PAST Outdoors is a hiking, camping and travel retail store located between Sydney and Wollongong in Helensburgh NSW. We are a local, family owned and operated business that stock a carefully curated range of hiking and camping gear.
As trusted suppliers for emergency services, government, military and outdoor education groups, our extensive range is tailored to meet the needs of organisations, families and groups across the globe looking for expert advice for their next adventure.
Who We Are
Parker And Sons Trading (PAST) Pty Ltd was founded by Dave Parker (pictured below) in 2020, with the goal of getting more people into the outdoors and appreciating what nature has to offer in any season, weather or terrain.
Dave Parker, CEO & Founder
After almost 20 years conducting Special Operations in the Australian Army, and completing an MBA with Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) at UNSW, Dave combines his experience of many years spent in the outdoors, with his passion for business and entrepreneurship. In doing this, PAST Outdoors was born to connect people nature, providing them with high quality gear and personalised service, creating comfort in a traditionally uncomfortable environment.
Drawing inspiration from his heritage of family members who were innovators and self-starters, Dave chose the trading name PAST to honour the previous generations of his family. Dave's grandfather, Arthur 'Digger' Parker, founded his first business making the famous concrete water tanks in his home town of Warnambool Victoria, Dave sought to keep the the family name alive and carrying on this rich history of innovation and creativity.
Seth Brown, Director, New Zealand
After serving in the New Zealand Police for more than five years in tactical policing roles, and previously serving within New Zealand Special Operations Forces, Seth combines his professional experience with an obsession for lightweight hunting equipment, practical fieldcraft, and evidence-based decision making. Through years spent hunting, tramping and testing gear in some of New Zealand’s harshest alpine environments, he developed a philosophy centered on simplicity, reliability and carrying only what genuinely adds value in the field.
Having spent much of his career teaching others in high-pressure environments as a firearms instructor, Seth naturally extends that same approach to the outdoors. At PAST Outdoors, Seth contributes reviews, field reports, and educational content drawn directly from his own experiences. Whether testing ultralight shelters in alpine weather, evaluating hunting equipment, or exploring practical skills for safer and more effective travel in the mountains, his goal is to provide honest, experience-driven information that helps others spend more time enjoying New Zealand’s wild places.
Allison Tomazin Parker, Director Marketing & Communications
As a seasoned Marketing and Communications Manager, Alli’s unique and varied background of 20+ years in marketing and communications across a range of sectors including the textile, clothing and footwear industry, tech, not-for-profit, pharmaceutical and education industries across the Asia-Pacific region. She has a BA major in Anthropology, a Graduate Diploma in International Community Development and a Diploma in Business Frontline Management, Product Development & Merchandising. She graduated in the top 15% at La Trobe University. In 2019 Alli was awarded a Women in Leadership Scholarship to complete her MBA at AGSM, UNSW Sydney.
Alli is also a qualified Personal Trainer, Yoga & Mat Pilates Teacher and is registered with Aus Active. She is passionate about trail running, the environment, plant-based nutrition and education, providing strategic on the growth of the business.
Daniel Starr, Marketing & Communications Assistant
Daniel is a Communications and Media graduate from the University of Wollongong (UOW), where he majored in Marketing and discovered a love for digital media, audience engagement and brand storytelling.
He’s got a diverse work background—from retail and warehouse logistics to construction and disability support—which gives him a practical, down-to-earth approach and a curiosity about how people think, connect and engage. When he’s not working, Daniel’s all about the outdoors. He’s played and captained soccer teams to grand final wins, enjoys hiking, camping, spearfishing and loves travelling—from volunteering in India to skiing across Norway. For him, outdoor adventures are all about challenge, perspective, and living life to the fullest.
Kristine Radford, Operations Manager
Before joining the team, Kristine was a regular customer—drawn to the quality gear and service that motivates you to do more. Getting into hiking without the knowledge of experienced people beside her, she knows firsthand how overwhelming the gear world can be and is passionate about making it easier for others to find their footing. With her background in retail, customer service, and appreciation for the outdoors, she brings warmth and experience while connecting people with the right gear and knowledge for their trips.
Whether she’s out in whoop whoop or travelling to a different country, her passion for hiking and genuine connections with others fuels her work. She loves nothing more than the solitude of the bush with her partner and taking her friends on new adventures. In store, she enjoys talking trails, finding new gear for the store, and helping others get outside with confidence.
Keeleigh Shephard, Warehouse & Retail Assistant
Keeleigh has been working in retail since she was 13 and loves everything that comes with it. She's always keen to help someone find the right gear, have a good chat, and hear about where they've been and what adventures they've got planned next.
With a degree in Screen Media Production and Photography, Keeleigh has a passion for visual storytelling and loves looking at the world through a camera. She is currently building her own photography and videography business on the side.
Outside of work, her love for the natural world keeps her busy. She loves hitting the trails and getting out camping whenever she can. If she's not in the bush, she's by the water fishing or underwater spearfishing, catching a feed to cook up and share with the family.
Hunter Hooten, Warehouse & Retail Assistant
Since he was little, Hunter has always been drawn to the outdoors, whether its hiking in the Royal National Park, Canoeing in Kangaroo Valley or surfing in the amazing beaches that surround us here on the South Coast of NSW. This relationship with the outdoors is what brought him to becoming a regular customer at PAST Outdoors.
Whether it was getting food for hikes or buying new gear, he often came to PAST Outdoors for our experience and friendliness. Now he's am proud to say that he's a member of the team and is gaining knowledge and experience working both in the warehouse and in our retail store.
Want to learn more about PAST Outdoors? Check out our signature brand PAST Outdoors Originals, including our signature Ultralight Tipi Tent. If you're interested in joining our community, we provide short courses and Group Hiking Experiences through PAST Outdoors Experiences. We also provide wholesale meal packs for groups and organisations, as well as 3PL shipping & logistics services for other outdoor & e-commerce brands.
Contact us for more information on any of the above or call us on (02) 4294 2810.
