A meal to remember in the Daintree Rainforest

I have had a lifelong love affair for exploring the world. Raised in a family that prioritised travel, I inherited a passion for all things travel. I have lived in different countries (London, USA, Argentina) and I am fascinated with the rich tapestry of culture, people, religion and food in new places. 

My love for travel has taken me to some of the world’s most amazing places!

From Mauritius to Bahamas and all in between, I have been privileged to experience the world and being able to speak and understand 5 languages English, Afrikaans, Dutch, German and Greek) certainly comes in helpful.

I have grown up in South Africa, spending most of my adult life there, being able to show my clients what makes this region so unique is a privilege. Africa was my backyard after all and even after living in NZ for almost 12 years, my heart still beats to the African Drum.

For me, choosing a favourite destination is impossible. But .. Bali has literally captivated my heart, and even though I have been there 20+ times, I still always find new things to uncover. As does the Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles, these islands just have the “it” factor

I also love ocean cruising, especially Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Cruising offers such a great variety and a chance to see multiple destinations and experiencing iconic landmarks and locations from your hotel on the sea. 

I WOULD SAY MY PASSION IS MAKING MY CLIENTS DREAM HOLIDAYS COME TRUE AND I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY EFFICIENT SERVICE AT ALL TIMES.

After 30 years selling travel, its still a buzz creating fabulous holidays, watching my clients anticipation and being a part of the planning, knowing the excitement they have towards their journey and of course hearing all about it when they return ... It's almost as good as being on the trip with them! 

Travel has really changed over the last few years, so let me help you navigate this new travel era, and create a holiday to remember, with the backing of an incredible House of Travel team.

Hayley

Travel is a passion for me, I have been in travel for quite some time (too long to remember) from Corporate to Leisure. 

I aim to help people no matter what their plans are to create the best holiday experience possible. I enjoy being part of our travellers experience and making the whole process as easy as possible & to create fantastic memories that are special and will last a lifetime for themselves and their families.

I have travelled to some amazing places, but one stands out, the 6 months I spent working on Antarctica at McMurdo Station is a highlight & backpacking through India was a challenge.

From visiting the many aspects of Australia, Asia, South Africa & South America to basking in the sun on the Maldives or hitting the beaches and shopping in Thailand I would love to help you create some new stories & memories. I love active holidays and have followed the Moto GP / Formula 1 and the Isle of Man TT was particularly exciting. Followed by walking up on Mt Kinabalu was another eventful trip.

However, every great adventure starts with a plan, and I would be honoured to help you with that plan, whether you take the road less travelled or one of the many roads that lead to Rome.

I look forward to helping you to create more wonderful stories and memories in the coming years.

Rhonda

As the proud Owner Operator of House of Travel Nelson, I lead a small but passionate team dedicated to taking care of all your travel needs.

I primarily work on the Orbit World Travel side of our business, specialising in business and group travel. But as a traveller myself, I love chatting with customers and the team about their upcoming adventures — there’s nothing better than sharing in the excitement of a great trip!

Travel has played a huge role in my life. From years of family holidays to the Gold Coast and Fiji, where the kids spent hours in the pool or on the playground, to unforgettable highlights like Disneyland (they were 10 and 12 — the perfect age!), followed by a relaxing week in Mexico. These days, with older kids, we’re seeking more adventure. Our recent trip to Vietnam was a standout — from the vibrant energy of Ho Chi Minh City to the peaceful beauty of Hoi An's lanterns and Halong Bay. If you haven’t been, it’s a must! 

Next on my list? Europe. While I’ve done a couple of quick trips in the past, I’m keen to take the time to explore the diverse cultures and rich history of the places I’ve spent years helping others discover.

Whether your trip is big or small, come in and see us at House of Travel Nelson — we’ll make sure it’s your best one yet.

Jason