expanding horizons / expanding connections / expanding potential
Creative itineraries that unlock the power of the group to deliver transformative experiences that inform, connect and inspire leaders of influence.
Case Study:
The power of cultural connection
Challenge:
To create an immersive and authentic experience, exploring the unique culture of Australia through its indigenous people.
Solution:
The Kimberley is one of the world’s last wilderness frontiers, nearly the size of California and largely inaccessible, it is home to only 35,000 people, with Aboriginal communities inhabiting the area for more than 40,000 years. We facilitated transformative cultural exchanges between guests and the Imintji, Kandiwal, Gidja and Djaru communities. Guests learnt about elder traditions, stories and rock art, whilst also getting a front line understanding of the challenges facing present and future generations in this fast evolving world. This was all delivered together with seamless logistics and comfort in an otherwise rugged environment.
We use our extensive global network and luxury group travel know-how to give people access to places, people and experiences they couldn’t otherwise secure.
Case Study:
Elevating a Private Jet Journey with a Captain of Industry
Challenge:
Creating an original and authentic, money can’t buy Argentinian experience, while ensuring seamless logistics for a private group of 50 business leaders. The brief required balancing world-class talent with the groups’ interests and needs as part of a 21 day South American Private Jet Journey.
Solution:
We dreamt and delivered an authentic, Argentinian barbeque experience with world renowned chef Francis Mallmann. For this, Mallmann personally cooked for and with guests using traditional Argentine cooking techniques across 12 hours at a historic estancia outside Buenos Aires. For those preferring other activities, a polo match and wine tasting was arranged, allowing further personalisation. Every detail was taken care of to ensure no guest lifted a finger—except for those who stoked the fire and basted the meat with Mallmann over a glass of Malbec.
We have decades of experience planning and delivering seamless journeys, navigating group dynamics and needs to deliver the highest standards of travel.
Case Study:
One country, two islands, no stress, experience to the max
Challenge:
How to experience the best New Zealand in only 8 days
Solution:
We arranged private jet travel, enabling direct routes between locations that are not serviced by commercial airlines. This maximized the guests’ time at each destination while ensuring they never had to handle their luggage and layovers were avoided. Every detail of the logistics was meticulously planned, ensuring smooth transitions and an all-inclusive, luxury experience for our guests.
Step 1: Briefing
We listen to the travel goals of your organisation and learn about your members. Here we discover ideal destinations, timing and approximate group size. We uncover what inspiration and wonder means to your group.
Step 2: Concept Development
We begin creating a journey especially tailored for your Members. We construct the pacing and flow (how many nights in each place, the order of the regions), determine optimal modes of travel, and propose hotels and key experiences. The result is a high-level itinerary and an approximate (unnegotiated) trip price.
Step 3. Engagement & Feedback
We discuss feedback and tailor the high-level itinerary to your needs, ensuring you are 100% satisfied. Should you wish to continue with Wonder Society, we require a small Commitment Deposit to proceed with your enquiry. This commitment deposit is fully deducted off the cost of your trip.
Step 4. Finalise Itinerary
We finalise all details within your itinerary, including dining experiences, private tours and signature experiences created for your group. The unique nature of your journey is fully realised.
A 30% Confirmation Deposit is required to secure all arrangements for your journey (unless advised otherwise) Rates are then further negotiated and price is confirmed.
Step 5: Full Payment & Documentation
Full payment is due 90 prior to the start of your trip (unless advised otherwise). All travellers will receive comprehensive travel documentation to inform and excite a month prior to departure.
Step 6: On Tour
We are with you every step of the way, providing a tour team comprising Tour Manager, Tour Hosts and Local Guides. We’ll gather input from your team and it’s travelling Members to develop a deeper understanding of future needs and desires so every trip can be remarkable.
Lou is the Co-owner and Director of Australian Pacific Holdings (APH), Australia’s largest and most awarded touring and cruising operator. A 100% Australian family-owned business, in 2024 APH expects to host over 50,000 travellers to 68 countries.
Celebrating nearly a century of excellence, the flagship brand, APT will turn 100 in 2027. Recently named the Most Outstanding Tour Operator (Global) at the 2023 National Travel Industry Awards, APT is one of Australia’s most loved and trusted travel companies.
A Director with more nearly 20 years’ experience across various travel Boards and extensive executive expertise in the travel & tourism sector, Lou is one of the third generation of McGeary’s to steer the family business. Lou has a talent for creating high-end travel products, understanding customers, building and transforming brands, driving organisational change and governing complex organisations across multinational markets.
She previously served as a Director of Los Angeles / Luxemburg based, AmaWaterways, overseeing the strategic divestment of shares to L Catterton in 2024. Along with her role as a Director of APH, she is currently leading the design of a new generation of European river cruising ships for APT and serves as a Director of Indochine Waterways, a Vietnamese river cruise company.
Lou’s leadership ensures that APH continues to innovate and expand, sustaining the family legacy while offering unparalleled journeys for travellers worldwide.
For Lou, Wonder Society offers new opportunities to innovate in the luxury, group travel space, using rare and remarkable experiences to enrich lives and deepen connections.
Read about Lou in the AFR here
Lachie is a visionary in the travel industry, bringing over two decades of experience in orchestrating transformative group travel experiences. His expertise lies in organizing and scaling travel operations that inspire and leave a lasting impact.
Before Co-founding Wonder Society, Lachie was the Founder and Managing Director of World Challenge Asia Pacific and also led Antipodeans, another of Australia’ and New Zealand’s award winning educational travel companies. Across these ventures, he oversaw nearly 1,100 group life changing journeys to over 30 countries. As Managing Director of Mojosurf, Lachie also facilitated over 800 domestic group adventures, providing unforgettable experiences to thousands of international travellers.
Lachie has been a committed YPO (Young Presidents Organisation) member since 2019, lives in Byron Bay, Australia, with his wife and three children and is an avid traveller, surfer and skier.
As the co-founder of Wonder Society, Lachie is passionate about creating high-end, meaningful journeys that enrich the lives of global leaders. At The Wonder Society, Lachie continues his mission of curating life-changing journeys for global leaders—combining luxury, adventure, and personal growth in each meticulously designed experience.
Read about Lachie in the Sydney Morning Herald here
Rob is a seasoned travel leader with over twenty years in tourism and hospitality. With deep expertise in ultra-luxury travel to global destinations and luxury travel throughout remote Australia, he co-founded Wonder Society to leverage his unique knowledge.
As the former Co-owner and CEO of ultra-luxury travel company Captain’s Choice, Rob, alongside his wife Lou, elevated the product range, which includes journeys by private jet, small group land explorations and cruising. In 2018, under his leadership, Captain’s Choice celebrated its 100th journey by private jet. Rob also helped to set new benchmark for gold-standard service in the industry, and today, the company remains dedicated to creating and operating enriching experiences to remote and exotic destinations.
As General Manager of APT Australia, and a member of the APT Senior Executive Team, Rob successfully reinvigorated APT’s Australian product portfolio, hosting thousands of guests each year on journeys into the beauty of Australia’s outback, while achieving record guest satisfaction. Rob found that collaborating with Traditional Owners and making a positive impact for both First Nations communities and guests was the most rewarding part of his role.
Prior to joining the travel industry, Rob had a successful career in project management for large and complex commercial constructions.
Rob’s is driven to make a positive difference in the world which led him to take on the role of Co-founder and Director of a blood cancer charity, in honour of his Father. He hopes Wonder Society will inspire leaders, through the power of travel, to make a meaningful difference too.
Read about Rob in the AFR here
