Abstract
This study provides insight into individuals' existential transformation through nature-based tourism by identifying features of transformative tourism experiences at the pre-trip and en-route stages. Focusing on the first four steps of the nine-step transformative tourism framework, this study collected data through face-to-face phenomenological interviews with tourists at the Orokonui Ecosanctuary - Te Korowai o Mihiwaka - in Dunedin, New Zealand. The findings demonstrate, in contrast to previous research, that post-trip evaluation, deemed pivotal, need not be post-trip; they can be triggered by previous similar experiences en-route. Evidence from this study suggests that the personal state of being is a vital element preceding transformative outcomes whilst en-route.