Trip of a lifetime
Australia | Dec 21 - Jan 3, 2025

Malini
Malini L.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2025

We visited 4 different cities in Australia and NZ in 2 weeks, and Liz could not have planned a more perfect itinerary for our family of 5. She immediately understood our family's needs and priorities and suggested activities that were interesting and age appropriate for all. Highlights included a bike tour across Sydney, hiking the Blue Mountains, snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, jetboating in Queenstown and seeing Hobbiton in Auckland. Each tour and transport operator was very professional and of high quality. Liz answered our (many) questions throughout the process with ultra fast response time and went over and beyond our expectations. Liz sent us all the information in a concise and clear format, so it was very easy to keep track of what we needed (itinerary, pickup times, packing info, visas etc). During our trip we even made a last minute request to add a sold-out tour during peak holiday time, and she was able to make it happen!

Hotel Reviews
The York, by Swiss-Belhotel
Sydney

Great location, spacious rooms, but very basic/dated interior.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Villa San Michele
Port Douglas

Location is perfect - right in the heart of town so everything (including beach) is a 0-5 min walk. Rooms are quite tight and one room had a bit of stench. Bathrooms looked renovated and clean.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu
Queenstown

Very comfortable hotel with a gorgeous view. Easy walk into town.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
heated beds, good laundry machines
Nesuto Stadium Auckland
Auckland

Great location, clean rooms. We had 3 tiny bedrooms (door couldn't close) and 1 bathroom and kitchen, and the living room was huge. Right next to harbor and town area, and many restaurants right downstairs or a few min walk.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Full Day Blue Mountains Hike the World Heritage
Full Day Blue Mountains Hike the World Heritage
Sydney

Kids loved the animal conservatory and being able to pet and feed to koalas and wallabys.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sydney Opera House Tour
Sydney Opera House Tour
Sydney
Full-Day Barrier Reef & Coral Cays Boat Tour
Full-Day Barrier Reef & Coral Cays Boat Tour
Port Douglas

Excellent staff, well equipped, lunch was surprisingly good.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome to Port Douglas
Welcome to Port Douglas
Port Douglas

Very professional transport guide. Van was amazing with reclining seats.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Kuranda Railway, Skyrail & Palm Cove Adventure
Private Kuranda Railway, Skyrail & Palm Cove Adventure
Port Douglas

Train ride was ok but gondola was lovely. Spent a lot of time assembling with group and guide, getting in and out of the van and listening to him talk so we barely got 10 min to explore the village.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide talked way too much, was late, wasted a lot of our time so we barely had time to explore the village.
Transport
too many pickups, it took way too long
Half Day Best of Queenstown
Half Day Best of Queenstown
Queenstown (NZ)

Loved the views, walks, wine tasting, seeing the town, getting some free time to shop. Our guide Beth was awesome.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Hobbiton Tour - Return to Auckland
Full Day Hobbiton Tour - Return to Auckland
Auckland

Hobbiton is so beautiful and you don't even need to be a LOTR fan to enjoy. The village is very well created and the new Hobbit houses are adorable (my 9 yo wanted to move in there!) Tour is well organized and staff is very enthusiastic.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half Day Sydney Classic Tour (Bike)
Half Day Sydney Classic Tour (Bike)
Sydney

Guide (Andre) was very knowledgable and ensured nobody got left behind in our group of 13.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hartley's Crocodile Farm with Koala Breakfast
Hartley's Crocodile Farm with Koala Breakfast
Port Douglas

Loved this more than I thought we would. Each group gets a few minutes with the koala away from the others, so it feels private. Guides are knowledgable and friendly. The crocodile demonstrations were incredible and you see so much wildlife.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half Day Wilderness Safari - Jetboat
Half Day Wilderness Safari - Jetboat
Queenstown (NZ)

My kids were wild for this one! Super fun and adventurous. Well organized, proper equipment, and professional staff.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Liz Neal