Our Team

BILL COUTTS

Prior to Auswalk Bill spent 25 years in Environmental and Outdoor Education teaching students in Australia, The United States and Canada. He also ran his own business specialising in trekking, cycling and canoe tours. In 2015 Bill started guiding for Auswalk, he loves sharing his vast knowledge of the outdoors and exploring beautiful, fascinating and challenging places with the wonderful walkers he gets to meet. His favourite walks are Kangaroo Island and the Flinders Ranges. The Grampians, Mount Hotham and Falls Creek, Cradle Mountain and the Three Capes are all on the list as well. When not guiding you’ll find Bill, sailing, skiing, or enjoying a glass of wine with friends and family from his vineyard in the Adelaide Hills.

CHRIS DONAGHY

With nearly 30 years experience in vocational education as trainer, manager and consultant, Chris seized the opportunity to retrain in 2022 in Outdoor Leadership, and puts all his experience to good use as a hiking and rafting guide (for both big and little people!). Our walkers enjoy his expertise (and love of meeting people!) when hiking the Three Capes and Great Ocean walks. Chris cites the Three Capes hike as among the most spectacular in Australia: 'when you're looking at the rock formations, it feels like being a pebble in the land of giants'. Alongside his passion for the great outdoors, Chris is ever hopeful his football team (of the round ball variety) will counter their apparent aversion to winning, and is on tenterhooks to see if Scotland can ever win a major soccer tournament. Luckily his love of live music helps Chris deal with this ongoing disappointment.

CHRIS LEIBHARDT

Chris lives and breathes the coastal life having spent 40 years exploring the surf coast of Victoria both on the ground and in the ocean. As a tour guide, Chris loves helping our clients enjoy the beauty and wonder of our walks, safely and comfortably. It’s only natural that Chris’s favourite walk is The Great Ocean Walk for its variety of walking terrain and the spectacular topography, flora and fauna. He also appreciates the fact that each walking day on the GOW is uniquely different. When he’s not walking the trails – you’ll find Chris in the ocean swimming, surfing, boogie boarding or kayaking. Chris is a fun guy who also studies Fungi and jumping spiders.

DAVID HEAP

David’s love of nature and walking, equipped with 30 years of working as a physiotherapist, makes him invaluable on the track. With his wife Kathleen, David guides Red Centre, Larapinta and everywhere in Tasmania. As our Flinders Island local, David is an integral part of our Group-guided and Self-guided walks on the island. We know that wherever David is our walkers will be happy and well taken care of. When not guiding David is assisting us in creating and introducing new walking holidays.

ERIC WARD

Eric has lead walking and cycling tours in South America, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Japan. his leadership skills have also taken him into the water as a white-water kayaker and professional rafting guide – leading the first commercial 12 day white water rafting adventure down the Franklin River in Tasmania. It’s safe to say he knows his way around a map being a topographic mapping expert. No maps are needed for Eric on the Great Ocean Walk – a walk he’s been guiding for more than a decade. His favourite walk is the Grampians Peaks Trail for the challenge and unique mountains. Away from guiding, Eric enjoys mountain biking and travelling with friends and family.

GEORGIE BEALE

Georgie has a deep connection with the Great Ocean Walk, having grown up calling this wild and wonderful section of coastline home. With 25 years experience in coastal management, conservation and education Georgie sees her guiding as a culmination of all the skills she has gained throughout her career. Her specialty and favourite walk is of course the Great Ocean Walk, offering Auswalker's unique insights that only a local could know! Georgie loves witnessing the awe and excitement of our walkers and is passionate about making their experience unforgettable. Georgie enjoys spending her time with family and loves a good music festival!

KATHLEEN IVES-HEAP

You’ll often find Kathleen guiding with her husband David in the Red Centre, Larapinta or anywhere in Tasmania. They have been living and guiding on Flinders Island since 2007 and are a key part of both our Group-Guided and Self-Guided trips there. Among Kathleen's favourite walks are Mt Strzelecki (you can see her home from the top) and Mt Amos as that’s where they were married! Kathleen is a passionate therapeutic yoga instructor and a music teacher so be prepared for a good stretch and a singalong on the bus!

KATIE CAMPBELL

Meet Katie, a seasoned hiking tour guide with 19 years of experience under her belt. As head guide, Katie knows every twist and turn of the Flinders Ranges, Lord Howe Island, Grampians, and Larapinta. With her charismatic comedic charm and a knack for spinning an entertaining story for any occasion, she makes every hike unforgettable.
Off the trails, Katie is a trivia night MVP, thanks to her vast repository of quirky facts. When she's not guiding adventurers through Australia's stunning landscapes, you'll find her soaking up farm life on Phillip Island with her horses, surfing, hitting the golf course, or cheering on Collingwood. Katie’s passion for wildlife and the great outdoors is infectious.

MADDIE WAIT

Maddie's passion for the outdoors led her to becoming a National Outdoor Leadership School instructor, making her a natural fit for Auswalk, where she loves guiding because of the sense of community and because she can work outdoors everyday. She has done many personal hiking trips within Australia and overseas, with the Pacific Crest Trail in the US a real highlight. Closer to home, Auswalk's Cape to Cape walk is a firm favourite, being close to where she grew up and full of happy memories. When not guiding 2 legged friends, Maddie loves to take her 4 legged golden retriever, Lucy, to the beach, and is reputed to make a mean banana bread. Oh, and she also has a first class honours in Physics!

MARIE KILLEEN

Marie has been guiding for Auswalk since 2009! She was a secondary school teacher for 25 years before going back to study at 50 to gain qualifications in Toursim Management specalising in Eco Tourism. Marie takes her role seriously, caring for and ensuring that all our lovely walkers have a fun and enriching experience and due to our many repeat walkers it often feels like welcoming family back each trip. Maries favourite trip is Lord Howe Island and for very good reason - endemic plants and animals, crystal clear water, coral reefs and friendly people and ofcourse views everywhere you look. Off the track Marie likes to indulge her creative side with embroidery, craft and gardening.

MEREL DALEBOUT

Merel is an experienced outdoor guide with a passion for exploration and adventure. Her deep knowledge of the natural world and her enthusiasm for the great outdoors make her an exceptional guide, inspiring and educating those who join her. Merel also plays a key role in developing new unique and engaging walks for Auswalk. Her favourite walk is the Tour du Mont Blanc, a breathtaking trek that circles the Mont Blanc massif. This trail captures Merel's love for majestic landscapes, physical endurance, and the camaraderie that comes from sharing such extraordinary experiences with others. When not on land, Merel works for a ultra-luxury cruise company, as an educator and submarine pilot in the polar regions and tropical waters.

MICHELLE WHITEHOUSE

Michelle is our go-to guide for all things Carnarvon Gorge. Following the completion of her Outdoor Education and Nature Tourism Degrees in 2013 she has been guiding ever since in locations like Kangaroo Island, Uluru Katja Juta and Outback Queensland. Carnarvon Gorge stole Michelle’s heart in 2016 and is now her ‘office’, her home, and her favourite walking destination. From cultural sites to paddling platypus, Michelle loves showing our walkers the diverse landscapes of Carnarvon while bonding over a shared love of the Australian bush. When not guiding Michelle can be found walking her two kelpies.

PAUL KILLEEN

You’ll know you’re in safe hands with Paul, having worked for 38 years as an Electronic Engineer and Risk Manager. Paul joined the Auswalk team around 2016 guiding many of our Australian walks with his wife Marie. He loves sharing his knowledge about the things you’ll find out on the track – the interesting, the obvious and the not so obvious. Paul enjoys his role as a motivator supporting walkers to do and see things they wouldn’t get to experience on their own. His favourite walk is Lord Howe Island as it really does tick all the boxes. Ocean, mountains and great weather! If Pauls your guide you’ll leave with more than just fantastic memories as he’s also a very skilled photographer. When not on the track Paul enjoys music and gardening.

REBECCA COX

Bec has been a wilderness guide for over a decade and has been with Auswalk for about half that time. She has a passion for guiding because it takes her to wild and wonderful places, and she gets to meet lots of interesting people along the way. Her favourite walk is the Grampians - it’s a special place with stunning scenery (and lots of mountain biking trails). When not guiding you’ll find Bec challenging herself with a solo walk across the Larapinta or exploring any new area she can get to. If you’re lucky enough to have Bec as your guide she may even play you a song on the banjo!

TOM BARTLETT

An avid long distance hiker, some of Tom's favourites include the Pacific Crest Trail, the Greater Patagonian Trial and the Te Araroa. A challenge certainly does not ruffle Tom, so you're in very good hands with him as your guide; you'll find him mostly guiding in Western Australia on the Cape to Cape track. This happens also to be his favourite, because of its stunning coastal variety and abundance of wildflowers endemic to the region that he loves to point out to his walkers. A scientist by education, Tom puts his background in physics to good use when guiding, being able to share different ways of understanding and appreciating nature with our walkers. You're in for an educational treat!

ANNE BLOCKLEY
DELIVERY TEAM MANAGER

Anne provides invaluable training and support to our Destination Consultants to help them reach their full potential, as well as supporting the ongoing development of the business. She has owned businesses, has a couple of grown-up kids and has a real passion for customer care. A great lover of walking and being out in nature, the Auswalk Mont Blanc, Japan and the UK walks are all on her bucket list. With 10 trail marathons and numerous half marathons under her belt, alongside weekends spent mostly training, she's likely to conquer them in record breaking time and barely break into a sweat!

BELLA NOLAN
DESTINATION CONSULTANT

A customer service pro, Bella's worked in the specialty for 11 years, across hospitality, local government and travel/tourism. Working on both Domestic and International walks at Auswalk, Bella loves the challenge of creating a customer's perfect trip - and says it's like putting together pieces of a puzzle. Being born and bred on the Mornington Peninsula, its walk is very close to her heart with its nostalgic and homely feel - a spot you'll often find her enjoying beach walks with her pampered pooch Yuki, burning off all the calories from her baking! Bella's our guru for the Bibbulmun, Cape to Cape, Great Ocean Walk, Abel Tasman, Bay of Islands and Provence holidays amongst others!

BRETT NEAGLE
CEO

Brett has always taken the path less travelled, having lived and worked overseas in Africa, India and Europe. He had his first taste of walking in the Himalayas and the Andes on the Inca trail in the 80s and hasn’t stopped since. Prior to Auswalk, Brett worked as a counsellor for youth in the justice system. His love of exploring brought him back into the tourism industry where Brett grew Auswalk from offering a handful of Australian walks to now offering hundreds of walks all over the world. Recently Brett’s role at Auswalk has changed from CEO to finding and introducing new and exciting walks. Brett’s favourite walk is always the last one he walked – recently he returned to Nepal and researched new trips in Japan, Croatia and Turkey.

IAN LANDY
DESTINATION CONSULTANT

Ian has spent his life encouraging people to enjoy exercise and the great outdoors, having previously worked as an Outdoor Education Teacher and in Sports Administration. As an Auswalk Destination Consultant, he thrives by helping people to live out their walking dreams. He loves the Flinders Ranges walk with landscape like no other - amazing sunrises, geography and scenery. In his words, a true nature experience with little human impact. Ian's your man to talk about Flinders Island, the Great Alpine Walk, Mornington Peninsula, the Caminos, Coast to Coast, Mont Blanc and Queen Charlotte. Being an avid sports fan he will happily talk about that too!

JACKIE SEARS
GROUP-GUIDED COORDINATOR

Jackie is one of Auswalk’s Group Guided coordinators. In 2017 Jackie joined Auswalk swapping a 15 year career in the corporate finance world for her dynamic role organising all of the logistics and back of house arrangements for our Group Guided trips. Jackie has travelled extensively overseas, including working and living in the UK for many years. Equipped with her caravan, 2 kids and her husband, Jackie is now ticking off wild and wonderful destinations in Australia - her favourite being Kings Canyon Rim Walk in the NT. If you ever need an extra person for music trivia Jackie is your girl with an amazing ability to remember any and all song lyrics!

ISSY MACHEDA
DELIVERY TEAM

Issy lives and breathes travel, having studied tourism and events and from working in the travel industry. Issy took a rewarding career change into allied and mental health as a Support Coordinator before making her way back into travel at Auswalk. With a particular love of mountains and waterfalls, Issy specialises in our Blue Mountains and Grampians walking holidays in addition to building and delivering the Auswalk App. A passionate traveller, Issy is one of those people who enjoys organising every little detail of a trip and has travelled extensively in Asia, South America and around Australia in her van. When not adventuring you’ll find Issy at home playing the piano or drawing.

JESSIE BURLEY
ACCOUNTS & DELIVERY TEAM

Jessie B (the other half of the 2 Jessies in our team!) found her way to Auswalk in 2022, bringing her exceptional customer service skills. Currently completing her Cert 4 in accounting and bookkeeping, Jessie works in our Accounts Department and our Delivery Team. If you’re an Auswalker you’ve probably heard from Jessie B as she ensures all logistics are confirmed and that each walker has a perfect and complete information pack. As a lover of travel, Jessie has recently returned from exploring South America and looks forward to getting over to New Zealand to do the Abel Tasman and Queen Charlotte Track! Outside of work, travel and study you’ll find Jessie at a hot pilates class or cooking dinner with her friends. If you ever need a restaurant recommendation Jessie has you covered!

JESSIE INGERSON
DESTINATION CONSULTANT & DELIVERY TEAM

Jessie’s role at Auswalk includes managing and helping develop our ever-growing catalogue of walks, as well as managing logistics for our trips and delivering the final product to our walkers. If you’ve booked a walk with us there’s a good chance you’ve spoken to Jessie! She’s one of our Nepalese Walk experts having recently undertaken several multi day treks in the area – with the Everest & Kongde 12-day guided walk being her favourite. Jessie looks forward to going back to Nepal to further explore and connect with the local people, and is currently completing her business degree. When not working or studying you’ll find Jessie travelling to unique destinations, hiking, exercising, and balancing it all out with baking healthy and delicious cakes (@bellyfullofcake)!

JOSIE NILSSON
MARKETING DIRECTOR

With a background in marketing and analytics in the corporate world, Josie delights in now working for Auswalk, and being able to apply her skills to promoting her passion for walking in nature (in comfort of course, no camping for her...). Hiking K'gari was a particular highlight:'you don't get many 'firsts' in life, and being driven along the beach to your drop off point, looking out to the sparkling ocean, spotting dingoes along the way, is certainly one of them!' The incredible Abel Tasman with the kayaking tour is next on the hitlist to add to the 'firsts'... An avid cook, Josie loves to entertain, both friends and family, and spoil her various 4 legged fur babies.

MAIKA HARRIS
DESTINATION CONSULTANT

Maika grew up in the shadow of Mt Fuji and despite having lived in Australia for the past 10 years, still enjoys exploring Japan on a regular basis. With a background in tourism and finance, we're lucky to now have her applying her knowledge of Japan and its culture to our destinations. - naturally, she's the first point of contact when planning your Japanese adventure! She enjoys exploring old Japan with her favourite walk being the Nakasendo, describing it as showcasing the amazing serenity of Japan while exposing walkers to the stunning architecture of Japan's historic post towns, mixed with traditional temples and shrines. When not at work Maika enjoys cooking Japanese food and exploring Australia.

MAGNUS NILSSON
STRATEGY DIRECTOR

With a love for travel and nature, Magnus harbours a passion for long distance walking and all its benefits. Having extensive experience managing & marketing global brands, alongside advertising for various tourism industry businesses, he thrives on the challenge of running Auswalk. Magnus will happily extol the virtues of the Japanese walks for hours on end, having hiked the Kumano a few times and been enthralled with its challenge and beauty, not to mention relishing the culinary pleasures along the way. Despite his Swedish origins, Magnus is a devoted Man City fan and is dedicated to ensuring his two sons are duly devoted to his mighty Sky Blues.

MONICA BUSCH
DESTINATION CONSULTANT

Born in Scotland, raised on the West Coast of Canada and now a dual Aussie Citizen, Monica was born to travel. With a career in the travel industry she has clocked up visits to a whopping 33 countries and still climbing. There are still so many places on her bucket list but with her time here at Auswalk as a Destination Consultant, she has now added our 3 Capes in Tassie, Dordogne in France and West Highlands Way to the list. With two of her 3 adult children now living in Darwin, a visit to the NT is always on the cards. When Monica is not travelling she is busy keeping herself fit with local walks, pickleball, yoga and pilates!

PAO-LIN CHAN
DESTINATION CONSULTANT

Pao came to Auswalk with a wealth of knowledge about despatch coordination, finance and warehouse management. Her love of plants, animals and all outdoor activities led her to Auswalk's door. Pao is our destination consultant for Tuscany and Amalfi, The Cotswolds and Scotland, as well as Victoria including the Great Ocean Walk and our Alpine region. Pao loves being involved in our overseas and domestic trips as she gets to experience what it would be like to travel the world, via her keyboard, each day! Pao's favourite walk is the Grampians with its grand vistas, varied terrain, and wildlife encounters. When not working you’ll find Pao travelling in her caravan, wearing a pair of comfy boots experiencing good views, company and food.

SANYANA PETHES
MARKETING COORDINATOR

Sanyana spent 6 years as a Destination Consultant before moving over to Marketing, where she loves to interact with our walkers through social media, and spread the word (and awe inspiring photos) about how 'truly amazing' our walking holidays are! Her favourites include Blue Mountains, for the villages, views and spectacular food and accommodation, and the Great Ocean Walk for, in her eyes, the greatest ocean views in the world! When not hiking, Sanyana can be found taking photos, reading, eating something delicious or spending time with her many and much loved pets.

TASH PORTER
OPS MANAGER

Tash’s extensive experience in the travel and tourism industry, a passion for living a healthy lifestyle and her eye for detail makes her the perfect fit for Operations Manager at Auswalk. Tash leads the team of Destination Consultants, overseeing the entire process from enquiry to delivery. She works out the logistics of new walks and creates and maintains processes to ensure that everything runs smoothly in the office and out on the tracks for our walkers. Tash’s favourite walk is the Nakasendo in Japan, due to the beauty and simplicity of the countryside and the incredible cuisine. When not at Auswalk, travelling or cooking up a storm at home, you’ll often find Tash at hot pilates, seeing live music, watching a foreign film, or visiting the theatre.

WENDY EDMONDS
DESTINATION CONSULTANT

Wendy is our 3 Capes and Tasman Peninsula expert and customer service extraordinaire. With a wealth of knowledge and experience in customer service roles within the tourism industry, Wendy is more than equipped to help you plan your perfect self-guided Australian Walking Holiday. With a passion for staying fit and active, Wendy is a firm believer in living life to the fullest and lives by the mantra ‘we don’t stop moving because we grow old, we grow old because we stop moving’. When not working you’ll find Wendy walking along the beach where she lives, enjoying one of the beautiful wineries on the Peninsula or planning her next overseas adventure!