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Dunedin-Based Tour Company 'Back to Nature Tours' Turns 20, Completes 20th Season

Wednesday 25 April 2018, 7:39PM

By Beckie Wright

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Dunedin-based tour company Back to Nature Tours has turned 20 years old, having recently completed their 20th season. The company has been successfully running Dunedin tours, Dunedin shore excursions, Dunedin wildlife tours, and other nature tours to various cities in New Zealand such as Tauranga and Akaroa.

At its origin, Back to Nature Tours operated out of Manor House Backpackers in Dunedin, mainly targeting backpackers who stayed at Manor House. In those days the company was run by Manor House Backpackers’ owner Nigel Levick. 

In 2006, Nigel approached the current Back to Nature Tours Director Chris Roberts, who was working as a glacier guide on Franz Josef Glacier. Nigel visited Chris during his 2-week marketing trip around the South Island, asking Chris if he was interested to get involved with Back to Nature Tours in Dunedin. After a couple of months Chris decided to take a chance, moved to Dunedin and bought one of the two shares from Nigel Levick on his credit card.  

When Chris arrived, the Toyota Hiace 10-seater had no engine, it was just a shell. There was no website. All they had was a viewing hide (to watch penguins come ashore) on a beautiful beach. Unfortunately, the viewing hide had been poorly built and the Department of Conservation had requested to get it taken down and redone. The first couple of years were difficult and the business nearly folded. 

However, Dunedin’s cruise ship industry started to grow in 2009, and during 2009 the company changed tacks and targeted 40+ cruise ship passengers. Every year since, the company doubled the number of people they took on their amazing tours. 

This season was the busiest season on record with over 8000 freedom independent travellers touring with Back to Nature Tours, a far cry from 293 in 2008. 

This record season coincides with Back to Nature Tours’ first year at TRENZ, New Zealand's biggest annual business-to-business travel and trade event, taking place in Dunedin. Back to Nature Tours is looking forward to meeting international agents from all over the world and taking up to 50 on tours of the Otago Peninsula where we aim to leave them inspired. 

The company continues to evolve, and shortly their new luxury tours portfolio will be released to coincide with TRENZ.

Visit the Back to Nature Tours website today for more information and book your Dunedin tour or shore excursion with the local experts today!