Our Story

The story behind Halcyon Luxury Journeys

Our journey to creating yours

About Us

Who we are, and why we care

Halcyon Luxury Journeys is owned and operated by Tracey and Steve Burfield‑Mills — proud New Zealanders with a lifelong love for their country and its closest neighbor, Australia.

Halcyon Luxury Journeys was created to offer a deeply personalized, high‑touch Destination Management service for New Zealand and Australia to Travel Advisors. When you work with us, you’re partnering with a team who care profoundly about our agents and our mutual clients. We act with expertise, dedication, and integrity, always aware that our performance reflects directly on you. No egos - just genuine care, with your and your clients' best interests always at heart.

Our mission is simple:
To make you look exceptional — every single time.

The People Behind Your Journey

Meet Our Team

Tracey Burfield-Mills

Founder & Luxury Travel Designer

Tracey brings over three decades of experience in the travel industry, with 15 years running her own outbound agency including five years designing and escorting luxury small‑group tours through Europe, and two years through New Zealand. Covid provided a moment to pause and reflect; and pivot her career toward luxury inbound travel — a move that felt like coming home. Being able to showcase New Zealand and Australia wasn’t just a new direction; it was where she found her true place.

Tracey’s strengths lie in her deep knowledge of New Zealand and Australian luxury product, her trusted industry relationships, and her ability to craft extraordinary once‑in‑a‑lifetime experiences. She is known for her calm, compassionate communication style, meticulous attention to detail, strong organizational skills, ability (and love) for finding solutions, and a healthy dose of humor. Having been in your shoes, she understands exactly what travel advisors expect from a DMC partner.

Steve Burfield-Mills

Founder & CFO

Steve brings more than two decades of experience as a Chief Financial Officer, ensuring Halcyon Luxury Journeys operates with the highest levels of financial integrity, operational discipline, and strategic oversight — essential foundations for a luxury DMC.

Together, Tracey and Steve have six children — four in New Zealand and two in Australia — and a grandchild on the way. Their family ties across both countries reflect the Trans‑Tasman connection at the heart of Halcyon Luxury Journeys.

the halcyon story

The name Halcyon reflects the essence of what we create—moments that feel calm, effortless and quietly unforgettable. Rooted in the idea of a golden time, it evokes a sense of ease, happiness and stillness; the kind of experience that lingers long after the journey ends. Inspired by ancient mythology, where the halcyon bird was said to calm the seas, the name reflects our approach to travel— unhurried, deeply personal and seamlessly delivered. At its heart, the halcyon story is about more than travel—it is about capturing those rare, idyllic moments that feel timeless and personal, allowing you to connect, unwind and simply be. Because the most meaningful journeys aren’t just remembered—they stay with you.

Halcyon Place in Auckland, New Zealand, is also where Tracey grew up, calling it home from the age of three until she left home. The name holds special meaning, too — the name 'Halcyon' is shared with the successful lighting company her late father founded, adding an extra sense of pride and connection to the name.

Our story

Our Philosophy

What sets us apart

One Seamless Journey Across New Zealand and Australia

With expertise spanning both New Zealand and Australia, we provide a single point of contact for journeys across the region. The result is a seamless planning process, consistent service, and a carefully coordinated experience from beginning to end.

Built Around Travel Advisor Partnerships

We work exclusively with travel advisors and deeply value the trust and collaboration that come from working together. We understand that every inquiry represents a client relationship you've worked hard to build, and we never lose sight of that responsibility.

Care as deeply as you do

We care as deeply as you do about the client experience and see ourselves as an extension of your brand. From the smallest detail to the overall journey, we take genuine pride in delivering exceptional service that reflects positively on you and your business.

Personalized Support Every Step of the Way

The same travel designer who creates the itinerary remains involved throughout the journey, providing dedicated 24/7 in-country support and continuity of care. Always one step ahead, we proactively manage changes behind the scenes, ensuring journeys unfolds seamlessly, giving complete peace of mind.

work with us

Partner
With Us

We love partnering with travel professionals who share our passion for exceptional journeys, and we're proud to be your trusted experts in New Zealand and Australia. When you work with us, you gain a dedicated on‑the‑ground team delivering standout experiences through deep local insight, strong relationships, and seamless operational support. Together, we create journeys that truly shine — the kind your clients remember and the kind that make you look like a rockstar.

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