Our Team

Matt’s thirst for adventure developed from an early age as his family holidays progressed from camping trips within Australia to backpacking holidays in South East Asia. After completing his studies, his desire for new adventures took him to both North America and Europe where he has lived and travelled extensively before Latin America and Africa became his passions.

Matt has since undertaken many adventures in the region covering most destinations between Mexico and Cuba to as far south as Argentina and even Antarctica. Within Africa he has covered South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe with plans for further exploration later this year.

His extensive knowledge of Latin America and Africa have further been enhanced through over 20 years now professional experience in organising travel to the region for Australian and British specialist travel companies. This knowledge, passion and attention to detail means nothing is ever left to chance when organising your dream journeys.

Having worked for a number of years in financial markets, Tim came to the realisation that there was more to life than numbers and spreadsheets. So he joined the travel industry to combine his passion for travel and adventure with helping others achieve their travel dreams.

Having travelled to all 7 continents and lived in Australia, Brazil and the UK, different landscapes, cultures, tastes and rhythms of the world are what life is all about to Tim. The key to organising your perfect journey is specialist travel knowledge, and Tim’s got it in spades. So when you combine Tim’s vast experience with his desire to share some of the world’s most spectacular destinations with you, you can be sure you’re in good hands.

Hilary fell in love with Africa while living in Botswana in 2008 and has been immersed in the world of travel ever since. After many years working as a safari specialist, she’s explored nearly every corner of East and Southern Africa and enjoyed some incredible experiences like tracking mountain gorillas in Rwanda, sleeping in a swag in the middle of Botswana’s Makgadikgadi salt pans, and running a half marathon through Kenya’s Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

Hilary joined Eclipse Travel in 2018 as a Travel Designer before stepping into a leadership role as Sales & Marketing Director where she spearheaded the company’s most recent brand refresh and digital transformation. Now, as General Manager, she combines her destination expertise with big-picture thinking to lead the business into its next exciting chapter. At the heart of it all, she continues to be dedicated to delivering seamless, enriching travel experiences for every client – and inspiring the whole Eclipse team to do the same.

Mauricio spent 4 years in our Sales Team helping folks explore their dream destinations worldwide – something he describes as “incredibly rewarding.” After a few years break, he now re-joins us as our Product Manager.

During his mid-20s, Mauricio worked in the hospitality industry in some of South America’s best hotels and lived in different places like Peru, USA and Patagonia. Once bitten by the travel bug, so he decided to turn his love for travel into a lifestyle. Patagonia and Antarctica are his current obsessions but has a hefty bucket list that includes the Arctic, southern Africa and more, more and more of South America.

Leanne has always been passionate about travel, so it was inevitable that she decided at an early age to obtain her Diploma in Travel and Tourism in her hometown of Solihull in the UK. Since then her desire to explore and experience new places and cultures has never diminished and has ultimately led her to settle in Christchurch, New Zealand. Leanne is fortunate enough to have visited all 7 continents but rates her recent visit to the Subantarctic Islands and the Ross Sea region of Antarctica as the most significant. This she says, is mainly due to the wonderful wildlife in the region which she particularly enjoyed observing at close quarters. Her favourite places in the world (so far) are Argentina and Macquarie Island. Next on her bucket list is Cuba!

Now as Operations Manager, Leanne combines her passion for wild places with her keen eye for detail to lead our reservations and support teams. She plays a vital role in ensuring smooth operations and creating worry-free travel experiences for our clients.

Blake’s love of travel has taken him to all seven continents and over 90 countries. After years abroad in Europe, he returned to Australia in 2010 and began a career spanning retail and wholesale travel, adventure tours, scuba diving, and tropical escapes before joining Eclipse Travel in 2017 to focus on his favourite destinations: South America, Africa, and the Polar regions. He loves combining adventure, comfort, and unique experiences, often seeking out lesser-known places beyond the tourist trail.

Since living in Mexico in 2011, Blake has spent over a year exploring Latin America — backpacking from Santiago to Colombia, diving in the Caribbean, and enjoying luxury lodges in Torres del Paine and Easter Island. Brazil tops his list for its diversity, people, beaches, and music, while Chile captivates him with its dramatic landscapes from the Atacama to Patagonia.

He’s about to embark on his sixth African journey, having experienced everything from camping in the Serengeti to five-star safaris in Zimbabwe. Expedition cruising is another passion, with over three months at sea in remote regions — from Antarctic fly-cruises to polar bear sightings in Svalbard and helicopter adventures in Greenland. Whether it’s an intrepid adventure or a luxury escape, Blake uses his first-hand knowledge to create personalised journeys you’ll never forget.

Lara’s first time leaving her hometown Christchurch was when she was 21 years old to visit Sao Paulo Brazil, and from then she had the wanderlust. Having travelled to all 7 continents, Latin America and Africa many times, Lara’s 10 years experience working in the travel industry and specialist knowledge is at your disposal when planning the adventure of your lifetime!

Lara says she tries to get away to a new exotic destination at least twice a year. Countries that she has travelled extensively through include, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Cuba, Uganda, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and Antarctica! Her biggest highlight out of everywhere she has travelled is Antarctica. While she has a preference for hot and tropical destinations, if you ask her she will tell you that no travel experience can match visiting such an awe inspiring place as Antarctica! Some of her other highlights are gorilla trekking in Uganda and camping in the Okavango Delta. The next places on her ever growing list are Egypt, Kenya and Tanzania.

Luke has lived, worked and travelled extensively throughout the world and these experiences give him the perfect opportunity to use his expert knowledge for the benefit of his clients.

Luke began his career in the travel industry back in 2004 with a ski company in London. After several years of travelling in Europe and North Africa, he spent some time backpacking through South East Asia before moving to Canada.

From there a one-way ticket to Mexico gave him his first taste of Latin America which left a lasting impression. This trip also took him through Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Bolivia and Chile, before ending in Argentina some 7 months later. He has since returned to spend more time in Peru and Argentina as well as Ecuador and Colombia.

In recent times, since joining the team at Eclipse Travel, Luke has ventured to Botswana and Zimbabwe to get a taste of life on safari, as well as the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. Both Southern Africa and Antarctica now rank as some of his favourite travel destinations, alongside previous favourites such as Guatemala, Colombia & Ecuador.

Next up, Luke would love to get back to Africa to explore more of this amazing continent, or go on another snowboarding adventure in the Andes!

Tiffany joined the Eclipse Travel team during what she jokingly calls her “mid-life crisis.” After years in the banking industry, she decided it was time to swap spreadsheets for suitcases and turn her lifelong passion for travel into a career. It turned out to be the best decision she ever made – more than 10 years on, she still loves helping people plan their dream journeys and takes pride in making every detail count.

Her love affair with Latin America began during a four-year stint living in Chile, where she explored South and Central America extensively. Stand-out experiences from that time include hiking the Inca Trail, cruising the Galapagos Islands, venturing into Patagonia’s wild landscapes, and witnessing Iceland’s dramatic natural beauty. Since joining Eclipse, Tiffany has expanded her travel portfolio to include unforgettable journeys to the Antarctic Peninsula, Cuba, Colombia, Costa Rica, Brazil, and Svalbard, along with multiple returns to Patagonia and the Atacama Desert.

With her trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls), Tiffany ticked off her seventh continent – a milestone she’s immensely proud of. She’s since embarked on an incredible safari through Tanzania’s Serengeti and is already dreaming of adding more African destinations to her repertoire. That said, she also has her eye on exploring the pockets of Latin America she hasn’t yet experienced.

Whether it’s an epic wilderness expedition or a rich cultural immersion, Tiffany’s first-hand knowledge, enthusiasm, and meticulous planning ensure that every itinerary she creates is as memorable and unique as the traveller taking it.

Originally from Germany, Meike was introduced to the wonders of travel through family European adventures in an orange VW Kombi before relocating to Australia at age 19. In 2001 Meike embarked on a life changing year long journey through Latin America from the Yucatan, Mexico to Rio, Brazil, touring virtually all countries in between. This in-depth travel experience qualifies Meike as one of the most knowledgeable travel designers in the Latin America travel sector.

After these adventures, Meike relocated to London, playing a vital role in establishing Flight Centre as a force in the UK, opening and managing numerous offices across the country. In 2008, Meike joined forces with the founder of Imagine Africa, building Imagine Latin America as Director and co-owner. This collaboration alongside specialists in Africa led to remarkable opportunities to expand her knowledge of another continent, while on safaris, or running half marathons amongst zebras and giraffes at Lewa National Park in Kenya. And recently Meike went to Antarctica, adding the 7^th continent to her repertoire of expertise. You can read about her trip there here.

Still enchanted by nature, Meike now lives by the beach with her husband and two daughters in Freshwater, Sydney. Her girls are becoming two little jetsetters — just like their parents. Meike’s enthusiasm and drive combined with her incredible destination & airfare expertise, guarantee that clients are in the best possible hands when she is crafting the holiday of their dreams.

Lyndal first got the travel bug after a trip through Europe at just 19 years old and then decided to embrace that passion by joining the travel industry. She has since visited 6 continents over the years, but it was Africa that most captured her soul. Having travelled through 26 African countries she if often asked which is her favourite, and that’s a hard one, but the open plains of the Serengeti holds a special magic.

From camping to luxury lodges, overlanding to fly-in safaris, trekking gorillas to hot air ballooning, she has been fortunate to enjoy a number of varied activities across her numerous visits. She’d love to help create special memories on the perfect Africa trip for you too.

Daniel’s love for travel began at a young age, progressing from family trips to backpacking with friends throughout Europe and Southeast Asia. Then, after completing his degree and searching for his why, Daniel booked a one-way flight to Mexico and began his journey of self-discovery, making it to Brazil and visiting almost every country in between. It was here that Daniel found his true passion, as his Latin American adventure was filled with breathtaking experiences and unforgettable memories spanning almost two years.

From witnessing live volcanic eruptions in Guatemala to trekking through the stunning landscapes of Patagonia and northern Peru. He fell in love with the city life of Buenos Aires and the vibrant cultures of Brazil and Colombia, and don’t get him started on all the food! With a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a passion for sharing his experiences, Daniel was thrilled to return to Sydney and join the Eclipse Travel team. He is eager to bring his insights and expertise to plan your next incredible Latin American adventure!

Cathy, originally from the UK, has dedicated 30 years to the travel and tourism industry. Throughout her career and personal life, she has been fortunate enough to travel the world, with memorable experiences spanning from an extended stay in South America to her favourite adventure in Botswana, where she went on safari and explored the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls.

Currently residing in New Zealand, Cathy is a founding member of the Richmond Community Garden, a pioneering organisation focused on food resilience, ecological restoration, and community engagement in Christchurch’s Post-Earthquake Red Zone.

A passionate advocate for creating unique travel experiences, Cathy thrives on listening to and understanding her clients’ desires. She goes the extra mile to plan itineraries that reflect their dreams, ensuring every journey is a seamless and unforgettable adventure.

With over two decades of experience in the travel industry since 2001, Allison has developed a comprehensive understanding of various roles within tourism and has been gifted the unique opportunity to explore every continent except Antarctica (so far!). Originally from South Africa, Allison has also lived in the Middle East before making Australia her home. Her passion for travel is complemented by her love for wildlife, beautiful beaches, and the great outdoors, allowing her to connect deeply with diverse environments.

Allison brings her industry background and enthusiasm to Eclipse Travel in the Sales Support Specialist role, providing vital assistance to our clients ahead of their trips. With a proactive mindset and a genuine positivity, she thrives on staying engaged and making meaningful contributions with everyone she encounters. Allison is always looking forward to exciting opportunities that lie ahead!

Aya’s first solo trip was the big move from Japan to Australia at the age of 16, carefully planned over a year with a lot of help from her supportive family. Over two decades later, Aya considers Australia her home.

Aya’s curiosity has driven her to see the world as long as she can remember. Once something spikes her curiosity, she finds a way to see and experience it for herself. This has led to many adventures in Africa, Asia, Europe, North & Central America, the Middle East, and the South Pacific Islands.

Her travels were inspired by a love of the ocean and nature, which grew even more while travelling on a 100-day round the world cruise as an interpreter for local guides. Aya then spent some time in South East Asia exploring beneath the sea as an underwater filmmaker, dive guide, and scuba diving instructor, before moving to South Africa for the life changing experience of encountering true wildlife.

Aya takes great pride in her work ensuring Eclipse Travel clients experience a seamless journey from start to finish, so that they can focus on the important things, and make the most of their adventures.”

With over five years of experience in customer service, Mary discovered her passion for travel while assisting clients from Australia, New Zealand and North America. In her previous role, she worked closely with travellers helping to highlight stunning destinations across Australia and New Zealand which gave her unique insights into local attractions that sparked her love for these regions’ natural beauty and charm. Though she considers herself a homebody, Mary recently embarked on her first solo travel adventure, exploring heritage sites close to home. This experience has inspired her to explore more destinations, both locally and abroad.

Now, as part of Eclipse Travel, Mary is thrilled to join a team that is dedicated to helping others discover the world’s wonders. Known for her exceptional attention to detail, Mary ensures that every aspect of our clients’ holidays runs seamlessly. She takes pride in making sure that every booking is handled with precision, so our travellers can fully enjoy their experience.

Scarlett’s love for travel was sparked from her first solo trip, six months spent backpacking around Europe at 19 years old. She returned to Australia to start university, but quickly realised that she was not passionate about her degree. Realising she could turn her passion for travelling and the industry into her career, she dropped out of her original course, set off backpacking around Southeast Asia, and started studying a degree in International Tourism.

Given her desire to learn everything about the travel industry, joining the Eclipse Travel team has been incredible. Working alongside passionate people who want to give their clients flawless travel experiences in destinations across the globe has driven an enthusiasm in Scarlett to do the same.

Gim is our dedicated Product Assistant, working diligently behind the scenes to ensure that every traveller’s journey is a seamless and unforgettable experience. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for precision, Gim plays a crucial role in supporting the travel designers by meticulously verifying and fine-tuning itineraries under the direction of the Product Manager. He loves learning about all the captivating destinations that Eclipse Travel offers which fuels a constantly expanding travel bucket list!

Alissa, our clever Accounts Administrator, is a linchpin of the operational side of our business, adeptly managing a myriad of different currencies and facilitating payments to our partners across the globe. Her meticulous approach ensures that financial transactions are executed flawlessly, contributing to the smooth and efficient functioning of Eclipse Travel’s business.

Hamish is our IT Manager. At Eclipse Travel, our carefully selected and configured systems help us to be as efficient as possible so we can spend more time with you, the customer. Hamish makes sure all our backend systems run smoothly and oversees the development and maintenance of our IT strategy.

When he’s not writing code, Hamish is a keen skier and outdoor enthusiast who loves exploring new destinations.

Olivia is our enthusiastic Live Chat Agent with a passion for adventure. As your first point of contact in our online chat department, she is dedicated to providing exceptional service and connecting you with the most appropriate specialist on our team, ensuring your travel plans are in the best hands possible. Outside of work, you’ll find her eagerly planning her next adventure or immersing herself in the diverse cultures and cuisines that inspire her wanderlust.