Get Lost Travel Group

What Get Lost Travel Group does

Get Lost Travel Group (GLTG) is a privately held, Melbourne-based Australian travel company founded in 2009 by Paul Beames that operates as a multi-brand tour operating platform. Through ten registered companies and five consumer-facing sub-brands — Autopia Tours (flagship small-group guided tours), Wildlife Tours Australia (budget wildlife and nature tours, operating since 1996), Boutique by Autopia, MTB Adventures and Australian Bus Charters — it carries over 100,000 passengers annually across Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. The Group also runs a B2B destination management, charter and tailor-made division, with contractual relationships covering 35+ international tour operators and wholesalers from 15 countries, and a 2016 license agreement with Intrepid Travel for co-branded global distribution.

The platform is built around a fleet of 24 vehicles operating from an owned depot in Williamstown North (purchased 2013), a multi-brand reservation and contact-center operation, and supporting technology including a multilingual audio translation application (10 languages), an onboard digital passenger feedback system, and the Get Lost Training Institute (registered June 2017) which issues a Certificate 3 in Tour Guiding. Product packaging partnerships with attractions such as Phillip Island Nature Parks, Global Ballooning, Eureka Skydeck, SeaLink and AAT Kings generate over $750,000 in annual mutual business, while ESG positioning (100% carbon offset via Greenfleet, single-use plastic removal, 65% energy reduction) is central to brand differentiation.

Revenue is generated through per-passenger tour pricing (e.g., Peninsula Hot Springs Express Adult AU$149, MTB Adventures 8-day premium tour AU$2,699 per rider), B2B wholesale/ITO contracts, charter hire, and ancillary income such as the COVID-era Pallets with Purpose recycled furniture initiative. Distribution combines direct-to-consumer e-commerce across the five brand websites, an in-house reservations team, the Intrepid Travel co-branded channel, and 35+ international tour operator partners, with marketing supported by attendance at major trade shows (ITB Germany, ATE, PATA Exchange, TTG Incontri) and a $500,000 annual investment in international marketing of Victoria and GLT products.

Name

Get Lost Travel Group

Legal name

Get Lost Travel Group

Website

https://gltg.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Get Lost Travel Group is a Melbourne-based, privately held multi-brand Australian tour operator platform carrying over 100,000 passengers annually across five states via five consumer sub-brands, a charter/DMC division, and 35+ international tour operator partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tour Operator Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520), Travel Agencies (561510), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land (487110)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Auto Rental & Leasing (No Drivers) (7510)

akta.pro primary industry

Small-Group Escorted Tour Operators (THAKADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private/Customized Multi-Day Tour Operators (THAKADAC), Group & Series Tour Operators (Seat-in-Coach/Fixed Departures) (THAKAEAD), Package Tour Wholesalers (Pre-Packaged FIT/Group Programs) (THAKAJAC)

Keywords

• Small group tours
• Destination management services
• Guided tour operator
• Bus charter transport
• Adventure travel experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Guided Tour Operations: Small group guided travel experiences across Victoria, NSW, SA, WA, and NT. Tours include day tours, overnight tours, and multi-day extended touring experiences with meals, accommodation, and activities included. Average group size of 18 passengers.
2. Charter and Tailor-Made Services: Nationwide bus and coach charter operations, university-focused group travel, and DMC tour operations. Customized touring solutions for groups.
3. Pallets with Purpose (COVID Innovation): 100% recycled hardwood furniture manufacturing using repurposed wooden pallets during COVID-19 pandemic to keep staff engaged. Products include tables with flip-top cavities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Get Lost Travel Group operates a multi-brand portfolio of small-group guided tours, bus charter services, and destination management across Australia. Through consumer brands (Autopia Tours, Wildlife Tours Australia, Boutique by Autopia, MTB Adventures) and a B2B DMC division, the group delivers 30+ tour products from day trips to multi-day adventures across five states, supported by a 24-vehicle fleet and contractual agreements with 35+ international tour operators.

Product overview

Get Lost Travel Group is a multi-brand tour operator platform consisting of five consumer-facing travel sub-brands plus a B2B tailor-made and DMC division. The portfolio includes: Autopia Tours (flagship small-group guided tours), Wildlife Tours Australia (budget-friendly wildlife and adventure tours since 1996), MTB Adventures (mountain biking specialists), Boutique by Autopia (premium small-group experiences), and Australian Bus Charters (transport/charter services). The Group also operates a COVID-era diversification brand Pallets with Purpose (recycled timber furniture). A new Charters & Tailormade division launched in 2020 incorporates nationwide bus charter operations, DMC tour operations, and university-focused group travel. Collectively, the brands cover Victoria, NSW, South Australia, Western Australia, and Northern Territory with over 30 different products ranging from day tours to multi-day adventures.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wildlife Tours Australia: Small group wildlife and nature tours operating since 1996, specializing in 1, 2 & 3 day adventures covering Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island, Grampians, Yarra Valley, and Melbourne to Adelaide tours
• Autopia Tours
• Boutique by Autopia
• MTB Adventures
• Australian Bus Charters
• Pallets with Purpose
• Bellarine Peninsula Tours
• Get Lost Training Institute

Products and services

• Autopia Tours Small-group guided travel experiences for families, couples, and modern travelers, featuring day tours, overnight tours, and multi-day extended touring experiences across Victoria, NSW, SA, WA, and Northern Territory. Average group size is 18 passengers. Showcases natural beauty, wildlife, culture, and regional foodie delights.
• Wildlife Tours Australia Small group tour operator specializing in 1, 2, and 3 day low-cost adventures covering Victoria's premier destinations including Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island, Grampians, Yarra Valley, and Mornington Peninsula. Entertaining travelers since 1996.
• MTB Adventures Mountain biking adventure tours in Victoria featuring guided rides along Great Ocean Road, You Yangs Regional Park, and Mt Buller. Offers 1-day and multi-day adventures including the 'Ultimate Bike, Beers and Bakeries' 8-day itinerary.
• Boutique by Autopia Small-group travel experiences for like-minded travelers seeking authentic experiences. One-day travel experiences designed to maximize time while creating lasting memories with small group sizes.
• Australian Bus Charters Specializes in small to large group transportation and charter services across Australia, providing hassle-free transport solutions for social outings and corporate travel needs.
• Tailor-Made & DMC Services Full tailor-made, charter, and destination management company (DMC) business offering customized touring solutions and transport services nationwide for B2B travel partners, including international tour operators, wholesalers, and product packaging partners.
• Peninsula Hot Springs Express Bus Service Direct daily bus service from Melbourne CBD to Peninsula Hot Springs with morning and twilight service options. Includes 3 hours bathing time, express transport, Bath House entry, central Melbourne pick-up/drop off, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioned vehicles. Adult: $149, Child: $129, Infant: $109.
• Get Lost Training Institute (GLTI) Training institute delivering Certificate 3 in Tour Guiding with workshops on fatigue management, food handling, indigenous culture, and sustainable work practices for the tourism industry.
• Bellarine Peninsula Tours Charter tours incorporating Port Phillip Ferry to the Bellarine Peninsula region.
• Cafe Bus Winery Tours Winery tours and bus hire services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100,000+ passengers carried annually
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GreenfleetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarbon offset partnership ensuring 100% of vehicle and transport emissions are offset annually. Supports native reforestation programs including tree planting along the Great Ocean Road. Offset 209.32 tonnes CO2-e in 2016-17.
• Cherry Energy SolutionscoreOthersConsulted on solar system installation at GLT HQ. System large enough to supply all power needs, making GLT 100% renewable energy supported on site by 2018.
• MystiqueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal printing company producing GLT brochures with recycled paper and natural inks. Company also offsets all carbon emissions, enabling carbon neutral printing for GLT materials.
• Who Gives A CrapminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupplier of recycled toilet paper and tissues for Wipe for Wildlife initiative. Products made from recycled textbooks and office paper, protecting forests and supporting community sanitation projects.
• Koala Clancy FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit supporting wild koalas in Victoria's Western Plains. $1 from every You Yangs mountain biking tour donated. GLT assisted in tree planting days through university programs.
• WWF AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Phillip Island Nature Parks Antarctic Journey exhibit. Portion of ticket sales supports WWF Southern Ocean marine sanctuary projects. Focus on protecting seals, whales, penguins, and sea birds.
• Intrepid Travel / Adventure Tours AustraliacoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLicense Agreement signed in 2016 enabling co-branded Autopia Tours products under Intrepid brand. Increases global distribution channels and positions GLT among larger collective of Intrepid partners.
• Phillip Island Nature ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduct packaging partnership including Antarctic Journey exhibit on all GLT Phillip Island tours. GLT pays ticket price for each passenger. Valued at over $750,000 in mutual business annually.
• Global BallooningminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProduct packaging partnership offering ballooning as add-on or upgrade experience to tour packages. Part of $750,000+ annual partnership value.
• Eureka SkydeckminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProduct packaging partnership for bundled Melbourne experiences with skydeck visits as tour enhancement.
• SeaLinkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProduct packaging partnership for integrated touring solutions including ferry services in touring itineraries.
• Great Southern Touring RouteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganized product famils showcasing regional Victoria, NSW and WA to key ITOs and wholesalers.
• Visit VictoriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on organizing product famils to showcase Victoria to international buyers and travel trade.
• Tourism WAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint product famils showcasing Western Australia destinations to international tour operators.
• NHTV University NetherlandsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational relationship initiated in 2010 hosting 2-4 Dutch tourism students annually for industry education.
• Peninsula Hot SpringscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for direct daily bus service from Melbourne CBD. Autopia Tours operates express shuttle with morning and twilight services. Revenue share model for transport services.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Intrepid Travel: Global small-group adventure tour operator that holds a License Agreement with GLT for co-branded Autopia Tours products. Directly comparable as a small-group escorted tour operator targeting similar international backpacker and experiential travel segments.
• Topdeck Travel: Youth-focused escorted tour operator running trips across Australia. Comparable multi-day small-group tour format, similar customer demographic, and similar vehicle-led touring model.
• Oz Experience: Hop-on-hop-off and small-group East Coast Australia tour operator. Comparable to GLT's guided touring products with overlapping backpacker and international traveler segments and similar coach-based touring mechanics.
• Under Down Under Tours: Australian small-group adventure tour operator focusing on East Coast itineraries. Shares GLT's small-group escorted model, backpacker/adventure customer overlap, and guided coach-based multi-day touring format.
• Adventure Tours Australia: Small-group adventure tour operator in Australia that is part of the Intrepid Travel family. Directly comparable as a niche touring brand with similar day-tour and multi-day itineraries and the same international backpacker customer base as GLT's Autopia brand.

Broad incumbents

• Contiki: Large international escorted tour brand operating Australian itineraries. Comparable tour operator business model and target demographic but at much larger scale and broader geographic footprint than GLT.
• AAT Kings: Established Australian guided tour and coach operator that is both a packaging partner and competitor of GLT. Comparable in escorted touring across Australia but operates at a larger, more established scale with broader international inbound flows.
• Trailfinders: Large UK-based travel agency that sits in GLT's downstream distribution as one of many international tour operators reselling Australian tours. Comparable as a travel agency intermediary and wholesale buyer of GLT's tour inventory.

Regional players

• SeaLink Travel Group: Australian ferry and tourism transport group that is also a GLT product packaging partner. Comparable as an Australian tourism transport and tour operator, but anchored in ferry/coach rather than pure escorted touring.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/getlosttravelgroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/get-lost-travel-group
• Instagraminstagram.com/getlosttravelgroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Get Lost Travel Group