Stray Australia officially launches at the ‘other’ Wedding of the Year!

In August, at a private event hosted in downtown Sydney, a select group of agents, industry partners and staff witnessed what has been labelled the ‘other’ wedding of the year.Loka, a well-known Australian adventure travel operator was officially ‘wed’ to Stray, a New Zealand based adventure travel operator, at an unconventional launch of Stray Australia. Loka will officially transition to the Stray Australia brand on the 1st October 2018 in time for the start of the new season, with changes rolling out throughout September in preparation.

The quirky approach to the launch was a reflection of the playful ‘off the beaten track’ personality these two brands represent, which have fittingly been referred to as a ‘match made in heaven’.

In August 2017, Stray invested into Loka, identifying the potential to expand into the significantly larger Australian youth travel market. The investment, which was welcomed by Loka, created opportunities to scale up its operations by leveraging Stray’s resources and established relationships. With the introduction of Stray Australia to the network, Stray will represent the largest flexible adventure travel network in Asia Pacific, with operations across New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Celia GeddesGeneral Manager of Loka said, “The team is really excited to reconnect to the Stray brand, with a long history of involvement. We see huge potential in creating a multi—regional Asia Pacific brand, which remains locally operated by a dedicated “Straylian” team.”

Brett Hudson – CEO of Stray said, “It was a natural fit and a logical decision to bring Loka under the Stray brand. Loka’s experienced management team shares the same ethos to Stray in its approach to creating social, flexible adventure travel experiences. Moving to one brand, with one message will make the conversation easier for our agents and customers alike.”

While plans are underway to launch new products under Stray Australia, Loka’s original hop-on hop-off adventure travel network will continue to be the primary focus under the new brand.

Stray’s Management Team celebrate at the launch of Stray Australia:

Left to Right:
Ollie Allum (NZ/AU Sales Manager), Celia Geddes (Australia GM), Raymond Atchison (VIC Sales Rep), Darcy Sabourin (NSW Sales Rep), Campbell Shepherd (Australian Director), Christine Conaghan (Group Director), Brett Hudson (Group CEO), Neil Geddes (Australian Director)

Posted in ,
Tara profile picture

Tara

Originally from Birmingham, UK. Favourite Stray stop: Tongariro National Park. Fun fact: she has done every Bungy Jump in New Zealand.

Ready for the ultimate East Coast journey? Choose Stray, and hop on our private bus tours! Forget the hassle of public transport – we're going from Sydney to Cairns and doing it the fun way! Dive deeper, explore more, and get the coolest East Coast vibes only with us!

We've just dropped our sizzling Stray Australia Tours! We've turned the adventure vibes ALL the way up on our new Adventure Tours. And for those craving the perfect mix of discovery and comfort, our new Select Tours got you! Explore the Aussie wonders with all the comfy feels. Are you in?

Select Tours in Australia

Explore in comfort with a touch of adventurous #StraySpirit

Our Southbound Select Tours are curated for those who yearn to explore the East Coast of Australia in comfort but aren't ready to let go of that adventurous Stray spirit. This isn't your typical touristy trek; it's an immersive journey into the vibrant heart and soul of the Land Down Under!

Adventure Tours in Australia

Dive into the ultimate Aussie escapade

Feel the wild heart of Australia beating, amped up to 100! Crash at the coolest boutique dorms we've handpicked for you - perfect chill spots between our epic escapades! Experience the unforgettable, bond with new mates, and score memories that’ll stick forever! Ready to roll, Aussie-style?

Or check out these articles for more travel inspiration

Ditch the hop, embrace the top: why our new fixed tours are your ultimate Aussie & Kiwi adventure!

Remember when hunting for hop-on/hop-off tours was the vibe, like stumbling upon a viral TikTok track from the pre-pandemic archives? It was a jam for the ages! But let’s be real, after the wild rollercoaster of the past few years, […]

Read More

Catch a Stray Bus Tour for the most amazing way to see Australia

Australia is big. In fact, it’s massive. It can be difficult to plan a tour or backpacking trip that takes in everything you want to see and experience. So catch a Stray Bus Tour for the best way to see […]

Read More

10 amazing things you must do on your east coast tour

A backpacking tour of Australia’s east coast is an unforgettable, mind-blowing experience, but how do you know what to see and do in such a huge area? Well, here are 10 amazing things you must do on your east coast […]

Read More
>
Scroll to Top