Pacific Trip Leader

Chris Cochrane

Chris Cochrane hails from Sydney, Australia, where he spent four years training as a chef. After graduation, he traveled to New Zealand to further his career. Upon arrival in Queenstown, he realized his chosen path was not the one he really wanted and set out to retrain himself for a life in the “Great Outdoors.” His first task was to learn how to ski, followed by several years working as a ski patroller before moving on to heli-skiing. Chris has been a heli-skiing guide based in Queenstown for over 20 years, taking his clients to some of the remotest parts of New Zealand. His thirst for adventure is great, from Himalayan journeys to yacht racing, and he has tried most adventure sports (not always twice!). He has worked as a guide on the Routeburn Track for the last six years and looks forward to showing trip members his special blend of exotic South Island secrets.

Our Team

Upcoming Trips with Chris

New Zealand: Ultimate South Island

Jan 5 - 19, 2025

Feb 16 - Mar 2, 2025

View Trip

Client Testimonials

Chris was outstanding both as a guide and a leader! He was genuinely concerned about our welfare throughout the trip. He also added a wonderful sense of humor and great gift of storytelling that added to the wonderful camaraderie of our group.

Burt and Ilene F.

Saint Louis, MO
New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Chris Cochrane was outstanding in every way and added to the fantastic time we had.

Burt W.

New York NY New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Best guide in my 7 trips with Wilderness Travel.

Charles H.

Lamy, NM
New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Our entire group raved about Chris Cochrane, his knowledge of the area, his sense of humor and flexibility. You have a gem in Chris!

Dan W.

Topeka KS New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Always jovial, informative, entertaining, and a great leader.

Dave S.

Jonesborugh, TN
New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Chris Cochrane was the best. He had lots of knowledge about everything we encountered. Our whole group fell in love with him. One of the greatest Trip Leaders a group could have.

David T.

Topeka, KS

Chris was awesome. He showed his love of new Zealand and made the trip perfect!

Hisa Y.

Duluth, GA
New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Chris really made the trip outstanding. His depth of knowledge and experience enhanced the trip, and his stories from his diverse background were very entertaining. He went out of his way to understand and meet individual needs.

James B.

Chadds Ford, PA
New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Chris was so much fun to travel with. He managed to do everything—drive us, feed us, herd us, entertain us, keep us well informed, etc., and do it effortlessly.

Jane F.

Naples, FL
New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Chris is sensitive, fun-loving, knowledgeable, organized yet flexible, and makes learning fun—truly amazing in every aspect.

Judy H.

Palmyra, PA
New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Chris made the trip! He was fun, helpful, and had an impressive knowledge of New Zealand.

Julie M.

Milton, MA
New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Chris was FANTASTIC! His love of New Zealand and his zest for sharing his country with us was great. He was informative and entertaining with his sense of humor.

Ken G.

Orlando, FL
New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Chris was a phenomenal trip leader. He was extremely sensitive to the individual needs of each person, and his humor was extraordinary.

Louise J.

Concord MA New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Chris was a marvel. We loved his entertaining stories, knowledge, and experience. He was sweet and thoughtful, relaxed and at ease in all situations.

Mary Ann K.

Roanoke, VA
New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Being with Chris was so much fun! He's so comfortable, easy going, and has some great tales to tell. He does great picnics too! I'd take a trip with him anytime.

Mary Ellen M.

Nanuet, NY
New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Chris was a pleasure to be with for two weeks. He really knows his stuff!

Michelle H.

Sunnyvale, CA
New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Chris was amazing. He did a great job being tour guide, hiking guide, entertainer, driver, chef for our tasty picnic lunches, managing us for the entire time, and making sure everyone was having a good time. Though he had a lot of responsibility, he carried it off like it was easy...and that was most professional.

Nona P.

Peoria, AZ
New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Chris is an exceptional trip leader! He has a gift for quickly connecting with members of the group and for promoting group cohesion. He is very knowledgeable about social, political, and cultural issues in New Zealand and his love for the country is evident. Chris is a great story teller and entertained us for hours with tales of NZ folklore, success stories about NZ entrepreneurs, and stories about his personal experiences as a citizen of NZ.

Pat J.

Burke, VA
New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Chris was wonderful, always competent, and a ton of fun. He added greatly to our trip.

Rosalie K.

Belmont MA New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Chris was super! We were impressed with the wide range of talents and skills a tour leader needed, and Chris could do it all! And he seems to know everyone in New Zealand.

Sandra P.

Seattle, WA
New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Chris was a perfect leader for this trip—so warm and knowledgable and humorous. He comes across as humble, but he has a wealth of hard-core guiding experience and fabulous stories. He loves New Zealand and is happy to share this passion with clients.

Sara W.

Longmont, CO
New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Chris was fantastic. His knowledge is vast, his stories incredibly entertaining, he is thoughtful, always ‘on,’ and so much fun to have as the leader. And the nicest guy!

Susan C.

Pound Ridge, NY
New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Awesome man! Humorous, adventurous, and laid back in the best way possible.

Susan S.

Chicago, IL
New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Chris had great rapport with all kinds of people and wonderful, funny stories—most enjoyable!

susan s.

Houston, TX
New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Chris is beyond wonderful, funny, patient, knowledgeable!

Tom L.

Palos Verdes Estates, CA
New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Book Your Trip Today

Our Area Specialists know every detail about our adventures around the world. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!

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His love of New Zealand and his zest for sharing his country with us was great. He was informative and entertaining with his sense of humor.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Louise J.","GuestLocation":"Concord MA New Zealand: South Island Adventure","GuestReview":"Chris was a phenomenal trip leader. He was extremely sensitive to the individual needs of each person, and his humor was extraordinary.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Mary Ann K.","GuestLocation":"Roanoke, VA<br \/>New Zealand: South Island Adventure","GuestReview":"Chris was a marvel. We loved his entertaining stories, knowledge, and experience. He was sweet and thoughtful, relaxed and at ease in all situations.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Mary Ellen M.","GuestLocation":"Nanuet, NY<br \/>New Zealand: South Island Adventure","GuestReview":"Being with Chris was so much fun! He's so comfortable, easy going, and has some great tales to tell. He does great picnics too! I'd take a trip with him anytime.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Michelle H.","GuestLocation":"Sunnyvale, CA<br \/>New Zealand: South Island Adventure","GuestReview":"Chris was a pleasure to be with for two weeks. He really knows his stuff!","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Nona P.","GuestLocation":"Peoria, AZ<br \/>New Zealand: South Island Adventure","GuestReview":"Chris was amazing. He did a great job being tour guide, hiking guide, entertainer, driver, chef for our tasty picnic lunches, managing us for the entire time, and making sure everyone was having a good time. Though he had a lot of responsibility, he carried it off like it was easy...and that was most professional.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Pat J.","GuestLocation":"Burke, VA<br \/>New Zealand: South Island Adventure","GuestReview":"Chris is an exceptional trip leader! He has a gift for quickly connecting with members of the group and for promoting group cohesion. He is very knowledgeable about social, political, and cultural issues in New Zealand and his love for the country is evident. Chris is a great story teller and entertained us for hours with tales of NZ folklore, success stories about NZ entrepreneurs, and stories about his personal experiences as a citizen of NZ.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Rosalie K.","GuestLocation":"Belmont MA New Zealand: South Island Adventure","GuestReview":"Chris was wonderful, always competent, and a ton of fun. He added greatly to our trip.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Sandra P.","GuestLocation":"Seattle, WA<br \/>New Zealand: South Island Adventure","GuestReview":"Chris was super! We were impressed with the wide range of talents and skills a tour leader needed, and Chris could do it all! 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Humorous, adventurous, and laid back in the best way possible.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"susan s.","GuestLocation":"Houston, TX<br \/>New Zealand: South Island Adventure","GuestReview":"Chris had great rapport with all kinds of people and wonderful, funny stories&#8212;most enjoyable!","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Tom L.","GuestLocation":"Palos Verdes Estates, CA<br \/>New Zealand: South Island Adventure","GuestReview":"Chris is beyond wonderful, funny, patient, knowledgeable!","TripName":""}]}