(23 Reviews)
96% Recommended

Barbara Cottam

Mesa, AZ
Australia Travel Expert

If you’re bored of the same old vacation destinations, then why not consider Australia as the perfect place for your next holiday? It has all the excitement, adventure and natural beauty that will have you coming back for more. As a travel agent a...
Learn more about me.

New Zealand Travel Agent Expert

Queenstown -Adventure Capital of the World
Queenstown -Adventure Capital of the World

New Zealand is famous for its friendly people, lush green scenery, and wonderful wildlife. There are many places in New Zealand that are worth visiting. That is why I love working as a New Zealand travel agent professional. When you see this country, it will captivate you as well. From the lush rainforests and snow-capped peaks in the south, to the tranquil fjords and sandy beaches of the north, New Zealand is home to some of the most beautiful natural wonders on earth.  Take a vacation to New Zealand and visit the glaciers and waterfalls or watch  the penguins and whales. This adventurer’s paradise has something to please everyone.  In my professional estimation, New Zealand is one of the most picturesque places on earth. With stunning landscapes, mountains, lakes and beaches, it’s no wonder why it’s such a popular tourist destination. 


Rotorua 


Rotorua is a place where the Maori culture meets the natural wonders of New Zealand. The city is home to the world’s largest geyser, the sulphuric-smelling Pink and White Terraces, a volcanic lake, and many other sights and activities.  The Maori people have a large presence in Rotorua, with many cultural events taking place throughout the year. You can learn about the Maori culture, visit the Whakarewarewa Orchard to pick your own fruit, or take a guided tour of Te Wai-o-Te-Heron, New Zealand’s first successful geothermal power station.  As your travel agent advisor,  recommend you start your trip to New Zealand in Rotorua. It’s the perfect place to get acquainted with Maori culture and see the natural wonders this country has to offer. Lake Taupo and Tongariro National Park Taupo is a small town on the shore of Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake. While Lake Taupo is surrounded by mountains, most notably Mount Ruapehu, it’s relatively easy to explore by car or on a cruise.  The shore of the lake is dotted with small towns, where you can learn about local culture, grab some local food, or even go trout fishing. The most famous attraction on the shore of Lake Taupo is the nearby Tongariro National Park.  Tongariro National Park is home to the volcanic mountains of the same name and the Emerald Lakes. The most famous sight in the park is the hike to the Craters of the Moon. The volcanic activity around Taupo has shaped the region into one of the most interesting landscapes in New Zealand. You can get acquainted with this area on a road trip around the lake, or by hiking in Tongariro National Park. 


Queenstown 


Queenstown is a city on the edge of Lake Wakatipu. It’s often called the Adventure Capital of the world, with many outdoor activities taking place around the city. You can go jet boating on the lake, take a helicopter flight over the nearby mountains, bungee jump off the nearby bridge, or drive the world’s most dangerous road.  The nearby mountains are filled with hiking trails and are home to some of New Zealand’s most incredible waterfalls and glaciers. The nearby gorges often have guided whitewater rafting tours. The lake is filled with fish and therefore is a perfect place for fishing. You can also take a boat tour around the lake to view the penguins and dolphins. The nearby Arrowtown, a former gold rush site, is a good place to start your trip to Queenstown. 


Mt. Cook and the Southern Alps The South Island is home to some of the most amazing landscapes in New Zealand. One of the most famous places is Mt. Cook and the surrounding Southern Alps. The nearby glaciers are some of the most accessible in the world, and you can even walk up one of them.  You can also visit the nearby lakes, where you can go fishing, kayaking, take a boat tour, or hike through nearby national parks. I can also schedule a tour through the Southern Alps, where you can experience wildlife, and the small towns filled with gold rush history.  The nearby towns are good places to find affordable food and lodging. The South Island is the biggest and most diverse island in New Zealand. Therefore, you’ll see many sights in the region, many of them within a few hours’ drive from each other. Your visit to New Zealand won’t be complete without a trip to the South Island. 


Fiordland National Park and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site Fiordland, the southernmost part of New Zealand, is home to the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site. This area is full of fjords and is one of the most unspoiled places in New Zealand. The nearby mountains are covered in lush rainforests, where you can find rare species of animals.  The fjords are filled with a large array of birds, including penguins, rare penguin species, and several kinds of albatross. The Southern Alps and the West Coast are good places to start your trip to Fiordland. I suggest a tour of  Milford Sound, where you can see the beautiful fjords up close. Let me be your go-to travel agent for everything New Zealand. I promise that you will have an unforgettable holiday. Give me a call right away so we can plan your New Zealand trip now! 

My Travel Albums

New Zealand
Driving in New Zealand

My Reviews

12 of 17 people found this review helpful
Adventure of a lifetime
Barb planned our trip through the United Kingdom. We started in London and spent a month traveling through Wales, Scotland and Ireland. She created the most amazing itinerary with stays in castles and routed us to so many wonderful spots. Her attention to detail and adding all the extras made our trip truly wonderful. I never had to worry about anything. She was checking on us through our whole trip and whenever we checked in to our location, many of them commented, "Oh yes" we just talked to your travel agent. It was very comforting knowing all was under control and all special requests were filled.
By  R&R -   from  Boulder, CO
Traveled to  United Kingdom ~ Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Barbara Cottam responded:
Thank you!

Was this review helpful to you? YES | NO
14 of 23 people found this review helpful
Ireland Dream Trip!
Barb created a wonderful adventure to Ireland. We were nervous about driving so she set us up with rail tours throughout Ireland. It was such a pleasant experience to enjoy the countryside without the stress of driving. We had knowledgeable local tour guides at each city and still had plenty of free time to enjoy the local pubs and music. Barb made sure every detail was taken care of and it was a comfort to know that even being many time zones apart she was always available. It was a great vacation and I will be using her services in the future for all of our travel.
By  KJ  from  Windsor, Colorado
Traveled to  Ireland ~ Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
Was this review helpful to you? YES | NO
5 of 9 people found this review helpful
Just experienced a memorable vacation to Cancun.
Barbara Cottam is the BEST in her profession!
By  Mac  from  Centennial, Colorado
Traveled to  Cancun ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
Was this review helpful to you? YES | NO
9 of 17 people found this review helpful
Excellent family vacation to Catalonia
Barb was always willing and ready to respond to our questions and concerns, both during the planning of our trip and while we were on it! She helped us navigate a european vacation with our three small children amid changing COVID restrictions, helping us with trip insurance and ultimately changing our whole flight/car package from Scotland to Spain only three weeks before the trip. We were quite happy with the homes she recommended and booked for us and our flight arrangements.
By  Jmoon  from  Medford, New Jersey
Traveled to  Spain ~ Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Barbara Cottam responded:
Thank you!! I am so happy it worked out and your family was able to enjoy a vacation together with such difficult restrictions.

Was this review helpful to you? YES | NO
6 of 11 people found this review helpful
Easy Travel
Total professional, every trip great without a hitch, detail oriented. She attaches a wallet with all your documentation for ease of travel.
By  Jolly Girl  from  Salado
Traveled to  Hawaii ~ USA
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
Was this review helpful to you? YES | NO
Go to my main profile

Destination Expert:

  • New Zealand
  • Auckland
  • Queenstown
  • Christchurch
  • Milford Sound

Travel Specialist:

  • Adventure
  • Food & Wine
  • Sailing & Boating
  • Luxury
  • Hiking & Backpacking

Certifications/Awards:

  • Disney Specialist
  • Aussie Specialist
  • Princess Cruise Specialist

Industry Affiliations:

©  Travel Leaders Group