Celebrating 25 Years Of Smooth Sailing

Under the leadership of Trevor Rees, Whitsunday Escape has grown to become an industry leader, decorated with awards, with plenty of laughs, milestones, and pinch-me moments on the way. Let’s look back on his voyage so far…

1993 – Whitsunday Escape begins trading as a small rental boat business.

1- 2001 – Trevor Rees arrives on the scene, taking over the business with 15 boats, with co-owners Katie MacDonald, Dan Tannock & Loraine Tannock.

2004 – The company wins its first Tourism Awards: Gold at Whitsunday Tourism Awards & Bronze at Queensland Tourism Awards.

2008 – The business’s original fleet doubles to 30 boats.

2-  2012 – The team celebrates a big year at the 2012 Christmas party, having won their third Whitsunday Tourism Award and been finalists at state level.

3- 2013 – Whitsunday Escape reach national acclaim taking gold for unique accommodation in the Australian Tourism Awards.

2015 – Trevor is elected as board member and treasurer for Tourism Whitsundays and took part in a campaign to successfully ban capital dredging on the Great Barrier Reef.

4- 2017 – Smiles all round as the company takes gold at the 2017 Whitsunday Tourism Awards.

2017 – Trevor elected as board member of Australian Marine Park Tourism Operators (AMPTO)  

5- 2017 – Trevor enjoys a much-deserved office upgrade, and an online booking system is installed.

6- 2018 – The team takes silver at the Whitsunday Tourism Awards.

2023-2024 – Trevor represents the bareboat industry on the steering committee pushing for Whale Heritage Site accreditation for the Whitsunday region.

7- 2025 – Trevor accepts gold at the Queensland Tourism Awards.

2026 – Trevor passes the helm to Jaclyn as he and his wife Julie plan adventures on their catamaran, Escape Artist.

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