MELBOURNE Concept Store

Natalie Whiston - Marketing Juggler and Plate-spinner

I never had a chance. I was born into a family of travellers, and I was hooked from young age. I've never since managed to escape the bug and, to be honest, I'd prefer a lifetime of great photos and travel experiences to a fancy car or an expensive pair of shoes any day.

Here's a bit about me:

Coolest nature experience? Releasing turtle hatchlings in Borneo by torchlight.
Scariest moment? Being caught up in a human surge at a festival in Japan...losing my footing...very closely avoiding being trampled
Favourite drink? A stein (or two) at Oktoberfest in Germany. Just don't forget the pork knuckle.
Best dancing? Trinidad, Cuba - loving the salsa!
Favourite travel memory? Far too many to mention. And hopefully many more to come...

Jeremy Neumann - Marketing Coordinator

I am the Marketing Coordinator at G Adventures, I have been with G Adventures since March 2011.

I knew G Adventures was the Job for me when one of my interviews was in a beanbag room, and I could not see any suits! Travel is one of my biggest passions; there is nothing better than daydreaming about where I could be travelling next, whilst I am at work, and get away with it!

It would be easier for me to explain where I have not travelled; but I have explored all around Europe, America, Canada, Asia, South America and the Middle East.

I don’t think I actually have any memory of my craziest travel moment, but one I do remember is when I was in Portugal we discovered the “bar carriage” on the train - after spending most the trip there, we ended up waking up at the end of the line at 4am somewhere in country Portugal. The next train was not until 9am . There was only one street in this town and the only thing open was a local bar, with locals that spoke no English – the only sentence we both understood was ‘Whisky, Por favour senior!”

Pete Rawley - Head Honcho

Your position: Head Honcho - AUS/NZ/ASIA

Travel experience? I have been lucky enough to travel to 73 countries in a travel history that started back in 1987 ( boozy boys trip to Bali ) and most recently ( 2011 ) saw me traveling with my wife in Laos. I love the excitement of being on the road and meeting new people, tasting unique foods and embracing diverse cultures.

Why you work in travel? That would be like asking a child 'why they would want to work in a lollie shop?' It's a perfect match.

Why do you for for G Adventures? I have always enjoyed 'Adventure Travel'. I think it teaches you about a destination more than other holidays can. If you really want a life changing experience and to learn about the people, food, cultures and religions of a destination - then adventure travel does this best.

How long you have worked for G Adventures? I have been at G Adventures for a little over 3 years and in adventure travel for 13.

Craziest thing you have done traveling? I have joined in a few political rallies in various countries when I was a bit younger. Whilst feeling like it was the 'right thing to do', it was probably a little naive of certain situations. Live bullets are a wake up call - that's for sure.

Sandy Erskine - Customer Experience Officer

Travel experience?
My favourite places are remote. From the Jordanian desert to the Himalaya and the vastness of Antarctica, I love to check out the wild parts of our planet.

Why do you for for G Adventures?
I work for G Adventures because the philosophy on sustainable travel matches my own and being able to pass this message on & introduce people to an amazing travel experience is very rewarding.

How long you have worked for G Adventures?
I have been in travel for 8 years, just over 2 with G Adventures here in Melbourne. I now deal with reservations and many of our partners booking the MS Expedition.

Strangest thing you've ever eaten?
Not quite Bear Grylls but I've tried Crickets, crocodile, Goanna and erm...haggis.

Where to next?
The list never gets any smaller and Iran and Venezuela are high on the list. Africa calls though...I promise not to eat any of the Big 5!

Steve Ladgrove - Customer Experience Officer

Your position: Reservations CEO/Grease Monkey/Dishwasher/Animal Wrangler/Annoyer of Sandy

Travel experience? Europe (lots!) Asia (India, Malaysia, Japan), Africa (Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland)

Why you work in travel? It's a passion, addiction and unfortunately i'm a slave to Travel. Plus it's great to work in an industry with so many like minded people. I have met so many great friends in this industry.

Why do you work for G Adventures? We're different. We're not the same. Apart from our core values, it's great to turn up to work and use our core values towards my work life.

How long you have worked for G Adventures? Have been at G Adventures for 1 year. Been in travel in general close to 4 years!

Favorite overseas food: Authentic Goan Spicy Chicken Vindaloo. My. Lips. Are. Still. Burning.

Favourite Staff Member : Sandy.

Have you ever tried walking on Stilts?: No

Jolene Brown - Marketing Assistant

Part-time Marketing Assistant. Part-time because I also have another job… Home-Executive and Mother-Extraordinaire! The job at The Outpost pays much better.
Born in South Africa (and still a true Saffer at heart and loyal Springbok supporter), I have lived and worked in South Africa, the Canary Islands, Ascension Island, the UK, the British Virgin Islands and now Australia – where I’ve lived with my family for 5 years.

I left South Africa to backpack around Europe for 6 months when I was 21 – and returned 9 years later…only to set off again 18 months later.
I’ve worked in various London pubs, and at the coconut shire of a funfair in Israel. I’ve swept the city streets of Eilat, served at a café on the Greek Islands, and I’ve cooked on beautiful sailing yachts in the Caribbean. I’ve also done my fair share of boring office jobs - all to finance my travels. Now I have a job that combines my two passions –marketing and travel and that’s why I love working at G Adventures.
At my last count I’d visited 51 countries My all time favourites are Bolivia and Turkey, for reasons far too many to list here!

I’ve only hiked half the Inca Trail because I broke my back sky-diving 3 months before I set off on a 4 month trip around Central and South America. I’ve survived drifting on the open ocean on an Indonesian fishing boat for 3 days. I’ve cycled down Death Road in Bolivia and lived to tell the tale. I’ve been deported from England. And of course I’ve run with the bulls in Pamplona – because I was young and stupid! I’m actually not sure if I’ll ever let my kids to backpacking.
And I still dream everyday about seeing the rest of the world. I truly believe kids do not have to stop the wanderlust – maybe just the style of your travel – a little! Mine are 4 and 7 and I’ve taken them to the Caribbean, the UK, the USA and Alaska, Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand. A life-changing moment for me was when we free camped next to a couple on the beach in Talum, Mexico - they were backpacking the world with their 2 year old.

I love chocolate, sunshine, the beach and of course travelling. My mission is to travel the world to find the most beautiful beach where I will sit in the sunshine and eat chocolate all day. The winner at the moment is Sardinia Bay, Port Elizabeth in my homeland.

Next stop for me…possibly Morocco, possibly Russia or maybe Jordan.

Melinda Baxter - The Girl (who gets stuff done)

My goal in life was to always see the world and experience new cultures and luckily enough I have found a great industry that encourages me to do just that. I have been in the travel industry now for 14 years and spent the past 3 of those with G Adventures as 'The Girl (That gets stuff done)'

I must admit that I have a slight obsession with Asia and have travelled to many countries in the region with Myanmar (Burma) being one of my favourites. The pagoda's of Bagan meant that I used 10 rolls of film (i was there quite a while ago!) in one day trying to capture how beautiful those temples were. My next area to immerse myself in is Central America. Having not travelled to that region of the world before, I am more than curious to see what it has on offer.

Most memorable travel experience: Stepping foot for the first time on South Georgia Island to see the King Penguins. It had long been a dream of mine to see the massive penguin colonies and they did not disappoint. It's a long haul to get there but worth every second of time!

Best travel tip: Don't keep all your money in one place when travelling. Shove some in your pocket, your sock, leave some at the hotel hidden in your bag. Have some in your backpack or camera case and a money belt as well. That way is you are ever unfortunate enough to be 'relieved' of your money you will still have a small stash of it to get you through. Also take photos of your belongings before you leave and email them to yourself. Helps immensely if you can show insurance companies what you have lost.

Next travel destinations? Central America with Mexico top of the list. Alaska, Turkey or Kenya will be next.