Deborah Izenberg's 40-Property Deep Dive Into Australia & New Zealand
At a Glance
On my recent research trips to Australia and New Zealand, I learned that avoiding school holidays is crucial for saving money and enjoying smaller crowds; shoulder seasons and winter months deliver the best value. I discovered that visiting these countries in person reveals details photos simply cannot capture—the sensory experience of their natural grandeur and warm cultures demands firsthand experience.
When you've been in the travel industry for 38 years, you might think you've seen it all. But the South Pacific keeps pulling me back. This past October and November, I returned to Melbourne and New Zealand, not for leisure, but on a mission to visit 40 different hotel properties and experience as many activities as possible. My clients deserve more than secondhand knowledge. They deserve an advisor who has walked those hotel corridors, tasted those wines, and navigated those winding mountain roads herself.
This was my sixth return to Australia and my fourth to New Zealand. Each visit reveals something new, something that reminds me why I fell in love with these destinations in the first place.
A Melbourne Transformed
What struck me immediately was how much Melbourne has evolved. The diversity of things to see and do has grown exponentially since my earlier visits. The laneway culture, the food scene, the art districts. This city refuses to stand still. I found myself constantly updating my mental notes, crossing out old recommendations and adding new discoveries that I knew would delight my clients.
But it was New Zealand that truly stopped me in my tracks. The scenery possesses a quality that photographs simply cannot convey. I've seen countless images of those rolling green hills, those dramatic fjords, those pristine lakes. Yet standing there in person, I understood why every traveler who returns tells me the same thing: you have to experience it yourself. There's a deep cultural reverence woven into the landscape, carried by some of the most genuinely warm people I've encountered anywhere in the world.
The Insider Knowledge That Matters
One thing most travelers don't realize is that both Australia and New Zealand have year-round school systems, which means their holiday breaks fall at different times than what Americans expect. When those school holidays hit, popular spots become crowded and prices surge. I always recommend traveling during shoulder seasons, which is exactly when I plan my own trips. You'll enjoy better experiences and save money, a combination I love offering my clients.
I'll be honest about the challenges too. Driving on the left side of the road takes adjustment, especially in New Zealand's mountainous terrain. Those narrow, winding roads demand your full attention. It's the kind of detail that matters when I'm helping someone plan their itinerary, knowing which routes require extra caution and which driving experiences are worth the effort.
Before this trip, I reached out to my industry partners to learn what had changed since my last visit. New properties, updated policies, shifting seasonal patterns. This preparation on my end translates directly to time and money saved for my clients. It's the work that happens before the planning even begins.
Who Should Go
These destinations suit almost anyone with the stamina for long-distance travel. Families, couples, solo adventurers, and retirees all find something extraordinary here. My preference, and my recommendation, is to start with a solid foundational itinerary but then expand into areas that aren't typical tourist stops. That's where the authentic experiences live, the moments that become stories you tell for years.
I'm already counting down to March, when I return for an entire month to continue deepening my expertise. Every visit adds layers to my understanding, nuances I can share with clients who trust me to guide their journeys. After nearly four decades in this industry, I still feel that surge of excitement when I board a plane to somewhere I love. And I still believe that the best gift I can give my clients is knowledge earned through my own two feet on the ground.