Australia and New Zealand specialist

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Kristi Mackedanz, Travel Agent in Saint Petersburg, FL

Kristi Mackedanz

Saint Petersburg, FL Travel Agent
Super Agent

Kristi Mackedanz

Saint Petersburg, FL · 24 Years of Experience

A full-service Travel Leaders Associate Agency
5.0
(183)
99% Recommended
I would definitely recommend Ali, especially for those who aren't experienced travelers. Read More >
About
Reviews
Certificates & Awards
My Places
Travel Stories & Media
Client Testimonials

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Australia & New Zealand, Australia, New Zealand, Sydney, Auckland

Interests:

Luxury, Luxury Hotels, Honeymoons, Adventure, Family Vacations

Suppliers:

G Adventures, Travel Answers, Pleasant Holidays

About Me

One of the cutest things in Australia!
One of the cutest things in Australia!

As an Australia and New Zealand travel advisor, I help travelers plan unforgettable vacations filled with adventure, culture, luxury, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. After visiting Australia five times and recently traveling throughout New Zealand firsthand, I love helping clients experience the very best these incredible destinations have to offer.

Australia may be one of the most remote countries in the world, but it’s also one of the most rewarding destinations to explore. From the iconic Sydney Opera House and breathtaking sunsets at Uluru (Ayers Rock) to the vibrant coastal cities and wildlife encounters, every region offers something completely unique.

One of my favorite destinations in Australia is the Gold Coast. Known for its beautiful beaches, surf culture, incredible dining, nightlife, and nearby rainforest landscapes, the Gold Coast is perfect for travelers looking for both relaxation and adventure. Whether you're exploring hidden beaches, taking surf lessons, or enjoying luxury resorts along the coast, this area truly has something for everyone.

Queensland is also a dream destination for ocean lovers and adventure travelers. While the Great Barrier Reef is world-famous, there are incredible snorkeling and diving experiences all along the Queensland coast. From Cairns and Port Douglas to the Whitsundays and tropical islands, travelers can snorkel vibrant coral reefs, swim with sea turtles, sail crystal-clear waters, and discover some of the best underwater experiences in the world.

New Zealand is equally unforgettable and one of the most scenic destinations I’ve ever visited. During my recent trip, I explored Auckland, Rotorua, and Queenstown — each offering a completely different experience for travelers.

Auckland blends city life with stunning waterfront views, incredible food, and easy access to outdoor adventures. Rotorua offers rich Maori cultural experiences, geothermal landscapes, traditional performances, carving, weaving, and relaxing thermal hot pools. Queenstown, known as the adventure capital of New Zealand, is surrounded by breathtaking mountains and lakes and is ideal for travelers looking for hiking, jet boating, skiing, biking, rafting, or bungy jumping.

For fans of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, New Zealand is truly bucket-list worthy. Visiting Hobbiton is one of those unforgettable experiences that brings Middle-earth to life as you explore the famous Hobbit holes and movie set.

Whether you’re planning a luxury Australia vacation, a New Zealand adventure trip, an Australia and New Zealand honeymoon, or a custom South Pacific itinerary, I can help create a personalized experience based on your travel style, interests, and must-do experiences. With firsthand destination knowledge and personal travel experience throughout both countries, I love helping travelers discover why Australia and New Zealand are truly unlike anywhere else in the world.

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
183 reviews
99% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
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Showing 183 reviews

Spring Break Family Vacation
Reviewed By Gully - Maple Grove | Traveled to Cancun ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
I would definitely recommend Ali, especially for those who aren't experienced travelers.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
89 of 144 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Mom/Son spring break trip
Reviewed By Cari Simonson - Lino Lakes, MN | Traveled to Jamaica ~ Caribbean
Kristi is a great person to work with! She answered all of my questions quickly. She made our vacation very easy!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
70 of 111 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Family Vacations
Reviewed By Leslie - Cottage Grove, MN | Traveled to Cabo San Lucas ~ Baja California Sur ~ Mexico
We have used Kristi several times in helping us with planning our family vacations. Kristi has always done a great job in getting us the best deal out there. From start to finish everything has always gone smoothly. I would definitely recommend Kristi to anyone looking for a travel agent.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
86 of 144 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Great mother/son spring break vacation
Reviewed By Mary - St. Paul MN | Traveled to Jamaica ~ Caribbean
Kristi did a great job planning our trip to Jamaica.
We traveled in a rather large group and everything went smoothly. She provided excellent customer service.
I would highly recommend her.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
76 of 125 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Great adults get away!
Reviewed By Kim - Cottage Grove, MN | Traveled to Riviera Maya ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
Kristi was wonderful to work with! In the beginning stages of our trip planning, she spent a lot of time gathering information for us. When I would switch my thinking of destinations Kristi always reassured me and would share information with me. She was dedicated, hard working and always willing to go the extra mile. I thought it was great when I received an email from her during our vacation-she was just checking in to make sure all was going well.
I highly recommend Kristi for your travel needs. She is excellent at what she does!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
85 of 143 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO

Certifications & Awards

ASTA is the leading global advocate for travel agents, the travel industry and the traveling public.It is the world's largest association of travel professionals.Our members include travel agents and the companies whose products they sell such as tours, cruises, hotels, car rentals, etc.Expand your world. Go with the pros.
The Book with Confidence logo tells you that this Travel Advisor has direct access to comprehensive resources for safe and healthy travel, available at their discretion for sharing with clients.  This includes vetting the details on the health and safety protocols implemented by each travel provider in order to recommend the ideal itinerary for each client’s unique needs.
Certified Leisure Travel Specialist: During this certification program Travel Agents study several key components including: Sales and Service, Cruise Sales, Destination and Lifestyle Knowledge,  Programs and Preferred Supplier Knowledge. This is a two year study program.
Certified Honeymoon and Destination Wedding Specialist: During this certification program Travel Agents study several components including: Understanding the Honeymoon and Destination Wedding Customer, Preferred Destination and Supplier Partner Knowledge, FAM Trip, Research, a Marketing Plan and Sales. This is a three-year study program
Travel Leaders Leisure Specialist
Aussie Specialist

My Places

When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.

My Travel Stories

The Outback Meets the Reef 

Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef is a remote beach-side safari camp in the dunes of the Cape Range National Park. It’s located just an hour ride from the Learmonth Airport, a military airport for the Royal Australian Air Force. This is an extraordinary luxury lodge located in Western Australia.  You’ll be near the Indian Ocean enjoying breathtaking views...
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Up Close and Personal with Whale Sharks

When I was in Australia I had an opportunity to swim with Whale sharks on the Ningaloo Reef. Swimming with sharks has been on my bucket list FOREVER…so I was very happy to finally check it off. The Ningaloo reef is located on the west side of Australia. You would take a 2 hour flight north from Perth to the town of Exmouth.   You can swim...
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Touring the Taronga Zoo!

After the long, long flight to Sydney, we knew we were going to be exhausted, but we couldn’t let that get in our way so we dropped off our bags and got as far away from the hotel as possible! We decided to head to The Taronga Zoo for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Australian animals habitat.  The zoo is easy enough to get to; it’s just ...
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Exploring Lizard Island

I was lucky enough to visit Lizard Island on my first trip to Australia ... talk about a dream come true! This amazing little island is an hour flight north of Cairns. It is an island in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef. The 1-hour flight was on a little plane with about 12 seats. I have never been on a plane that small, this was a plane whe...
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Kangaroo Island at Its Best

An added benefit of staying at Southern Ocean Lodge is that all excursions are included. It’s more like an all-inclusive luxury resort. These are some of the tours we did:  Kangas and Kanapes. On this historic tour you will learn about the early island settlers at Grassdale, an island propert...
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Client Testimonials

Expert on Australia
Kristi is an Aussie and New Zealand Specialist. She is an expert in traveling to Australia. She has been to Australia twice in the past 3 years. The first trip was in 2013 and focused on Queensland and Sydney; the second trip was in August 2015 and focused on Sydney, Ayer’s Rock, Darwin, Melbourne and ended in Auckland, NZ. Kristi’s expertise and knowledge will ensure you have an amazing trip Down Under!
Ward Reid, Travel2
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