Our Story

On Boxing Day 2024, Audie and her family flew into Christchurch for a brief visit home to the deep south to reconnect with family.

After picking up our rental Ute, we loaded up on water and snacks before hitting the road.

As is tradition, my partner asked me to clean his sunglasses that were sitting in the center console as soon as we began driving. I hesitated, having nothing handy except for my top. Just then, the kids opened their water bottles, and before we knew it, it was splashed everywhere. We soon discovered that Dad had accidentally bought sparkling water instead of still.

As we continued our journey, my partner started to have a nosebleed. We kept going, reaching the midway point on State Highway 8, traveling from Canterbury to the Otago region through the Lindis Pass. That’s when inspiration struck me—a car essentials pack. Not just any pack, but one filled with items specifically tailored for travel needs.

We made a stop in Cromwell to visit a friend along the way, and I shared my idea with them. "That's a fantastic idea!" they replied. Every close friend I confided in after that had the same encouraging reaction. Consequently, I spent a good portion of my holiday conducting research, and when I got back home, I dove headfirst into making my idea a reality. Thus, Travel Starter was born.