Meet Ellie, Minaret Station's Guest Services Manager

/

4 April 2022

A Deeply-Rooted Passion for the High Country - Meet Ellie Nesbit

Surrounded by towering peaks and awe-inspiring high-country landscapes is where Ellie Nesbit, Minaret Station’s Guest Services Manager, feels most at home.  

Having grown up on high country stations around Otago, Ellie’s childhood was packed with learning and growing in unique and diverse working environments. Being exposed to challenging landscapes from a young age explains Ellie’s natural ease as she showcases to our guests our local environs and wildlife.  

Another experience Ellie was fortunate to enjoy over the years included horse-riding, spurring her passion for equestrian which eventually led to working as a groom for New Zealand Olympic competitors. Feeling satisfied with her equestrian achievements Ellie continued her path which could combine her passions for the outdoors and people, spending time in Australia as a nature guide. This not only continued to spark Ellie’s taste of delivering world-class luxury experiences in an outdoor environment, but also having the opportunity to be part of the journey of connecting guests with the locations we are fortunate to operate in. With a desire to return to New Zealand and continue to follow her passions, Ellie joined the Minaret Station team in the winter of 2020.

The natural charisma Ellie shares with people, drew her to the idea of sharing remote raw landscapes with guests who were searching for the ultimate outdoor getaway. “I love providing our guests with this quintessential New Zealand experience in such a beautiful remote location. The landscape does the talking whilst we ensure that guests can really relax and enjoy it. This environment is where I feel at home and being able to share it with guests is truly special”

Ellie’s day-to-day involves just about every aspect of lodge life from hosting guests and ensuring they’re relaxed, to guiding in stunning alpine landscapes on day walks, wildlife spotting and sharing stories of the local environment and area. With the location of Minaret Station, and just as our guests enjoy, our team all fly in and out of our remote Alpine Lodge, adding another dimension to the day-to-day life.

“Minaret is forever changing. Winter is harsh and beautiful with the snow-capped mountains and warm fireplaces to relax in front of. Spring welcomes an abundance of wildlife, the deer and chamois meander through the valley to feed on spring growth. Summer brings new life. Fawns and kids can be seen from the dining table frolicking through the long grass as the deer and chamois find peace in the valley to raise their young. Autumn is crisp and fresh with cold mornings and warm days in preparation for winter. The sheep graze the valley in late summer/early autumn after weaning, ensuring they are well-conditioned before returning to the lower flats ahead of winter” 

Preserving the land and environments of Minaret Station and our region is a real passion for Ellie, ensuring it can be enjoyed for future generations. Ellie and the Minaret Station team are heavily involved in a range of conservation and pest control projects in the valleys surrounding the Alpine Lodge.  With over 200 pest control traps spread throughout the valley floors on the station, we share a common goal of sustaining the native flora and fauna.

Life Outside the Lodge

Ellie feels extremely fortunate to live in such an adventurous playground, with an abundance of activities right on the doorstep. In her spare time, you’ll find Ellie hiking, mountain biking and seeking out more adventure in the outdoors. Ellie is also studying Apiculture, whilst maintaining beehives in Central Otago, learning their behaviours and spending time in nature. The opportunities are endless and every day Ellie is humbled by the beautiful country we call home.