Our story. In January 2021, we launched Warburton Adventure Company with the purpose of introducing our favourite spots in and around the Upper Yarra Valley with visitors who have a keen sense of adventure and locals who want to explore more of what’s on their doorstep.Our goal is to help visitors unearth and experience natural gems in the Yarra Valley on one of our expertly designed adventures and ensure the highest quality, safest and most epic experience possible.
Warburton Adventure Company is fully insured, a licensed tour operator with Parks Victoria and an Affiliate Member of Outdoors Victoria. All guides are trained and accredited outdoor adventure specialists with current Working with Children Check and First Aid Training.Warburton Adventure Co. certifications:Certificate IV in Outdoor RecreationWilderness First AidMountain Bike InstructorCommunity Surf Life SavingConduct and Supervise Challenge Ropes CourseSwift Water Rescue Technician.
About Warburton.The quaint township of Warburton sits on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people. A former goldmine and timber town it is located 75km from the Melbourne CBD and 30km from Healesville deep in the Yarra Valley of Victoria, and is framed by rivers and creeks, mountains and rainforests.
Warburton is home to many adventure attractions including the awe inspiring Redwood Forest.Planted in the 1930’s it has become a major attraction providing picnickers and forest bathers with a tranquil place to slow down, breathe deeply and appreciate nature. The popular Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail (40km) and O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail (36km) are frequented by walkers, runners, cyclists and horse riders alike.On a clear day panoramic views of Melbourne and the Yarra Valley can be enjoyed from the peak of Mount Donna Buang (1245m) which looms large from above the township and boasts walking trails in summer and snow play in winter. The Birrarung River (Yarra River) flows serenely through the valley from its source near Mount Baw Baw and is much loved for water play, river sledding and fishing. With the launch of Warburton Adventure Company the valley has now become a destination for non stop adventure. Discover exceptional local produce at delightful eateries, spectacular vineyards and boutique wineries, some housed in buildings which date back to Warburton’s early beginnings in the early 1900s.Warburton is also home to gourmet food, fine wine, specialty coffee, and artisan cheese, as well as an art gallery or two, boutique shops and plenty of quaint curiosities. With all that’s on offer it is little wonder that the township has become a playground for holidaymakers and nature enthusiasts looking to escape the city in search of adventure.
Sam Maddock, Co-Founder & DirectorSam is an industry leader who has held executive level positions in schools and on NGO boards. He is a trained teacher and a seasoned adventurer with 22 years of experience safely guiding people in adventure activities throughout Australia, Vietnam, Japan and Timor-Leste. He is on the Board of Yarra Ranges Tourism and a Committee Member of Warburton Valley Community Economic Development Association (CEDA). Sam is the Director & Co-Founder of Maddog Adventures (Timor-Leste), which helps to support the economic development of rural communities in Timor-Leste through sustainable adventure tourism. Sam thrives on providing people with the opportunity to experience the great outdoors and loves exploring natures’ wild places with his young family. "I've guided expeditions all round Australia and internationally. I knew instinctively that the valley would have hidden gems, I just didn't realise how good they'd be. I'm so stoked to be able to share what I've found with you all." — Sam "I've experienced some pretty cool adventures around the world and I just love what Warburton has to offer. It won't disappoint." — Liesel Liesel Maddock, Co-FounderLiesel is a business marketing professional and has worked in both the corporate and not-for-profit sectors. She is recognised as a Founding Contributor of Global Citizen and has taken a leading role in a number of globally renowned advocacy campaigns raising funds for international development initiatives. Liesel has guided adventure tours throughout NSW, VIC and run ski and snowboarding trips to Japan. Having spent her childhood living in the Himalayan mountains in India, Liesel feels most at home in the hills and has settled in the Warburton valley where she lives with her young family. She is a Committee Member of the Upper Yarra River Reserve (UYRRCom) and the Co-Founder of Maddog Adventures (Timor-Leste).
Nicolas Brown, Adventure GuideNic has over 20 years experience in the outdoor industry and is a seasoned professional in outdoor training and programming. As a skilled trainer and assessor Nic nurtures the next generation of outdoor leaders equipping them with skills in bushwalking, rock climbing, rafting, kayaking, canoeing, swift-water rescue, challenge ropes, skilling, snowboarding and mountain biking. Nic lives in the Dandenong Ranges with his family and brings his wealth of knowledge and passion for natures wild places to everything he does. Nic holds a Dip in Outdoor Recreation, Cert IV in Training and Assessment, and Dip in Vocational Education and Training. Trevor Dwyer, Adventure GuideTrev is a Warburton resident and can often be found mountain biking on the local trails or kayaking in the Yarra River. He grew up in Bright where he spent his childhood riding push bikes through the pines, tubing the Ovens River and skiing at Mt Buffalo. When not working for us Trev is a father, a musician, a mental health support worker and operates a height safety inspection business. Trev enjoys supporting others to access and enjoy all that the Yarra Valley has to offer and is an advocate for the physical and mental health benefits that participation in adventure activities can offer. Melanie Hurley, Adventure GuideMel is completely wild about the great outdoors. She spent 4 years working for a rafting company, bungy jumping, mountain biking and learning to paraglide in the adventure hub Queenstown, New Zealand. She worked six seasons between Australian and New Zealand ski resorts, before moving to Golden BC Canada where she worked for a ski and snowboard school at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Mel has now settled in the Dandenong Ranges with her young family and spends her time sharing her love of the outdoors with her two girls. She has a Dip of Outdoor Recreation from La Trobe University, Mt Buller. Jon Tinkler, Adventure GuideJon is a member of both the Upper Yarra SES and Millgrove CFA and has a breadth of skills ranging from Wildland and Structural Firefighting, Search and Rescue, Road Crash Rescue and First Aid. He is an experienced graphic designer and web developer and was previously involved in the training and implementation of IT systems for gyms and well known fitness centres, which involved travelling extensively throughout Asia. Jon is an experienced rock climber, abseiler and hiker and is passionate about the outdoors and the opportunities for personal growth that this environment can offer. He runs his own highly-regarded photography business and loves spending time with his family. Eamon Hicks, Adventure GuideEamon is a passionate and experienced outdoor enthusiast and an avid skier and rock climber. He spent much of his childhood hiking and traveling with his family both in Australia and abroad. He has over 5 years of experience in high ropes access working as both an instructor and course builder. Eamon took to the skies 6 years ago and currently works as a First Officer in commercial aviation based out of Melbourne. His favourite plane to fly is a Boeing 787. In between flights he relishes returning to the Yarra Valley, where he grew up, and sharing his love of the outdoors with others. Mike Perry, Adventure GuideMike is an elite ski instructor and outdoor adventure guide. He has 15 years of experience safely guiding groups and specialises in skiing, hiking, river sledding and abseiling. Mike has guided international expeditions to Nepal hiking the Annapurna circuit, and throughout North America including Kicking Horse Mountain working as a ski and snowboard instructor. As a P.E. instructor at a leading Melbourne school he trains students in skiing, snow sports, running, and outdoor education. Originally from the UK Mike has lived in a number of countries around the globe but has now settled in the Dandenong Ranges with his young family. He holds a MA in Mathematics.
