We are a locally owned and operated, independent gear store.
Aspire Adventure Equipment was established in 2017, to provide a hub of the world’s leading brands to the adventure playground of Tasmania. Being a totally Tasmanian owned and operated business gives us the freedom to choose what we range based on our experiences, whether it be exploring Tasmania, long distance treks or climbing high in the Himalaya.
At Aspire Adventure Equipment we are committed to not just brands with great products, but especially companies with great service and excellent stories. Our major brands all have a unique backstory that help shape both their products, but also their customers experiences and our store.
Importantly all our small team have travelled extensively in Tasmania, interstate as well as overseas using the products that we sell and all are happy to share experiences, whether it be about gear or the destinations themselves.
In summary, Aspire Adventure Equipment has been founded to best represent Australia’s leading brands but also most importantly the brand of Tasmania itself. We are all about achieving your dreams and will go the extra mile to help our customers wake up from a comfortable night’s sleep in the place of their dreams or fall asleep under the stars somewhere they never felt possible.
Meet our team.
Meet our key team members and learn what they specialise in.
reuben
As a proud Tasmanian, Reuben has been exploring his home state since early childhood, whether it be accompanying his father on archaeological trips, fishing with mates, or out bushwalking. Upon leaving school he embarked on a two-year sojourn across central and northern Australia, living at and exploring Uluru, Kakadu as well as The Kimberly and Pilbara. In 2008 Reuben made a spontaneous trek in the Everest region of Nepal and was quickly hooked on the rarefied thin air of the high Himalaya and its various unique cultures. He immediately returned the following year to climb and has since gone on to achieve multiple notable ascents in Nepal, China and Kyrgyzstan up to a height of 7,500m. His next major goal is a mountain in the wild and remote Karakoram region of Pakistan. Meanwhile he can often be found amongst the hills and valleys of Tasmania with the nearby Ben Lomond plateau being one of his favourite wandering grounds.
Highlight trips: Everest High Passes; Mera Peak and Island Peak (via Amphu Laptsa); Muztagh Ata; Dhaulagiri Circuit; Pik Lenin
gary
Gary has spent the past 30 years guiding expeditions across Australia and Asia. Growing up in Sydney, his playground was an expanse of bush out the back of his house. Leaving school he travelled to the UK and Europe, and began a decades long connection with Nepal with his first trip to Everest BC and Annapurna at 18. So began a long guiding career, leading trips to Nepal, Pakistan, Tibet, India, Vietnam, The Philippines, Thailand, Central Asia, Tassie, Larapinta and Bibbulmun. Between trips Gary could be found running gear shops – we challenge you to find someone who knows more about gear! – and in the army where he spent his ‘down’ time running around in the bush. Gary moved to Tasmania in 2002, and now found himself between trips in places like the Overland Track, Walls of Jerusalem and South Coast Track. Gary still regularly runs trips to Nepal and is a walking encyclopedia of trekking in the Himalayas.
Highlight trips: Nepal Himalayas Kailash to Kanchenjunga (7 months); 1st Commercial group through the Rolwaling Tashi Labsta; 4 x Sherpani Col West Col (Makalu to Everest); Annapurna 4; Ramdung Peak; Parcharmo; Mountain biked across Tibet; Hitch hiked the full length of Vietnam
romina
Born in Munich, Germany, Romina cut her teeth on the German and Austrian Alps – no doubt keeping her parents on edge as she headed off on paragliding and snowboarding adventures. An office administration apprenticeship was all the impetus she needed to head off seeking adventure – that there wasn’t to be had behind a computer screen. Beloved Munich beers were traded for Boags, VB and XXXX Gold. A working visa saw Romina travel from Cape York to Tasmania and the rest, as they say, is history with Romina falling in love with the island state. Romina continued travelling for several years, through Asia, Australasia and Europe. 2018 saw Romina settle in Tasmania, on a peaceful property near Ben Lomond – the perfect base for future trips!
Highlight trips: Taman Negara, Malaysia; Spent 10 days exploring around Indawgyi Lake, Kachin State, Northern Myanmar; Tramped the length of NZ on Te Araroa (3000km from North tip to South tip of NZ); Round The Mountain (Ruapehu, NZ); Paddeled Whanganui River in NZ; Trekked to Annapurna Basecamp (Nepal); surrounded Kaiser Massif (Austria)
richard
Growing up in Sydney, sailing and surfing whet Richard’s appetite for the great outdoors. He soon discovered a world of fun to be had bushwalking, rock climbing, canyoning, caving and kayaking – starting lifelong passions. On the weekends the best place to find Richard was hanging from a rope somewhere in the Blue Mountains. A human movement course inevitably led to Richard starting a career as an outdoor educator, sharing his love for the outdoors with a whole new generation. Just ask Richard about the time they came across a snake on a food shelf in a standing camp at Yarra Junction! Finally, as so many people find, the lure of Tasmania’s wild places brought Richard and the family to Tasmania where the Blue Mountains were replaced with the Walls of Jerusalem, Frenchmans Cap, and of course – being an island – kayaking adventures. Richard continued to teach a new generation the joy in the outdoors – all his children are now keen outdoors people too! When not out exploring Tasmania’s hidden places, Richard built a self-sufficient off-grid home near Lilydale. Most recently Richard has discovered a whole new world of bigger hills with a trip to Nepal in 2018.
Highlight trips: Dudh Khunda, Nepal; Routeburn Track; Danae Brook Canyon; Walls of Jerusalem
david
Tasmanian through and through. Dave spent most of his young adult life competing as an athlete in the Tasmanian Institute of Sport for basketball, winning a bronze and a silver at the national championships and toured the States (USA) playing against several elite high schools. Now he has turned his passion and enthusiasm to the outdoors whether it be on the bike, in the surf ski or out in the hills wandering; you’ll find him with a large smile on his face either way. His most favourable walk/region is the Walls of Jerusalem where he has spent many chilly nights but is almost as in love with the Overland after a couple of successful campaigns. Dave’s trip to Nepal in 2019 opened his eyes to the numerous foreign countries worth visiting whilst creating a burning desire to revisit its rugged mountainous hills and incredibly humble people.
Highlight trips: Rolwaling Valley, Nepal; Overland Track in winter; South Coast Track; Walls of Jerusalem; Frenchmans Cap