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(10 reviews)
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Destinations
Australia & New Zealand, New Zealand, Australia
SPECIALTIES
Luxury Travel, Adventure
Jane Turner
La Jolla, California Travel Agent
Luxury Travel Advisor
Sunrise mountain biking in Wanaka
I am a native New Zealander who left home to travel the world. Working to fund my travels I have lived in Sydney, Japan, London, and New York before settling in San Diego.
In 2002 combing my love for the outdoors, nature, and travel I started my own brand ‘Active Downunder’ – an Award-Winning boutique travel company specializing in customized vacations to New Zealand, Australia, and the South Pacific.
I have guided walking vacations and over the years have hiked all the major walks in New Zealand. Each year when I visit New Zealand I take off on one of the many fabulous cycle trails to enjoy. With family in Australia I also visit regularly. I hold Aussie Specialist status with Tourism Australia and Fiji Specialist with Tourism Fiji.
Using my expert knowledge of these destinations I curate customized itineraries designed to fit our client’s needs. Every client has their own unique set of interests, desired travel pace and available time therefore every trip I design is different.
I believe the ingredients for the trip of a lifetime include a variety of unique and authentic experiences, a well-balanced itinerary with just the right amount of time in each location to savor the scenery and gain insight into the culture, opportunities to spend time with locals, fun and exciting experiences along with fabulous food, wine, and accommodations. All of which both New Zealand and Australia score exceedingly high praise.
Travel is a huge investment in time and money. Trust your planning to someone who knows the lay of the land, who can direct you to the must-see’s & hidden gems, who can finely tune the logistics to maximize your time, and a seasoned professional who is there for you every step of the way.
Client Testimonials
30 Days Downunder
Hands down best Travel Agent ever is Jane Turner. We decided to travel to Australia and New Zealand and gave Jane 2 weeks notice! Not only did Jane provide a perfect itinerary but she listened to everything we wanted to do for our 30 day vacation. She maximized our time in both countries, our activities were amazing and the places we stayed were perfect! I would highly recommend anyone looking to travel in this part of the world to use Jane. She is so knowledgeable, experienced and executes flawlessly. She was so much fun to work with and oh...BTW everyone we met complimented her endlessly. She is well liked by all those who work and know her. Thank you Jane!
Provided by Shannon. R, CA
Lodges enhance experience
Active Downunder was recommended to us by a couple recently returned from New Zealand and they couldn't say enough good things about the lodges that Active Downunder had found for them......and they were right. We didn't stay in any hotels but rather first rate, comfortable, luxurious, accommodating, friendly and intimate lodges. These lodges greatly enhanced the overall experience of touring this beautiful county. We altered our itinerary a number of times during the planning stage and Jane went beyond the call of duty to satisfy our needs with wonderful recommendations.
Provided by Robert. R, CA
Perfect Vacation Downunder
A thousand thanks from Anne and me on a FABULOUSLY well planned trip! We had a perfect vacation. Everything went like clockwork, the accommodations were wonderful, transportation seamless, scenery breathtaking, food delicious, people warm and friendly. You did a great job setting everything up for us, and our memories of our time in Australia and New Zealand will be the topic of fun conversations and ear-to-ear smiles for years to come. Thank you for all you did for us, it really was a superb effort.
Provided by Mark. M, MA
Private Group Tour of NZ's South Island
"Mega-thanks” for the superior land/sea/rail tour of New Zealand’s beautiful South Island. The 24 folks (a subset of The Cruising Club of America) who you planned this tour for seek the best of the best. You didn’t let us down! From the moment we landed in Christchurch to our departure 11 days later, our needs weren’t simply met, but were anticipated at every turn. Our guides were the best – so tuned into each of us, highly intuitive and personable. They became our friends and part of our group’s fabric. The tour itself was exceptional, from the trans-Alps train ride, a jet-boat ride on the Dart River, a helicopter ride to a Mt. Cook glacier, a tour of the Yellow-Eyed Penguins of Dunedin, and even the copious quantities of NZ’s signature Pinot Noirs. You packed it all in with unsurpassed attention to detail. This was a trip of a lifetime, thank you!
Provided by Peter. P. CA - Rear Commodore
Our third trip downunder planned by Jane!
Jane Turner is an excellent Travel Agent....she has stayed at all the places we visited and has a GREAT repoire with everyone. Her timely planning to manage all the details and then follow-thru with that plan works so smoothly. The places she recommends are always the highlight of every location...the staff everywhere just seems to get such pleasure in sharing their love of their country. Kindness and helpful hints make for such easy travel. This is the 3rd trip Jane has planned for us and each was different and unique and all were FANTASTIC! We highly recommend Active Downunder for anyone who wants to visit New Zealand, Australia or the Cook Islands.
Provided by R. Lilac, CA
Second trip to New Zealand with Active Downunder
This is the second time we have used Active Downunder and in both instances, they have scored a five out of five rating. The itineraries have been customized to our interests and have met and exceeded our expectations on both occasions. We have recommended them to our friends and they have provided us with the same feed back regarding their experiences. Jane appears to have visited many of the accommodations and tours, and the majority of the owners and operators know Jane personally.
Provided by Barry. H, CA
One of our best vacations ever!
One of our best vacations ever. Would not have been possible without Jane's knowledge, contacts, and support. We toured NZ for over three weeks and having never been there before, we didn't understand the logistics and issues with travelling on such unique and charming "roads". We stayed in amazing accommodations. We had the best guides and activities. She quickly responded to all of our questions and requests even while we were in NZ. We will definitely use her again and highly recommend her services.
Provided by Ernesto. A, IN
New Zealand Honeymoon
There's no way to articulate just how happy I am that I decided to work with Jane to plan my honeymoon - smartest decision ever! She was quick to respond, knowledgeable about the cities and activities, honest about what was/was not realistic to accomplish with the time we had, and truly helped tailor the itinerary so it fit us. This was a dream vacation for so many reasons but the biggest being that Jane booked us at the most incredible accommodations with insane views. We were truly wowed, as were our friends. As I posted pictures of our trip on Facebook, many commented that they wanted to do our exact trip. It was the adventure of a lifetime!
Provided by Jaime T, CA
Reviews
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Reviewed By Tracey and Ed - Denver, CO | Traveled to New Zealand | Australia & New Zealand
Spectacular way to travel
Our trip to New Zealand, Australia and Bora Bora was absolutely unforgettable, and we owe a huge part of that experience to Jane Turner at Active Downunder. From the very beginning, Jane took the time to understand what we wanted out of the trip and crafted an itinerary that perfectly balanced adventure, relaxation, and unique local experiences.
Every detail of the trip was thoughtfully arranged. The accommodations were wonderful, the activities were perfectly suited to our interests, and the logistics throughout both countries ran smoothly. It allowed us to simply enjoy the journey without worrying about the details. Whether we were exploring breathtaking landscapes in New Zealand or experiencing the vibrant cities of Melbourne and Sydney, Australia. Our trip concluded with four relaxing days in Bora Bora arranged by Jane.
What truly stood out was Jane’s deep knowledge of the region and her personal attention. Her recommendations often became the highlights of our trip, and it was clear she genuinely cared about making sure we had the best possible experience.
Traveling such a long distance can sometimes feel overwhelming, but with Jane’s guidance and planning, the entire experience felt effortless.
We returned home with incredible memories and a deep appreciation for both countries.
We would enthusiastically recommend Jane Turner and Active Downunder to anyone planning a trip to New Zealand or Australia. Her expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to creating meaningful travel experiences truly made our journey exceptional.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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Reviewed By Peter F - San Diego, CA | Traveled to New Zealand | Australia & New Zealand
Dream New Zealand Trip
Jane curated a dream New Zealand trip for me. I gave her suggestions for the kinds of places I wanted to visit and activities I like and she created a perfect itinerary. Her extensive, personal knowledge of the country was essential. I would never have been able to find (much less book) the experiences and accommodations she selected. Working with Jane was a joy and I highly recommend her.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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Reviewed By Bob - Virginia Beach, VA | Traveled to New Zealand | Australia & New Zealand
Perfect Trip
I typically don’t write reviews, but the job that Jane did warrant taking the time to write.
We went on a 5-week trip, starting on the North Island of New Zealand, then the South Island, then to Australia and finally Bora Bora. Everything went seamlessly with no hiccups. The flow of the trip was excellent. The activities chosen were on target with what we asked for. Considering all that we did and the length of the trip, I’d say this was an amazing job and I would highly recommend Jane to help you organize your trip Downunder.
Bob
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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Reviewed By Happy Traveler - Mecosta, MI | Traveled to New Zealand | Australia & New Zealand
A trip of a lifetime
When my husband and I decided that we were going to check a trip off our bucket list, we started looking for an agent that would help us make the right decision. After interviewing several agents we decided on Jane Turner. This was the best decision and after just booking the trip I referred her to several other friends that have also booked trips with her. Our experience was so amazing and every detail was covered. We will always use her for any adventures in the future.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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Reviewed By Ceci - Miami, FL | Traveled to New Zealand | Australia & New Zealand
Unforgettable Honeymoon
Jane was absolutely lovely to work with. From day one, she was incredibly organized, always available, and genuinely receptive to the kind of trip we wanted. She took the time to really understand our wants and needs for for our New Zealand honeymoon.
As a New Zealand native, Jane brought a level of expertise and insider knowledge. Her long-standing connections in the hospitality world truly enhanced the experience, allowing her to craft an unforgettable trip from start to finish. Every detail felt thoughtful and personal, from an all-day wine tastings tailored to our palates to a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter ride that landed us on top of a glacier.
Long trips can often feel overwhelming, but Jane’s day-by-day itinerary made everything effortless. We woke up each morning knowing exactly what the day held. All we had to do was enjoy ourselves, which was ultimately the goal. On top of that, she even provided us with local contacts in New Zealand who were available to help with any questions and support while we were there.
We are beyond grateful for the care, intention, and expertise Jane put into our trip. It was seamless, exciting, and truly unforgettable. We couldn’t recommend her more!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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Reviewed By NZ fan - Myrtle Beach South Carolina | Traveled to New Zealand | Australia & New Zealand
NZ by land
December 2025
At the recommendation of a friend, we began working with Jane Turner at Active Downunder to plan our land trip in New Zealand. Jane was thorough zeroing in on our interests, preference in lodging and asked about health or other limitations that might impact our trip. We have previously planned our own trips and had many questions during the planning process. Jane was extremely patient and provided complete answers. You never know if the planned itinerary will live up to expectations. Our experience was a perfectly planned trip that came about flawlessly. Planned stops for meals had advance information about our dietary restrictions. Lodges had been carefully selected that perfectly matched our preferences for comfort and convenience. All of the reserved activities were what we hoped to do and see. I don’t give compliments easily but Jane’s efforts were instrumental for us having a great trip. We have already asked her about planning two other trips.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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Reviewed By Traveler - Fort Worth, Texas | Traveled to Stewart Island / Rakiura | New Zealand | Australia & New Zealand
New Zealand
The trip was great. Everywhere we stayed was beautiful. Accommodations and tours met or exceeded expectations. We saw 3 kiwis in the daytime on Stewart Island and the next day we were famous for seeing daytime kiwis. The 2 helicopter rides were both special.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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Reviewed By Cj70 - Chandler, AZ | Traveled to Australia | Australia & New Zealand
Unforgettable Trip to Australia - November 2024
Active Downunder helped plan for us an amazing trip to Australia in November of 2024. Jane and her team had previously booked for us an unforgettable trip to New Zealand over 10 years ago, so we knew it would be great. This trip, however, we added the complexity of planning it on short notice. It still came together flawlessly.
We had amazing guides for the nature excursions we wanted and knowledgeable professionals for our wine tours. We visited four states in four weeks with the perfect mix of go-go-go and serene relaxation. I really don’t know how we would have found some of the small cottages without their help.
We had a long list of things we wanted to do on this trip. Jane asks insightful questions to ensure that your experiences are perfect for your group. We never needed to contact Active Downunder during our trip, but having a local number to call gave us peace of mind.
We’re probably due for another trip to NZ and we will certainly contact Jane for that trip.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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Reviewed By Morison - Seattle | Traveled to Sri Lanka | Central Asia
An exceptional trip to parts unknown!
My daughter and I wanted to take a girls trip of a lifetime. We wanted a combination of cultural experience and a beach vacation. She picked Sri Lanka. Jane, Active Downunder, and her colleagues at Hummingbird made the experience outstanding as well as accessible and relaxing! Highly recommend.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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Reviewed By Active Traveler - Littleton, CO | Traveled to Australia & New Zealand
Amazing Australia and New Zealand Adventure
Jane Turner arranged our fantastic trip to Australia and New Zealand. The Active Down Under website had several sample itineraries that we could look at and decide what was appealing to us. We were completely impressed. Our trip was a little over 3 weeks and we did not encounter one glitch. The personalized itinerary includes all the activities, what to bring, and what to wear on each adventure. The itinerary included all our reservation confirmations but we never needed one because every activity was set up perfectly. We were given a local contact in each country but, we never needed to contact them because we didn’t encounter any issues. It was so relaxing to know we didn’t have to stress about planning activities and deciding on what to do and when. Highly recommend Jane Turner and her team at Southern World.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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