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:

Courtney Harman

General 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.

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.

Farrah Passmore

Booking Manager

QLD, Australia

Travel isn’t just something I do – it’s in my DNA.

Growing up, I’d sit wide-eyed listening to my Dad and grandfather swap stories about their adventures in Kenya. Between that and endless road trips with my Dad, the travel bug didn’t just bite me – it completely took over.

I went to university to study law, convinced I’d become a professional career woman. That lasted about five minutes before the call of adventure became impossible to ignore. So at 22, I quit everything and moved overseas to work on cruise ships.

That was supposed to be a quick adventure to ‘get it out of my system’ before returning home to start my ‘real’ career. Turns out, every destination I tick off my list just adds five more. I’ve made peace with the fact that my hunger to experience the world will never be satisfied.

My favourite memories are from the messy, unexpected moments: a wheel falling off my plane in Brunei, white water rafting on a half-frozen Alaskan river, or hiking to Everest Base Camp with strangers who became lifelong friends.

Now I get to help other women chase that same fire. I’m here to make sure your adventure is everything you hoped for and maybe a little more chaotic in the best possible way.

Tegan Weekley

Booking Manager

NSW, Australia

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by the customs and histories of cultures around the world. Growing up in a family that encouraged adventure, I took my first solo trip at 15. Even now, there’s nothing more thrilling than boarding a plane with no idea what’s waiting on the other side.

What started as a small break from university turned into a year abroad that changed everything. I spent three months wandering through Europe before landing in Canada, where something clicked. It was the most immersive experience of my life, and I knew I’d never be the same.

When I came home to Australia, all I wanted was to help others find that same sense of wonder. So I started working in the travel industry, and it still brings me more joy than ever to help people achieve their travel dreams and discover places that leave them in awe.

These days, I’m deep in my family era with my two little boys. As they grow, I’m already dreaming of taking them to Japan to learn snowboarding, to Egypt to soak up ancient history, and maybe to the Galápagos for unforgettable wildlife encounters.

My travel list never stops growing, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I don’t just love travel – I live for it. And as a Booking Manager at Patch Adventures, I get to share this passion with you.

Mandy Scanlon

Booking Manager

Victoria, Australia

For me, travel has always been about connection to language, culture and food that tells you exactly where you are in the world.

It started with Italian. Years of studying it at school and university meant that stepping off the plane in Italy for the first time felt less like arrival and more like returning somewhere I already belonged.

I’ve covered a lot of ground since: Europe, Asia, Africa, the Pacific. However, my first trip to Morocco over 20 years ago stopped me in my tracks. No amount of reading could have prepared me for the charming markets, heavenly spices and lively sounds.

I travel solo when I can, but watching my kids discover a new place for the first time? That’s something else entirely.

My biggest career achievement, though, has nothing to do with a boarding pass. I spent two years in Sicily setting up and running Salemi Ceramics as General Manager – proof that sometimes the best adventures come from planting roots, not just passing through.

Now I get to bring that same cultural curiosity to helping other women find their own unforgettable experiences with Patch Adventures.