Australia Travel Agents

Kimkim has selected the best Australia travel agents so you'll have a worry-free trip.
With kimkim you will connect directly to a local specialist in Australia who will personalize your trip to your specific tastes. Once we have a sense of who you are and what you're looking for, you'll be matched with the right local travel agent for you. Not everyone wants to get completely off the grid—but even if you want to hit the most popular sites and cities, kimkim ensures a customized experience, including lodging, guides, and transportation.
Plan your trip to Australia
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.

Siena Mueller

(139 reviews)
Australia Travel Agent based in Kimkim HQ
Siena specializes in: Greece, Australia
Recent traveler reviews for Siena:
"We were happy with every tour scheduled by Siena." - by Tonya, Sep 19, 2026 · see review
"Planned our Greece Honeymoon trip with Siena." - by Tristan, Sep 14, 2026 · see review
"I'm a kimkim staff member and was sent on a particular assignment where I had the pleasure of experiencing the kind of trip our travelers get to (thanks to the nature of the assignment and the Greece team's knowledge of the Ionians, culture, and operations—shout out to Alyssa, Siena, and Lea!" - by Julia, Aug 31, 2026 · see review

Vicky Steinhardt

(106 reviews)
Australia Travel Agent based in Noosa, Australia
Vicky specializes in: Tailor made travel, Family travel, Off the beaten track adventures, Unique locations, Honeymoons
Recent traveler reviews for Vicky:
"Our trip to Australia, planned by Vicky through KimKim Travel, truly was the trip of a lifetime." - by Tom and Heather, Jul 24, 2026 · see review
"What a amazing trip that Vicky help put together." - by Heath, Jun 22, 2026 · see review
"I work with Vicky as our agent— she was filled with information, very patient through the reiterations of our planning and was readily available during our trip to answer questions." - by Jim, May 19, 2026 · see review

Paula Adams

(57 reviews)
Australia Travel Agent based in California and Australia
Paula specializes in: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and French Polynesia
Recent traveler reviews for Paula:
"Liz and Paula are both so accommodating and built amazing trips to our specific requests." - by Tony, Sep 23, 2026 · see review
"Paula handled it like a champ." - by Alex, Aug 30, 2026 · see review
"This was a bucket-list trip for me, and I am so thankful to Paula for arranging such a diverse menu of experiences for my friends and me!" - by Amanda, Jul 8, 2026 · see review

Ruth Grau

(39 reviews)
Australia Travel Agent based in Adelaide, Australia, & Palm Springs, USA
Ruth specializes in: Luxury, Adventure, Family, Couples, Singles, Unique & Authentic, LGBTQ Travel
Recent traveler reviews for Ruth:
"Everything went smoothly on our trip and Ruth was a great help to us." - by Vicki, Jun 28, 2026 · see review
"Ruth did a great job planning our trip, meeting all our expectations of excursions, hotels, tours etc." - by Doreen, Mar 17, 2026 · see review
"Our four week trip to NZ was customized after an iterative process of inquiry and response, including by phone with Ruth." - by Iain, Mar 4, 2026 · see review

Connie Campos

(27 reviews)
Australia Travel Agent based in South Florida and New Zealand
Connie specializes in: Bring your dream trip to life with Bespoke custom travel. I craft custom vacations to Australia and New Zealand.
Recent traveler reviews for Connie:
"Connie from KimKim helped organize an amazing trip to Australia for my family this past summer." - by Melanie, Feb 2, 2025 · see review
"Connie and Sherry were great!" - by Dennis, Oct 8, 2024 · see review
"Connie was super helpful in helping me to arrange a fairly last-minute trip to Sydney and Melbourne." - by Doug, Aug 26, 2024 · see review
Connie's Favorite Itineraries:

Asko Merilainen

(17 reviews)
Australia Travel Agent based in Melbourne, Australia
Asko specializes in: Custom made itineraries, unique & authentic stays, nature & wildlife, food & wine, luxury, honeymoon, self-drive, couples, singles, LGBTQ Travel
Recent traveler reviews for Asko:
"Asko Merilainen of Project Matka, based in Melbourne, was our advisor for a 31 day trip around Australia." - by Caroline, Sep 24, 2026 · see review
"Excellent job from Asko ." - by Julia, Dec 7, 2025 · see review
"Asko was detailed in answering questions and was immediately available to assist when there was confusion at hotel check-in." - by Alma, Dec 3, 2025 · see review

Jeab Kwanchanok

(15 reviews)
Australia Travel Agent based in Sydney NSW, Australia
Jeab specializes in: Classic Tour, Luxury Travel, Solo Travel, Family /Small Group, Culinary & Culture, Adventure Tour, Group Tour
Recent traveler reviews for Jeab:
"Thanks to the Kimkim team for all your assistance but most importantly, to Jeab." - by Thomas, Aug 1, 2026 · see review
"Jeab organized everything for us and - it was a great trip!" - by Anne Carole, Apr 20, 2026 · see review
"My travel agent, Jeab, set up an amazing trip to Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam over one month." - by Brian, Feb 10, 2026 · see review

Samantha Slais

(13 reviews)
Australia Travel Agent based in Kimkim HQ
Samantha specializes in: Australia and New Zealand
Recent traveler reviews for Samantha:
"Our guide Samantha was great in planning the variety of experiences we wanted on our first trip to Australia." - by Joan, Sep 25, 2026 · see review
"Samantha and Lea did an awesome job." - by Mike, Sep 18, 2026 · see review
"Samantha and the KimKim team did a great job helping us schedule and organize our 3-week trip to Australia." - by Rick, Aug 9, 2026 · see review

Tammy Lindsey

(3 reviews)
Australia Travel Agent based in Rancho Palos Verdes CA
Tammy specializes in: Couples, Families, Honeymoons, Adventure, Unique places, Experience what you see
I am a Travel Advisor for Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands. Every clients is unique, so I want to get to know them in detail to create their perfect itinerary! Listening to small details, and weaving those throughout their trip, can make a good vacation become a magical one! I... read more
Tammy's Favorite Itineraries:

Michael Lynden-Bell

(1 review)
Australia Travel Agent based in Sydney
Michael specializes in: Tailor made travel, families, special interest, unique locations, Honeymoon
Hi, I'm Michael, a seasoned travel industry professional with 28 years of experience in creating unique and personalized travel experiences. Based in Sydney, Australia, I am passionate about responsible and sustainable tourism, and believe in supporting local communities and businesses. With... read more

LINDSEY NEALE-ROZGA

(1 review)
Australia Travel Agent based in San Diego CA
LINDSEY specializes in: Small group & private tours, soft adventure, ecotours, wildlife & birding, food & wine, Aboriginal & Maori culture, golf, scuba diving, family trips, honeymoons, luxury lodges & resorts.
Although born and raised in the UK, I moved to Sydney and became Australian almost immediately! I had found my ‘home’! I soon became a tour operator, eventually working for one of the top companies in Sydney. I love Australia and New Zealand and spent my vacations visiting different parts of... read more

More in Australia


Trip Reviews for Australia

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim
4.9
Based on 353 ratings

Terrific first trip to Australia
Australia | Sep 7 - Sep 14, 2026

J
Joan C.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Sep 25, 2026
Our guide Samantha was great in planning the variety of experiences we wanted on our first trip to Australia. She listened to our request for some outdoor adventures and some city activities. Highlights were snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef (a super cool trip on a sailboat), a tour of the spectacular Sydney Opera House and lots of Aussie wildlife - koalas, birds...
The Zoom call with Samantha before the trip was very helpful to clarify the timing and all the transfers, hotel details...
Read more

Our guide Samantha was great in planning the variety of experiences we wanted on our first trip to Australia. She listened to our request for some outdoor adventures and some city activities. Highlights were snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef (a super cool trip on a sailboat), a tour of the spectacular Sydney Opera House and lots of Aussie wildlife - koalas, birds...
The Zoom call with Samantha before the trip was very helpful to clarify the timing and all the transfers, hotel details etc. We felt very prepared.
There were some last minute changes with a tour operator, I recommend using the kimkim 'emergency' number if the operators are not reachable.

Local specialist: Samantha Slais

Simply Excellent
Australia | Aug 10 - Sep 9, 2026

Caroline
Caroline S.
Winder, GA | Reviewed on Sep 24, 2026
This was our 4th trip with KimKim and they have never failed to connect us with excellent local travel consultants. Asko Merilainen of Project Matka, based in Melbourne, was our advisor for a 31 day trip around Australia. He put together an ambitious and comprehensive itinerary that kept us fascinated, delighted and tired by the end of the day. He dropped in rest days here and there, just when we needed them and always made suggestions for additional fun along the way. He took us from the... Read more

This was our 4th trip with KimKim and they have never failed to connect us with excellent local travel consultants.

Asko Merilainen of Project Matka, based in Melbourne, was our advisor for a 31 day trip around Australia. He put together an ambitious and comprehensive itinerary that kept us fascinated, delighted and tired by the end of the day. He dropped in rest days here and there, just when we needed them and always made suggestions for additional fun along the way. He took us from the tropics to the desert and back again and mid trip, when a surprise appendicitis stalled us for a week, he made sure we had everything we needed, changed plans and made it easy for us to resume our trip when we were ready. He has also been great about making sure we have everything we needed to complete the travel insurance paperwork. We highly recommend Asko and Project Matka. LGBTQ friendly too! Thanks everyone.

Hotel Reviews
Mantra on Russell Melbourne
Melbourne

The Mantra on Russell Melbourne had excellent beds and linens, which I am usually very fussy about. The bedding quality was consistently excellent throughout the trip, which was impressive.

Ozone Hotel Kangaroo Island
Kingscote

The Ozone Hotel Kangaroo Island was nice overall, but the coffee was the worst I've ever had in my life. We ended up bringing our own instant coffee and hot water. Other than that, the hotel was fine.

Rydges Perth Kings Square
Perth

The Rydges Perth Kings Square hotel was our least favorite. Although the bedding was excellent and it was centrally located, the view was not great and the hotel felt a bit odd. However, Perth was a difficult part of the trip due to an appendicitis incident, so I wouldn't hold it against the hotel.

Activity Reviews
Melbourne Foodie Culture - Walking tour
Melbourne Foodie Culture - Walking tour
Melbourne

The Melbourne Foodie Culture walking tour was excellent. Unlike some food tours that can be marginal, this one was very good and enjoyable.

Great Ocean Road – Coastal Spectacular & Wildlife Wonders
Great Ocean Road – Coastal Spectacular & Wildlife Wonders
Melbourne

The Great Ocean Road – Coastal Spectacular & Wildlife Wonders tour was a lot of fun. We ended up being the only people on the tour and had a wonderful guide who was very knowledgeable and skilled at navigating crowds.

Island Life tour
Island Life tour
Kangaroo Island

The Island Life tour on Kangaroo Island was really nice and beautiful. One highlight was visiting a sheep station where they cooked fish for us on a beautiful day with perfect weather.

Alice Springs
Alice Springs
Alice Springs

The kangaroo sanctuary visit in Alice Springs was amazing. We got to hold and feed baby kangaroos rescued from traffic accidents, and the sanctuary educates people on kangaroo rescue. It was truly a high point of the trip.

Sunrise Camel Experience
Sunrise Camel Experience
Uluru

The Sunrise Camel Experience at Uluru was really fun and memorable. It made me want to learn serious camel trekking one day. The overall experience at Uluru was worth the trip with many sunrises, sunsets, dinners, presentations, and light shows.

The Great Barrier Reef day trip
The Great Barrier Reef day trip
Cairns

The Great Barrier Reef day trip was amazing. I thought I had seen amazing reefs before, but this experience proved me wrong with its beauty.

Local specialist: Asko Merilainen
Asko
Asko Merilainen
Local specialist in Melbourne, Australia | Replied on Sep 27, 2026

Thank you, Caroline and Eva! I enjoyed being involved in planning and organising your trip to Australia. It was also wonderful to meet you in person in Cairns and hear about your experiences. It truly was an amazing trip that covered almost the whole country. Thank you again for travelling with us!

All our guides were excellent. Really enjoyed...
Australia | Aug 28 - Sep 20, 2026

Elizabeth
Elizabeth S.
Cleveland, OH, USA | Reviewed on Sep 21, 2026
All our guides were excellent. Really enjoyed the sailing cruise with David and the Barossa valley wine tour. Also the Phillips island penguins. If I plan this trip again, I would make a few changes. I would still fly into Brisbane and stay three days and then go to Port Douglas. However, we ended up spending the night in Port Douglas, and then returning the next day to Cairns for a tour and then going back to Port Douglas again. There should be a better way to do this. Also, I would fly... Read more

All our guides were excellent. Really enjoyed the sailing cruise with David and the Barossa valley wine tour. Also the Phillips island penguins.

If I plan this trip again, I would make a few changes. I would still fly into Brisbane and stay three days and then go to Port Douglas. However, we ended up spending the night in Port Douglas, and then returning the next day to Cairns for a tour and then going back to Port Douglas again. There should be a better way to do this. Also, I would fly from Cairns to Adelaide and spend a couple of days there and then go to kangaroo Island. I would drive along the great ocean Road and spend time in some different cities. I would skip Melbourne and spend a few more days in Sydney. Also, when planning the wine tour, i would rather have gone to the white wine regions than the red wine ones.
Overall, the trip was amazing. We really enjoyed having the rental cars and being able to drive around and see stuff on our own. Somehow we missed part of the great ocean Road because we were following the GPS and not following signs for the great ocean Road. I think we would rather have stayed in Apollo Bay then Port Campbell although the apartment in Port Campbell was very nice. There’s not much in Port Campbell. We had a bad experience in robe, which is where I booked my own hotel that turned out to have mice. Never really saw anything in robe. I wish we’d had a little more time in Sydney.

Hotel Reviews
The Inchcolm by Ode Hotels
Brisbane

The Inchcolm had a lovely 2 bedroom suite with a sitting area and nice bathroom. The 2nd bedroom lacked a place to sit suitcases and a closet . The hotel had a nice small restaurant, a free continental breakfast and a free laundry . It was historically interesting because it had one spin a physicians office clinic and small hospital. The hotel is located close to the central train station but if one is walking, it can be difficult to get there because it’s a maze of little streets. Overall a charming little hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to central train station
Staff
Weren’t very good at giving directions
Cleanliness & Comfort
Martinique on Macrossan
Port Douglas

Cute boutique hotel with apartment type rooms which included a kitchenette, spacious living area, private enclosed patio, bedroom and bathroom. The bedroom was rather small with just enough room to maneuver around the king sized bed. The bathroom was okay. The place was very clean and the grounds were quite lovely. Our room was on the first floor and there was a lovely patio with tables, chairs, grill, couches and even books right outside our door. The hotel also has an outdoor heated pool. the host was very friendly and was very helpful when our driver did not show up. The hotel is conveniently located at one end of Macrossan Street and about a five minute walk to 4 mile Beach.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to 4 mile Beach and all of the restaurants and shops on Macrossan Street
Staff
Very friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bedroom was a tight fit
Zagame's House
Melbourne

Zagame’s house is an interesting boutique hotel close to the Royal Melbourne Institute of technology and the University of Adelaide and several hospitals. The decor is quite interesting, it has a wonderful coffee shop/restaurant where we had breakfast each day. The food was excellent. A wine bar and restaurant are also attached to the hotel but we did not have a chance to eat there, the only reason I did not give this hotel a five star rating is because the bathroom layout is so odd.

Authenticity & Character
Interesting decor. Very nice coffee shop/restaurant,
Location
Close to restaurants. A bit of a walk to get to trams and buses.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The beds in this hotel were truly amazing. They were the most comfortable we slept in on our whole trip. I only give a four for this rating because the bathroom was so odd. The toilet is in a glass enclosed area although the glass is ripple and sort of frosted people in the bedroom area can still see a person sitting on the toilet. The door through the bathroom is not really a door, but a sliding screen made out of bamboo or straw so that people inside the bathroom are visible to people in the bedroom.
Oval Hotel at Adelaide Oval
North Adelaide

Modern decor. Clean. Nice bathroom and amenities. Comfortable double beds. Learning to use the iPad to control all the room features was a bit challenging.

Authenticity & Character
Very modern. Lovely view from reception area of St. Patrick’s Church and nearby park. The restaurant overlooks the oval which is beautifully lit up at night with blue lights. The bar area is quite noisy.
Location
Convenient to tram station, river boat ride and CBD.
Staff
The receptionist was very helpful in trying to help us find where our tour was going to pick us up. Brought extra towels and blankets very quickly when requested.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mod Modern, clean, comfortable beds
Southern Ocean Villas
Port Campbell

Southern Ocean villas has an apartment style set up. Our villa had a first floor bedroom bathroom, full kitchen area, living room and dining room. Up some rather steep stairs was another bedroom, bathroom and some twin beds. There was also a washer and dryer on the first floor. The unit also had a patio, but it was a little too chilly to sit outside.The accommodations were clean and comfortable and very close to town.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Only a couple of blocks to the small town center
Staff
Very pleasant and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Villas on the Bay Kingscote
Kingscote

Maybe my favorite of all the places we stayed. These are fully equipped 2 bedroom villas with an enclosed patio and a garage! Loved the garage as we could plug in our electric car at night. The patio was very nice but it was too cold to sit outside.

Authenticity & Character
Clean, comfortable, and a garage! The only thing missing was a clothes dryer. First time I’ve hung clothes on a line in years!
Location
Close to the main area of Kingscote. Only 15 minutes from the airport. Easy to get to wherever we wanted to go.
Staff
The villas are family owned and the owners live on the property which is well maintained.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The kitchen even included some cereals for breakfast (besides the usual coffee and tea).
Ovolo Woolloomooloo
Woolloomooloo

An interesting hotel and condo complex built from an old wool warehouse on Cowper’s Wharf. The rooms are spacious with 2 double beds and a very large screen TV. The bathroom even had a wonderful soaking tub in addition to the shower.

Authenticity & Character
Interesting historic old wool warehouse. Renovations to the main bar and restaurant were underway during our visit. Breakfast and a bar menu was available in the lobby area which could be chilly as the lobby doors opened constantly. They did have propane heaters.
Location
Cowper’s Wharf has many upscale restaurants adjacent to the hotel and across the street. It’s a good 25 to 39 minute walk to the Central Quay and about a 15 minute cab ride to the CBD. A marina is located on the restaurant side of the hotel and the Australian Babal shipyard is on the other side.
Staff
Very helpful. Our room had a hall lightnthat went on and off all night. One staff member came up with an ingenious way to cover it so that we could sleep. He was very clever! Another receptionist printed out tax forms for us. Very friendly staff.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private Phillip Island Wildlife Day Trip & Penguin Parade
Private Phillip Island Wildlife Day Trip & Penguin Parade
Melbourne

This was one of our best tours. Our guide, Derwin, was very friendly and informative. The Moonlight Sanctuary was nice and we were actually able to pet a koala. I loved seeing the penguins emerge from the water at dusk. When Derwin drove us around the penguin sanctuary, we were able to see the steep hills the penguins climb and see a couple in their burrows. Had dinner at a great Italian restaurant afterwards.

Quality of Experience
Seeing the penguins emerge from the water and hustle to find their burrows.
Food
Great Italian food at a local restaurant in Cowe.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Comfortable car
Self-Guided Port Campbell Discovery Walk
Self-Guided Port Campbell Discovery Walk
Port Campbell

Port Campbell is along the Great ocean Road. We explored several locations including the 12 Appostles, the Grotto, London Bridge and others. The scenery is spectacular.

Quality of Experience
Australia makes it quite easy to acccess these sites as the trails are either paved or a solid gravel base or a nice boardwalk.
Private Half Day Highlights of Sydney
Private Half Day Highlights of Sydney
Sydney

Enjoyed having a restful cruise around Sydney with my delightful guide, Karyn.

Quality of Experience
I was tired after 3 weeks of traveling. It was nice to be driven around and given an overview of this beau city.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very friendly and welcoming. Very willing to answer my questions about Sydney and Australia.
Transport
Local specialist: Siena Mueller
Siena
Siena Mueller
Local specialist in Kimkim HQ | Replied on Sep 29, 2026

Thank you so much for sharing your review, Liz! I'm thrilled that sailing with David, the Barossa wine tour and the freedom of your own rental cars made for such an amazing adventure. Every traveler has their own travel style, and I love hearing your ideas for next time, whether that's splitting nights between Cairns and Port Douglas, spending more time in Sydney vs Melbourne! Thank you!

Great Barrier Reef + Kangaroos
Australia | Aug 27 - Sep 9, 2026

Mike
Mike L.
Conyers, GA | Reviewed on Sep 18, 2026
Excellent trip. Samantha and Lea did an awesome job. We traveled to 4 different cities, and all of the arrangements were excellent. Seamless coordination between domestic flights, transfers, hotels, and activities. Diving at the Great Barrier reef in Carins was a highlight, as was the Taronga Zoo Experience! Read more

Excellent trip. Samantha and Lea did an awesome job. We traveled to 4 different cities, and all of the arrangements were excellent. Seamless coordination between domestic flights, transfers, hotels, and activities. Diving at the Great Barrier reef in Carins was a highlight, as was the Taronga Zoo Experience!

Hotel Reviews
Crystalbrook Riley
Cairns

Location was excellent, but the hotel left a bit to be desired. Clean, but showing some age.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Qualia
Whitsundays

5 stars doesn't even do it justice. A pricy option, but worth the splurge. The grounds, food, and staff are second to none! The resort also provided free transportation all over the island.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Taronga Zoo Wild Australia Experience
Taronga Zoo Wild Australia Experience
Sydney

Highly recommend. We were able to get up close with a koala and feed kangaroos and emu. A really great "behind the scenes" tour led by a zookeeper.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Paul the zookeeper was the best!
Transport
Great Barrier Reef Tour & Green Island Day Trip
Great Barrier Reef Tour & Green Island Day Trip
Australia

We were on the Ocean Free which is a sailboat. It was awesome. Toni did a great job on the guided scuba dive as well. Would certainly repeat!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Toni was the best
Transport
Local specialist: Samantha Slais
Samantha
Samantha Slais
Local specialist in Kimkim HQ | Replied on Sep 24, 2026

Mike and Chanel!! Thank you for the kind review. It was a pleasure to plan your guys' adventure and cheer on Chanel from afar as she completed the Sydney Marathon. And I'm so glad you guys got to enjoy the Qualia in the Whitsundays-- it's truly a special place!
I hope to see you guys back again for a third trip with kimkim in the future! ✨
Best,
Samantha & Lea

Great trip down under.
Australia | Aug 2 - Aug 23, 2026

Alex
Alex F.
| Reviewed on Aug 30, 2026

The trip was a long one and had a lot of moving parts, with travel to many parts of Australia. Paula handled it like a champ. The trip was amazing and as always, Kimkim made it easy. The only minor oversight was that we had to purchase the national pass for Uluru twice, as one of the tours included the pass, but was later in the trip than our first trip into the park.

Local specialist: Paula Adams
Paula
Paula Adams
Local specialist in California and Australia | Replied on Aug 31, 2026
G'day Alex & Darby, After working together for almost a year, I'm so happy to hear that you had an exciting and adventure-filled trip across Australia. Thank you so much for your wonderful review! With so many moving parts and destinations, I’m so happy to hear that everything came together and that you had an amazing time. I really appreciate you pointing out the Uluru National Park pass issue. I’m sorry for the inconvenience of having to purchase the pass twice. I will look into this... Read more

G'day Alex & Darby,

After working together for almost a year, I'm so happy to hear that you had an exciting and adventure-filled trip across Australia. Thank you so much for your wonderful review!

With so many moving parts and destinations, I’m so happy to hear that everything came together and that you had an amazing time.

I really appreciate you pointing out the Uluru National Park pass issue. I’m sorry for the inconvenience of having to purchase the pass twice. I will look into this for you as it shouldn't have happened. Sorry again for the inconvenience.

Thank you again for trusting me with such a special trip. It was a pleasure working with you, and I hope Australia left you with many wonderful memories!

Cheers,
Paula