Meet the Vegan Tours Australia team
At Vegan Tours Australia, we believe that travel should be an experience of connection, indulgence, and discovery.
Led by Jess Bailey, our tours are built on a deep passion for travel, exceptional food, and meaningful connections. With extensive experience in the vegan community and event organisation, we have created a one-of-a-kind travel experience where you can indulge in gourmet vegan dining, connect with like-minded travellers, and discover hidden gems off the beaten path. Whether savouring a multi-course feast crafted by innovative chefs, sipping local vegan wines, or exploring the natural wonders of the region, every moment is designed to inspire and delight.
Join us on a journey where luxury meets compassion, and every experience is curated with care.
Jess Bailey
Meet Jess Bailey, a trailblazer in Australia's vegan movement.
With a background in IT project management, Jess transitioned to a life dedicated to promoting cruelty-free living.
In 2001, she founded the Vegan Grocery Store, initially as an online platform designed to make vegan products more accessible. This venture expanded to physical locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Canberra, becoming a cornerstone for vegans in Australia. Beyond retail, Jess started the Sydney Cruelty Free Festival in 2006, fostering community and awareness around vegan lifestyles.
Over the years, Jess has collaborated extensively with her tour partner, Sarah, on numerous projects, including the Vegan Day Out and vegan festivals. These events have been instrumental in enriching Australia's vegan community.
Her latest endeavour, Vegan Tours Australia, combines her love for travel and plant-based cuisine. These gourmet tours support local producers and collaborate with chefs to enhance vegan offerings, providing guests with exquisite culinary adventures.
Participants will immerse themselves in Australia's culture and stunning environments, engaging with local communities and natural landscapes. The group travel setting encourages the formation of new friendships among like-minded individuals, enriching the journey through shared exploration and connection.
Through these tours, Jess aims to share her passion for exploration and delectable vegan food.
Sarah Wade
Sarah brings her deep passion for veganism, nature, and community to Vegan Tours Australia.
With nearly 20 years in the plant-based movement, Sarah has played a pivotal role in vegan events and was the driving force behind Brisbane's first vegan festival in 2019. A strong advocate for community building, she has established numerous social groups where vegans can come together and enjoy delicious vegan food.
Since relocating to Tasmania in 2021, Sarah has been working with the Bob Brown Foundation, a dynamic environmental protection group dedicated to saving wildlife and preserving the region's remaining wild places.
Sarah, is well-versed in the culinary arts, holding a Cert II in Kitchen Operations (Plant-Based) and a Cordon Vert certificate from the UK Vegetarian Society. Between 2017 and 2019, she developed a range of pantry food items for the Vegan Grocery Store and hosted delightful vegan dinner nights featuring three-course meals at Satori Organics, her previous employer.
Sarah invites you to embark on a journey of food exploration in her home state, experiencing the rugged beauty and unique flavours that this small isle has to offer. Along the way, you'll also discover the rich indigenous history of Tasmania, home to the Palawa people for over 40,000 years, whose deep connection to the land continues to shape and inspire the island's cultural landscape.
Noella Buchanan
Originally from Germany, Noella had a deep curiousity about the world so she started travelling. She lived in Italy, the south of France, New Zealand and mainland Australia before settling in Tasmania.
After a long career in teaching she became a tour guide, taking her out of air-conditioned buildings and into the wild. With an infectious enthusiasm and extensive knowledge of wildlife, hiking, history and geology, she enjoys sharing the places she loves in Australia and New Zealand with guests from around the world.
Noella has a special interest in photography and loves sharing tips for capturing wildlife and stunning bush themes. As a long-time plant eater, she is always on the lookout for delicious food choices, sometimes found in the most remarkable places.
Noella also participates in triathlons around the world and works as an accredited triathlon coach.
When not on tour, she is a lifeguard at the local swimming pool and treasures her time on the sunny veranda on her rural property in southern Tasmania overlooking kunanyi/Mount Wellington.
