City vibes and sunny escapes
From Melbourne’s eclectic laneways buzzing with street art and hidden cafes to Sydney’s sun-soaked beaches, you’ll find so many amazing experiences on offer in every city.
Head to a rooftop bar in Brisbane, or get a taste of the country’s multi-cultural influences at Adelaide’s Central Market. If nature and wildlife is more your style, take a stroll through Kings Park in Perth. Queensland has a piece of paradise to suit everyone – it is truly like no other place on earth. From seemingly endless coastlines to the great expanses of the outback, the world famous Great Barrier Reef and an array of luscious rainforests.
Travel to the tropical north for wonders of the world and natural serenity, or head south to the state’s capital hub where you can embrace city life and surf on the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast – definitely the makings of the perfect sunshine holiday.
And don’t forget to discover the four states that are filled with diverse and iconic Australian experiences that are renowned the world over: South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Whether you’ve got two weeks to see the sights or six months to cover these vast states in a campervan, here you’ll find everything you need to know about the places to go and things to do.
Our favourite Aussie destinations
93% of customers who book with House of Travel rate us 5/5
"Change off plan a number of times & still found another option"
Andrew"Very helpful, listened to our needs and responded appropriately . Gave good advice and guidance"
James"We had an idea and Yonah tweeked it thus making things easier for us."
Lorraine
Jessica Osbourn
House of Travel Papamoa
I have always been a lover of travel, family holidays as a child sparked my love of seeing the world. I was born in England, moving to New Zealand with my family at the age of six. Drawn to the outdoors and the natural beauty of the world, I enjoy nothing more than exploring new landscapes, immersing myself in local living or being a major tourist. Whether that’s wondering narrow streets, exploring a big city or lounging on a sun-soaked beach.
In addition to my knowledge of travel, I'm currently training to become a Contiki champ with a passion for adventure and a love of meeting new people, I am eager to help you plan your own exciting Contiki, Top Deck, G-adventures or Intrepid tour and create unforgettable memories.
I was fortunate enough to be sent to Disneyland California and loved every aspect of its adrenaline packed adventure. It is an unforgettable trip and I cant wait to help others book their magical Disney holidays.
With a passion for adventure and a keen eye for detail, I’m always on the lookout for hidden gems, unique experiences and trending destinations. Whether you're looking for a thrill-seeking adventure or a peaceful escape into nature, I have the drive to help you plan the trip of a lifetime.
Claire Jones
House of Travel Devonport
?? Hello to all my
valued clients—old and new! ??
I’m truly passionate about helping people turn their travel
dreams into reality, and I’m thrilled to embark on many more exciting
conversations with you about all things travel!
As the Cruise Master at our store, I’m proud to have earned
my CLIA cruise certification, bringing you expert guidance for your next
voyage.
Whether you’re a familiar face or someone I haven’t had the
pleasure of meeting yet, I’m here to support your travel journey, no matter how
big or small. With 27 years of experience in the travel industry, I’ve had the
privilege of exploring some of the world’s most incredible destinations—Europe,
Asia, the Pacific Islands, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and
unforgettable cruises. ??
Travel is more than just a job for me—it’s a true passion. I
love sharing my adventures, insights, and tips with others. There’s no better
time to explore the world than now. Life is short, and travel creates memories
that last forever, leaving you with nothing but joy and no regrets. ??
I invite you to stop by anytime, say hello, and let’s start planning your next adventure! I can't wait to help you create experiences that will last a lifetime. ??
Claire
David Williams
House of Travel Christchurch City
In the 28 years of owning House of Travel Christchurch City, I have successfully developed a passionate and award-winning team of travel specialists. Our holiday specialists can take you to the destinations that you have dreamed of and let you know inside information that will enrich your travel experience. The highly experienced business travel division will exceed your expectations leaving no stone unturned to ensure a seamless travel experience every time. We also have a fantastic HOT Events team that can take care of your conference, team building or any event requirement you might have from a planned dinner event to incentive or recognition programme.
From my beginnings in customer sales and service, travelling to over 60 countries, my primary focus is overseeing all divisions, and growing our every popular Sporting Events Programmes. A highlight is delivering a highly successful games campaigns with our New Zealand Olympic Travel team. This includes all New Zealand Team Athlete Travel to providing a family and friends programme as well as a world class corporate offering for sponsors.
I am however most proud of the team for us being awarded three top awards at the National Travel Industry Awards - Best Retail Travel Agency in New Zealand, Best Travel Consultant in New Zealand, Best Groups Team in New Zealand.
Great holidays are made better together with the House of Travel Christchurch City team.
Minji Park
House of Travel Christchurch City
Minji was born and raised in South Korea; and from an early age travel has been her biggest passion. This inspired Minji to study tourism management and become a tour guide in Japan and South East Asia.
Minji has led tours all around Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos; while also backpacking extensively throughout Europe, Australia and Canada while living in London, Vancouver and Sydney, spending at least a couple of years in each country.
"I am so passionate about sharing my local knowledge and amazing travel experiences with people. Being a travel agent is the perfect job for me."
"Investment in travel is an investment in yourself" - Matthew Karsten
Why I love travel
I love meeting new people, discovering new cultures, tasting new food and beers and having new experiences. Travel is the best way to tick all the boxes and be inspired.
It is exciting and rewarding to help make my clients' holiday easier with better value and making it more memorable with my travel knowledge and organisation skills. I just love talking about travel, and hearing about their holiday when they return home is the best part of my job. It is very rewarding to hear what a great time they had. I am continuously learning about new travel destinations and new products and experiences so I never get bored.
My top travel tips
- Pack as light as you can (except for cruises). Heavy luggage can be tedious to manage and exhausting just getting on/off trains.
- Try to pre-book and pay in NZ dollars. If you pay locally, you will need to pay in local currency and the banks will apply their exchange rates plus international transaction fees.
- Don't assume flights and accommodation will have availability later. It is the best to book now!
My top destinations
- Japan – Japan is the country that I have travelled through the most and I can never tire of it. Japan offers so much, from old historic shrines and temples to the most modern architecture and latest technology, fascinating culture, beautiful nature areas and incredible food. It is also a very safe and easy place to travel so I recommend it for all types of travellers.
- Spain - I love the Andalusia region in particular, including Granada and Ronda. You feel like you are walking back in time, or perhaps through a movie set with the many sublime landscapes, spectacular vistas and famous historic sites. A warm evening drinking sangria with some delicious tapas over a view of Alhambra is a personal favourite.
- Vietnam - you can have an amazing experience within a very affordable budget. In one day, you will see more motorbikes than you have seen in your entire life. Interesting French Colonial architecture and indigenous castles and villages, beautiful beaches and rice paddies, the little art and culinary boutique town of Hoi An, unique and delicious food, UNESCO Heritage site Ha Long Bay and much more.
- Galapagos - If you are into wildlife, this is one of the ultimate places in the world to visit. I still say Galapagos was the best travel experience in my life. The everyday encounters with unique species of sea lions, turtles, tortoises, all different types of birds, penguins, sharks, rays, marine iguana are unforgettable. The best part for me was diving amongst schools of hammerhead sharks and eagle rays inside the crater of a submerged volcano.
What's in my suitcase
- Foldable backpack - It is the best thing ever. I always put one in my bag, and it is perfect for a casual day out exploring.
- Travel organiser bags - I have one for clothes, one for underwear/socks and one for toiletries. It will make your pack/unpack so much easier.
- Compact rain jacket and small collapsible umbrella - You will always have some rain during your holiday but unless you are expecting lots of it, you don't want these items to take too much space in your travel bag.
Minji
Best. Holidays. Ever!
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