About Us

Rebeca & Matthew Newton

Co-Founders

Rebeca:
Travel is in my blood – my very first job was with Avianca, the largest airline in Latin America. I never looked back. Later, I co-founded TourismTiger with Mat, working with tour operators around the world. 

In 2019, I thought: why not use those connections to create truly unforgettable travel experiences?

I’ve always been drawn to the sense of community travel creates. Bringing like-minded women together for the trip of a lifetime – that’s what Patch Adventures is all about. I’ve built a team of amazing scouts who design balanced, deeply local trips. All you need to do is show up and enjoy – like traveling with your most adventurous friends.

Matthew:
I never expected to be running a women-only travel company – but life had other plans.

 In 2020, we started Patch Adventures (now part of Leatherback Travel). Rebeca was the heart of the business and I was helping part-time – until she got sick. Suddenly, I was running things full time.

A man leading a women-only travel company is unexpected, but I fell in love with it.

I’ve always believed in the power of travel to shift perspectives, and with Patch, we get to do that every single day. We take adventurous women to places most companies won’t touch, with local teams who care about the experience, not tourist attractions. I’m often on the road, meeting partners, discovering stories, and working with our amazing team across Australia and Europe – the ones who make the adventure possible.

Now it’s time to:

Olivia Martin

General Manager
NSW Australia

You could say I took the scenic route to get here – literally.

I’m originally from the dramatic greenery of Ireland, I now call a piece of Australia’s coastal paradise home.

You’ll mostly find me scaling mountains, dangling off cliffs (safely, of course!) or wandering through the woods without a GPS in sight. Most of my travels so far have been solo or alongside a rad group of fellow adventurers.

I don’t know if you can relate, but my love for travelling and hiking goes beyond a hobby – it’s my cardio, my zen – and my perfect excuse to indulge in delicious food and a glass of red wine afterward.

So, when Leatherback travel – and more specifically, our Camino Women brand called my name in 2024, I sprinted faster than Usain Bolt to apply!

Now, I work across both brands – Patch Adventures and Camino Women, helping other women experience off-the-beaten-path adventures and bringing your travel dreams to life.

But enough about me! I still need to tell you about my fellow team members…  

Claire Jakobi

Booking Manager

Melbourne, Australia

For me, travel is how I see the world, one delicious bite and unforgettable conversation at a time.

I’ve spent most of my professional life as a Travel Consultant, helping people uncover the magic of new places and cultures. Nothing lights me up more than hearing someone’s story or introducing them to a corner of the world they never expected to fall in love with.

When I’m not planning journeys, you’ll find me outdoors with my family – whether we’re soaking up the sun at the beach or heading off-grid in Victoria’s high country. Our three kids are always up for a little adventure too!

One of the most life-changing trips I’ve ever taken was to Türkiye. We hit the road in a tiny Fiat with a barely functioning GPS and somehow wound our way through quiet villages, dramatic coastlines, and the kindest communities. That trip taught me to slow down, savor the moment, and appreciate the joy in simple things – like fresh figs straight from the tree or warm bread served by a stranger who quickly becomes a friend.

These are the moments I travel for. The food, the people, the culture – they always leave me with a new perspective and a full heart. And now, I get to help other women experience that same sense of wonder with Patch Adventures.

Courtney Harman

Booking Manager

Melbourne, Australia

I took one trip in 2015 and my life was never the same.

It was a three-month whirlwind through India, Nepal, and China. My first time joining a group tour and my first time navigating places where English wasn’t the main language. I was completely out of my comfort zone… and I absolutely loved it.

That journey cracked my world wide open, and I haven’t stopped exploring since.
Since then, I’ve made it to all seven continents (yes, even Antarctica!), and my list of dream destinations keeps growing by the day.

For me, travel is all about learning – not just about places, but about people, culture, history, and the incredible diversity of life on this planet. I’m the friend with way too many fun facts, and I wear that badge proudly.

Now, as Booking Manager at Patch Adventures, I get to help other women take the leap into the unknown – whether it’s their first adventure or their fiftieth. I’m here to make sure your trip is smooth, exciting, and everything you hoped it would be (and maybe a little more).

Because those memories you bring home – the ones that stick with you forever? They’re not just worth it. They’re life-changing.

Aidan McPavian

Booking Manager

Victoria, Australia

You could say a love of travel runs in my family. My grandpa visited more than 150 countries in his lifetime – back when travel was a whole different ball game. I still remember sitting with him as a teenager, watching slides from his trip to North Korea. That bold spirit of adventure lit a spark in me I’ve followed ever since.

My own journey kicked off at 21, backpacking around Europe with friends. It was fast-paced, jam-packed… and yet something was missing. We were ticking off sights, not soaking up culture. That trip changed everything. I realised I didn’t want to just see places – I wanted to experience them.

So, I slowed down. I lived in Mexico for six months on a university exchange, then spent extended time in Colombia, Germany, Portugal, Thailand, and Vietnam. Each place gave me a new appreciation for what it means to truly connect – with people, food, language, and everyday life.

That’s what drew me to Patch Adventures. We go deeper. We create travel that’s about being there – not just passing through. Now, I get to help other women do the same: discover the world in a more meaningful way, one unforgettable journey at a time.