At Life’s an Adventure, we believe that walking is only part of the adventure. This tagline didn’t just emerge overnight, it evolved from a simple, personal story that shaped the way we design every journey.
Company Director Mark, a proud Tasmanian, has been passionate about hiking since his school days when he led his high school’s bushwalking club. His love for the outdoors continued into adulthood, often hiking with his wife, Vicki. However, to get her to join him more often, Mark realised that the experience needed to be more than just walking. So, he added comfort and special touches footbaths, fine wine, and her favourite liqueur, Bailey’s, transforming their walks into something she truly looked forward to.
That simple idea became the foundation for Life’s an Adventure, which Mark launched in 2004. The goal was clear: to make hiking more immersive, more comfortable, and more memorable by going beyond just the walking. That’s how we introduced our signature Pack-Free Walking Experience ensuring our guests could enjoy incredible landscapes without the burden of carrying heavy packs.
But as Life’s an Adventure grew, so did our vision. We came to realise that for many, visiting these breathtaking locations was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and walking was just one piece of the journey. Our guests wanted to truly experience these destinations, to be immersed in their culture, their flavours, and their natural wonders. That’s why we began incorporating luxurious stays, fine dining with local produce, and thrilling “wow” moments, whether it’s reaching remote landscapes by helicopter or boat, meeting local artisans, or indulging in regional specialties.
This philosophy is what led us to our new tagline:
“Walking Is Only Part of the Adventure.”
At Life’s an Adventure, we design each journey with care, ensuring you walk away with more than just memories of the trail, you leave with a deep connection to the place, its people, and its stories. Our passionate guides bring each location to life, sharing their knowledge and love for the land. And with nothing more than a camera, water bottle, and raincoat, you can fully immerse yourself in the experience.
So, lace up your boots and embrace the full adventure because when you travel to these incredible places, you deserve a truly unforgettable experience.
Life’s an Adventure is proud to be a 21-time Tourism Award winner, recognised for delivering exceptional Pack-Free Walking Tours across Australia and the world. These accolades reflect our commitment to outstanding service, innovation, and sustainability in adventure travel. These awards inspire us to keep setting the standard for unforgettable, sustainable walking holidays that leave lasting memories.
We’ve stepped away from entering awards to focus entirely on what matters most – creating the best possible walking tours for you. Instead of dedicating time to submissions, we’re putting all our energy into enhancing your experience on every adventure!
At Life’s An Adventure, are staff are more than just world-class tour guides….
They are wilderness guides, cultural guides, storytelling guides, caring and kind guides, safe and sensible guides, fun and funny guides, thoughtful and authentic guides. Guides with profound attention to detail. Guides that can tell what you need before you realise it. Guides that facilitate life-long experiences in the world’s most scenic natural and culturally rich places. Guides that lead without fuss, ensuring every detail of your tour is seamlessly taken care of. Guides that know when to lead from the front and make themselves invisible. Join a tour and see why our guides are the best in the industry…
Founder, Company director
Born and raised in Tasmania, Mark has always been drawn to the outdoors. He holds multiple outdoor qualifications, including a Master’s in Marketing from UTS. While he primarily runs the business from the office, you may occasionally find him on tour, training staff and sharing his passion for adventure. If you ever get the chance, ask him about the Kunisaki Spiritual Trail in Japan!
General Manager
With a decade of experience as SCENIC’s National Marketing Manager, Vicki is an outdoor enthusiast who has hiked the Inca Trail, Milford Track, and Tatra Mountains. She has kayaked in New Zealand and Croatia and explored Australia’s iconic walks. Based in our Sydney office, she brings extensive expertise to the team.
Reservations Manager
Leading our Reservations and Sales team in Sydney, Emma brings a wealth of experience in both travel sales and guest experience. With a Bachelor of Business in International Tourism and Certificate III in Travel, she even spent time as a Character Performer at Walt Disney World Resort, Florida in 2018. Emma has travelled throughout the USA, Europe and Japan, with New Zealand next on her bucket list. She has also been fortunate to experience our incredible Three Capes adventure firsthand.
Reservations Executive
Derek has managed Flight Centre travel agencies and visited over 50 countries. Passionate about adventure, he has climbed Mount Kinabalu, explored Norway’s fjords, and spotted the Big Five in Tanzania. His next adventure? Hiking the Three Capes Walk in Tasmania with his youngest daughter.
Chief Experience Officer - Tasmania
Glenn joined Life’s an Adventure in 2010, combining his chef background with a love for hiking, kayaking, and mountain biking. After leading tours across NSW, he relocated to Tasmania, where he enjoys sharing his knowledge of the region’s history, flora, fauna, and world-class food and wine.
“I absolutely loved the tour—perfectly organised with exceptional care. The meals at Stewarts Bay Lodge were a 10/10, and the atmosphere was fantastic. The highlight was our guide, Glenn—attentive, knowledgeable, and always going above and beyond with a big smile!”
Chief Experience Officer - Tasmania
Danny is a lifelong Tasmanian whose love for the outdoors was passed down from his family. He enjoys the dynamic nature of guiding and is known for his welcoming energy and “can-do” attitude. His passion for Tasmania’s landscapes and culture makes every tour an unforgettable experience.
“Danny was exceptional—his knowledge of history, towns, and native flora and fauna was invaluable. He kept us on schedule without stress, and his passion for the environment and exploration shone through. We were especially grateful he carried our lunches and carefully accommodated all dietary needs. I’ll be recommending him to friends and family!”
Chief Experience Officer - Australia
“I was so impressed with the knowledge, preparation, fairness, friendliness and care taken by Tim. He really made every single walker feel included, valued and confident. The extra things he did such as taking an array of snacks and hot drinks etc. on walks made the whole experience really special. Would highly recommend this adventure to others. Thank you 10/10”
Chief Experience Officer - Australia
“Abbey has exceptional qualities for being a guide. She organised every little detail of each day but also listened to the needs of each guest and tailored the walks to suit each person whether they be unwell or not as fit as others. Each guest was made to feel comfortable regardless of what they did. She is an invaluable asset to your business. She is passionate and enthusiastic about everything and also went out of her way to make everyone comfortable. 10/10”
Chief Experience Officer - Australia
Originally from New Zealand, Mishka has spent many years traversing countries and exploring wild places through hiking, sailing and diving, but along the way he’s fallen in love with the Australian wilderness. Passionate about adventure, wildlife and the stories that make a landscape come alive, he loves helping guests connect more deeply with the places they visit. He looks forward to sharing the adventure and making your trip a memorable one.
Japan Guide (English & Japanese Speaking)
“Our guide Tetsuo was fantastic. He was kind and patient. He had heaps of knowledge and shared it with us in a gentle and generous manner. His English was perfect. Couldn’t have asked for a more perfect guide.”
Chief Experience Officer - Victoria
A keen bushwalker since his teens, Richard holds a Bushwalking and Mountaincraft Leadership Certificate. He has traveled extensively, climbing Kilimanjaro, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, and hiking in Africa and Southeast Asia. After 40 years in public service, he is now dedicated to leading walking adventures in Victoria.
Chief Experience Officer - Tasmania
“I highly recommend Ivy for a guided Larapinta Trail walk. Skilled, organised, and engaging, her dedication never wavered. As an experienced traveller, I can say she’s outstanding. The food was exceptional—impressive given the remote location. The walks were sometimes challenging, but Ivy accommodated all fitness levels, allowing time to soak in the stunning landscapes. Truly beyond expectations—well done!”
Life’s an Adventure is committed to high industry standards, safety, and sustainable tourism, holding multiple accreditations and licenses across Australia.
Start your adventure with us today!
Unlike many travel companies that have become part of larger corporate groups or investment portfolios, Life’s An Adventure remains proudly founder-led. More than twenty years after launching the company, founders Mark and Victoria Norek continue to lead the business every day, shaping every tour with the same passion, care and attention to detail that inspired the very first departure.
Being founder-led means decisions are never made in a boardroom. They are made by people who still travel the trails, inspect the accommodation, meet local suppliers, refine every itinerary and listen carefully to guest feedback. Nothing is left to chance because every experience reflects their personal standards and reputation.
Mark continues to research new destinations across Australia and around the world, personally designing and refining each itinerary to ensure every walk delivers the perfect balance of spectacular scenery, comfort, flexibility and genuine local experiences. Victoria oversees the guest experience with the warmth and attention to detail that has become synonymous with Life’s An Adventure.
This hands-on approach gives Life’s An Adventure the freedom to continually innovate, introduce new experiences and maintain exceptionally high standards without compromise. Every decision is made with one goal in mind, creating unforgettable walking holidays that guests will remember for a lifetime.
When you travel with Life’s An Adventure, you’re travelling with a company where the founders are still deeply involved in every journey. That personal commitment is something you can feel from your very first enquiry to the moment you return home.
Because some companies simply operate tours. Founder-led companies live and breathe every adventure they create.
