The Adventure Gene Reviews

Virginia McLaren 2026.10.14

     

Budawangs 5 day hike. 2nd-6th October. Tom and Maddie had thought of everything for our comfort, and prepared us extremely well. Their attention to detail is exceptional. They're kind and caring with excellent leadership skills. Ultra light gear was of the highest quality. Yummy, nutritious food was plentiful and prepared for us. The wilderness experience of the Budawangs is quite spectacular. Such diversity with scrubby bushland, majestic rocky outcrops, lush rainforest with mossy valleys, soaring escarpments and beautiful sunsets. Thank you for a wonderful experience. Will definately be doing another hike with them. Virginia.

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Reply from The Adventure Gene

Thank you Virginia! I'm so glad that you enjoyed the trip and really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. What amazing photos you've added as well! I look forward to hiking with you again in the future.

Maddie

Gaye Ponting 2026.10.11

     

What a fabulous 5 days of walking in a wonderful environment. Our guides Maddie and Tom were energetic, knowledgeable,friendly,thoughtful and fun! They shared their experiences with the group. I have learnt many tips and tricks for my future hikes. The landscape was spectacular. The food was superb nourishing and tasty. Then there is the lightweight equipment,clothes,gear.Worked wonderfully well in the rain and sun!!Tick, tick, tick!! Also the people in our group were all lovely, friendly, and helpful.❣️❣️❣️🤸‍♀️

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Reply from The Adventure Gene

Thank you so much for the kind words Gaye! It was an absolute pleasure having you and Virginia join us. You have a great sense of humour and bought a lot of joy to the group over the 5 days. Keen to see what trips you get up to in the future!

Maddie

Ellen Egan 2026.10.10

     

I cannot recommend a trip with The Adventure Gene more highly. I’d never overnight hiked and it had been 25 years since I’d camped. The TAG team taught me so much over the course of 5 days - I’ve gained confidence and skills that go far beyond setting up a tent in the rain! TAG have a brilliant philosophy and are doing something really special - if you want to get out into Australia’s stunning national parks but need some guidance and encouragement to get there, this is the way to go.

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Reply from The Adventure Gene

Thanks for such a lovely review Ellen 😊 It was a pleasure to have you along for such a wonderful trip. So glad you had an amazing time 🌅

~ Tearloch

James Biggam 2026.10.06

     

Just completed the five day Budawangs traverse and loved it. Maddie and Tom made this premier hike accessible to a noob.

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Reply from The Adventure Gene 2026.10.07

Thank you James for taking the time to leave a lovely review ☺️ It was a pleasure having you join us on this trip, I'm glad that you had a great time. I look forward to seeing what trips you get up to in the future!

Maddie

anonymous 2026.10.06

     

The guide was , positive, kind and supportive. Willing to go above and beyond to ensure we were comfortable whilst keeping us on schedule, hydrated , nourished and smiling. The artist was an inspiration and also very kind Sharing skill and bringing time to a standstill while we could embrace and capture the beauty of the scene we were painting The company , TAG, were also organised supportive and quick to reply. The equipment and clothing is of high quality and suited the environment. I was always warm at night . That’s a miracle for me! I would easily go again on another’ paint and hike’ with TAG.

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Reply from The Adventure Gene

Thanks for coming along on such a wonderful 4 days 😊 A lovely 4 days spent on the Sapphire Coast 🐳

~Tearloch

Julie Curran 2026.10.06

     

Wonderful experience doing 5 day Budawangs hike with Adventure Genie.The hike itself is remote and beautiful.Our campsite on our last night had the most spectacular views.Maddie and Tearloch looked after us well, cooking delicious meals,we had so much food,no chance of going hungry.This trip is excellent value as so much gear ( and it’s very high quality) is supplied.This included backpacks,hiking poles,tents sleeping bags,rain jackets and pants,warm clothing,sunglasses headlamps,sunscreen,even chargers.As someone who has done a lot of multi day hiking,I’ve never had to take so little of my own gear,it was great.Thank you,would love to do another hike with Adventure Genie.They are fantastic

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Reply from The Adventure Gene 2026.10.07

Thank you Julie for taking the time to share your thoughts about the trip. I really appreciate it ☺️

It was a pleasure having you and Suzanna join us. I look forward to seeing what other adventures you get up to in the future!

Maddie

BELINDA PORCHERA 2026.10.06

     

Great Aussie hiking company ,they are very experienced , friendly , encouraging , helpful from the very beginning ,their knowledge is endless .Whether you’re a first time multi-iday hiker with no equipment to very experienced with your own ,Adventure Gene can help fill the gaps supplying quality equipment and great food for your hike Make the first move and call adventure gene You’ll have the best time

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Reply from The Adventure Gene 2026.09.29

Thank you Belinda, I love the photos you have uploaded here ☺️ It was a pleasure having you join us. I'm keen to see what hiking trips you do next!

Deb Fisher 2026.10.06

     

Just finished a 4-day hike & paint with The Adventure Gene/TAG and they were AMAZING! They truly did supply EVERYTHING - except the clothes we wore and extra socks and undies - and the gear was light and top quality. The guides were fantastic and I've never been so well-fed camping. Thanks, TAG team!

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Reply from The Adventure Gene

Thanks you for the kind words Deb 😁 Such a wonderful trip with such a lovely group of people.

~ Tearloch

Jacqui Warden 2026.10.06

     

I recently adventured into the Budawangs with The Adventure Gene. What a great experience, from the initial communication, the preparation session and the actual experience. The gear was sorted with everything we needed and made for the lightest pack I have needed to carry on a multi-day hike. The guides, Maddy and T were fabulous and led a group of us through wilderness, making sure we were comfortable and safe at all times. They preorganized 'moody' weather, light rain and brilliant sunshine to add to our experience. And the food was great, tasty and plenty of it! What more could you ask for? I would not hesitate to recommend TAG as a leader in their field of outdoor adventures.

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Reply from The Adventure Gene

Thanks Jacqui 😊 It was a pleasure to share your company for 5 incredible days in the Budawangs, moody weather and all 😂

~ Tearloch

Merran Dunn 2026.10.05

     

I have just returned from a 5 day hike in the Buddawangs with The Adventure Gene. This is the second hike l have done with them ! Both have been fantastic! Challenging, fun, social and educational. I took only what was recommended , nothing more and it was perfect. Despite some miserable weather for the first couple of days and therefore getting soaking wet whilst walking, l was warm and comfortable in my tent and had adequate clothing. Our guides, Maddie and Tearloch were guiding us not just along the route , but also allowing our group to develop its own dynamics. They were fun, but you never doubted how seriously they took safety, nutrition, equipment and their role in making it a great experience. Everything was well organised but really relaxed. These people really know their stuff and do all the preparation except your personal fitness . This is a serious hike, so take the training seriously and you'll love it. I did. Merran

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Reply from The Adventure Gene 2026.10.07

Thank you so much for the lovely review Merran! It was really nice to have you back for another trip, always a pleasure ☺️ Keep on hiking and I look forward to seeing what adventures you get up to in the future!

Maddie

Amanda “Mazza” Lovegrove 2026.09.30

     

I recently did a four-day snow hiking trip in the Snowy Mountains with Adventure Gene, and I honestly couldn't recommend it highly enough. We had some pretty wild weather, including torrential rain on the second day, which turned to snow overnight. Maddie and Tearloch were fantastic throughout the whole trip and adapted everything around the weather while keeping us safe and still making sure we had a great experience. One of the things that attracted me to book the trip was being able to try out thousands of dollars' worth of specialised snow camping and hiking gear supplied by Adventure Gene. Being able to actually use everything in real conditions was fantastic — and it definitely helped me work out what gear I wanted for myself! I've since bought quite a few of the things I used, including the same Wippa backpack and Sea to Summit Spark sleeping bag. The guides also showed us how to use the Garmin inReach, which gave me the confidence to buy my own and, more importantly, know how to use it properly when I'm out hiking. The other people on the trip were lovely and it was great meeting and sharing the experience with such a nice group. The biggest thing I took away from the trip was confidence. I now feel much more comfortable heading out on my own, including into snow and more remote areas. I learnt so much about the gear, planning, navigation and just dealing with whatever the weather throws at you. I'd definitely recommend Adventure Gene to anyone wanting to get into snow hiking or build their confidence in the outdoors. It was an awesome four days and an experience I'll remember forever, thank you so much!

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Reply from The Adventure Gene 2026.10.07

Thank you so much for the kind words Maz! It was an absolute pleasure, I'm so glad that you enjoyed the trip and got a lot out of it. I'm sure I'll catch you on Discord at some point when we're on a Zwift race together 😁

Maddie

Cindy Pickering 2026.09.30

recommends

I’ve just finished the Budawangs Traverse with Adventure Gene (Canberra), walking with Maddy and Mr T, and it was fantastic! The whole trip was so well organised, and the guides made everything feel smooth and enjoyable. The food was amazing—hot, tasty lunches most days and generous evening meals with plenty left over. They catered beautifully for dietary needs, and there were loads of snacks (just try not to eat all the yummy treats in the first couple of days!). I wasn’t sure at first about using the lightweight gear they supplied, but it turned out to be perfect. It was a great walk in a stunning part of the world, and Adventure Gene really impressed me with how well they run their trips. I’ve already booked my next hike with them. Highly recommend.

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Cindy 2026.09.30

     

I completed the Budawangs Traverse with Maddy and Mr T in September 2026, guided by Adventure Gene from Canberra. It was an outstanding experience from start to finish. The hike was beautifully organised, the meals were hot, tasty, and generous—there were even leftovers most days, so don’t be shy about asking for more. Dietary needs were thoughtfully catered for, and the snack selection was excellent (just try not to eat all the goodies in the first few days, it’s very tempting!). I hesitated at first about using the lightweight gear provided, but I’m so glad I did—it was absolutely worth it. The whole walk was a joy, and Adventure Gene proved to be a well‑run, professional, and caring outfit. I’ve already booked my next hike with them. Highly recommended.

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Reply from The Adventure Gene 2026.10.07

Thank you for the lovely review Cindy. I really appreciate it and I'm glad that you enjoyed the trip - snacks included 😁

Looking forward to seeing you soon for the AAWT!

Cath Chase 2026.09.29

     

The 4 day Hike and Paint trip was fantastic. Our guides, Tearloch and Annika, were exceptionally organised, kind and knowledgable. The ultra-light equipment provided made the multi-day walk quite doable.

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Reply from The Adventure Gene

Thank you Cath 😊 What a way to spend 4 magical days down the Sapphire Coast!

Anne 2026.09.29

     

I just completed AdventureGene’s 4-day Paint and Hike trip on the Light to Light walk. Brilliant experience from the half- day set up session in Canberra to the two guides, one of whom doubled as the painting tutor and the other who managed all the meals and clean- up! Food was great and the ultralight loan gear a revelation. Can’t recommend this hike enough. Beginners at hiking and painting were helped along with kindness and patience! Bonus: whales for 35kms!!

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Reply from The Adventure Gene

Thanks Anne 😊 It was a pleasure to have you along and what a spectacular few days down the coast. The whales were a welcomed bonus!! 🐳

BELINDA P 2026.09.25

     

Verified

Amazing experience Adventure Gene is a great small company operating out of Canberra offering hiking to all levels of hikers ,all equipment included so if you’re just starting out or experienced and yearn to hike get in contact with the beautiful team at Adventure Gene No regrets just take the step

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Bianca Ellen 2026.09.21

     

Intro to Snow Camping (July 2026) It has taken me a while to write this review simply because I struggled to find the words to describe just how incredible this tour was and how much the experience meant to me. I booked this tour to build my confidence in the snow, having never camped or hiked in winter conditions before. From the moment I booked, the team could not have been more helpful. The entire experience was seamlessly organized—from the convenient pickup in central Canberra to the initial gathering at their office, which gave us all a great chance to connect before heading out. Our guides, Gus and Lisa, were exceptionally welcoming and educational right from the start. It is clear just how much they love what they do and how passionate they are about sharing it with others. The quality of the gear provided was top-tier, and getting to raid their pantry for snacks was an awesome bonus! The location in the Munyang Valley was the absolute perfect choice, offering a great balance where everything felt doable. Lisa’s supportive approach and encouragement were standouts—on one of the days, a couple of people were unsure if they could complete the planned hike, but thanks to Lisa, they made it the whole way. Beyond the hiking itself, the knowledge sharing was truly the best part. We learned so much about the history, geography, and geology of the region, and even got to do some unforgettable stargazing. I came away with invaluable tips that I now use on my own hiking and camping trips, boosted confidence in new environments, and lifelong friends. That kind of experience is priceless. I can’t recommend them highly enough!

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Reply from The Adventure Gene 2026.09.29

Thank you Bianca for sharing your thoughts, I'm so glad that you had a good trip with us ☺️ It's lovely to hear that you feel more confident for your own adventures now and learnt a lot from Gus and Lisa.

Maddie

Nicole Tang 2026.09.20

     

Paint and hike trip was well organised and the information provided beforehand made it much less intimidating to prepare for the trip, especially as it was my first big camping hike. Our guides, Annika and Tearloch, were incredible. They were really supportive with all aspects of the hike and were so friendly and sweet. Hike itself had some rough spots, but that's more down to the terrain itself, so can't fault the company there. Would totally recommend signing up for a trip with them.

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Darrel Robins 2026.09.20

     

WOW What a great adventure . For anyone who wanted to experience camping and hiking in the snow this is a must do . Thanks Maddie and T

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Reply from The Adventure Gene 2026.09.29

Thanks Darrel! I really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and glad to hear that you enjoyed the trip ☺️

- Maddie

Poppy Searle 2026.09.20

recommends

I did the 4 day Light to Light Paint and Hike. It was very well organised, the gear provided was excellent and easy to use and the guides were sensational. Even the food was tasty and plentiful. We saw so many whales, plus goannas, wallabies and lots of birds. The painting instruction was first class. Great hiking, great experience.

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