Untamed Escapes connects travellers from all walks of life with adventure, culture, wildlife, wellness, and epicurean experiences in nature. Guided by a team of passionate storytellers, our 1-10 day small group and private tours unearth the remote regions throughout South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory’s Red Centre.
Recognised as a Green Travel Leader, Advanced Eco-Accredited Operator and Climate Change Innovator by Eco-Tourism Australia, we are passionate about taking a regenerative approach to tourism.
In 2004, Craig “Hassie” Haslam and his wife Jo purchased an award-winning adventure tour company called Nullarbor Traveller. At the time, it offered a nine-day swag camping adventure between Adelaide and Perth. Back then, not many people had even heard of places like the Eyre Peninsula, Nullarbor or Esperance. Determined to change that, Hassie threw himself into the tourism industry, and year by year, the business grew.
A shift occurred with more mature travellers seeking the same great experiences in our regions, but they wanted a little more comfort and more food and wine experiences. So, a second brand called Xplore Eyre was launched, offering a range of small group and private tours with less adventure, more food and wine, and 4.5-star accommodation.
Things were ticking away quite nicely, and then came COVID-19. Like most other tour operators, we were faced with an extremely challenging time. But always the optimist, Hassie and his team used that time as an opportunity to reflect, revitalise and diversify.
We knew we needed to get out of the box with some unique new products, and that’s when we developed a yoga tour of the Margaret River region.
With a range of new wellness tours across South Australia and Western Australia, we knew the time had come to bring all our adventure, wellness, wildlife and foodie tours under one banner, so in October 2021, our new brand, Untamed Escapes was born.
Untamed Escapes continues to grow, adding the Red Centre and Kangaroo Island to our untamed destinations in 2023 and now have a strong focus on our Regenerative initiatives which you can read more about here.
We are more than a team. We are family. We love what we do, and we are passionate about giving people the best experience possible when they come on any tour with us. We have the professionalism and experience to back up our passion with more than 120 years of collective experience in the travel industry!
Name
Hassie
Position
Managing Director | Chief Storyteller
Years in Tourism
More like decades!
Favourite Untamed Destination
There is something extraordinary about Head of Bight on the Great Australian Bight. It has a fantastic coastal lookout, with the Bunda Cliffs on one side and the creamiest white dunes you have ever seen on the other. In the winter months, see Southern Right Whales with their young, adding another ‘wow ‘level to it.
Name
Anna
Position
Business Development | Marketing
Years in Tourism
26
Favourite Untamed Destination
I grew up in Perth, so the south-west of Western Australia holds a special place in my heart. From the colossal old-growth forests to the calm turquoise beaches of Geographe Bay. The incredible food and wine is just the icing on top.
Name
Rachel
Position
Digital Marketing
Years in Tourism
8
Favourite Untamed Destination
As an avid traveller, I have visited 40 countries but still think there’s nowhere that quite measures up to the natural beauty of Australia. My favourite place has to be Esperance. There’s nothing better than that crystal-clear water, white sand and kangaroos on the beach!
Name
Casey
Position
National Operations Manager
Years in Tourism
14
Favourite Untamed Destination
I love seafood, so it has to be Coffin Bay on the Eyre Peninsula. Sitting out on the calm bay with a fresh oyster in one hand and a glass of sparkling in the other, it doesn’t get much better.
Name
Adam
Position
Groups Manager | Experience Curator
Years in Tourism
12
Favourite Untamed Destination
Albany in Western Australia because the coast is so spectacular. Travelling there for the first time made me understand that Australia is full of beautiful places I’d never heard of and inspired me to get off the beaten path more often.
Name
Gianna
Position
Storyteller | Kangaroo Island Guide
Years in Tourism
9
Favourite Untamed Destination
I’ve got a degree in Animal Science, and love animals, the ocean, and island life. So Kangaroo Island is a pretty good fit for me! I love the stunning rugged coastline, the national parks and greenery everywhere, and of course, the wildlife that comes out when you watch the sunset.
Name
Geoff
Position
Port Lincoln Storyteller
Years in Tourism
17
Favourite Untamed Destination
You can’t beat Sleaford Bay on the wild, Southern Ocean side of Lincoln National Park. It features empty beaches, pounding surf, spectacular views, abundant wildlife, and the huge dunes are exhilarating to 4WD through.
Name
Nadine
Position
Regenerative Tourism Specialist
Years in Tourism
18
Favourite Untamed Destination
It’s hard to pin down a favourite destination as this whole continent is just breathtakingly beautiful. I love Ningaloo Reef and Karijini National Park, as well as Perth and Margaret River. But the rugged wilderness of the Eyre Peninsula’s West Coast is what makes you want to come back.
Name
Damien
Position
Storyteller Guide
Years in Tourism
A long time!
Favourite Untamed Destination
I guided my first tour across the Nullarbor for Hassie’s back in the summer of 2005. I’ve now taken the magnificent journey more than 100 times, so this has to be one of my favourite untamed destinations.
Name
Ruby
Position
Customer Support | Sales
Years in Tourism
2
Favourite Untamed Destination
I may be biased, but I consider the Fleurieu Peninsula my favourite untamed destination. It offers so much diversity, from beaches with stunning cliff formations to abundant wildlife encounters and the most laid-back wineries and breweries. A few of my favourite things to do include a morning dip at Moana Beach and walking in Kuitpo Forest.
Name
Brendan
Position
Finance Specialist | Storyteller Guide
Years in Tourism
10
Favourite Untamed Destination
Coming soon
Name
Sean
Position
Storyteller Guide
Years in Tourism
17
Favourite Untamed Destination
Western Australia because there’s always somewhere new to discover. I particularly love Lucky Bay in Cape Le Grande National Park because it’s such a beautiful and wild place.
Name
Eli
Position
Storyteller Guide
Years in Tourism
2
Favourite Untamed Destination
My favourite untamed destination is Kings Canyon, and the sunrise walk there is my favourite walk on the Uluru tour. The stunning views and colours of the Canyon at sunrise are pretty special!
Name
Tom
Position
Storyteller Guide
Years in Tourism
Favourite Untamed Destination
My favourite untamed destination is camping among the ancient slopes and native pines in the Flinders Ranges. Stories around the campfire while the galaxy shines above.
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Name
Jack
Position
Storyteller Guide
Years in Tourism
4
Favourite Untamed Destination
Born and raised in Melbourne, my guiding experience expands across all corners of Australia and New Zealand. While Australia has so much to offer, my fascination with geology always has me leaving Kata Tjuṯa wanting more. The cultural significance and landscape are just unmatched.
Name
Iluka
Position
Storyteller Guide
Years in Tourism
1
Favourite Untamed Destination
I’m grateful to work with Untamed Escapes, where I’ve had the opportunity to visit diverse destinations such as Kangaroo Island, Flinders Ranges, Coober Pedy, Kings Canyon, Uluru, and Kata Tjuta. Among them, Uluru holds a special place in my heart for its intoxicating, otherworldly beauty, which I believe has the power to profoundly impact one’s life — it certainly did mine!”
Name
Steve
Position
Storyteller Guide
Years in Tourism
Have lost count!
Favourite Untamed Destination
Coming soon
Name
Beebs
Position
Port Lincoln Storyteller
Years in Tourism
A lot
Favourite Untamed Destination
A Port Lincoln local for 50 years, Beebs is known for his incredible local knowledge and great sense of humour. He told us his favourite untamed spot is Golden Island Beach in the Coffin Bay National Park. Meet Beebs on one of our Port Lincoln or Coffin Bay Day Tours.
Name
Gary
Position
Storyteller Guide
Years in Tourism
15 and some
Favourite Untamed Destination
I worked on tourist boats for 15 years before becoming an Untamed Escapes guide, and I have to say there’s something familiar about boats in the sea and buses in the desert. I like the Wild West meets Mad Max of Coober Pedy and the Oodenatta Track.
Name
Position
Years in Tourism
Favourite Untamed Destination
Looking for a change in career or a fresh start? We are always on the lookout for energetic and charismatic Storyteller Guides for our trips across Australia. If you love nature, camping and adventure and are passionate about delivering outstanding tour experiences to a range of people from 18 to 80, get in touch! While experince is an advantage, we are more than happy to train the right people.
Hop on our all inclusive 3-Day Kangaroo Island Adventure Tours. Departing Adelaide all year round, you’ll be unearthing nature’s ultimate playground.
Connect with nature on our 8-day Uluru to Adelaide tour. Experience the ultimate outback camping adventure from the Red Centre to the southern coastline.
This Port Lincoln / Galinyala Cultural Tour is a unique day tour exploring the rich Aboriginal heritage of South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula.
On this Port Lincoln and Coffin Bay day tour you will experience the best of the Eyre Peninsula’s coastal sights and flavours.
135 Waymouth Street, Adelaide
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