Barbara

Australia & New Zealand Specialist

Barbara's wanderlust started after finishing university when she visited Asia and Australia for the first time. She was struck with Asia's culture and by Australia's diverse natural beauty. After three months exploring she returned to the UK for a short period. However, she could not keep her adventurous side muted for long and took the decision to return to Asia, living and working in Japan as an English teacher.

Since then her travels have taken her around the world, including visits to Canada, Costa Rica and the South Pacific Islands before settling in Australasia, calling New Zealand and Australia home for over three years. While in New Zealand, she was lucky enough to live in Wanaka, in the Southern Alps, and Milford Sound in Fiordland, as well as travelling extensively around the country, experiencing an array of amazing sights and attractions that this beautiful country has to offer. In fact, her passion for the outdoors meant New Zealand was the perfect playground for hiking, cycling, caving and kayaking.

On her return to the UK, Barbara pursued her passion for travel by starting her career as a travel agent. After many years in this field she took the next step and joined Audley so she could focus on her specialist destinations of Australia and New Zealand and share her expertise to design your perfect trip.

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I recommend visiting - Lake Wanaka, New Zealand

My favourite place is Wanaka in the Southern Alps, as it has so much to offer all year round.

During the summer months the town is bustling, with many lake front bars and restaurants to choose from, as well as a multitude of activities, whether it be a boat trip on the lake or day hike up to Rob Roy Glacier. Alternatively, during the winter months you can head out to the ski fields of nearby Cardona and Treblecone for a day on the snow, or you can try a stunning scenic flight through to Fiordland and beyond.

If heading to Queenstown from Wanaka, Cardrona Hotel is a firm favourite of mine for a quick stop as it offers a chance to step back in time to the New Zealand's Gold Rush period to see how things would have looked back in the day.

Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat, Atherton Tablelands

I recommend staying at - Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat, Australia

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The Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat in tropical Queensland is a great spot to unwind and immerse yourself in nature, in your own private self-catering treehouse, nestled in the rainforest. There’s an abundance of walking trails, wildlife, and birdlife on your doorstep, or you can venture further out to fully explore the Atherton Tablelands.

I'll never forget when…

My most memorable experience is without a doubt swimming with wild dolphins in Kaikoura.

I was lucky enough to see hundreds of dolphins and swim among them in their natural surroundings, with the stunning mountainous backdrop of Kaikoura in the distance. The staff were incredibly knowledgeable and reassuring throughout the whole experience, which was ideal as I am a little wary of the sea.

The town is perfectly located for this type of wildlife viewing, allowing these tours to operate all year round.

Photos of Barbara

Barbara at Otehei Bay, Bay of Islands
Barbara enjoying the view at Mou Waho Island, Lake Wanaka
Barbara at Lion Rock, Piha
Barbara meeting Maori in the traditional way after a cultural show in Rotorua