GALLERY: Intrepid celebrates 35th birthday

  • Intrepid Travel ANZ MD Brett Mitchell
  • Intrepid-1-13
  • Intrepid-1-15
  • Intrepid-1-31Intrepid Travel - The Lume - 35 year event
  • Traveller editor Anthony Dennis, Intrepid Travel EMEA MD Zina Bencheikh, journalist Belinda Jackson
  • Intrepid Travel CEO James Thornton, Asia MD Natalie Kidd, EMEA MD Zina Bencheikh, ANZ MD Brett Mitchell, President of the Americas Leigh Barnes
  • Intrepid Travel co-founder Darrell Wade with wife and Intrepid Foundation Fundraising Coordinator Anna Wade
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  • Intrepid Travel - The Lume - 35 year event (2)
  • Intrepid Travel ANZ MD Brett Mitchell (2)
  • Intrepid Travel CEO James Thornton
  • Intrepid Head of Partnerships Megan Lowe with Intrepid Marketing Manager Industry ANZ Katie Breen, Panache Travel Dominique Dalton, Intrepid ANZ GM Yvette Thompson
  • Intrepid Travel - The Lume - 35 year event
  • Emirates, Regional Sales Manager, Dean Cleaver, Intrepid Travel Co-Founder Geoff (Manch) Manchester and Express Travel Group CEO Tom Manwaring
  • Intrepid at The Lume 35 anniversary
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Edited by Travel Weekly


Intrepid celebrated its 35th anniversary in its home city, Melbourne, with travel industry partners (including travel agents, tour operators, airlines), media, and co-founders Darrell Wade and Geoff Manchester, at the digital art gallery for immersive experiences, THE LUME.

Intrepid CEO James Thornton shared the company’s vision for the future, emphasising plans that extend beyond small group trips. He highlighted recent milestones, including the one-year anniversary of the Daintree Ecolodge acquisition and the launch of Intrepid’s first book, The Intrepid List. ANZ managing director Brett Mitchell discussed plans to grow Intrepid’s presence in the domestic market, and Biheng Zhang, GM of The Intrepid Foundation, showcased the foundation’s impact, which has raised over $16 million for 160 partners since 2002.

The travel industry and partnerships event, hosted by ANZ GM Yvette Thompson, featured cultural performances and an immersive VR experience over Florence.

Intrepid Travel ANZ managing director Brett Mitchell: “Intrepid’s 35th-anniversary event was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate this milestone with our founders, industry peers, and partners in our home city of Melbourne. It was a time to reflect on our journey and share our vision for the future. The road ahead is full of exciting opportunities, particularly for ANZ, as we continue to grow and lead in responsible travel. With a strong financial result last year, we’re focused on a clear strategy for the future, ready to drive growth and push the boundaries of sustainable, experience-rich travel. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and made this milestone event truly unforgettable.”

Intrepid Travel ANZ general manager Yvette Thompson: “Celebrating 35 years of Intrepid was a great chance to reflect on our journey and the incredible growth we’ve experienced, particularly in the last 12 months. From our recent NTIA award win (Most Outstanding Tour Operator – Global) to the launch of our Morocco TV show and our biggest campaign yet, ‘Only Intrepid’, it’s been a big year. We’re excited for the future and look forward to continuing this momentum, working closely with our partners to deliver authentic, impactful experiences that inspire change in the travel industry.”

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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