About
Travelwise

Travelwise has been taking New Zealanders on escorted holidays since 1994. We are a family-owned, TAANZ-bonded tour operator based in Mt Eden, Auckland, New Zealand. Our work is simple: plan the journey properly, travel with you, and bring you home well looked after.

If you are 60 or over and wondering whether group travel is for you, then we hope the information here will help you make that decision. You don’t need to be an experienced traveller. But what you do need is a company that understands pace, comfort, and what it feels like to put your holiday in someone else’s hands.

Who we’re for

Our tours are designed for New Zealand travellers aged 60 and over – including many guests in their 70s and beyond. There is no upper age limit. What matters is choosing a tour whose activity level suits you, and travelling with people who are on the same wavelength.

You will be in a friendly group of like-minded Kiwis. Days are structured but not rushed. Someone is also there if a flight changes, a bag needs a hand onto the coach, or you simply want to know what happens tomorrow.

Our story

Travelwise began in 1994 with a clear idea: New Zealanders of an age 60+ deserved holidays that were well planned, properly escorted, and free of the usual hassle that comes with travel. That idea has not changed.

Over more than 30 years, we have taken thousands of guests through New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific, Asia, Europe and beyond. Some travel with us once. Many come back, often asking for the same Tour Leader.

We are still based in Auckland. You can phone us, leave a message, and speak to a person who knows the tours.

What a Travelwise holiday is

A Travelwise tour is fully escorted. That means:

• flights included where the itinerary requires them

• quality accommodation, generally around four stars

• comfortable coaches or, on many New Zealand tours, a luxury minivan for no more than 14 guests

• most meals, sightseeing and, on cruises, most gratuities

• a Travelwise Tour Leader from the first day to the last

• home pick-up and return in metropolitan Auckland (Pukekohe to Whangaparaoa) on all departures

You are not left to assemble the trip yourself. You are not left to keep up with a group that wants to rush.

Your Tour Leader

Tour Leaders are the heart of the journey.

Before you travel, they phone the group, introduce themselves, and answer questions. On tour they look after the daily details, keep everyone informed, and make sure no one is left at the edge of the group. After you return, they remain a familiar point of contact.

They are hosts, not lecturers. They are first-aid trained. They will offer a steady hand off the coach. They will not provide physical assistance beyond that – guests need to be independently mobile for the activity level of the tour they choose. If you are unsure, talk to us before you book.

Meet our Tour Leaders

Why people trust us

• Family-owned and based in New Zealand

• TAANZ bonded

• Escorted tours since 1994

• Tours designed for travellers 60+

• Clear activity levels on every itinerary

• Office support before, during and after the trip

• Your travel agent remains the client relationship owner if you’d prefer to book through them

We earn our living from the holidays we operate. There are no hidden booking surprises in the tour price: what is included is listed on each tour page. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended when you pay your deposit.

Read what our guests say

How we work

1. You choose a tour that matches the destination and activity level you want.

2. You book with a deposit, or your travel agent books for you.

3. We send documents and, closer to departure, pick-up details.

4. Your Tour Leader makes contact before you leave.

5. We travel together. Then we bring you home.

If plans change, you are not on your own. The Auckland office and your Tour Leader work together so the practical things get sorted.

Where to find us

Travelwise Holidays, Level 1, Suite 1, 93 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland

Phone: 0800 11 60 60

Auckland: 09 414 4488

Email: info@travelwiseholidays.co.nz‍ ‍

Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm. If you call after hours or on the weekend, leave a message, and we will return your call as soon as we can. Alternatively, use the chat on the website (bottom right) – it can help with most questions.