About Us

Trail Journeys  was founded by Neville Grubb and Ritchie Bailey. Nev and Ritchie are two experienced locals who have been involved in outdoor activities in the Central Otago for numerous years, with multi-sport, kayak and cycling backgrounds. They had a passion for the local area and what it offers to the outdoor enthusiast. Originally "Kayak & Outdoor" and operating from Alexandra, the business was renamed and  relocated to the start of the Railtrail at Clyde in a new refurbished premises.

The business also includes an "Information Centre" to give customers all the information needed and services required to have a successful experience on the Otago Central Railtrail. Trail Journeys offers merchandise, refreshments and a retail outlet for kayaks and kayak accessories. Bookings for other activities in the Central Otago area can also be made through our new booking terminal. If you need accommodation, travel, guided trips, wine tour bookings or anything associated with the tourism industry in our area, Trail Journeys can supply it.

 

Staff Profiles

Hannah Richardson
Born, bred and remains in Central Otago due to her love of the climate, the close proximity of family and friends and says there is always plenty to do here. Hannah has had a stint overseas, plays netball and is now in to gardening since having to landscape a new back yard from the beginning.  Hannah works full time for Trail Journeys in administration and reception and does most of our itinerary planning and organising; she enjoys meeting the people who come through our door and helping them to experience what her home region has to offer.

Fay Kennedy
Resides in Alexandra and enjoys the dry climate and extreme contrasts of the Central Otago seasons, she also enjoys the close proximity of the lakes and vineyards.  Fay has 2 adult children and 1 grandchild; she enjoys traveling, painting in acrylics, gardening and road motorcycling with her husband.  Fay is in her third season with Trail Journeys covering a variety of administration duties including most of our accommodation bookings; she loves meeting the wide variety of people who come to ride the Railtrail and the enjoyment they get from an authentic Central Otago experience.

Alan Beilby
Has lived in Central Otago all his life and spent 35 years in the transport industry. Needless to say Alan oversees the Trail Journeys fleet of bikes and vehicles; he is also a driver and tour guide with a wealth of knowledge of the area through his four wheel drive, jet boating, running, biking, hunting and general fitness and outdoor lifestyle.  Alan enjoys Centrals dry climate, magnificent scenery and sparse population and he thinks its great being part of the Trail Journeys team encouraging others to ride the Railtrail for the experience and as a means of exercise.

Garry Kilgour
Started his working life as an architectural draftsman then joined the waterfront at Timaru port.  He retired 32 years later then spent 17 months touring Australia and still has unfinished sight seeing to do there.  Gary enjoys motor home breaks away, tramping, singing barbershop and has spent a number of years as an instructor with the South Canterbury Gliding Club.  Gary has 6 children and 6 grandchildren and he always planned to retire to Central Otago where he enjoys the rugged grandeur, tussock country, mountains, lakes and rivers; he also enjoys the friendly people and contrasting seasons.  For Trail Journeys Gary is a seasonal driver, bike mechanic and tour guide who loves meeting people!

 

Shayne O’Connor
A keen kayaker, Mountain biker and hunter, Shayne is married with three children and is a passionate advocate of Central Otago and the lifestyle those that are lucky enough to live in the area are able to lead.  Shayne is Trail Journeys Operations Manager, Shareholder and Company Director and is responsible for the planning and implementation of day to day business.  If you are starting your adventure with Trail Journeys from Clyde it is likely he will be one of your first points of contact upon arrival; at 6' 5 " you can't miss the guy (You may also remember him from his days as a New Zealand cricketer, not that you'd hear that from him!).

Mary Stewart
Originally a Southlander, Mary moved to Central Otago in 1977 and never left!  Mary now lives in Bannockburn, spent 15 years civil draughting on the Clyde power project and now works the summer season for Trail Journeys in administration and reception; she enjoys her winters off allowing time to travel.  Mary is a keen cyclist, skier and tramper and enjoys Central Otago for the opportunities it provides to partake in these activities as well as the landscape and contrast between summer and winter.

Allen Hansen
Spent most of his working life farming in Gore but scaled down and moved to Central Otago for the good climate, the mountains and to be able to grow fruit and vegetables.  Allen is in to anything outdoors and on the few occasions he is forced inside here he enjoys reading and doing crosswords.  Allen is one of Trail Journeys seasonal bike mechanics, drivers and tour guides, he has a wealth of knowledge of the area through his running and tramping exploits and he thinks Central Otago is a unique place that has everything; which he enjoys sharing with other people as he ushers them on to or along the Railtrail.