About Us

Geoff as seen by Mick Joffe in 1994

Hi, my name is Geoff Coote. I was born to farming parents in country Victoria a long time ago.

I have had a love for all things Australian since reading Dad’s adventure books, written by Ion Idriess, as a small child.

Stuck with a mortgage and a succession of 9 - 5 jobs, I studied everything published about remote Australia, until my restlessness got on everyone’s nerves and I left home with an old Valiant station wagon and some camping gear to discover and explore the outback for myself.

Since then I lived and worked in the Outback for over 20 years. I travelled and picked up work where ever I could. I lived and worked with Aboriginal people for two years on a remote community. I then spent 15 years opal mining and travelling with mates to the best parts of the Outback until the demise of opal mining and the advent of grandchildren encouraged me to return to Victoria, eight years ago.

I am now married to my childhood sweetheart Trish and we run Gallery 79 in Charlton, Northern Victoria.

Outback life gets into your blood.

I have enjoyed that life and treasure the memories. I hope by sharing some of these experiences with you that your visit or your move to the Australian Outback will be rewarding too.

Please keep checking for new material and updates and continue to support the advertisers on this website. (That's how I pay some of the bills.)

Please add your comments below.

This website is dedicated to the memory of my Dad, Charlie, 1927 - 2007.

"He instilled in his children, most of his values of integrity and honesty, and passed on his genuine love of the Australian Bush."

"The Kid" and I shooting rabbits for lunch, Orientos Station Qld, 1989

See how easy it is to build your own successful website from scratch.

Back to secrets page