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Tony and Maureen Wheeler

2005
Francis Reiss and June Orford

inkjet print on paper (sheet: 40.5 cm x 52.6 cm, image: 35.3 cm x 50.0 cm)

Maureen and Tony Wheeler are the founders and owners of Lonely Planet Publications. As a newly married couple in 1973, they travelled the so-called "hippy trail," the overland backpacking route from England to Australia. Returning to Sydney with just 27 cents between them, the pair found themselves besieged by friends seeking travel advice. They responded by writing a travel guide, Across Asia on the Cheap, and establishing their own publishing business - Lonely Planet Publications - to typeset, sell, promote and distribute the book. Today Lonely Planet Publications is a $55 million business which employs 50 staff around the world and sells over 3 million books a year. A successful website and TV series are among its spin-off assets. The Wheelers still spend 2 to 3 months of every year travelling the world, generally as back-packers, and never flying first-class.

Maureen and Tony Wheeler are the founders and owners of Lonely Planet Publications. As a newly married couple in 1973, they travelled the so-called "hippy trail," the overland backpacking route from England to Australia. Returning to Sydney with just 27 cents between them, the pair found themselves besieged by friends seeking travel advice. They responded by writing a travel guide, Across Asia on the Cheap, and establishing their own publishing business - Lonely Planet Publications - to typeset, sell, promote and distribute the book. Today Lonely Planet Publications is a $55 million business which employs 50 staff around the world and sells over 3 million books a year. A successful website and TV series are among its spin-off assets. The Wheelers still spend 2 to 3 months of every year travelling the world, generally as back-packers, and never flying first-class.

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2005
© Francis Reiss and June Orford

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

Artist and subject

Francis Reiss (age 78 in 2005)

June Orford (age 59 in 2005)

Tony Wheeler (age 59 in 2005)

Maureen Wheeler AO

Subject professions

Business, trades and industry

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

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