All the things you love
and none of the things you don't
Our local knowledge makes the difference for your bespoke holiday through New Zealand or Australia. Your journey Down Under starts here.
A place where you feel welcomed and cared for. A place where our local hosts provide you with extra knowledge. And comfort that ensures you enjoy your holiday through New Zealand. Each host has a different story to tell. A journey where your accommodation becomes a highlight of your trip.
How would you like your journey?
A world renowned lakeside lodge. A luxury country estate in the sunny Marlborough region. A chalet nestled between the aromatic vines. A cottage by the ocean. We personally visit our properties to ensure quality and enhance how they will host you as one of our guests. Each of our unique accommodations offer exceptional experiences and have a story to tell. With distinct cultural value, you can truly experience the essence of New Zealand.
Discover how small-scale accommodation makes your holiday better.
Look inside 10 of our luxury accommodations for solo travellers
Fiordland National Park is located in the southwest of the South Island. It is a nature lover’s paradise named on… read more
On the shores of Lake Pukaki in the heart of the Mackenzie Basin is a luxury lakeside lodge. With views across the… read more
Located 25 minutes from Rotorua, a geothermal wonderland with natural hot springs, bubbling mud pools and… read more
An alpine lodge set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by green pastures and the rugged peaks of the… read more
Are you a wine and nature lover? Then don’t miss a visit to Marlborough. A region with high sunshine hours and an… read more
Venture into the heart of the Southern Alps to discover a luxury wilderness lodge. Set on a magical 4000-acre high… read more
"We love our local area because of its location near the lake, rivers, forests and mountains. The natural environment is very accessible."
Local hosts, Lynne and Jim
Good to know
We understand that everyone has different needs while you are travelling. Therefore, we will ensure your needs are catered for during your journey Down Under. Whether it be self-contained accommodation, so you can whip up a meal quickly. Or local hosts who will cook dinner for you and prepare a fresh breakfast. No matter what, we know that it is important to ensure there is a food plan while travelling.
Did you know?
At TravelEssence, we have personally selected over 2000 small-scale suppliers throughout Australia and New Zealand. We are in direct contact with each and every one of them. By continuously building strong relationships and paying your host before you arrive, we have also built trust. Our product team Down Under visits our suppliers frequently and are always searching for the best unique small-scale accommodations and activities for you to enjoy.
Useful facts
Culinary
New Zealand burst into the culinary scene with a fusion of local produce, innovation and flair. A multicultural country that blends flavours from all over the world. New Zealand has some of the best oysters in the world - Bluff oysters, and don’t forget to indulge in fresh whitebait fritters.
Kiwi’s love to invite friends and family over for a barbecue. Don’t be surprised if you receive an invite too! To blend in as a local, enjoy fish and chips with a side of tomato sauce or a mince and cheese pie is a popular choice.
Experience a traditional Maori Hangi, a process of cooking in a steamed pit with heated stones. Or are you more interested in wine? The top 5 wine regions are Marlborough, Hawke’s Bay, Central Otago, Gisborne and Canterbury.
New Zealand's lakes
New Zealand has several beautiful lakes. Most were caused by the scouring effect of ice during the ice age and the melting of glacial ice. The clear blue colour of the water and the magical surroundings of mountains, should not be missed when you visit New Zealand.
Admire the clear waters of Lake Tekapo, see the flooded crater of Lake Taupo and spot special bird species around Lake Waikaremoana. By the way, did you also know that Lake Taupo is the largest lake in all of Australasia?
You can comfortably board a boat or hop in a kayak to discover all the secrets of New Zealand’s water world. In and around the lakes, it is possible to participate in various activities, such as fishing, swimming or hiking.
New Zealand's wine regions
New Zealand is a food and wine destination for discerning foodies. With a world reputation for producing award-winning locally grown produce. This young country has come of age as a producer of internationally acclaimed wines. With an ideal climate for wine growing, there are six major grape growing regions which are all surrounded by alluring landscapes.
Marlborough, at the top of the South Island, is New Zealand’s largest wine-producing region. Marlborough has a varied selection of Sauvignon Blanc wines that have gained worldwide recognition. However, there is also Central Otago, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa and Canterbury. New Zealand's is home to the world’s most southerly vineyards.
Accommodation check in & out times
Check in and check out times vary from accommodation to accommodation. However, the average time for check-in time is from 3 pm till 6 pm. If you wish to arrive earlier than this, please contact the hosts in advance to see if this is possible. We will also provide more specific information about the check-in/check-out time of each accommodation you are staying at on a provided voucher. Check out time is generally before 10 am.
Food and groceries
During your holiday Downunder, some places are remote and therefore grocery shopping may need to be thought of in advance, before arriving at your accommodation. We will provide you with more information about this on a voucher.
Please be aware that some places have limited trading hours, especially on Sunday. And on some public holidays, for example, Good Friday, you are not able to purchase alcohol from the liquor store. We recommend planning in advance to avoid any food and drink shortages.
WiFi & internet
Please be aware that some remote accommodations, Downunder have limited WiFi access or none at all. In some places, you may also need to pay for WiFi and internet access. This, of course, varies from accommodation to accommodation.
Discover more about solo travelling
All the things you love
and none of the things you don't
Our local knowledge makes the difference for your bespoke holiday through New Zealand or Australia. Your journey Down Under starts here.
Contact us
We would love to discuss your dream journey