Expert male rock climber abseiling down a rock face in Queenstown

Outdoor Instructor Program

Training and Industry Experience
Program Price: USD $17,000
Duration: 28 Weeks
Max Group Size: 5

If you are looking to become an outdoor instructor and kickstart your career, this 28 week Outdoor Instructor Program is designed for you. Learning the fundamentals of hiking, and rock climbing while gaining logbook hours in the outdoors and refining your group facilitation skills will see you fast track your way to an exciting outdoor career.

This is an accelerated, practical immersion course, which offers a unique pathway from training to employment in the outdoor industry. Offering an unparalleled combination of training, qualifications and mentored transition from practitioner, to leader, and then instructor, with quality outdoor industry experience.

Locations you may visit: Queenstown, Wānaka, Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park, Mt. Aspiring National Park, Dunedin, Bannockburn, Milford Sound and more!

Program Dates

Student rock climbing a smooth crag in Mt Aspiring National Park New Zealand
Limited Spaces

Sept 2024

11 Sept 2024 - 9 Apr 2025
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Learning map navigation skills on the Routeburn Track in Fiordland National Park
Spaces Remaining

Sept 2025

10 Sept 2025 - 8 Apr 2026
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Our instructor showing students the ropes while rock climbing in Queenstown
Spaces Remaining

Sept 2026

9 Sept 2026 - 7 Apr 2027
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What's Included

  • Pure Exploration Certificate of Guiding
  • NZOIA Rock 1 Qualification
  • NZOIA Bush 1 Qualification
  • Technical equipment for rock climbing, hiking and camping
  • Transportation during program days
  • Highly skilled program guides
  • Employer networking opportunities

Highlights

  • Learn both soft and hard skills for a successful career in the outdoors
  • Learn from highly qualified program guides
  • Gain industry recognised qualifications
  • Gain logbook days in group, solo and client excursions
  • Hike famous trails and climb local crags
  • Based in Queenstown, New Zealand

Prerequisites

  • At least 20 years old
  • Fluent in English
  • Moderate fitness: comfortable hiking with a 15kg/30lb backpack over multiple days, ready to be outdoors five days a week
  • Some experience in hiking and rock climbing

Download the Outdoor Instructor Program Brochure

Upcoming Program

12

DAYS

12

HOURS

12

MINUTES

12

SECONDS
Group photo of students after they have hiked to a waterfall

Our Alumni

Program Testimonial

"I joined this program because I was looking for a career change and I love the outdoors. Completing the 5 peak pass in Mt Aspiring National Park while I was a Pure Exploration student as part of self directed learning was unreal! I now have the skills to get people started in their rock climbing and hiking journeys."

Jeff Nilsson, Australia.

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Program Photos