About Maddog Adventures.Maddog Adventures is a privately owned and operated business dedicated to supporting the economic development of rural communities in Timor-Leste through premium sustainable adventure tourism experiences. Our expertise lies in exploring untrodden areas and creating tourism-ready products and tours that meet Australian industry standards.Our mission is to curate experiences that not only celebrate the culture and enrich the lives of Timor-Leste’s people but also protect its natural environment. Since 2011, Sam, in his role with a leading Melbourne school, organised and led 28 school trips to Timor-Leste, hosting over 650 students. In 2016, the idea to form our own company took shape, and by August 2019, Maddog Adventures was officially registered. Despite the challenges of the global pandemic, which halted operations in 2020, we secured two USAid Tourism For All grants in 2021: one to run “Lokal Turismo with Maddog,” a domestic tourism promotion campaign under #HauNiaTimorLeste, and another to develop an Adventure Tourism Foundation Course, delivered both virtually and in person with the support of our local Timorese team.In 2022, we collaborated with The Asia Foundation to develop the niche adventure activities of canyoning and abseiling in the Dili and Aileu districts, resulting in the mapping of three canyon adventures. That same year, we began working with the Defence Cooperation Program and the 2/2 Commando Association of Australia to develop the La Rende! Trek, Timor-Leste’s own version of the legendary Kokoda track. By 2023, we resumed our school programs to Timor-Leste, and launching our inaugural Coffee Origin Tour and La Rende! Trek expeditions. In 2024, we successfully introduced our first trail running tour.The Co-Founders are also the proud owners and operators of the Warburton Adventure Company, which offers place-based adventure experiences in the Upper Yarra Valley, Victoria.
Sam Maddock, Co-Founder & DirectorSam is an industry leader who has held executive level positions in schools and on NGO boards. He is a trained teacher and a seasoned adventurer with 22 years of experience safely guiding people in adventure activities throughout Australia, Vietnam, Japan and Timor-Leste. He was formerly on Board of Yarra Ranges Tourism and a Committee Member of Warburton Valley Community Economic Development Association (CEDA). Sam is the Director & Co-Founder of Maddog Adventures (Timor-Leste) and the Director and Co-Founder of Warburton Adventure Company. — Sam "If you’re passionate about discovering wild, untouched places, make sure to add Timor to your bucket list. The adventure opportunities here are truly limitless." — Liesel Liesel Maddock, Co-FounderLiesel is a business marketing professional and has worked in both the corporate and not-for-profit sectors. She is recognised as a Founding Contributor of Global Citizen and has taken a leading role in a number of globally renowned advocacy campaigns. She spent 16 years living in India and Bangladesh and has guided groups throughout NSW, VIC and ran ski and snowboarding trips to Japan. She is a Committee Member of the Upper Yarra River Reserve (UYRRCom), the Co-Founder of Maddog Adventures (Timor-Leste) and the Co-Founder of Warburton Adventure Company.
Ollie Rangel, Adventure Guide Marcal Costas, Driver Gida Freitas, Business Admin Robbie Martins, Adventure Guide
