About Us

A Local Family Business

We love Central Otago, and we love sharing our knowledge and passion with others.  We are proud to offer a professional tours and transfer service which delivers an exceptional visitor experience.

Obelisk Tours was founded in 2022, by Lauren Sutherland, based near Clyde, Central Otago.  Lauren and her family have been involved in tourism in New Zealand for many years.  From flying passengers to majestic Mount Cook, and within the remote Fiordland region, to a cruising company providing one of the longest boutique cruises available in Milford Sound. Lauren has a passion for tourism and a vast variety of experience, from crewing cruise vessels, to organising cycle tour packages on the Central Otago cycle trails. 

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Lauren and her family love to share their passion and knowledge of everything Central Otago.  Let us share Central Otago and all its beauty, history and flavours with you!

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Obelisk Tours and Transfers was born out of a love for our country and sharing its beauty and people with visitors. Based out of Clyde and Alexandra in Central Otago, we cater for the wider region of Central Otago but also further afield. We have strong connections with the Fiordland area and many operators in that region whether it be overnight or day cruising, kayaking, fishing, tramping, hiking, or flying in and around the Fjords.

We are a family operated business, founded by Lauren Sutherland and supported by her wider family. Growing up in Arrowtown within the beautiful basin of Wakatipu, she has a familiarity with the past and present of the region.  Holidaying and visiting friends and family throughout the region including Omarama, Wanaka, Alexandra, Patearoa as well as Mossburn and Te Anau helped develop her love of the area and wanting to share it with others.

Within Central Otago, there are many things to see and do, tour vineyards, have wine tastings at the cellar doors, enjoy a barista made coffee at the cafes, enjoy delicious food at the restaurants, have a go at jetboating, relax on leisure cruises, enjoy the many trails by either walking or cycling, go off-roading on the many surrounding tracks, go camping, fishing, the list goes on. Half day, full day or multiday tours are all possible! Let us know your preferences and we will create a custom itinerary just for you.

All the operators we work alongside are passionate about where they are and what they do. They share that love and passion to showcase what is outstanding about our part of the world.

We want our customers to experience a world of difference and to showcase what makes us and New Zealand unique and special, truly making it a holiday from your daily lives.

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Visit in Summer, and the well known orchards are full with fresh fruit such as nectarines, peaches, apricots, cherries, plums and numerous berry fruit. Rivers and lakes are sparkling in the sun with many enjoying watercraft, sunbathing, swimming, and paddle boarding to keep cool. Real fruit ice creams being enjoyed roadside, beachside, lakeside and everywhere in between!

Visit in Autumn and you get to experience the beautiful changing colours of the trees, the crisp clear mornings, and where the easter bunny is busy making sure the children can enjoy a number of egg hunts at a number of local establishments. 

Visit in Winter, and you are in a Winter Wonderland, with a handful of alpine ski resort towns close by. You can ski, taboggan, snowboard, snowshoe, or even dog sledding! There is indoor and outdoor ice skating, curling and luging, oh and not to be forgotten, there are numerous hot pools in the area to enjoy. The snow-capped mountains make a picturesque vista for any wall or mantel.

Visit in Spring, and the daffodils are sprouting, the lambs are springing about in their fields, there is the feel of new life in the air and signal that warmer days are on their way.

Increasingly people are going on holiday with their pets, I know I do! 

When it comes to booking activities, you have your furry companion to think of and to work out what to do with them while you are away on a tour.

With us, you are welcome to bring them along on your private tour, just let us know, and we can create a dog friendly itinerary that includes dog friendly establishments!