Our Team

Our award-winning guides’ local knowledge, their enthusiasm with guests and helpful insights along the way are what delivers the Auswalk difference. All have the training and qualifications to ensure you have the most fun on your walking holiday and return safely with a greater understanding and appreciation for the area. Our guides love what they do and are passionate about creating memorable walks to share with everyone.

Guide Katie Campbell on a group guided Auswalk hike on Kangaroo Island

KATIE CAMPBELL

Katie brings with her years of experience guiding for many different outfits. Her fun and bubbly personality means there’s never a dull moment for walkers. She has a passion for nature and won’t hesitate to share her vast knowledge of the Australian Outback, particularly its flora and fauna.

Auswalk walking holiday guide Merel Dalebout walking in the Blue Mountains

MEREL DALEBOUT

Affectionately known as “Dr Merel”, her understanding of nature is informed by a background in biology, evolution and ecology. Merel has guided trips all over the country and to locations as far flung as Antarctica, the Hebrides and the Caribbean. Yet her speciality remains Australia, exploring the few parts we don't yet go to, developing new trips for us.

Portrait photo of experienced Auswalk Guide Bill Coutts walking the Larapinta Trail

BILL COUTTS

Bill’s outdoor knowledge is second to none, having spent 30 years running outdoor education programs. There's nothing Bill can't tell you about walking in South Australia or Victoria, drawing from his own unique experiences – something you won't find in the guidebooks.

Portrait photo of Auswalk guide Rebecca Cox guiding on the Larapinta Trail

REBECCA COX

Bec has been wilderness guiding for almost a decade. In her spare time she loves to explore the long distance track networks in the wild parts of Australia. Taking on challenges like walking solo on the Larapinta from end to end are part of her daily life. She is also a keen mountain biker.

Flinders ranges walker opening back pack

KATHLEEN HEAP

Kathleen is also a nature lover living on Flinders Island one of the most beautiful and serene islands in Australia. The very stunning Flinders Island. She is also a yoga teacher and a great cook. Kathleen is a Tasmain specialist and also guides in the middle of the country on the Larapimta and the Red Centre trips. She also runs our self-guided walks and leads the guided walks on Flinders Island with David.

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DAVID HEAP

David's love for nature and walking makes him one of Auswalk's guest's favourite guides. He is also a physiotherapist of 30 years so very useful for all those with aches and pains. David guides in the Red Centre the Top End and in Tasmania. He also resides on Flinders Island and assists us with the self-guided walks and leads the guided walks on the island with Kathleen.

Eric Patagonia

ERIC WARD

Eric has been guiding trips along the Great Ocean Walk for more than a decade. He has a particular love for that walk but also loves the Larapinta. His values and life experience align perfectly with Auswalk's philosophy of getting people out of their comfort zone and reconnecting with themselves and nature.

Auswalk walking tour guide Marie Killeen on a hike in Tasmania

MARIE KILLEEN

You'll certainly be in safe hands with Marie. She has over 30 years of teaching and guiding experience and is Auswalk’s longest serving guide. There’s virtually no Auswalk trip Marie hasn't been on, but her favourite remains the Great Ocean Walk, which she’s walked over 60 times.

Auswalk walking tour guide Paul Kileen hiking the Cape to Cape

PAUL KILLEEN

Paul’s an expert on Victoria's Alpine and Western Australian walks. His passion for photography makes all the trips he guides even more memorable. Never short on walking stories – Paul’s adventures have taken him around the world.

Portrait photo of Auswalk walking holiday guide Denise Allardice on a Snowy Mountains hike

DENISE ALLARDICE

Denise is one of our longest serving guides and is one of our Top End experts with qualifications both in the Red Centre and Kakadu. However, she’s no stranger to snow, living next to the slopes in the Snowy Mountains. The other regions Denise guides include the Flinders Ranges, far north Queensland and Kangaroo Island.

Portrait photo of Auswalk walking holiday guide Gavin Scott on a Snowy Mountains hike

GAVIN SCOTT

Gavin has taken Auswalkers all over the country as one of our longest serving guides. A local of the Snowy Mountains, his knowledge and expertise extends to the Northern Territory, Kangaroo Island, North Queensland and the Flinders Ranges.

Dan Green guiding an Auswalk hike on the Cape to Cape

DAN GREEN

Dan turned his passion for the outdoors into his dream career, with qualifications in geography, arboriculture and habitat conservation. His years hiking in Alaska, Spain, NZ, and Australia would make even the most avid walker envious. An extensive knowledge of the environment and nature makes walking with Dan an immersive experience.


“The guides were knowledgeable, genuine, welcoming and very professional at managing a group of different personalities to ensure everyone has the best experience possible”.
Jenny Cook – Blue Mountains Traverse Walk


Meet the team

Auswalk owner Brett Neagle guiding on the Great Ocean Walk

BRETT NEAGLE

Brett is a walker from way back. He’s been all over, including the Himalayas, the Andes and the Inca Trail, hikes in Africa – and everywhere Auswalk goes. He’s also lived and worked overseas in Africa, India and Europe. Before starting at Auswalk, Brett spent time working with kids and driving tourists around Australia. It’s no surprise he’s most passionate about walking alongside fantastic people in this beautiful country he calls home.

walking tour guides

TASH INGERSON

Tash has travelled extensively for work and had previously been promoting South Australia overseas as part of the SA Tourism Commission. Once repatriated, she held an executive role at Ansett, the former domestic airline group. Her prior experience in travel and tourism adds a wealth of knowledge to her role as Office Manager.

walking tour guides

SANYANA PETHES

Sanyana is a traveller with a real soft spot for Italy, having studied in Milan. But her travels haven’t been limited to just Italy, as she’s visited most cities in Europe and explored much of Asia. Sanyana is our expert on self-guided walks and is the one to talk to for those keen on walking independently.

walking tour guides

JACKIE SEARS

As our group-guided walk aficionado, Jackie has an attention to detail like no other. For this, her administration/executive assistant background comes in real handy. Like all good Australians, she’s spent time living abroad and continues to travel extensively whenever she has an opportunity.

Auswalk Strategy Director Magnus Nilsson hiking at Wilsons Prom

MAGNUS NILSSON

With a love for travel and nature, Magnus comes with an enthusiasm for walking and all that it brings. Having worked in marketing for global brands and in advertising for various tourism industry businesses, he is passionate about promoting eco-tourism. Having fallen in love with walking a long time ago, Magnus relishes discovering that next trail.

walking tour guides

ANNE BLOCKLEY

Anne is a walker from way back and loves doing marathons, so is always up for our more challenging walks. She is our New Zealand expert; you might notice the accent. She has owned businesses, has a couple of grown-up kids and has a real passion for walking and customer care.

shipsterns bluff walk

WENDY EDMONDS

Wendy is the mother of two grown children and has a wealth of experience in the tourism industry. She has travelled extensively and loves assisting people to get out walking. Her hobbies include food and wine tasting and walking the beach where she lives.

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If you’re looking for further information on any of our walking holidays please fill out the enquiry form and we’ll be in touch.

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