Q: Brett, when you opened your first office back in 1999 did you ever think you’d have the success that you’ve enjoyed?
A: Not in my wildest dreams! Back in 1999, the focus was simply on creating a travel business that offered great service and genuine care for our customers.
I started with one small office, a great business partner, Helga Saxarra (who has now retired), a handful of people and a lot of enthusiasm.
It’s been a huge team and family effort, built on the same values we had from day one: looking after people, embracing innovation and doing business with heart.
We’ve always stayed true to that family-business feel, even as we’ve grown, and I think that’s what’s helped us keep our culture strong.
Q: HTG now has more than 175 travel professionals across 35 locations in Australia, servicing thousands of customers. How do you keep on top of it all?
A: The short answer is – with a great team! None of this would work without the incredible people we have across the network.
I’ve always believed in empowering others and surrounding myself with passionate experts who love what they do. That’s been key to managing growth while keeping the personal touch.
Technology also helps enormously – the systems, data and communications tools we use today mean I can stay connected and involved even when I’m in the Hunter Valley among the vines.
But at the end of the day, it still comes down to people. We’ve created a culture where collaboration and trust are everything, leaning into our core values of Trust, Respect, Integrity & Accountability – we call it our TRIA!
Q: You mention the Hunter Valley. Given the size of HTG, taking over the reins at Greenway Wines with your wife Louise might seem like an odd decision. What prompted it?
A: It’s something we’ve talked about for years – a shared dream to eventually combine business with lifestyle in a way that connects us to the land.
Louise and I have always loved the Hunter Valley; it’s a region we’ve visited often and we’ve both had a long-standing passion for wine and hospitality.
When the opportunity came up to become the custodians of Greenway Wines, it just felt right. The previous owner, Anne Greenway, built something truly special – a boutique, single-vineyard winery known for its handcrafted wines and warm, personal experience.
We felt a real connection to that story and wanted to carry it forward, while also bringing our own energy and ideas to it.
Greenway is small-scale, authentic and hands-on. That appealed to us. It’s also something we can share as a couple and with our children & grandchildren which makes it even more special.
Q: Just as in travel, running a winery is a competitive business. How will you manage the demands of the two different roles?
A: Balance is the key word…and plenty of coffee (and good wine of course) helps too!
Fortunately, both businesses share common ground. Whether it’s helping someone plan their dream trip or guiding them through a wine tasting, both are about creating memorable experiences.
I’m lucky that HTG has a strong leadership team who keep things running beautifully day-to-day. That allows me to spend more time at the vineyard when needed.
And of course, Louise is an equal partner at Greenway – she has a fantastic eye for detail and hospitality, so between us we juggle things well. We also remind ourselves that this is supposed to be enjoyable – if it ever stops being fun, we’re doing it wrong!
Q: For those who have yet to discover Greenway Wines (and they are delicious!), what are some of your favourite wines that you sell?
A: Thank you! We’re really proud of what we produce. Greenway has always taken a slightly different approach in the Hunter.
We’re a true single-vineyard winery, which means every bottle comes from fruit grown right here on our property in Broke, handcrafted in small batches.
For me, the standout is our Fiano. It’s become something of a signature varietal for us -crisp, bright and absolutely made for long lunches or warm summer evenings. We’ve just finished bottling our 2025 ‘favoloso’ Fiano this week, so we’ll soon have three beautiful vintages – 2021, 2023 & 2025 – ready just in time for Christmas.
And of course, we have a soft spot for our reds and whites across the range. Our Merlot is beautifully soft and elegant, and the Pinot Grigio has that lovely Italian vibrancy we’re known for.
Q: I believe you also have a very special crop that will be something of an exclusive for the region next year?
A: Yes – we’ve got a few exciting things in the pipeline! Without giving too much away, there’s a small parcel of Teroldego (an Italian red varietal) that’s maturing beautifully and will hopefully be released next year.
It’s quite rare in Australia, with I believe just a handful of vineyards approved to grow it and we will be the first in the Hunter Valley to harvest it in early 2026 – we think it’ll be something special for the Hunter.
Q: Just putting the travel hat back on for a moment, what are some of the current trends and hot destinations customers are booking?
A: There’s been a return to big international travel – Europe, Japan, Canada & the U.S. are still leading the charge – but we’re also seeing people wanting experiential, immersive travel rather than just ticking off landmarks.
Expedition cruising, small-group tours, food and wine experiences, and wellness escapes are all booming.
Closer to home, New Zealand and Fiji remain ever-popular, and there’s been a strong resurgence in domestic luxury travel – people rediscovering how incredible our own backyard is.
People are travelling with more purpose now. It’s less about ticking boxes and more about meaningful experiences – food, wine, culture and connection.
Q: Do you think you’ll ever step away from the travel business completely, or will it always be your first love?
A: Travel will always be my first love – it’s in my DNA and has been such a big part of my life and who I am.
But the winery gives us something equally meaningful, just in a different way. There’s something very grounding about being among the vines, working with the seasons and sharing that with people.
So, no, I don’t see myself ever really “retiring” from trave anytime soon – but I do see the two passions coexisting happily. One keeps the adrenaline flowing, the other keeps the soul settled.
If I can end a busy week in the travel business with a glass of Greenway Fiano at sunset, I’d say that’s a pretty good balance.
Main image: Brett and Louise with their family
https://www.greenwaywines.com.au/
