Wildsouth Discovery
Wildsouth Discovery
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Your Wildsouth Discovery guides and hosts, Brian Lucas and Paula Sinclair offer only completely customized, bespoke trips. With over 22 years of experience, Brian and Paula specialize in creating South Island tours that are extraordinary and tailor-made to the needs of the discerning traveller. Excelling in privately guided tours, guests come with us for authentic interactions and exclusive adventures that are carefully designed to fullfil their South Island dreams. Using their own fully customized 4WD safari vehicles, they guide the trips themselves and exclusivity, flexibility and your safety is of the utmost importance. Being locals, Brian and Paula will show you the special places, their favourite photo spots and the splendid isolation and serenity New Zealand’s South Island has to offer. Whether you travel as a couple, with family, with lifelong friends who share your inquisitiveness about the world, or whether you travel to mark a milestone in your life, you can expect to return from your journey spellbound at the beauty that New Zealand will bestow upon you. Brian and Paula’s attention to detail, their expertise in the provision of top service combined with their knowledge of the culture, wildlife and history ensure that their guests get to see and experience South Island differently. This means that they take with them life-long memories and stories to share with family and friends. Come as a tourist * Experience like a local * Depart as a friend
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5.0
27 reviews
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27
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Clare Church
Dunedin, New Zealand2 contributions
Oct 2020
The many bush walks were my favorite part of my South Island adventure.
Wildsouth discovery is an excellent way to explore many locations in the South Island of New Zealand.
Brian and Paula planned a small group tour for us that was flexible accommodating the groups interests and abilities. Their knowledge of history, flora and fauna brought the itinerary alive.
As hosts and guides they are outstanding. I thoroughly enjoyed my 8 day West Coast adventure and recommend them highly.
Wildsouth discovery is an excellent way to explore many locations in the South Island of New Zealand.
Brian and Paula planned a small group tour for us that was flexible accommodating the groups interests and abilities. Their knowledge of history, flora and fauna brought the itinerary alive.
As hosts and guides they are outstanding. I thoroughly enjoyed my 8 day West Coast adventure and recommend them highly.
Written 19 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia ora Clare,
Thank you so much for your very kind review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your West Coast experience. We loved the opportunity to guide you and help you explore in detail, part of our beautiful country.
We are so happy to have met you and your friends and we enjoyed putting together an itinerary that we thought would fit the bill.
Kindest best wishes,
Paula and Brian
Written 26 October 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lynda
2 contributions
Oct 2020
We enjoyed 8 action-packed days, visiting places on the South Island's West Coast that we'd previously either driven past, or simply not realised, were available to explore. Because of Brian & Paula's knowledge of the area, no highlights were missed. With their explanations of the history, Maori legends, and botanical information, we were able to fully understand and appreciate what we were experiencing. Their choices for accommodation and meals was top notch, without costing a fortune, and really showed how much effort they put into exploring all the aspects, prior to our trip. All of these features, together with not having to drive, mean we can highly recommend traveling with Wildsouth Discovery. Wonderful Hosts & Guides.
Written 30 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia ora, and thank you, Lynda, for your kind review of your trip with us. We enjoyed putting together an itinerary that we thought we thought would enable you and your friends to really experience the fascinating heritage of the parts of the West Coast we explored, but also to give everybody the opportunity to see just how amazingly beautiful the bush, the mountains, and the coastline are.
We love going on trips to explore and research in preparation for our tours so that we know what is out there.
We thoroughly loved getting to meet everybody and take you to what we think are some of South Island's treasures.
We are so happy that you enjoyed your trip with us.
Best Wishes,
Paula and Brian
Written 5 November 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nassim S
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Family
My family and I had an incredible 10-day exploration of the stunning South Island of New Zealand in the company and under the guidance of Brian and Paula. Their itinerary perfectly aligned with our desire for a relaxing and adventurous vacation, infused with some luxurious touches. Brian and Paula's extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for explaining and showcasing the natural beauty of New Zealand, Maori culture, and the history of New Zealand were truly impressive. They were so kind and sweet, and especially my children loved them. I must say that without them, this amazing trip would not have been possible. Among the numerous highlights were Brian's skill in revealing hidden gems and scenic spots not featured in typical travel brochures, as well as Paula's delightful homemade treats for morning and afternoon teas, along with wine, cheese, and caracaras. Brian and Paula consistently went above and beyond to ensure our holiday was unforgettable, and we wholeheartedly recommend Wildsouth. When the opportunity arises to revisit the South Island, we will undoubtedly choose to travel with them again. I highly recommend this tour, as you could not find a better one than this.
Written 25 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to submit such a great review! We are so happy that you all enjoyed your time with us exploring South Island. We love the opportunity to design an itinerary that we think will fit our guests' interests and expectations, there are a lot of marvellous places and activities to experience in the parts of South Island that you visited. It was our absolute pleasure to meet you and share our country with you, and we are so glad that you have such fond memories of your holiday. With our thanks and very best wishes,
Paula & Brian
Written 11 January 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lynda
2 contributions
Jan 2020
We live in Christchurch and have visited Akaroa on a few occasions. It's a picturesque setting and we tend to do similar things each time ... walking the village, browsing the shops, enjoying a lunch. But .... what joy, going on the trip with hosts, Paula and Brian. For a start, the fact that neither my husband nor I had to drive, meant we were both able to sit back and enjoy the scenery, instead of watching the road. Brian drove us to parts we'd never explored before and stopped at breath-taking views. A delicious morning tea was provided, as we took in the tranquility of the area. We walked a short track and there before us was the best view of Akaroa and the harbour, we've ever seen. Photographic opportunities filled the day. Apart from enjoying the relaxed travel, we were also amazed to hear the local history and Maori legends of the area, which Brian related so well. The boat trip out on the harbour was wonderful, with many encounters with the dolphins, seals, bird life and even penguins. Our Granddaughters (in their teens) thought the day was totally fantastic. The return trip was equally enjoyable with additional refreshments and pleasant views. Whether you are from overseas or a local, we highly recommend this superb day out.
Written 24 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, Lynda, for your wonderful review of the day out in Akaroa. We remember it well, and we thoroughly enjoyed our day with you, your family, and friends on a glorious summer day in beautiful Akaroa.
We do love taking fellow Kiwis on tour so that they can truly explore their own backyard and not have to worry about driving especially on the high and narrow roads that are on Banks Peninsula. We appreciate your very kind review.
Kindest Best Wishes,
Paula and Brian
Written 7 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MaeW
6 contributions
Feb 2023
My husband and I had an amazing 9 days with Brian touring us around the South Island! We had worked with him to develop our custom tour and it turned out perfect! He understood our desire to go more off-the-beaten path and to have extra opportunities to walk/hike. Brian knows the island very well, including hidden gems and the best places for great views and food, he guided us superbly. We also enjoyed special treats contributed by Paula, often at gorgeous stops for tea or coffee. I appreicated the extra resources in the van including maps and binder of cultural information. We really felt like we learned and saw alot of NZ! We highly recommend Wildsouth Discovery!
Written 5 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia ora Mae & Bob,
Paula and myself are so pleased that you enjoyed your time with me on your South Island trip. Again, we are sorry that Paula could not travel with us but at least you were treated to her specialties during the picnic stops. I loved designing a tour for you which catered to your interests and desires. Also it was great to show you around some of the most beautiful parts of South Island and to get to know you both. We always try to make sure our guests really experience as much as possible while in our part of the world, and take away new knowledge and great memories.
Thank you again for choosing to travel with Wildsouth Discovery, and for your wonderful review.
Very best wishes, Brian & Paula
Written 9 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kelly S
Columbia Falls, MT3 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
One of the best tours we've ever experienced. We got very lucky and were able to schedule a one day tour with Brian & Paula. They met us at the pier in Akaroa where our cruise ship docked.
We had morning tea with homemade goodies that were delicious and then headed to Christchurch. We followed very scenic back roads and enjoyed listening to Brian and Paula tell us about their beautiful countryside. Once in Christchurch we toured the botanical gardens and the city and learned much about the devastating earthquake of 2011. We then took a very scenic drive back to the port passing beautiful bays and harbors; we also had a little wine and cheese picnic along the way.
Brian and Paula are wonderful, knowledgeable hosts and we thoroughly enjoyed out time with them. If we plan another trip to NZ, they will be the first people we contact.
We had morning tea with homemade goodies that were delicious and then headed to Christchurch. We followed very scenic back roads and enjoyed listening to Brian and Paula tell us about their beautiful countryside. Once in Christchurch we toured the botanical gardens and the city and learned much about the devastating earthquake of 2011. We then took a very scenic drive back to the port passing beautiful bays and harbors; we also had a little wine and cheese picnic along the way.
Brian and Paula are wonderful, knowledgeable hosts and we thoroughly enjoyed out time with them. If we plan another trip to NZ, they will be the first people we contact.
Written 28 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia ora Kelly, thank you so much for taking the time to submit your kind review. Brian and I had a great day meeting your lovely family and showing you around our "backyard". We love Akaroa and Banks Peninsula, it is an incredibly beautiful and interesting part of New Zealand and we enjoy showing our guests the scenery and also sharing a little of the history and culture as well. Christchurch is home, and the earthquakes have had a profound impact, it was good to be able to show you some of the results 12 years down the track.
It was our absolute pleasure to spend the day in your company.
Best Wishes,
Paula and Brian
Written 14 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stefenie
London, UK22 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
We are just back from a full day Kaikoura day tour with wildsouth discovery. It exceeded our expectations as Paula and Brian went above and beyond in every way and made this our best day in New Zealand. Nothing was too much trouble and they were knowledgeable about the wildlife, scenery, history and general info on where we went. Paula made us amazing snacks and we travelled in a very comfortable car. We did a fantastic helicopter trip whale watching and then took the train from kaikoura back to Christchurch with 2 friendly faces waiting for us on the train platform to return us to our city hotel. We would definitely use them again and thoroughly recommend them to anyone thinking of doing any kind of tour from Christchurch. They certainly offer a personal touch and will make your holiday something special. Paula and Brian if you read this, a huge thank you from us both. You couldn’t have done anything more for us
Written 9 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia ora, Stefenie and John,
Thank you very much for your wonderful review, and taking the time to write it. Brian and I have great memories of
meeting both of you and spending a lovely day in Kaikoura with you.
The seafood BBQ which you found out about and introduced us to turned out to be the ideal place to enjoy a delicious lunch on such a perfect day. We will certainly go there again, thank you.
We are so happy that you had a brilliant helicopter whale watch experience and enjoyed the train journey back to Christchurch.
We hope that you will continue to thoroughly enjoy your fabulous travels. It was our pleasure to meet you.
Written 29 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jane F
10 contributions
Mar 2024 • Friends
We had the absolute joy of a 10 day South Island trip with Brian and Paula as our hosts, guides and friends. Through a series of emails and Zoom calls, Brian was able to quickly understand what we, four travelers, wanted to get out of our journey. We traveled in a spotless, comfortable Ford Transit with fridge and mini kitchen which made for delightful morning and afternoon stops of tea and more. Paula is a wonderful cook and treated us to her yummy lasagna and surprised us everyday with a special treat. Brian and Paula selected the perfect, top notch accommodations and restaurants. Our itinerary was tailor made. We saw so many beautiful places and had many adventures. Brian and Paula took us to spectacular places off the beaten path, not available to large groups .Their knowledge of the island’s history and flora and fauna is amazing. Brian is a very knowledgeable and experienced tour guide and took care of every detail of our time with him. By the end of our trip, we felt as if we were saying goodbye to dear friends.
Written 10 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Jane, Frank, Shirley and Joe,
Thank you very much for the great review of our trip together that you were so kind to write. Brian loves the opportunity to find out what our individual guests want when planning a trip to South Island, and then put together a plan to fulfil their interests and wishes. It was so good to be able to zoom call and 'meet with you' well in advance of your trip to ascertain what you really wanted to see and do while you were here.
It was so wonderful to meet all of you and find out about you, we loved showing you around, and we had a lot of fun doing it.
Thank you again,
Our very best wishes to all of you,
Paula and Brian
Written 29 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Laurie
2 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Paula and Brian of Wildsouth Discovery were our guides for seven days on the South Island, and those days were truly fabulous.
They were incredibly well informed about the flora and fauna of the areas we visited. There wasn’t a single question they couldn’t answer (and we asked a ton!) their overall knowledge was amazing — local history, best scenic vantage points, cleanest restrooms, hidden waterfalls, spectacular back roads. We came away from our time with them brimming with information and appreciating the majesty of the area they so clearly love.
Their scheduling was great and was flexible if we wanted to add a last minute stop (Cardrona Distillery) or head back to our hotel for a pre-dinner nap. Always on time, armed with large maps and plans, each day was a wonderful new adventure.
Their planning was superb — hotels, train trips, boat cruises, helicopter tours, horseback riding, beach walks — everything was tailored to our wishes. Their van was super comfortable. Paula baked delicious goodies for tea and snacks, and they always knew where to get the best local meals.
We met as strangers and left as friends. We can’t thank Brian and Paula enough. They were kind and patient and generous beyond measure, and we will always treasure our time with them.
They were incredibly well informed about the flora and fauna of the areas we visited. There wasn’t a single question they couldn’t answer (and we asked a ton!) their overall knowledge was amazing — local history, best scenic vantage points, cleanest restrooms, hidden waterfalls, spectacular back roads. We came away from our time with them brimming with information and appreciating the majesty of the area they so clearly love.
Their scheduling was great and was flexible if we wanted to add a last minute stop (Cardrona Distillery) or head back to our hotel for a pre-dinner nap. Always on time, armed with large maps and plans, each day was a wonderful new adventure.
Their planning was superb — hotels, train trips, boat cruises, helicopter tours, horseback riding, beach walks — everything was tailored to our wishes. Their van was super comfortable. Paula baked delicious goodies for tea and snacks, and they always knew where to get the best local meals.
We met as strangers and left as friends. We can’t thank Brian and Paula enough. They were kind and patient and generous beyond measure, and we will always treasure our time with them.
Written 19 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Laurie,
Thank you so much for your brilliant review of your South Island trip with us, it is very much appreciated.
Brian and I had a great time helping Elyse plan your trip, so that it would hopefully satisfy your interests and deliver the best experiences available.
We thoroughly enjoyed meeting you and getting to know you, as well as introducing you to some of the places we know and love. We had a wonderful time showing you around.
We are so happy that you have such fond memories of your time with us in South Island.
Our kindest best wishes to both of you,
Paula and Brian
Written 29 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Geoff M
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia35 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
We spent an amazing 10 days touring the beautiful South Island of New Zealand with Brian and Paula. They put together an itinery that exactly matched our requirements for a stress free and not too adventurous holiday with some luxury thrown in. Brian and Paula's knowledge and passion of the flora, fauna and Maori culture was amazing and by the end of the trip we were well educated in all three. Just a couple of highlights were Brian's ability to show us some out of the way places and scenery that you won't find in the travel brochures and Paula's amazing home cooked treats for morning and afternoon teas (and wine). Nothing was too much trouble and Brian and Paula went out of their way to ensure we had a memorable holiday. We have no hesitation in recomending Wildsouth and will travel with them again when we have the opportunity to revisit the South Island.
Written 24 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, Geoff and Jackie, for your wonderful review of your recent travels with us. Brian and I enjoyed putting
together a trip that we thought would suit your requirements as well as letting you experience some of what we think are the most interesting, beautiful, and scenic parts of South Island. We had the pleasure of your company along the way, and we loved meeting you and introducing you to some of the special places that we visited.
We thank you for allowing us to introduce you to New Zealand. We do look forward to meeting with you in the future and we do wish you the best for your ongoing travel plans.
Paula & Brian
Written 5 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No questions have been asked about this experience