About Us
Ordinary people achieving extraordinary things
Adventure Guides Australia
Adventure Guides Australia(AGA) is an outdoor experience company owned by long-time local David Chitty. AGA, as a Parks Victoria Licensed Tour Operator, has been offering amazing outdoor experiences on Mount Buffalo and throughout Northeast Victoria since 1985.
We pride ourselves on facilitating amazing private, family, and group adventures. We offer regular advertised tours on selected weekends and school holidays, and adventures and activities by arrangement at other times of the year.
For our winter season programs, please visit Mount Buffalo Ski School.
OUR team
David Chitty
Owner/Director
Senior Leader/Instructor
David Chitty has been leading and skiing on Mount Buffalo (Also at Falls Creek and Mount Hotham) for 38+ years. As a retired Infantry and Special Forces officer, David has extensive experience in a range of outdoor activities, including abseiling, rock climbing, kayaking, caving and snow skiing. He has also been involved in the development of Industry Adventure Activity standards in Victoria and the new Australian Adventure Activity Standard and Good Practice Guides.
Mobile: 0419 280 614 | Email: agati@netc.net.au. | Facebook: David Chitty
Les Doyle
Leader/Instructor
Les has hiked, skied, kayaked, climbed, cycled and sailed in over 30 countries, from trekking the jungles of S.E. Asia to kayaking expeditions in the Arctic.
He has been an active member of Search & Rescue organisations and is passionate about the outdoors ,preservation of our resources and wild
life. Loves to see people overcome their fears of the unknown and stepping outside their comfort zones.
He has been kidnapped in Laos, arrested in China and chased by buffalo in America. We think he might have grown up since then.
Pauly Mackrell
Leader/Instructor
Pauly is one of our guides at Adventure Guides Australia.
I promise you will never find a smile as big as his when he's out adventuring. Pauly is enthusiastic about the outdoors, the environment and learning. He's a massive advocate for high lining and climbing and regularly supports anyone wanting to involve themselves in the community.
Pauly also has a great sense of humour. We love having him on the team.
Trina Friend
Leader/Instructor
Mum of three, have always loved the outdoors but have never been fixated on one thing in particular, grew up on a canal, have sailed, surfed, scuba dived, water skied. Now it’s mountain-based, skiing, hiking, camping, mountain biking and I will give anything a try.
I like challenge and am generally willing to make it if I believe it to be safely done. I like to take calculated risks not jump in without thinking. Sometimes I am a bit quick to say “YES” in my keenness.
Sarita Barnett
Leader/Instructor
I spent my childhood going away camping, hiking, skiing and splashing around at the beach. To pursue my love and passion for the outdoors I studied Outdoor Environmental Education at La Trobe University, Bendigo.
During the winter months, I ski instruct at Mount Buffalo Ski School which is a division of AGA. During the warmer months, I am involved in the white-water side of the company and work on some of the school programs.
I love being outside. There’s something comforting about being amongst the trees and the birds. My favorite start to the day is watching the sunrise with a cup of coffee.
Ian Ribbons
Leader/Instructor
I spent my preschool years living in Aboriginal communities so being outdoors on all sorts of adventures in the bush became second nature to me. Leading in the outdoors with all that nature presents brings you back to reality in that and you have to deal with nature on its terms. Sharing these opportunities to foster personal growth and resilience with young people is like heaven on a stick. Their enthusiasm and vitality keep me forever young.
Brad Graham
Leader/Instructor
Brad holds a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science, and his guiding is grounded in his own personal love of the outdoors and pursuit of adventure. Being an avid recreational climber and highliner himself, Brad specialises in rope activities and is currently expanding his adventure repertoire into whitewater kayaking.
Being a Mt Buffalo local, Brad has a wide knowledge of and care for the local environment which he shares keenly with customers. To him, it’s not just about the activity, it’s about the whole experience of connecting with nature, developing life skills and facilitating personal development.
‘You must go on adventures to find out where you truly belong’ (Sue Fitzmaurice).
Yushan Luo
Leader/Website Manager
A Mum of a toddler. Yushan is one of our group leader and also our website manager. Yushan is bilingual, and has a passion for languages, culture, travel and the outdoors; 10+ years of work experience in tourism, educational travel and the outdoor education industry. Studied Master of Arts in International Communication, graduated from Macquarie University in 2011; worked for a few companies in the tourism industry, runs her own international tours business before Covid, roles including website editor/designer, online marketing product manager, tour product/program manager, and outdoor leader/educator. She loves to see families enjoying adventures together and strengthening family bonds.
April Bright
Leader
April works as one of our central white water guides, as well as assisting in a range of our adventure tours. She is a passionate outdoor adventurer and worldwide traveller. She has travelled close to 40+ countries which began her career as an Adventure Photographer. Snowboard, surf, downhill skate, music festivals and now, as part of our team, April works alongside Outex.com to create Adventure Photography albums. She loves teaching outdoors, and taking on complete beginners is her favourite.
Interview of our Director
About Adventure GUides Australia
What our customers say about their experience...
Extremely Friendly and outgoing staff that cater for all skill levels and ages. Definitely worth going to.
- Ellie Davis 2016
Yesterday was my first experience abseiling and I had the privilege of being guided by the fabulous Hannah and Sam. Very calming in the way Hannah instructs. I felt well supported and safe. Highly recommend this company if you’re thinking of an adventure. Very professional. Thanks guys for a wonderful morning.
- Sharon Robinson, 2019
An awesome day with David and Brad!!! All out of our comfort zone and challenged in a good way! Would definitely kayak on the Ovens again. Thank you David!!
- Kaylene Fieldew, 2020