About Us

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.

Untamed Escapes was born from a deep love for adventure, nature, and authentic connections. At the heart of our journey is Hassie—an iconic figure in the Australian tourism landscape—and his wife, Jo. Their story is one of passion, perseverance, and a commitment to showcasing Australia’s raw beauty to the world. 

During a successful stint as the owner of the Port Kenny Hotel, Hassie started the first courtesy hotel bus service in South Australia, transporting patrons safely between Venus Bay and the hotel. He added a little tour of Venus Bay to the shuttle, followed by a feed of freshly caught local whiting. Not a bad service for a small country town! And one that made him realise he quite enjoyed showing people around his backyard. But there was another venture to accomplish first.

In 1998, Hassie and Jo took a leap of faith, purchasing a rundown homestead on 3,000 acres on South Australia’s wildly beautiful Eyre Peninsula. With a passion for sustainability, they transformed it into Coodlie Park Farm Retreat—an eco-friendly property with cabins and a campground that welcomed travellers seeking off-the-grid experiences. Over time, a range of tours were created for guests, and the desire to put the Eyre Peninsula on the map as a must-visit destination grew.

In 2016, Australian Wildlife Adventures was created. Hassie and Jo worked tirelessly to expand this business, advocating for these stunning yet underrated regions at global tourism events. Seeing an opportunity to cater to a broader audience, they introduced higher-end tours alongside new adventure-focused offerings.

Things were ticking along nicely, and then—well, that pandemic thing we’d all rather forget happened. Knowing we needed to adapt, we got creative and launched a yoga tour of the Margaret River region. It was a success, sparking a new era for our company. With wellness tours now part of our expanding product range, it became clear that the time had come to unite all our adventure, wellness, wildlife, and foodie tours under one banner.

And so, in October 2021, Untamed Escapes was born. More than just a rebrand, this marked a new chapter that fully embraced our mission: to connect people with nature, culture, and place through transformational travel experiences across Australia and contribute to restoring and enhancing the places we visit.

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

Owner | 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

Marketing | Communications

Years in Tourism

27

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 are just the icing on top.

Name

Kristy

Position

General Manager

Years in Tourism

Twenty something

Favourite Untamed Destination

Picking my favourite destination in Australia is really difficult! My husband and I have had a couple of wonderful trips to the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia in a time before children, so that region holds a special place for us. We also love diving and snorkelling on the Ningaloo Reef out of Exmouth. 

Name

Casey

Position

Operations Manager

Years in Tourism

15

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

13

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

Cameron

Position

Customer Service Superstar 

Years in Tourism

6

Favourite Untamed Destination

Since moving to Australia from the UK, I’ve been captivated by the country’s incredible natural beauty and inspired by how deeply Australians care about preserving it for future generations. With its endless stretch of sand and sparkling, crystal-clear waters, Fisheries Bay brings me so much joy.

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

Chris

Position

Storyteller Guide

Years in Tourism

26 and counting

Favourite Untamed Destination

I have always loved the Flinders Ranges and Arkaroola. So much raw beauty and history of the area and the Geo Adelaide Syncline. And the best walks! Kangaroo Island also has such incredible, untamed scenery and experiences that always amaze our guests and me.

Name

Blanche

Position

Local Connector Sydney

Years in Tourism

8

Favourite Untamed Destination

Uluru! The heart of this ancient land. Red earth, big skies, billions of stars pulsing brightly at night, breathtaking beauty and a place held by the Anangu people for as far back as time. The first time I visited (with my two kids, in 2004), waterfalls were coming off the rock. I’m forever expanded, and each visit leaves a deep imprint on my soul.

Name

Eli

Position

Storyteller Guide

Years in Tourism

4

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

Hannah

Position

Storyteller Guide & Adelaide Ops

Years in Tourism

10

Favourite Untamed Destination

The red cliffs in Central Australia remind me so much of the deserts in Utah, where I guided before moving down under. This, in combination with the flora of that area, makes all the desert destinations, such as Kata Tjuta, Uluru, and Watarrka, some of my favourites.

Name

Steve

Position

Storyteller Guide

Years in Tourism

Have lost count!

Favourite Untamed Destination

Coming soon 

Name

Misty

Position

Storyteller Guide

Years in Tourism

5 years

Favourite Untamed Destination

It’s hard to choose a favourite place. Everywhere holds its own sacredness, but I do have a special love for heading up the guts of Australia. There’s something powerful about that untouched wilderness, where wide-open spaces greet you and nature’s silence wraps around you. You’ve got to wake up early to catch the wildlife, and the breathtaking light shows, where the land shifts through a spectrum of colours and the ancient ways of our Indigenous people can truly be felt.

Name

Sean

Position

Storyteller Guide

Years in Tourism

19 years

Favourite Untamed Destination

My favourite place is south-west 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

Joe

Position

 Port Lincoln Storyteller Guide

Years in Tourism

Many

Favourite Untamed Destination

Joe is widely respected for his deep local knowledge and genuine passion for the region. Now retired from the National Parks & Wildlife Service, he guides many of our Port Lincoln and Coffin Bay day tours, where he continues to inspire guests with his storytelling, environmental knowledge, and love for the land. He’s also been busy regenerating his own 23-acre property, encouraging the return of native flora and fauna through hands-on conservation.

Name

Brooke

Position

Storyteller Guide & Perth Ops

Years in Tourism

12

Favourite Untamed Destination

My true home is in the ocean. I am a freediver and love swimming with sharks. My favourite place? The west coast all the way, especially Ningaloo Reef, Shark Bay, Margaret River and Esperance.

Name

Beebs

Position

Port Lincoln Storyteller

Years in Tourism

Lots!

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

Position

Years in Tourism

Favourite Untamed Destination

Name

Position

Years in Tourism

Favourite Untamed Destination