Founded in 2017, Travel With Lesley Whyte Ltd was established by Lesley Whyte JP, eMBA — a multi-award-winning New Zealand photographer, adventurer, and boutique tour designer whose passion for travel, creativity, and genuine connection has inspired travellers across Australasia and beyond.
Today, Travel With Lesley Whyte is widely regarded as a leading name within the Australasian boutique travel space, curating distinctive, fully hosted journeys that span the globe — quite literally from Antarctica to the Arctic. Despite its international reach, the company remains intentionally boutique in both scale and spirit, ensuring every traveller enjoys a highly personalised, thoughtfully delivered experience. Each journey reflects Lesley’s commitment to excellence, comfort, and authenticity, brought to life with the warmth and attention to detail of a family-run operation.
Lesley brings to the business an extensive executive corporate background, with more than two decades in senior leadership roles across logistics, customer service, and operations management. Having overseen multi-million-dollar budgets, national teams, and large-scale business transformation programmes, she developed the precision, strategic thinking, and problem-solving expertise that now underpins every journey she designs.
This strong corporate foundation lies at the heart of Travel With Lesley Whyte’s success — ensuring every tour is delivered with meticulous planning, operational excellence, and an unwavering commitment to guest care and safety. Lesley’s business acumen allows each experience to run seamlessly behind the scenes, giving travellers the freedom to relax and fully immerse themselves in the journey.
Holding an Executive Master of Business Administration (eMBA), Lesley approaches travel design with a structured yet creative mindset, blending robust systems and financial discipline with innovation and imagination. As a Justice of the Peace (JP) for New Zealand, she is also recognised for her integrity, professionalism, and ethical leadership — values that are reflected throughout the company’s operations and partnerships.
Lesley is joined on many journeys by her husband Rob, her partner in life and adventure for over 45 years. Together, they create a welcoming, family-style atmosphere — combining Lesley’s vision and organisational precision with Rob’s warmth, humour, and genuine care for guests. Whether assisting with logistics, sharing stories along the way, or ensuring everyone feels included, Rob plays an integral role in making each tour relaxed, personable, and memorable.
At its core, Travel With Lesley Whyte stands for comfort, inclusivity, and authenticity. Tours are designed with own-room accommodation for solo travellers, locally inspired dining, and exclusive access to experiences not available through mainstream operators. From photographing glaciers and exploring remote islands to attending intimate concerts and cultural events, every journey reflects Lesley’s belief that travel should inspire, connect, and delight.
The strength of this philosophy is best reflected in the company’s exceptionally high rate of returning guests — affectionately known as “repeat offenders.” Many travellers journey with Lesley year after year, exploring new destinations under familiar care. This loyalty speaks to the trust, warmth, and sense of belonging that defines every experience — proof that once you travel with Lesley, you are not just a guest, but part of the family.
🌏 Travel With Lesley Whyte Ltd
The umbrella brand uniting Lesley’s collection of specialist travel experiences — offering fully hosted, small-group adventures that combine curated dining, premium accommodation, and exclusive local activities not available through other operators.
👩🎨 Girls on the Road Again
Adventures designed by women, for women — combining creativity, connection, and discovery. From art retreats and cultural getaways to food and wine journeys, these tours celebrate friendship and freedom, all with Lesley’s hallmark: own room always included.
Tagline: Awesome tours & adventures for the girls.
📸 Women in Photography
A global initiative founded by Lesley, Women in Photography welcomes women of all levels — from complete beginners to seasoned photographers — to learn, explore, and create in supportive, inspiring environments.
In New Zealand and Australia, retreats follow Lesley’s signature “Capture to Print” format, where participants photograph, edit, and print their own A3+ fine-art images using her professional Epson printer.
Beyond Australasia, Women in Photography collaborates with Jasmine Trails to deliver specialised photography tours in India and Nepal, guided by expert local photography mentors. These immersive experiences focus on storytelling, culture, and creative technique, allowing participants to explore the visual beauty and essence of each destination.
🏝️ Chatham Island Adventures & Tours
Lesley’s flagship brand and personal passion — showcasing the wild beauty, rich history, and community spirit of the Chatham Islands. These exclusive tours feature local partnerships with artists, farmers, and conservationists, offering guests privileged access to experiences not available elsewhere, from private woolshed teas to seafood foraging and garden concerts.
🎶 Concert in the Garden
A celebration of Kiwi music, community, and island charm — hosting intimate outdoor concerts on the Chatham Islands featuring artists such as SIX60, Troy Kingi, and more. Each event combines the magic of live music with local food, stunning gardens, and the relaxed island spirit.
🕊️ Wanderlust Travellers Club
Created for solo travellers and couples aged 50+, this brand offers boutique, fully hosted adventures that blend comfort, connection, and culture. From European river cruises to outback safaris, each journey offers a perfect balance of exploration and ease — travel that’s sociable, sophisticated, and stress-free.
🧭 Sartorial Travellers Club
Sartorial Travellers Club is an exclusive, luxury travel collective created for discerning travellers who believe style is inseparable from the journey itself. Operating quietly and intentionally without a social media presence, the Club flies under the radar, connecting through a discreet circle of like-minded individuals who value privacy, refinement, and exceptional travel.
Each invitation-only experience is meticulously curated, blending impeccable dressing, refined culture, and access to extraordinary destinations — from iconic cultural capitals and world-class events to the planet’s most remote and rarely reached frontiers. For members, travel extends quite literally from the North Pole to the South Pole, guided by a passion for exploration, elegance, and meaningful discovery.
Thoughtfully hosted and beautifully executed, Sartorial Travellers Club offers journeys for those who travel well, dress impeccably, and seek the rare privilege of experiencing the world’s most remarkable places — in style, and in confidence.
Through every journey she leads, Lesley Whyte unites her corporate expertise, creative passion, and love of people to deliver experiences that are authentic, inclusive, and unforgettable — travel that connects hearts, cultures, and landscapes.