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Our local knowledge makes the difference

Meet our Down Under specialists

We know Down Under like no other because we are locals ourselves. All our travel experts have lived, worked and travelled in Australia or New Zealand for a long time. With our local knowledge and expertise, we make sure you experience the trip of a lifetime.

Andrew Morten looking up, surrounded by trees

Andrew

Hi, I’m Andrew Morten, the founder of TravelEssence. I was born in New Zealand and have been at the forefront of unique travel through Australia and New Zealand for almost 30 years. TravelEssence gives you the chance to experience the Down Under I fell in love with as a wide-eyed and free-spirited child.

“Designing a holiday is like completing a puzzle: each customer brings the pieces, and our job is to fit them together into a trip that feels completely right for them.”

— Kieran Swetman, Travel Expert

Meet Kieran

“Shaped by first-hand experiences.”

Having originally planned for a two-month trip, I soon fell for the diverse environments New Zealand and Australia have to offer, from glacial fiordlands to tropical rainforests, and everything in between! Before I knew it, I had been working and travelling in these countries for the best part of four years!

A picture of Kieran, Travelessence Expert, smiling at the camera in doubtful sounds

“One of the things that really stuck with me.”

I spent a lot of my time working in Central Otago on the South Island of New Zealand. This provided lots of opportunity for invigorating mountain walks, nicely balanced with relaxed visits to the region's many wineries (I highly recommend the Pinot Noir!).

One of the things that really stuck with me was the close relationship many Aussies and New Zealanders have with the outdoors. Whether it was bathing in geothermally heated rivers in the forest, or taking a kayak out for a quick paddle on the local lake after work, there was always an excuse to be outside!

Nz south dunedin Otago Peninsula Dunedin NZ

“I take pride in building you a bespoke itinerary."

I am now based back in the UK, where I enjoy providing travellers with an authentic experience of the unique culture and varied landscapes on offer. I take pride in building you a bespoke itinerary and look forward to helping you make the most of your time in these fantastic countries!

Get in touch with me at kieran@travelessence.co.uk

Kieran, Travelessence expert, taking a selfie in the Northern Territory

“The real magic comes from slowing down, spending time in each place and embracing the local way of life.”

— Luke Northeast, Travel Expert

Meet Luke

“An experience I wouldn’t change for the world."

I’ve been lucky enough to call both Australia and New Zealand home. During my time in Australia I lived in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and Fremantle, and even spent two seasons working as a tomato farmer in Queensland to extend my visa! It was incredibly hard work, but an experience I wouldn’t change for the world (although I'm not sure I'd recommend picking tomatoes in 40°C heat!). 

This gave me the opportunity to explore so much of Australia before spending a year living and travelling around New Zealand. While the two countries are very different, they both share incredibly welcoming people and some of the most spectacular natural scenery anywhere in the world.

Luke, Travelessence Expert, taking a selfie with mountains and coast in the background

“Every corner feels like a completely different world.”

Choosing favourite places is almost impossible because every region offers something completely different. From some of the best beaches I've seen in Cape Range National Park, the rainforest of Cape Tribulation or drifting into the outback in the Flinders Ranges, Australia never stops surprising you.

New Zealand is equally breathtaking, packing glaciers, fjords, volcanoes, vineyards and golden beaches into a country that's surprisingly compact. Every corner feels like a completely different world.

A boat sailing in front of Sydney Opera House in Australia

“You'll leave already dreaming about your next visit.”

If I could offer just one piece of advice, it would be not to rush. It's tempting to try and see everything, but the real magic comes from slowing down, spending time in each place and embracing the local way of life.

There will always be somewhere else to discover, and that's the beauty of Australia and New Zealand, you'll leave already dreaming about your next visit.

Get in touch with me at luke@travelessence.co.uk

TravelEssence specialist Luke exploring the red landscapes of Australia
TravelEssence product manager Brooke on on a boat trip in Fiordland, New Zealand

Brooke

For me, New Zealand will always be home. I was lucky enough to grow up on Waiheke Island in New Zealand, where I spent the first 30 years of my life exploring what this beautiful country has to offer. As I travel and see more of the world, I realize just how truly unique and special New Zealand is.

When I moved to Europe in 2016, I became a part of the TravelEssence team as the Product Manager.

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