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Springboard Vacations

At Springboard we believe in travel experiences that are far from ordinary – vacations that are indulgent, fun and stress-free. We believe in making sure every detail is just right, that where you lay your head at night is not just a bed but a place to with a story. We believe in authentic experiences that change our outlook on the world and enrich us.

We believe in designing unique itineraries as individual as every person we have the privilege of creating a trip for. No two are the same. We understand that this may be your only time to a part of the world that we love, so we want to make sure it’s unforgettable for all the right reasons. We love to share our passion with you as much as we love discovering new experiences during our own travel – things that you can fall in love with too. This keeps our work fresh and our passion high.

We understand that planning a trip can be an overwhelming task with way too much information to sort through and way too much at stake to get it wrong. We understand that you want value for money and someone who really understands both the destination and you, the traveler - to draw on their experience to guide you through this process. You need an advocate to find the best options for you and deliver you everything you have dreamed of. Because this is not just a trip it’s your bucket list coming to life!

Springboard Vacations is part of the following groups: Australia Travel Agents, Fiji Travel Agents, French Polynesia Travel Agents

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Recent Trip Reviews for Springboard Vacations

Adventures to adore
New Zealand | Jun 24 - Jul 7, 2026

Amanda
Amanda O.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jul 08, 2026
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! I came for Hobbiton and LOTR nostalgia, but I fell in love with so many other sides of New Zealand—the misty mountains, the clear rivers (with such pure, sweet water), the delicious pies, the kindness of people. I faced challenges I would not have tackled on my own, such as the adventurous hike on Mt. Tarawera in Rotorua, where the encouraging enthusiasm of... Read more

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! I came for Hobbiton and LOTR nostalgia, but I fell in love with so many other sides of New Zealand—the misty mountains, the clear rivers (with such pure, sweet water), the delicious pies, the kindness of people. I faced challenges I would not have tackled on my own, such as the adventurous hike on Mt. Tarawera in Rotorua, where the encouraging enthusiasm of our guides kept us going! We loved getting to learn more about Maori stories and history, and we still talk about meeting that cheeky kea during the Kapiti Coast tour in Wellington. My friend particularly adored her spa experience at Wai Ariki. I would also like to mention that we appreciated how exceptional our tour guides were. They all had such personality and warmth, and we were so grateful for the intimacy of the tours. We were also pleasantly surprised by having spots reserved for us during the ride to the Walter Peaks farm dinner! Thank you so much for arranging all the details of our trip; this made our time here so relaxing, and we felt that we were in good hands. Overall, we made so many memories during our time here in New Zealand!

Hotel Review
M Social
Auckland

This was a beautiful hotel, and its location meant that we could get a quick start to our all-day visit to Waiheke Island! The breakfast spread was incredible. Very comfortable and clean space!

Authenticity & Character
Gorgeous and fun decor!
Location
Perfect walking distance to amazing bakeries and restaurants.
Staff
They gave us extra blankets when needed!
Cleanliness & Comfort
So clean and very generous with amenities.
Local specialist: Paula Adams
Paula
Paula Adams
Local specialist in California and Australia | Replied on Jul 08, 2026
G'day Amanda, Welcome back! Thank you so much for your incredibly thoughtful review! It truly means so much to hear that your bucket-list trip exceeded your expectations and you fell in love with New Zealand as much as I did. It was an absolute pleasure helping you, Petrina and Zee plan this special New Zealand adventure. I love that you came for Hobbiton and your love of The Lord of the Rings but discovered so many other incredible experiences along the way—from the breathtaking... Read more

G'day Amanda,

Welcome back! Thank you so much for your incredibly thoughtful review! It truly means so much to hear that your bucket-list trip exceeded your expectations and you fell in love with New Zealand as much as I did.

It was an absolute pleasure helping you, Petrina and Zee plan this special New Zealand adventure. I love that you came for Hobbiton and your love of The Lord of the Rings but discovered so many other incredible experiences along the way—from the breathtaking landscapes and Māori culture to the amazing local food and warm Kiwi hospitality.

I'm especially happy to hear you enjoyed the Mt. Tarawera hike, Wai Ariki, the Kapiti Coast tour, and the Walter Peak Farm experience. It's so wonderful to know they made such a lasting impression and helped create unforgettable memories.

Thank you again for trusting me to plan your journey. It was a pleasure being part of your adventure, and I hope New Zealand welcomes you back again someday!

If you plan on traveling again to the South Pacific, you know who to call. :)

Cheers,
Paula
[email protected]

What a Beautiful Trip!
Australia | Jun 11 - Jun 21, 2026

Vicki
Vicki R.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Jun 28, 2026
Many great memories came out of this trip. Tasmania was a great choice but we wanted to stay longer. Everything went smoothly on our trip and Ruth was a great help to us. I told her what we wanted to get out of the trip and she made the magic happen. The only regret I have is that I didn’t let Kimkim make the travel arrangements. One thing I especially enjoyed was having car services pick us up at the airport and deliver us to our hotel. That was such a luxury not having to deal... Read more

Many great memories came out of this trip. Tasmania was a great choice but we wanted to stay longer. Everything went smoothly on our trip and Ruth was a great help to us. I told her what we wanted to get out of the trip and she made the magic happen. The only regret I have is that I didn’t let Kimkim make the travel arrangements.

One thing I especially enjoyed was having car services pick us up at the airport and deliver us to our hotel. That was such a luxury not having to deal with cabs and Uber and such. We also had a wonderful guide in Tasmania who I would not have been able to book for myself because she was booked through the car service company. All in all, Ruth helped us have a successful and magical trip.

Hotel Reviews
Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney Town Hall
Sydney

The staff was so accommodating. The apartment was very nice. It lacked any basic food ingredients though. Not even salt was provided, so bring everything you need for using the kitchen. The ultramodern stove was difficult for me also. It was in a great location. Lots of shopping close by. The pool was great.

Authenticity & Character
Location
We found it easy to walk from the apartment to restaurants and to Darling Harbor.
Staff
We arrived way before checkin time and they allowed us to hang out in the pool area and were great about letting us access our bags.
Cleanliness & Comfort
DoubleTree by Hilton Hobart
Hobart

We loved this hotel. They give you a chocolate chip cookie when you check in. I especially liked the bathroom. It had a very nice shelf that allowed you to have all your toiletries handy. The food was okay, but not great. I wouldn’t advise eating dinner there, but breakfast was fine. It was not in a great location for getting fast food. Not much nearby.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Very near the Visitor Center and the wharf. We were able to get the Hop on Hop Off bus at the Visitor Cemter.
Staff
They were very patient about giving us replacement keys. We had a very early departure and they made us breakfast boxes. D
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean.
Reef View Hotel
Whitsunday Islands, Queensland

We had a nice large room and a smaller adjoining one. This hotel is not luxurious but it had its charm. The cockatoos visited us faithfully and the kids were delighted by them. There was really only one restaurant that was kid friendly, but we also enjoyed the pizza place. Everything costs extra. Very little is included other than your room. We enjoyed the buggies for one day but didn’t find it necessary for the more than a day. There’s a grocery store down by the wharf which was nice.

Authenticity & Character
Very beachy. Good showers, lots of towels provided.
Location
It was a typical resort. Beach was very close and it had a heated pool.
Staff
They were very friendly and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hard not to bring sand in, but the beds were comfy.
Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane
Brisbane

The rooms were super nice. We had our best night’s sleep there. Wonderful to have the washer and dryer there because everything was dirty by the end of our trip.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Loved being able to walk to the Pancake Manor! Lots of shopping nearby.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Full Day Private Tasmania's Wilderness & Wildlife
Full Day Private Tasmania's Wilderness & Wildlife
Hobart

We had the best guide ever. Rosie was very friendly and great with the kids. They loved the mushroom experience at the National Park. We had a wonderful lunch at a local cafe and Rosie had us singing the Kookaburra song and we kept singing it for the entire rest of our trip. The kids loved Bonorong so much and Rosie knew all of the information that the guides there had to offer. The kids even got to pet a wombat! It was great.

Quality of Experience
This was the best tour of our entire trip
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Rosie was amazing. We fell in love with her.
Transport
Comfortable and provided for all our needs.
Full Day Desert Safari Day Cruise
Full Day Desert Safari Day Cruise
Brisbane

The Full Day Desert Safari Day Cruise was a bit misleading as it wasn't quite a 'safari'. It mainly involved bus rides, but was still enjoyable. My grandson particularly loved sliding down the sand hills, which made it a memorable experience. Transportation back was a bit tricky as it was hard to secure an Uber. Renting a car might have been a better choice for this tour.

Local specialist: Ruth Grau
Ruth
Ruth Grau
Local specialist in Adelaide, Australia, & Palm Springs, USA | Replied on Jun 30, 2026

Vicki it was a pleasure working with you and designing a trip that your grandchildren and you will remember forever! Such a special trip! It's a pity the airlines caused you grief and yes next time I will gladly book your air for you as well to save you the hassle!!!
Ruth

New Zealand bucket list trip
New Zealand | May 21 - May 31, 2026

Colleen
Colleen i.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jun 02, 2026
Best excursions were the glow worm kayak at night and the funyak trip on the Dart River. Rotorua was a pleasant surprise how much I liked the area. What a relief to have a trip all planned out and well timed! Thanks Liz! Read more

Best excursions were the glow worm kayak at night and the funyak trip on the Dart River. Rotorua was a pleasant surprise how much I liked the area. What a relief to have a trip all planned out and well timed! Thanks Liz!

Hotel Reviews
Travelodge Hotel Auckland Wynyard Quarter
Auckland

Great location!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Regent of Rotorua
Rotorua

The room was huge and well located in town

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Hermitage Hotel
Mount Cook Village

Wow! The view out the window! Ski lodge vibes.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Amazing breakfast buffet
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Rees Hotel
Queenstown

Beautiful hotel. We stayed here for the view but from our room it was obstructed by another building unfortunately. Great restaurant! Amazing staff who literally do it all - bar tend, shuttle driver, receptionist. Only complaint was too far to walk every time. About 40 min to town center.

Authenticity & Character
Location
View great but not convenient
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Half Day Routeburn Trail
Half Day Routeburn Trail
Queenstown

Glad we made the waterfall overlook. Not sure it would have been worth it if we didn’t. Same drive as Glenorchy tour and funyak tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
90 Minute Weta Workshop Unleashed
90 Minute Weta Workshop Unleashed
Auckland

Great way to start our NZ adventure

Quality of Experience
Auckland to Rotorua visiting Hobbiton with lunch
Auckland to Rotorua visiting Hobbiton with lunch
Auckland

Amazing!!! Just blown away by detail and the ability to go inside a hobbit hole!

Quality of Experience
Food
Great buffet
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Skyline Gondola Ride
Skyline Gondola Ride
Queenstown

Fun way to get to the top. Great view and nice restaurant

Quality of Experience
Mitai Cultural Experience & Dinner
Mitai Cultural Experience & Dinner
Rotorua

My adult kids loved the cultural show. They were worried it would be in some way disrespectful to the Māori people and were really impressed with the care and authenticity of the production. Plenty of food!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
TE Puia:  Te Ra (Day Pass) Guided tour (90 minutes)
TE Puia: Te Ra (Day Pass) Guided tour (90 minutes)
Rotorua

This was very informational and we enjoyed the stroll around the geothermal area after our tour was done.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Twilight Glow Worm Kayak Experience - 3 hour guided
Twilight Glow Worm Kayak Experience - 3 hour guided
Rotorua

One of my favorite experiences of the whole trip.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
They went above and beyond
Transport
Half Day Glenorchy and Paradise Explorer
Half Day Glenorchy and Paradise Explorer
Queenstown

We could have skipped this. Nice guide but basically got to see all of the same area on funyak trip

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Enjoyed learning about conservation efforts in NZ
Transport
Appreciated a hotel pick up
Big Sky Stargazing Adventure
Big Sky Stargazing Adventure
New Zealand

We had a partially cloudy night )4 stars because of that) but had an amazing guide to make up for it. What a great set up they have!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Mt Cook & The Glaciers
Mt Cook & The Glaciers
New Zealand

Well organized experience

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
It was a helicopter! 😅
Glacier Boat Trip -
Glacier Boat Trip -
Aoraki / Mount Cook Village

Liked it much more than I expected from the pics! Definitely worth doing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
4 Line Zip Line
4 Line Zip Line
Queenstown

Beautiful area to zip line through.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Full-Day Jet-Boat Adventure & Funyak River Safari
Full-Day Jet-Boat Adventure & Funyak River Safari
Queenstown

So beautiful! So much fun!

Quality of Experience
Food
The picnic was great!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Love the three different boat experiences
Historic Steamship Cruise to Walter Peak Farm + BBQ Dinner
Historic Steamship Cruise to Walter Peak Farm + BBQ Dinner
Queenstown

Beautiful cruise out to station. Enjoyed the sheep show.

Quality of Experience
Food
Eat the sticky pudding!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
beautiful boat ride even in autumn. Lots of blankets to snuggle up with
Local specialist: Liz Neal
Liz
Liz Neal
Local specialist in Sydney-Auckland-Los Angeles | Replied on Jun 08, 2026

Hello Colleen and Jeff,
Thank you for the thorough review. I'm super happy you enjoyed New Zealand.
It was really a pleasure to work with you and hope I am lucky enough to organize another trip in the future for your lovely family.

Liz

Our trip was really awesome!
Australia | Apr 22 - May 20, 2026

Doreen
Doreen K.
Germany | Reviewed on May 24, 2026
Our trip was really awesome! We had a great variety of cities and remote areas. We enjoyed all of our tours. Uluru and Kangaroo Island were our favorite places, as we felt that those places really depicted Australia for us. Read more

Our trip was really awesome! We had a great variety of cities and remote areas. We enjoyed all of our tours. Uluru and Kangaroo Island were our favorite places, as we felt that those places really depicted Australia for us.

Hotel Review
Longitude 131˚
Yulara

This lodge was absolutely awesome! We were so spoiled and pampered. The guides were so passionate about Uluru and the culture. We saw and learned so much that it made us feel like we understood a little bit about the history of Australia.

Authenticity & Character
The luxury tents were very comfortable, but still fit into landscape.
Location
Perfect location for seeing the most important places in the area. Also close to the airport.
Staff
They were all very friendly, polite and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Perfect!
Activity Review
2 Days / 2 Nights Kangaroo Island in Style
2 Days / 2 Nights Kangaroo Island in Style
Australia

Our guides were so passionate about their island! They both grew up on Kangaroo Island and knew a lot of insider information that we would never have found out alone. They took us to lots of places where koalas, wallabies and kangaroos lived in their natural habitat. We also heard lots of interesting stories about the island.

Quality of Experience
The variety of animals in their natural habitat was amazing.
Food
We had wonderful picnics in the bush
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very passionate about their Island
Transport
Small group in a small transporter.
Local specialist: Tammy Lindsey

Mom & Son Adventures in Australia
Australia | Apr 12 - Apr 25, 2026

Celeste
Celeste H.
Tustin, CA | Reviewed on May 07, 2026
We just got back from an amazing Australia trip, definitely one of our favorite trips together! My 10-year-old son and I try to do a special trip together every year because it’s such great quality time, and this one was really unforgettable. Paula did an incredible job planning everything — super responsive, organized, thoughtful, and easy to work with throughout the whole process. The trip had such a fun mix of experiences packed into a relatively short amount of time: Bondi Beach... Read more

We just got back from an amazing Australia trip, definitely one of our favorite trips together! My 10-year-old son and I try to do a special trip together every year because it’s such great quality time, and this one was really unforgettable. Paula did an incredible job planning everything — super responsive, organized, thoughtful, and easy to work with throughout the whole process.

The trip had such a fun mix of experiences packed into a relatively short amount of time: Bondi Beach mornings, Taronga Zoo, the Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden, Darling Quarter, rainforest adventures in Cairns, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, the Cairns Lagoon, Uluru sunrise, and the Great Ocean Road. We had epic weather the entire trip and it was so cool getting to see all of the animals — kangaroos, koalas, capybaras, penguins, cassowaries, and even wildlife out in nature during some of the tours.

One thing that surprised us was how amazing the food and coffee culture is in Australia — it honestly felt a bit like Europe in the best way!

Overall, everything ran smoothly and we made such special memories together. So grateful to Paula and KimKim for helping make it happen!

Hotel Reviews
1 Hotel Melbourne
Melbourne

This hotel was incredible! Really trendy design to the room, great view of the city! Pool, jacuzzi, steam and sauna area so relaxing feels like you’re at a spa even with kids. The location to walk everywhere for food key sites. Staff exceptional service.

Sails In The Desert
Yulara

We loved this place. It was so tranquil calming. The food was really delicious. And it was easy to get to the central part of town and go on all the tours.

Crystalbrook Flynn
Cairns

Great location everything you need. Staff is really nice. The breakfast buffet was a little chaotic with big bus to our groups. Something about the acoustics makes it not a relaxing way to start your day. But if you go early, you can avoid the crowds!

QT Bondi
Bondi Beach

Excellent location really easy access to good coffee, healthy food options the beach excellent service, clean room.

Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Full Day Great Ocean Road Tour with Lunch
Full Day Great Ocean Road Tour with Lunch
Melbourne

This was an epic day. The guide was so good! And we had a fun small group. There’s lots of different stops so you literally see everything. So many animals, beautiful scenery a mix of all the different types of landscape and the apostles are just incredible!

Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner
Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner
Uluru

I enjoyed this as an adult, but it wasn’t very fun for my son. He’s kind of a picky eater so I knew he wouldn’t eat much of the picnic box, but it was cool as an adult to try all the different local foods and watch the light show. My son found the light show in music a little but scary in the dark.

Evening Field of Light Pass
Evening Field of Light Pass
Uluru

Really enjoyed seeing this. It’s so unique and special!

Morning Uluru Sunrise & Kata Tjuta
Morning Uluru Sunrise & Kata Tjuta
Uluru

Epic sunrise adventure! The tour as well organized so you get to see a few different spots and get back in time to still have a large portion of the data to do other activities.

Full Day Daintree Cape Tribulation (was & 4WD Bloomfield)
Full Day Daintree Cape Tribulation (was & 4WD Bloomfield)
Australia

Long day with a kid but really engaging you see a lot and it’s structured well. The guide was really knowledgeable, and kind. This is someone called plants animals. The lunch is nice, and you’re well taken care of in a small group.

Full-Day  Outer Great Barrier Reef (from Hotel)
Full-Day Outer Great Barrier Reef (from Hotel)
Cairns

This was a really fun day. It’s well organized. It’s a long day and a long boat ride, but it’s comfortable. There’s lots of snacks and tea, coffee and different areas. You can sit if you wanna be just more relaxed or active in the water doing activities.

Sydney Opera House Tour
Sydney Opera House Tour
Sydney

This was short and sweet. I actually thought it might be boring with my 10-year-old, but it was really cool to see the architecture inside and learn the history of the structure you’re moving around a lot so it’s quite engaging, and it’s a powerful experience, energetically such incredible design!

Taronga Zoo - Morning Aussie Backyard Adventure Tour
Taronga Zoo - Morning Aussie Backyard Adventure Tour
Sydney

The guys were really nice and knowledgeable, but the pace was a bit slow for us! With a 10-year-old with a more limited attention span we ended up doing our own thing. I’d say you could just skip this and do the zoo on your own.

Quality of Experience
Local specialist: Paula Adams
Paula
Paula Adams
Local specialist in California and Australia | Replied on May 07, 2026
G'day Celeste, Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share a wonderful and detailed review! It truly means so much to me. I absolutely loved helping plan this special trip for you and Kaylan, and I’m so happy to hear it became one of your favorite adventures together. Australia really does offer such an incredible mix of experiences, and it sounds like you made the most of every moment. I especially love hearing about all the wildlife encounters and the memories... Read more

G'day Celeste,

Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share a wonderful and detailed review! It truly means so much to me.

I absolutely loved helping plan this special trip for you and Kaylan, and I’m so happy to hear it became one of your favorite adventures together. Australia really does offer such an incredible mix of experiences, and it sounds like you made the most of every moment. I especially love hearing about all the wildlife encounters and the memories you created together along the way.

I always tell my clients how amazing Australia’s coffee and food scene is.

Thank you again for trusting me with your journey. It was a pleasure working with you, and I hope to help you plan another unforgettable adventure in the South Pacific!

Cheers,
Paula

Paula was incredible and made planning seamless
New Zealand | Mar 28 - Apr 12, 2026

sadia
sadia h.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 27, 2026
Paula was absolutely wonderful! She was very responsive, helpful, and informative in planning everything for this trip where we could be completely at ease during our trip. Her dedication to working with us from months prior all the way to during the trip itself was incredibly helpful. We would not have been able to have the same experience without her help making the planning process so much easier along with making the trip itself stress free. Not needing to worry about booking tours,... Read more

Paula was absolutely wonderful! She was very responsive, helpful, and informative in planning everything for this trip where we could be completely at ease during our trip. Her dedication to working with us from months prior all the way to during the trip itself was incredibly helpful. We would not have been able to have the same experience without her help making the planning process so much easier along with making the trip itself stress free. Not needing to worry about booking tours, hotels, flights, and especially transportation to and from everywhere allowed us to completely enjoy our trip rather than worry. We would definitely recommend booking with kimkim and Paula!

Local specialist: Paula Adams
Paula
Paula Adams
Local specialist in California and Australia | Replied on Apr 28, 2026
G'day Sadia, Thank you so much for your kind words. It truly means a lot! It was such a pleasure working with you to plan your trip, and I’m so happy to hear that you were able to relax and fully enjoy the experience. That’s always my goal—making the process seamless from start to finish so you can focus on the fun part. I really appreciate your trust throughout the planning process and during your travels. It was wonderful being a part of your journey, and I’d love to help you plan your... Read more

G'day Sadia,

Thank you so much for your kind words. It truly means a lot!

It was such a pleasure working with you to plan your trip, and I’m so happy to hear that you were able to relax and fully enjoy the experience. That’s always my goal—making the process seamless from start to finish so you can focus on the fun part.

I really appreciate your trust throughout the planning process and during your travels. It was wonderful being a part of your journey, and I’d love to help you plan your next adventure to the South Pacific whenever you’re ready!

Thank you again for your recommendation—it means the world. Please keep in touch!

Cheers,
Paula
[email protected]

Allow Someone Else to Plan the Details
Australia | Mar 19 - Apr 12, 2026

Dan
Dan J.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Apr 14, 2026
We were extremely pleased with Paula and Kim Kim. The hotels and tours she set for us were first class. The drivers that took us to and from each airport were excellent, on time, and had nice, roomy vehicles. I would encourage others to consider Kim Kim if they are looking for a detailed trip abroad. They supplied all the information we needed to make our trip hitch free. Paula was always prompt in responding to the many questions we asked when planning a trip nearly a month... Read more

We were extremely pleased with Paula and Kim Kim. The hotels and tours she set for us were first class. The drivers that took us to and from each airport were excellent, on time, and had nice, roomy vehicles.

I would encourage others to consider Kim Kim if they are looking for a detailed trip abroad. They supplied all the information we needed to make our trip hitch free.

Paula was always prompt in responding to the many questions we asked when planning a trip nearly a month long.

Thank you, Paula!

Hotel Reviews
Novotel Christchurch Airport
Christchurch

Just steps away from the airport. Very nice breakfast buffet. Rooms were clean, comfortable, and roomy.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Oval Hotel at Adelaide Oval
North Adelaide

Thos hotel is over the top! It is connected to the sports stadium which is unique. The rooms are almost futuristic with lighting and amenities. Great location in downtown.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Very helpful and friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Hermitage Hotel
Mount Cook Village

Nice views of the mountains from most rooms. Nice buffet for meals and an ala carte Cafe as well. Since the hotel is in the natio al park there are no other restaurant options other than those at the hotel. Staff was exceptional.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Laneways by Ovolo
Melbourne

Old building remodeled into a nice boutique hotel. Rooms were very nice. Bedroom was smallish but there was a nice sitting room as well. Very close to restaurants and the city.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Desert Gardens Hotel
Yulara

Not too many hotels to choose from, but this one is nice. A little older, but you wouldn't know that by looking at the nicely appointed rooms.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
M Social
Auckland

Very nice hotel right on the wharf. Close to many restaurants and shopping. Rooms were immaculate.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Rees Hotel
Queenstown

Hotel is built on a hill. Very awkward routes to get to rooms including two elevator rides and a walk though the parking garage. There is a shuttle to town that is very responsive to requests, but personally I would have preferred staying closer to town.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Robe House
Robe, SA

Older hotel. Absolutely no human interaction as keys were left in the doors with a sign directing us to our rooms. Breakfast was just ingredients left in refrigerator for us to make our own breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
What staff?
Cleanliness & Comfort
Drift House
Port Fairy

What a find. One of our favorite stays on our trip. Staff was super friendly. Rooms are unique and very well appointed.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Port Fairy is a cute small town.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Peninsula Boutique Hotel
Port Douglas

Very nice small hotel close to town. The breakfast was great and the staff super friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to town. Short walks to restaurants and shops.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
PARKROYAL Darling Harbour
Sydney

Outstanding breakfast! Nice, clean rooms near downtown Sydney.

Authenticity & Character
Nice boutique style hotel.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Full Day City to Country Experience - Mornington Peninsula
Full Day City to Country Experience - Mornington Peninsula
Melbourne

Raphael was our favorite guide of our entire month long trip! He was fun, knowledgeable, and willing to modify our time to suit our interests!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Afternoon Camel to Sunset
Afternoon Camel to Sunset
Australia

You gotta do this! So unique with great guides!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discover - Sydney and Bondi Beach (24 Hour Ticket)
Discover - Sydney and Bondi Beach (24 Hour Ticket)
Australia

One of the slowest running hop on hop offs I've ever experienced.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Paula Adams
Paula
Paula Adams
Local specialist in California and Australia | Replied on Apr 27, 2026
G'day Dan, Thank you so much for your kind words! It truly means a lot to hear that you were pleased with the hotels, tours, and transfers throughout your trip. I’m especially glad everything ran smoothly and that the information provided helped make your month-long journey stress-free and enjoyable. It was a pleasure working with you and assisting with your travel plans. Thank you as well for your thoughtful questions along the way, they always help ensure the trip is just right. I really... Read more

G'day Dan,

Thank you so much for your kind words! It truly means a lot to hear that you were pleased with the hotels, tours, and transfers throughout your trip. I’m especially glad everything ran smoothly and that the information provided helped make your month-long journey stress-free and enjoyable.

It was a pleasure working with you and assisting with your travel plans. Thank you as well for your thoughtful questions along the way, they always help ensure the trip is just right.

I really appreciate your recommendation and hope to help you plan another adventure in the future! Please keep in touch!

Cheers,
Paula
[email protected]
(951) 264 6300

Australia 2026 Amazing
Australia | Jan 14 - Feb 3, 2026

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Elaine D.
Columbus, OH | Reviewed on Mar 28, 2026
This trip was so smoothly planned. There wasn’t any glitches. Paula did an outstanding job. We experienced so many different adventures that were so new to me. First time snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef - very cool, camel ride, and the bridge climb that I was sure I wouldn’t do. But really glad I did. We had an excellent trip Read more

This trip was so smoothly planned. There wasn’t any glitches. Paula did an outstanding job. We experienced so many different adventures that were so new to me. First time snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef - very cool, camel ride, and the bridge climb that I was sure I wouldn’t do. But really glad I did. We had an excellent trip

Hotel Review
Robe House
Robe, SA

This was such a great place to stay at. We really enjoyed our night there. Very quaint and special.

Authenticity & Character
The rooms were clean and charming
Location
The town didn’t have much there but the hotel was worth it
Staff
Nothing to improve on. I didn’t interact with any staff.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Loved the breakfast foods for in the morning. Everything was very clean
Activity Reviews
Afternoon Camel to Sunset
Afternoon Camel to Sunset
Australia

I wasn’t really sure if I was going to enjoy the camel ride, but it was really fun. A new adventure to add to my travel experience.

Quality of Experience
Something new that I tried and really enjoyed
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The staff was really amazing and fun and very informative
Transport
Full Day Outer Reef Mackay Coral Cay (from Port Douglas Hotel)
Full Day Outer Reef Mackay Coral Cay (from Port Douglas Hotel)
Port Douglas

It was my first time snorkeling. The staff was very accommodating and helpful. They made sure that you were comfortable going out snorkeling and checked on you while you were out there. It was a great adventure.

Quality of Experience
Just how helpful they were with the first time I snorkeled. They didn’t make you feel dumb that you didn’t know what you were doing.
Food
The food was really good. Sometimes you think you’re gonna get crummy food on these trips and this one was amazing.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very helpful, attentive and friendly staff. They made the trip
Transport
Local specialist: Paula Adams
Paula
Paula Adams
Local specialist in California and Australia | Replied on Mar 28, 2026

G’day Elaine,

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a detailed and kind review about my service. I’m so happy to hear that you loved your vacation and had such an amazing experiences.

I also love the BridgeClimb and have done it twice myself — the views are absolutely stunning, aren’t they?

If you ever plan on traveling to the South Pacific or Africa, I would be more than happy to help you again. Please keep in touch and thank you once more for the wonderful review — it is very much appreciated.

With sincere thanks,
Paula
[email protected]
(951) 264 6300

Liz was great to work with in planning our tr...
New Zealand | Mar 7 - Mar 20, 2026

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Val K.
Minneapolis, MN | Reviewed on Mar 26, 2026
Liz was great to work with in planning our trip to New Zealand! She was very responsive and got back to us quickly when we had questions or needed guidance. She was knowledgeable and able to give us suggestions and options. I know she was very busy, but she always gave me the feeling that we were her most important clients. I loved working with her! Read more

Liz was great to work with in planning our trip to New Zealand! She was very responsive and got back to us quickly when we had questions or needed guidance. She was knowledgeable and able to give us suggestions and options. I know she was very busy, but she always gave me the feeling that we were her most important clients. I loved working with her!

Hotel Reviews
The Rees Hotel
Queenstown

A beautiful hotel with a great view. The breakfast buffet was wonderful, but I was surprised at how small the dining room was, so that people had to wait. One morning we were directed to a dining room on another floor, which was fine. I was disappointed that the walking trail to the central city was closed and we had to walk the highway sidewalk. We used the shuttle service to and from central city a number of times and luckily, we learned to make reservations. It was very timely and worked well. We had been told it would go to different locations in the city if needed, but that was not correct. But we made it work without any issues.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful lobby and rooms.
Location
It was a 40-minute walk to the central city. The shuttle service was valuable.
Staff
Very courteous and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kingsgate Hotel Te Anau
Te Anau

Upon arriving at this Hotel, it felt more like a Motel 6! It had no character, seemed old and outdated; there was not a patio or any place we could sit to enjoy company with our travel mates. There seemed to be a bar, but it appeared closed and very small. Our room was particularly dreary with a dark brown carpet that invited the belief that it was dirty. I did not feel comfortable stepping with my bare feet on the carpet. The whole building seemed old and outdated. The only plus for the hotel was the breakfast buffet which was very good. The front desk staff were not helpful, and even somewhat rude. I asked about the availability of coffee and maybe some fruit for our very early travels, and they told me to make coffee in my room (which was terrible) and to go to the grocery store before it closed! Maybe it was the tone in which they said it, but it bordered on being rude. Not helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Seemed old and run down.
Location
Good location on the lakeside street, but no lakeview - as we thought there would be.
Staff
See my comments above.
Cleanliness & Comfort
While the room was large enough, the condition of the room seemed run down.
Lime Tree Lodge
Wanaka

Unfortunately, because of a mistake with our hotel booking, we only had one night here. We noticed immediately that the property was for Sale. Which is rather concerning. The grounds were not well kept. Our room was pretty small and felt crowded. I liked having the patio where we could sit. The dining area was very nice, and we noted that all of the guests were scheduled around each other to allow for private dining at the one table. It was also awkward to get coffee, since it had to be prepared by the staff - not easily available. The breakfast itself was wonderful - we all liked it. The staff was very courteous - we enjoyed many aspects of the property. I don't see the second night where we had to relocate to the Edgewater Hotel! We liked this hotel very much!

Authenticity & Character
The overall character was good - it just seemed to need a little more care.
Location
It was not easily accessible to the city of Wanaka. it took us some time to get back and forth.
Staff
Very attentive
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was rather small and seemed crowded.
The Hermitage Hotel
Mount Cook Village

This hotel was fantastic, with all of its amenities and the views! It was crowded at times, and we were not able to take advantage of the coffee shop and its patio. It took a little time for us to get familiar with the restaurants and need to make reservations. The breakfast buffet was great, and we did have dinner at the hotel one night - which was likely the most extensive buffet I have seen for options. Our room had a fantastic view of Mt. Cook - we loved it. It would have been nice to have a balcony to be able to sit outside and enjoy the view with a glass of wine.

Authenticity & Character
A modern hotel, but great amenities.
Location
The hotel was located close to the village, so that we could walk to the nearby sports bar and dining. We also walked to the nearby Hooker Valley trail - to walk as far as we could with the trail closed.
Staff
All of the staff members were very helpful and courteous.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lake Brunner Eco Lodge

The Lodge has a lot of character and different room styles. The dining room and outdoor patio are lovely, with a nice fireplace in the dining room. We had thought the Lodge would be closer to the lake than it was, but it was just a short walk. It was very peaceful.

Authenticity & Character
This property is older, and shows some wear in places, but older character is very endearing.
Location
We walked to see the glow worms, only a short distance away. Also, there is a waterfall nearby.
Staff
Brenda and her staff were sweet and very helpful in recommending options of things to do.
Cleanliness & Comfort
I loved our room. It was very spacious and had a bay window looking out at the lake.
The Mayfair
Christchurch

This hotel has a great location, and the room was very clean and modern. We enjoyed the breakfast and our brief stay.

Authenticity & Character
Clean, comfortable and modern.
Location
It is central to the city and we were able to walk to parks and restaurants.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Onsen Hot Pools - 1 hour Indoor Soak.
Onsen Hot Pools - 1 hour Indoor Soak.
Queenstown (NZ)

The view from our private Hot Tub was excellent! The staff were courteous. The facility had a great spa feel to it and felt luxurious.

Quality of Experience
The view and the experience were relaxing and luxurious.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our driver from the Hot Pools to Queenstown was great
Transport
Boutique Wine Tour - Half Day
Boutique Wine Tour - Half Day
Queenstown (NZ)

This activity turned out well, and we are grateful for the help of the travel agent the night before to be sure the wine tour did not prevent us from getting to our Hot Tub experience. The Wine tour driver was so courteous and was aware of our time crunch to get from the wine tour to the Hot Tub. He volunteered to drop us off directly at the Hot Tubs and make our schedule work. We are grateful for everyone working to make everything work together. The wine tour itself was interesting and a great way to see the communities near Queenstown and learn about the local wine industry. Our tour guide was excellent and told us a lot of facts about the community and the wine industry. The wineries were interesting and it was a nice way to spend the day.

Quality of Experience
The wineries we visited were beautiful
Food
The food was good, but not as tasty as I expected.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our tour driver was excellent! And so helpful.
Transport
The minibus was very comfortable.
Golf at Jacks Point Golf Course - 18 holes
Golf at Jacks Point Golf Course - 18 holes
Queenstown (NZ)

A beautiful golf course! The course was in great shape and the views were excellent. The staff was courteous, and the club house and dining patio were inviting. We enjoyed the day!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our drivers to and from the golf course were great! Very courteous and knowledgeable.
Transport
The drivers were on time, and the minivans were nice and clean.
Full-Day Jet-Boat Adventure & Funyak River Safari
Full-Day Jet-Boat Adventure & Funyak River Safari
Queenstown (NZ)

We were not expecting an hour bus drive from Queenstown, but it was a comfortable bus. We liked jet boat experience; it was something we had not done before. The boat driver was obviously an expert! We also enjoyed the funyaks - it was an exciting challenge to steer the boats clear of rocks and other boats. The directions of our funyak guide were at times confusing, but we made it without getting wet! It was an active experience, and I loved the views of the river and the mountains, along with the stories about the filming of the Lord of Rings.

Quality of Experience
The scenery was great
Food
The lunch provided was great! Much better than I expected.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The jet boat driver was a professional. The funyak river guide was confusing at times in her communication of directions of where we should be going.
Skyline Gondola Ride
Skyline Gondola Ride
Queenstown (NZ)

The gondola ride was great! It was not crowded, and we enjoyed the views from the dining room/bar with a couple of drinks.

Quality of Experience
Transport
Very nice gondolas
Te Anau to Queenstown Self Drive
Te Anau to Queenstown Self Drive
Te Anau

A nice drive.

Half Day Milford Track Giant Gate Guided Walk+Milford Cruise
Half Day Milford Track Giant Gate Guided Walk+Milford Cruise
Te Anau

The Guided Walk was longer than I anticipated, but it was a lovely walk! The group was larger than I expected also! There were 13 guests and the hiking guide. The waterfall at the end of the hike was great, and the hiking guide was also very good. The walk did seem a little rushed, but I know we were on a schedule to be able to make the Cruise. The Cruise was the favorite part of the activity. It was beautiful to see all of the waterfalls and the steep sides of the sound. The Cruise went further out into the open ocean than I expected. We saw dolphins as we came back into the sound - a real treat!

Quality of Experience
We liked the day of activities. Beautiful scenery!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our hiking guide was great - and the boat captain was also wonderful.
Transport
Welcome to Te Anau
Welcome to Te Anau
Te Anau

We don't know what this is.

Glacier Boat Trip -
Glacier Boat Trip -
Aoraki / Mount Cook Village

This trip was a dud! There were no icebergs floating and the glacier was not very recognizable because of all of the dirt. There was no calving of the glacier. Our guide did the best he could and was very knowledgeable. But after the boring 20 minute walk with 40 other people, and then some time in a boat with little to see - it seemed like a waste of time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our boat driver/ guide was very knowledgeable and did a good job telling us about glaciers
Transport
The bus was very crowded.
Mt Cook & The Glaciers
Mt Cook & The Glaciers
New Zealand

We loved the helicopter experience. It was a first for all of us. We had an excellent pilot, and he was great at telling us interesting facts. Our scheduled flight was pushed back a half hour, and we were told to check in an hour before the trip. We waited around for 1 1/2 hours - which was not a great start to the experience.

Quality of Experience
We did land on a glacier, which is a great experience.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our pilot was great!
Transport
We had a new helicopter!
Local specialist: Liz Neal
Liz
Liz Neal
Local specialist in Sydney-Auckland-Los Angeles | Replied on Apr 02, 2026

Dear Val, thank you for your thoughtful and detailed review !!
I'm glad you felt like you were an important client because you WERE !! and you were an excellent client to me and I hope we get to work together in the near future.

The best to you and your loved ones!!
Liz

Our specialist was Ruth Grau. She did a very ...
New Zealand | Feb 18 - Mar 13, 2026

Ilana
Ilana E.
Kansas City, MO | Reviewed on Mar 21, 2026
Our specialist was Ruth Grau. She did a very good job in suggesting locations and activities for our trip. Ruth was very communicative in the beginning until she became ill. At some point about two weeks before the trip she did not respond to our inquiries for several days. We then received an email, saying that she was very ill and it will take a few days until she’ll get back with us. We were a little stressed that we won’t be able to be booked in hotels because of the high demand during... Read more

Our specialist was Ruth Grau. She did a very good job in suggesting locations and activities for our trip. Ruth was very communicative in the beginning until she became ill. At some point about two weeks before the trip she did not respond to our inquiries for several days. We then received an email, saying that she was very ill and it will take a few days until she’ll get back with us. We were a little stressed that we won’t be able to be booked in hotels because of the high demand during the high season. Why were our inquiries not delegated to someone else at this point?
We also asked several time for the breakdown of the costs of hotels and activities. We were told by Ruth that Kimkim does not provide this information. Why doesn’t Kimkim provide this information? It would be very useful in making decisions.
During the process of making changes to our itinerary one night lodging was left out at Te Anau. We contacted Tayla and she made other arrangements at a much reduced quality for what we paid at the Distinction Luxmore Hotel. We greatly appreciated Tayla’s prompt response and her covering the cost of that night’s lodging.

We enjoyed all the planned activities very much. Most of the accommodations were good.

Hotel Reviews
Sudima Auckland City
Auckland
Heritage Dunedin Leisure Lodge
Dunedin
Distinction Luxmore Hotel
Te Anau
Mercure Queenstown Resort
Queenstown
Heart Hotel Fox Glacier
Fox Glacier
BreakFree on Cashel
Christchurch
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Access to bed on both sides. Bed was against one wall and could only accessed from one side.
Ibis Budget Auckland Airport
Auckland Airport
Activity Reviews
Auckland Shuttle Transfer Hotel to International Airport
New Zealand
Auckland Shuttle Transfer Domestic Airport to Hotel
New Zealand
Full Day Hike (self guided) and Guided Kayak
Full Day Hike (self guided) and Guided Kayak
New Zealand
Wildlife Cruise
Wildlife Cruise
Dunedin
Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruises
Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruises
New Zealand
Full Day Milford Track Giant Gate Guided Walk
Full Day Milford Track Giant Gate Guided Walk
New Zealand
Te Anau Glowworm Caves - ex Te Anau
Te Anau Glowworm Caves - ex Te Anau
New Zealand
Welcome to Te Anau
Welcome to Te Anau
Te Anau
Half Day Wilderness Safari - Jetboat
Half Day Wilderness Safari - Jetboat
Queenstown (NZ)
Boutique Wine Tour - Half Day
Boutique Wine Tour - Half Day
Queenstown (NZ)
Franz Joseph 4 hour Kayak and Walk
Franz Joseph 4 hour Kayak and Walk
New Zealand
Local specialist: Ruth Grau
Ruth
Ruth Grau
Local specialist in Adelaide, Australia, & Palm Springs, USA | Replied on Apr 04, 2026

Hi Ilana

I am so glad that you enjoyed New Zealand all the tours you did! I enjoyed planning your trip!

Ruth