Our history

About us

Our History

Regional Escapes is a family-owned and run business, consisting of all generations who have lived, worked and played in Geelong and Bellarine since the mid 1980’s.

Our family team has extensive knowledge and experience in property management with our director being in real-estate since 2015, who ran their own successful property management agency for 4 years, prior to moving onto holiday rentals.

Along with vast knowledge in Property management, our family also has experience in Sales, project and business management, disability support, plumbing, and general maintenance.

Our skills combined with an established team of local skilled and trusted tradespeople and cleaners, enables us to provide expectable service.
And gives us the edge over other management services, to provide personal customer support, property management and maintenance, financial control and booking/reservation management.

We started our holiday rental journey in 2021 and have already proven our worth to the local community growing immensely with no plan of slowing down, with hopes to expand into further regional suburbs and even other states.
We welcome you to join our journey and come along for the ride into bettering holiday rental property management!

Ji

Managing Director. Motorbike rider. Coffee connoisseur

Say ‘Hi’ to Ji Thornhill, the man with the big smile and the bigger heart. Back in the day Ji worked as a qualified plumber, but his love of all things property was bigger than the pipes, and he eventually moved into Real Estate and Property Management, before sharpening his focus on the Short-Term Rental Accommodation market with the inception of Regional Escapes in 2021.   

 Since then, the business has gone from strength to strength, but when Ji isn’t onboarding new hosts and ensuring absolutely everything is up to scratch (and even better than expected!), Ji can be found enjoying the Great Ocean Road on his Harley or spending time with his close friends and family.  

Tanayah

Guest Experience Manager

A warm ‘hello’ from our incredible Guest Experience Manager, Tanayah Thornhill!  

With a background in Leasing and Real Estate, Tanayah knows exactly what guests expect from a beautiful property – and then makes sure they get that and much more. If you’ve got questions, requests, needs or suggestions, she’ll get it sorted.  

She knows our properties inside out, so if you’re after a getaway with special access, a special location or a particular detail – feel free to get in touch!  

When Tanayah, is not ensuring holiday dreams come true, she will most likely be found tucked away in her little studio crafting or exploring Victoria’s forests trying to find the elusive Fern Gully fairies.  

Debbie

Hi, I’m Debbie – and this will put a face to the voice, as I’m most often on the phone here at Regional Escapes, chatting with guests or organising cleaning and linen schedules.  

I am the proud mother of 4 kids raised on the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula. I love being able to showcase this gorgeous region (and its gorgeous residential properties!).  

When I do get a chance to put down the phone, you’ll find me on the road in our caravan exploring regional towns around the country. I am also a keen supporter of the Cats and don’t mind heading out for a meal at any local RSL I find.  

Geelong is a fabulous town to visit, and having the Bellarine on the doorstep really is the icing on the cake. Come see for yourself why I love living in this region.  

Debbie

At Regional Escapes we are incredibly lucky to be graced with the presence of not just one, but TWO Debbies! (Every business should have a Debbie – having two is twice as great!)  

This is Debbie Leeman-Boyd, manager of our Laundry Operations. If you’ve ever slept beneath the softest sheets, snuggled beneath a cosy blanket on the couch, or marvelled at the crispest possible linen folds in one of our RE properties – well, you can thank Debbie!  

When she’s not ensuring the highest comfort levels for our guests, Debbie can most often be found working in the garden on her farm or cooking up with all the produce she and her hubby grow!