year also marks 30 years of guiding and travelling all over New Zealand, from north to south. It started, as many things do, with a love of the outdoors. Hiking, cycling, kayaking - and a deep pull toward Aotearoa that eventually led me to make New Zealand my home.

How could you become tired of exploring this country? Its landscapes, its diversity, its extraordinary variety from one end to the other? Even having led some tours more than 50 times, it has never felt repetitive. The season changes, the weather changes, the people change. Each tour is its own thing.

For almost 20 years, my focus was on nature and adventure tours for German-speaking travellers. There were many wonderful years - and there were real challenges too. The Christchurch earthquakes in 2011 changed everything overnight. We adapted, rebuilt, and kept going. Then in 2020, Covid brought the next turning point: borders closed, tours stopped, and the question became unavoidable - what now?

The answer was a complete reset. With no international guests able to enter the country, Sidetracks shifted its focus entirely to New Zealand and Australian women. What started as a necessity became something very special. Today, we are five years into women-only guided cycling and hiking tours - and honestly, that unexpected change came at exactly the right time.

Travelling with women who are curious, strong, and full of life has been a real privilege. So many of you have shown us, again and again, that turning 60 is not an ending. It is often the start of something new. Being on the road and on the track with you has been one of the great joys of this work.

25 years on the road, and still loving it.

Whether you joined one tour or many, whether you booked early or took a brave last-minute step - thank you. For your trust, your openness, and for being part of the Sidetracks story.

A team worth celebrating

Sidetracks has never been just about routes, dates, or logistics - it's about people. Our guides bring care, patience, humour, and deep local knowledge to every tour, whatever the conditions. And behind the scenes, our support team makes sure everything comes together smoothly, from first enquiry to final day on the road.

A very special thank-you to Barbara, whose loyalty, calm approach, and wonderful eye for detail have made a quiet but enormous difference over the years. I'm deeply grateful for this team - and for everyone who has chosen to travel with us.

Here's to the next chapter.

See you soon!