Meet the Team Behind Australian Custom Tours
Your Experts in Tailor-Made Travel Across Australia & New Zealand
About Us
At Australian Custom Tours, we believe travel should be more than just a holiday — it should be a journey designed around your interests, pace, and passions. That’s why every itinerary we create is handcrafted, giving you the freedom to explore Australia your way while enjoying the comfort of having every detail expertly arranged.
Our tours are led by knowledgeable local guides who share their passion for Australia’s landscapes, culture, and hidden gems. From the red sands of Uluru to the turquoise waters of the Great Barrier Reef, from the laneways of Melbourne to the vineyards of Margaret River, we help you connect with the true spirit of Australia.
We are proud to be part of the KWH Journeys family of brands, which also includes Remarkable Scenic Tours - New Zealand Private Tours - New Zealand Package Holidays, and New Zealand Luxury Travel Agents. Together, we bring local expertise and international reach, offering everything from boutique day tours in Queenstown to fully customised luxury journeys across both Australia and New Zealand.
Your holiday time is precious — and our mission is to make every moment count. With six clear points of difference that set us apart, Australian Custom Tours offers not just a trip, but an experience filled with meaningful memories, local insights, and seamless service from beginning to end.
Meet Wayne and Kathy - The Heart Behind Australian Custom Tours
Your vacation organisers, Wayne and Kathy, are seasoned travellers who bring a spirit of adventure to every tour. With Kathy originally from Australia, their global travels included time living in both Europe and Australia, giving them deep insights into local cultures and experiences.
In 2010, they embarked on a two-year journey around the world with their children, experiencing various travel styles—from small, special-interest tours to wildlife and history tours, along with self-driving adventures in a motorhome. Their exploration of local guides and authentic experiences across diverse destinations led them to develop a unique approach when they founded Australian Custom Tours.
Their goal is to offer guests an immersive experience that showcases not only the stunning landscapes and history of Australia but also the warmth and character of the local people. Whether it's through their connection to local guides or curating special local experiences, Wayne and Kathy create truly personalised, heartfelt tours.
Our Bios
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Kathy's Bio
You could say the warmth in Kathy’s welcome is legendary. Helpful and friendly, she’s a self-confessed people person, who loves problem solving and making connections. This makes her a whizz at creating unique private tours with experiences to suit her guests.
Her extensive travels make her especially good at relating to what people from diverse cultures want from their tour. In fact, she delights in sharing cultural experiences with guests – from learning how to Bollywood dance (in Glenorchy, of all places!) with Indian guests, to sharing food with guests from the Philippines (although she draws the line at Balut/duck embryo).
“ You just can’t beat a local recommendation; some things aren’t mentioned in the guide books. We had an experience like this in Iceland when a local told us about a secret hot-water mineral pool. It took a lot of searching, but in the end we found it. The water was warm and crystal clear, the kids were so excited and it was a real highlight.
It’s that sense of wonder and inclusion that we want to recreate for our guests.”
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Wayne is a born-and-bred South Islander, so his knowledge of the Central Otago region goes way back, and his passion for the region is infectious. He’s the master of making people feel at ease with his relaxed and positive nature, and he’s famous for his dad jokes.
As past President of the Queenstown Photography Club, Wayne’s also happy to help you get the perfect photo – he has great insight how to best capture the magic of our spectacular scenery, whether you prefer to be behind the lens, or in front of it.
“The best memories are those where you connect with local people, where you’re a person, not just a number. We’ll always remember one Jamaican trip where our taxi driver took us to a beach, and introduced us to a lady who cooks for the homeless. We met some amazing, friendly locals and shared a drink with them, while they told us about their lives.
We want our guests to leave each tour feeling not only that they’ve had a great day out, but that they’ve made some new friends.”
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Jen is a specialist in Australian travel, with firsthand experience gained from living, working, and travelling across the country over a two-year period. During this time, she explored Australia in depth—from its iconic cities and coastal landscapes to remote outback regions and world-renowned wine areas. Jen draws on this knowledge to create tailored itineraries that reflect the diversity and character of Australia, ensuring each journey is seamless, enriching, and memorable.
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Hello! I'm Sheena Tunnicliff, originally from the UK and now proudly calling New Zealand home.
With more than 30 years of experience in the travel industry, travel has always been more than a career for me — it's a passion. My journey began working aboard cruise ships around the world, giving me firsthand experience of incredible destinations, cultures, and travel experiences.
Over the years, I've owned and operated a successful travel agency in Perth, Western Australia, and have helped thousands of clients plan memorable holidays. My extensive background includes cruises, escorted tours, luxury travel, independent journeys, and tailor-made itineraries.
Today, I am delighted to be part of the New Zealand Private Tours team, helping visitors discover the very best of Aotearoa. As someone who has explored much of New Zealand myself, I love sharing the places, experiences, and local insights that make this country so special.
Whether you're seeking breathtaking scenery, unique cultural experiences, or a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, I'm here to help create an unforgettable New Zealand journey you'll treasure for years to come.
I look forward to helping you experience the magic of Australia .
