About

Wild Spirit Adventures was founded by Wayne Wetherall to create meaningful expeditions that go far beyond a standard adventure holiday.

Built on decades of real field experience, Wild Spirit Adventures specialises in handcrafted journeys that combine challenge, history, perspective and personal growth. Whether it is trekking through the Himalayas, climbing high mountains, walking historic trails, or leading custom adventures for teams and groups, the purpose remains the same — to create experiences that are authentic, professionally run, and genuinely life changing.

Led by Wayne Wetherall

Wayne Wetherall is the Founder of Wild Spirit Adventures and Kokoda Spirit, and an experienced Australian expedition leader who has spent more than two decades leading people through some of the world’s most demanding and rewarding environments.

Over the years, Wayne has led more than 130 expeditions across Papua New Guinea, Borneo, Nepal, Kilimanjaro, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam and Cambodia. His experience includes more than 100 crossings of the Kokoda Track, multiple treks to Everest Base Camp, several summits of Mt Kilimanjaro, numerous ascents of Mt Kinabalu, expeditions across the Sandakan Death March in Borneo, and other major adventure journeys in remote and historically significant locations.

Wayne is known for his calm leadership, practical decision-making, operational experience, authentic storytelling, and ability to build strong connections with the people he leads. His style is grounded, capable and people-focused — the kind of leadership that helps others feel supported, challenged and inspired all at once.

More than a trip

At Wild Spirit Adventures, we believe the best journeys do more than take you somewhere new. They challenge you. They give you perspective. They stretch you physically and mentally. They remind you what matters.

That philosophy sits at the heart of everything Wayne Wetherall creates through Wild Spirit Adventures.

These are not generic, off-the-shelf tours. They are carefully designed experiences built with purpose — for individuals, teams, schools, charities, foundations and leadership groups looking for something deeper than a holiday.

Handcrafted adventures with purpose

Wayne Wetherall has long specialised in designing and delivering custom-made adventures in Australia and overseas. Through Wild Spirit Adventures, he creates itineraries that are shaped around the goals of the group, the character of the destination, and the type of experience people want to have.

Some journeys focus on endurance and challenge. Others are built around leadership, history, mateship, culture, fundraising or personal growth. What they all have in common is strong preparation, professional logistics, and a commitment to making each expedition meaningful and memorable.

Experience across iconic destinations

Wild Spirit Adventures offers experiences inspired by Wayne’s years of field leadership across a wide range of destinations, including:

• Everest Base Camp in Nepal
• Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania
• Mt Kinabalu in Borneo
• the Sandakan Death March route in Sabah, Borneo
• the Larapinta Trail
• the Overland Track
• selected journeys in Vietnam, Cambodia, New Zealand and Australia

Each destination is chosen not just for its scenery or challenge, but for the story, meaning and sense of perspective it can offer.

Leadership, resilience and transformation

A major strength of Wild Spirit Adventures is Wayne Wetherall’s ability to create environments where people discover what they are capable of.

Over many years, he has worked with schools, sporting teams, charities, youth programs, foundations and leadership groups, helping design journeys that build resilience, deepen relationships, and create powerful shared experiences. He understands that challenge, when delivered well, can reveal character, strengthen teams, and leave a lasting impact.

Adventure with heart

Wayne believes great expeditions should not only transform the people taking part, but also respect the places and communities connected to the journey.

That means careful planning, strong local relationships, responsible travel, and creating experiences that are run with integrity and care. It also means recognising that some of the most powerful moments on an expedition are not always the summit or the finish line — often they are the quiet moments of perspective, gratitude, hardship and growth along the way.

Why Wild Spirit Adventures

Wild Spirit Adventures is for people who want more from an adventure.

More depth.
More meaning.
More challenge.
More connection.
More growth.

Under the leadership of Wayne Wetherall, Wild Spirit Adventures continues to create journeys that are authentic, professionally led, and designed to leave people stronger, humbler and more inspired than when they began.

At Wild Spirit Adventures, Wayne Wetherall continues to lead meaningful journeys that combine challenge, perspective, history and personal growth — because the best adventures are the ones that change us.