Bush and Beach is one of the most established small tour group companies in New Zealand and has been operating for over 35 years. It is a small company recognised for the quality of its tours and tour guides. The company is based in Henderson, West Auckland, but all tours depart from Auckland’s CBD (with complimentary pick-ups from all major central hotels).
The company was bought by the brother and sister team of Ben Thornton and Penny Mitchell in 2013 and they have continued to grow the company’s selection of tours and reputation. This was recognised in 2016 with Bush and Beach being chosen as the inaugural winner of the New Zealand Tourism Export Council’s Small Business Operator of the Year award.
Ben is originally from the UK but was raised in New Zealand. He has lived and worked in Japan as well for many years. Ben has worked in New Zealand’s tourism industry since returning from Japan in 1997 and is held in high regard by industry peers. As well as being a business owner, he is an International Honorary Member of Les Clefs d’Or which is the professional association of hotel concierges.