Your Walking Tour Guides

Our Three Capes Lodge Walk guides are often thought of as our most outstanding asset. They are passionate, educated, great interpreters and cooks all rolled into one. Feedback regarding our guides is invariably positive. The guides will enhance the journey with their knowledge and understanding of the flora, fauna, geology and history of the area.

In the words of one traveller "...their love of the wilderness was obvious in the gentle way they encouraged us to care for it as much as they did themselves. Their leadership was superb - the trip would always have been memorable, with the extra input by the guides it became fantastic."

Molly Gardner

Molly grew up in the middle of Tassie on a dairy farm. From childhood, she has loved the island’s wide-open space.

Molly loves nothing more than to help people relax and unwind in Tasmania’s landscape. Having grown up spending many summers on the Freycinet Peninsula, she has a soft spot for the east coast. As an adventurous, fun-loving sort, don’t be surprised if Molly joins you for an ocean dip. Few things make her happier than beach time with a good book or swimming at the Bay of Fires.

With a degree in Business and currently studying her Masters of Tourism, Molly is particularly passionate about giving guests the ultimate experience while treading lightly. When she’s not out on the trails with us, you’ll find her running, bushwalking or casting a line with her family. Ask her about her latest love of playing AFL footy.

Gus Goodwolf

After travelling and working through Europe, Canada and South America the past three years, this Tassie-born outdoor enthusiast is even more delighted to call the island ‘home.’

Like many Tasmanians, Gus took off to the see the world. He spent three years travelling and working his way across continents and distant cities. Returning home, he now has an even deeper appreciation and respect for Tasmania. He can’t wait to share this passion with others and feels grateful he grew up in a family that instilled a love of nature within him.

He has a soft spot for the Three Capes Lodge Walk, describing the energy from its cliffs and neighbouring forests as incomparable to anything else in Australia. Seeing others moved by Tasmania’s wild places gives Gus all the good feels.

When he’s not guiding, Gus is heading outdoors anyway. He loves climbing, surfing, going on amazing adventures, and of course, more walking!

Hesh Cheikelard

When Hesh was a little boy deep in bedtime stories, all he wanted was to grow up and be an adventurer like the heroes across his pages. These days, he does it for a living.

Hesh is a ‘blow in from the mainland,’ moving from Western Australia to Hobart. On the big island he’d sling coffee to fund his overseas adventures like exploring remote Himalayan valleys or free diving in warm Southeast Asian waters. These days he doesn’t feel the need for air travel with craggy peaks, wild rivers and remote beaches as his neighbours.

Having spent years working on a traditional tall ship after high school, Hesh is partial to the Wineglass Bay Sail Walk and the wind in his hair. That said, Hesh is happy on any trail. He’s a professional walker, talker and eater. He gets to do lots of that as a guide. In his spare time, he ventures out to explore more of Tassie, in between discovering new foodie haunts. He also has been known to hit the stage for a poem or story - even out bush when the mood strikes!

Jesse Tenzin Rain Holden

Jesse has a self-confessed romantic attraction to rocks. Ask him anything about them.

Jessie is a young man that gets excited by the natural world and is ever hopeful for humanity. Just ask and he’ll enthusiastically share how it’s all connected, indulge in the fundamentals of existence and, likely, not get you lost along the way.

This passionate Tasmanian will gently set boundaries of environmental care while reconnecting guests with the natural world. Jesse thrives on people, place and conversations. He’s a deep thinker whose knowledge bank is as varied as his past times. When he’s not climbing, he’s mountain biking. When he’s not making music, he’s carving something from wood. Then again, he might be cooking or studying.

Cain Adam Vella

Lodge Host

Chef by trade, sky diver by past time. Meet your Three Capes Lodge host, Cain.

Arrive at the Three Capes Lodge and Cain will be there to welcome you with delicious fare. A chef by trade, hailing from Far North Queensland, he has more than 17 years of experience in hospitality so he sure knows how to look after you.

His creations wouldn’t look out of place in a hip city restaurant, yet he delivers in a lodge beside some of Australia’s highest sea cliffs. It’s remote out there and not easy to duck out for a carton of milk! He loves being part of a like-minded crew and plating up Tasmanian goodness to those who have walked many kilometres to reach his table.

When he’s not in the kitchen you’ll find him foraging, fishing, hiking and camping. He also enjoys his leather craft and did we mention his passion for sky diving? That’s worthy of a chat over dinner.

James Burt

A passionate mountain biker, this expat from the UK loves calling Tassie home.

James emigrated from the UK to Sydney in 2011 where he worked in outdoor education. This prepared him well for a move to Tasmania in 2018 and a transition into guiding. James is happiest when he’s in the outdoors. For him, it’s therapy, both physically and mentally.

The Three Capes Lodge Walk is his pick of our walks for its dramatic changes in vegetation, stunning sea cliff views and deep history. He loves seeing guests become passionate and really absorb their wilderness surrounds.

When James isn’t guiding, he’s hitting the trails on two wheels, tearing down a mountain. He’s spoiled for choice with so many trail networks now weaving across Tassie. Little wonder the island has a growing reputation as an international mountain biking mecca!

Maggie Williams

Maggie is an outdoor enthusiast - skiing, kayaking, snorkelling, rock climbing - but for her nothing beats a good old-fashioned bushwalk.

Before Maggie came to join us in Tasmania, she studied an outdoor education degree on Dja Dja Wurrung Country (Bendigo) and grew up on busy Wurundjeri Country (Melbourne). When she’s not guiding, she’s introducing our younger generation to Australia’s outdoor playground through working with school groups.

She’s very grateful that the Tasmanian Walking Co. have delivered her ‘so many cool friends on a platter.’ Equally, these new friends likely appreciate Maggie’s love of ‘cooking up a storm while having a cheeky boogie in the kitchen.’ Simply put, Maggie is wonderful company.

Maggie is a mountain girl, so the Cradle Mountain Huts Walk is her favourite. She also loves that everyone spends six days together and really gets to know one another. Outside of guiding and her many outdoor pursuits, you’ll find Maggie reading, crafting, cooking, gardening, dancing … the list goes on.

Kai Brooks

Lodge Host and Guide

Growing up in the area, Kai has been hiking the Tasman Peninsula capes since a young child. Kai is both guide and host!

Kai is as local as they come. Growing up in the area, she feels particularly chuffed to now call the Three Capes her ‘office.’ Moving between Lodge Host and Guide fits well for this Tasmanian who has been traveling and working overseas for 7 years pre-COVID.

Step into the lodge after many kilometres and you’ll be met by a local who loves people, preparing delicious food and a good old adventure! She loves working out in the wilderness on a coastline she’s walked since being a youngster and describes as ‘a very special place.’

When she’s not serving up beautiful meals or guiding along a trail, you’ll find Kai spending time with her beautiful friends and fam. As for that adventure side - Kai gets her kicks from snowboarding, hiking, kayaking and generally anything outdoors.

Jimmy Dennett

Jimmy left the Gold Coast for Tassie, chasing uncrowded surf breaks, friendly humans and wide-open landscape.

It turns out Jimmy has found his three wishes here in Tasmania. Chat to him a little more and you’ll discover that he worked as a Civil Engineer before downing tools to become a professional guide with us. These days he feels so much more at home doing what he loves in Tasmania’s outdoors.

He’s current favourite is the Three Capes Lodge Walk - a journey that changes every time he gets out there. On the trail, Jimmy loves meeting people from all walks of life. He enjoys hearing stories that have shaped the lives of guests and also watching nature melt away work stresses. In his spare time, you’ll find him out catching one of those uncrowded surf breaks or rock climbing with mates.

Jarrod French

Lodge Host

Jarrod doesn’t hold back - he believes he has the best office in the world.

Jarrod is your lodge host out on the Three Capes Lodge Walk. He doesn’t believe there is another job like it, where he gets to be out in a spectacular place cooking and entertaining guests. For him, the 48 kilometres of stunning views, rugged coastline, steep sea cliffs, lush rainforest and wildlife make it unlike any other walk in the country.

Jarrod loves welcoming guests into the lodge after a day out on the trail and hearing their stories. When he’s not busy in the lodge kitchen he’s out catching surf breaks. Most likely though, you will find him in his own kitchen. A passionate baker, he’s just as likely to be at home baking delicious cakes.

Rita Kurpiewski

There’s a reason people refer to her as WikiRita. Rita is full of cracking facts!

Rita is a first-gen Aussie, her family originally from Poland. Growing up on the NSW Central Coast, Rita’s passion for art and science led her to study a bachelor of Natural History Illustration in Newcastle.

She guided in Central Australia before settling in Tassie. Cradle Mountain has a special place in her heart and with a captive audience, Rita could talk about the history, flora, fauna and geology for hours. Rita loves it when the group happens across one of nature’s surprises that blows the minds of guests. And she has a keen eye for finding these gems.

Rita is a passionate landscape photographer, loves drawing, reading, researching and studying very cool rocks with her boyfriend. Be prepared for puns and impromptu Dad jokes along the trail!

Our Tasmanian Walks

Our Mainland Walks

Something Extraordinary