b'E E T O U R ST RENIP1983 - 2023BEHIND THE SCENESWith PINETREE TOURSI f you saw a funny little octagonal office-on-wheels in Max Hobbins is a driver who worked for Marie in the early NorfolkIslands Burnt Pine in the 1980s you might have beendays and worked for Pinetrees for over 40 years. Max tells us, forgiven for wondering what was going on within its walls.Ive seen a lot of things in that time. You need to be a bit of a If you ventured in, youd have been able to book a Sound andshowman, a bit of a salesman and have a good sense of humour! Light Show, a Fish Fryor an Island Bushwalk. Still guessing?I remember bogging a full bus in the mud out at Puppys Point one The unconventional building was a neat sidestep to some peskytime, loaded up with a group of elderly people from a retirement planning rules, and the home of Pinetree Tours which was tohome. Well, I was at the wheel, and there was nothing to be done become, over the next 25 years, an iconic island business. Todaybut ask them to get out and push. in the end I was the only clean Pinetree Tours employs around 100 full and part-time employeesperson on the bus and the whole island heard about how Id asked (from a permanent building!) and offers visitors to the island thethem to push the bus out of the mud! I think it was one of the best array of tours every week.highlights of their trip. Boo subsequently took over Maries Tours which had originallyMany people on Norfolk pick up part-time work here and there, belonged to Marie Bailey, who was really the pioneer forand its highly likely that they may have worked for Pinetrees the touring industry on Norfolk. Now owned by Phil & Fionain some capacity, often as actors in one of the many theatrical Langley, Michael Langley & Sarah Hansen (Langley), whoofferingsyour local market gardener just might have played took over ownership in March 2020, have breathed new lifeFletcher Christian for a stretch, or the friendly face in the into the company and the overarching goal is to make everysupermarket might have been a sneering Captain Bligh, strutting visitors experience the best it can be. Together with the entireupon the deck. Its also possible that you may visit their house Pinetree Tours team they are committed to sharing this amazingwith Pinetrees for a Progressive Dinner, or get to meet them in destination and seeing tourism on Norfolk Island expand. one of their diverse Over the Cattlestops tours showcasing local industry, gardens or culture.The observant visitor might also note that all vehiclesbelonging to Pinetrees have a name like Doggy, Turk or Hodder. These are all names of significant islanders who have passed away. Group Touring specialist Pixie Saxby explains, When we get a new vehicle in, we have a staff meeting and we bring suggestions for naming it. When we have decided on one, we approach the family to see if it is ok by them. Max says, One of the nicest things about working for Pinetrees is the great staff. We all work as a team and the girls in the office are just wonderful. When pressed for some of his favourite comments through the years from visitors (who are obviously a little distracted by the stunning scenery) he laughs and comes up with an old favourite, Heres a good one. if the island enjoys such a low crime rate why do people put electric fences around Photo: Norfolk Island Tourism their properties? One of the nicest things about working for If youve been to Norfolk before youll know the answer to that one, otherwise well give you a hint.something to do with Pinetrees is the great staff. We all work as a team. four-legged creatures who mooo-oove around the island. Youll probably even stop for one in your Pinetrees bus!'