'On the Road' with APT

For almost 80 years, one innovative, enterprising family-run Australian company has been satisfying the spirit of adventure and discovery of generations of travellers. For those who haven’t had the pleasure yet, that company is APT. And by continually extending the unique and luxurious range of touring experiences they offer, APT tours aren’t just one of the very best ways to travel throughout Australia, New Zealand and beyond, they’re the perfect way to discover the local culture first-hand.

For most people, the real benefits of joining a guided tour include the fact that you get to see things and share experiences you simply wouldn’t find on your own. You will also get to spend time with some of the most entertaining and knowledgeable people you could ever hope to meet… your drivers! Plus if you join a tour with APT, you are always treated as an individual rather than a group, and enjoy the freedom and flexibility to customise your own sightseeing and dining experiences - all included in the cost of your tour.

We met up with APT in New Zealand to find out what guided touring is all about. Peter Talbot has worked for APT for the last five years as an on road Tour Manager across New Zealand, and here's what he has to say,

“During the early '90's, I headed off to Europe, Africa, Asia and the UK and made friends with all kinds of other travellers along the way. This was my 'Big O.E.' (Overseas Experience, as we call it), the time I caught the 'travel bug' which never seems to have left my system. Although I’ve settled down and now live with my partner overlooking the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch in the South Island of New Zealand, I’m just as passionate about travel and travellers as I ever was. And there’s really no better way to meet people and show them round 'my backyard' than as a Tour Manager with APT.”

So Peter, why should we go on one of your tours?
If you’re driving yourself, you’re not really going to be able to relax and take in everything that’s going on around you. To really appreciate one of the most visually spectacular countries in the world, you need big windows for a great view and someone who can tell you where to look and what to look out for! That’s really where I come in – and where my detailed knowledge of the culture, flora and fauna come into their own. If there’s a sight you don’t want to miss, an activity you want to try or even a place you want to eat at, I’m always happy to stop; just say the word. And as I’m a typical Kiwi, I’m naturally friendly and that helps everyone enjoy the ride.

What do you enjoy most about the job?
That’s easy – it’s the chance to meet new people from around the world, work in a holiday environment, pick up new facts about New Zealand, and because every tour is different, it’s the variety of the job. Brits in particular seem to have a great affinity with New Zealand and it’s a pleasure to showcase ‘middle earth’ to them.

What aspects do you find most rewarding?
Showing off our beautiful country and seeing people sincerely overwhelmed by the experience does it for me – every time.

Do you have a favourite place?
I don’t even have to think about this one, it’s got to be Milford Sound. It’s visually dramatic in any weather (which can be extreme!). The terrain is awesome, and you regularly get to see dolphins and seals. As a real bonus, you get to explore the place from a coach, a cruise or a plane!

If you had to pick out three ‘must-do’ activities, what would they be?
1. Jet boating on either the Haast or Shotover Rivers’ in Queenstown
2. ‘Surf’ down giant sand dunes on 90 Mile Beach
3. Fly over and land on the Franz Joseph Glacier, knee-deep in powder dry snow amongst our tallest mountain peaks.

What about three ‘must-sees’ while on tour?
1. Milford Sound – the journey to just get there is so spectacular
2. Kaikoura Coast in the South Island where you feel like you’re being ‘squeezed’ between the mountains and the sea
3. Mount Cook and the Southern Lakes area – the pearl is Queenstown!

What’s the funniest thing that’s happened on your tours?
Well, there was the time I had to get hold of a mask and snorkel and retrieve the coach keys from the sea in front of everyone from the tour – only to drop them again once I found them! And the day I had to ask some passengers if they wouldn’t mind getting off the coach to herd sheep off the road and into the field; it was as hilarious to watch and kept everyone laughing for ages.

You must meet lots of people from different nationalities and cultures, what is the strangest request you’ve ever had?
I was once asked to show a passenger which way the water goes down the plughole. Another wanted me to bring a ‘road kill’ possum on board to explain all about it. (Luckily it was too smelly, so I managed without the prop!) And one enthusiastic not-so-young lady asked if I wanted to get married so she could become a New Zealand citizen.

You must have quite a few single travellers on your tour, have romances ever blossomed onboard amongst the guests?
Yes quite a few actually, not me of course! Some are subtle and others pretty obvious which often means having to re-arrange seats to accommodate new friends sitting together or even changing single rooms to doubles. It is not unheard of for coach crew meeting while working together and eventually ‘tying the knot’.

What would you be doing if not touring with APT?
I’m not too sure; it certainly is a unique job, very different from any other occupation, so it really would be a tough act to follow.

On the tour you can stop at anytime to see a point of interest, what is the weirdest ‘point of interest’ someone has chosen to view?
I’ve stopped beside a hedge trimmed to look like a giant chicken, outside a house made entirely of beer bottles and there have been so many times someone’s wanted to take a closer look at the monstrous ‘emblems’ such as a giant carrot, a trout, a gumboot erected at the entry to small towns, I’ve lost count!

Have you ever entertained a celebrity on a tour?
I’ve travelled with Chris O’Donnell, who played ‘Robin’ in the Batman movies, who was really outgoing and fun. But pretty much every tour has its own ‘celebrities’ – you can just never tell on day one who the characters are going to be!

What’s the key to keeping customers entertained?
I always take the opportunity to get to know everyone, to get a discussion going about life in New Zealand compared to life back home. And I like to share some photos and experiences of my time working in the Antarctic, which isn’t too far south of where we travel.