U.S. Army Reserve badge with mountains, clouds, sun, and a winding road.
A man wearing a green shirt, gray shorts, sunglasses, and a black cap sitting on a large rock in a mountainous area with lush green vegetation and rocky peaks in the background.

Adrian Bakker
Director of Big Dreams & Beautiful Views
Up & Away Braeside

Where others see a hilltop paddock… Adrian sees possibility. He is the passionate visionary behind Up & Away Braeside — the stunning mountaintop venue transforming the Southern Downs into a destination for unforgettable celebrations.

After years of city life, Adrian and his husband Stevens chased a dream of wide open space, fresh country air, and building something meaningful together. What started as a “tree change” quickly blossomed into 263 acres of pure potential, complete with breathtaking vistas, glamping sites, friendly farm neighbours, and an event space that keeps evolving with Adrian’s imagination.

With a flair for design, a mind wired for logistics, and a heart devoted to community, Adrian ensures couples and their guests feel welcome, relaxed, and inspired from the moment they arrive. When he’s not planning the next big upgrade or tinkering with venue magic, you’ll find him caring for the beloved rescue crew, tackling a new farm project, or laughing with Stevens over a glass of bubbles at sunset. Adrian’s mission is simple:

To create a venue that feels like home — only with far better views & a whole lot more love. 🏔️✨

Who Are The Collective?
A man wearing a hat, sunglasses, a black T-shirt, and light-colored shorts standing on a grassy area with Machu Picchu and the mountains in the background. He is holding a sign that says "Lorenzo Expeditions"
Two men wearing winter jackets and hats smiling outdoors in a snowy landscape with leafless trees in the background.
A smiling man wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap, standing in front of Sydney Harbour with the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background on a sunny day.
Two men posing and smiling at Machu Picchu, with ancient stone structures and lush green terraces in the background.
Person standing under large rock formations outdoors with trees in the background.
Two smiling men standing in front of a historic building illuminated at night, with a dark blue sky above.
Person wearing a black helmet, sunglasses, and orange and black riding gear, sitting on a mountain bike on a roadside with green mountains and small buildings in the background.
Two men in suits wearing black bead necklaces engage in a conversation outdoors under a tent, with trees visible in the background.
Two smiling men with face paint on their cheeks taking a selfie together, in an outdoor setting with a thatched roof and wooden structure in the background.
Smiling man wearing sunglasses, a baseball cap, green shirt, and backpack, standing in front of a waterfall surrounded by trees and mountains.
Two men wearing climbing helmets and harnesses posing with surprised and excited expressions inside a wooden building or ladder, with others visible in the background.
A man taking a selfie outdoors in a rocky, mountainous area with snow patches, wearing a dark rain jacket with a hood. In the background, three people are standing near a small wooden cabin with a sloped roof.
A man with dark sunglasses, a black cap, and a dark shirt taking a selfie on a rocky beach with another person waving in the background, ocean waves, and a partly cloudy blue sky.
A man hugging a large redwood tree in a forest with fallen yellow leaves on the ground and green foliage in the background.
A smiling man wearing sunglasses, a cap, and a green shirt taking a selfie on a rocky surface. In the background, a woman wearing a blue hat, sunglasses, a sleeveless shirt, and shorts is posing with her arms raised in a scenic outdoor setting with g
A man smiling in a dark cave with rocky walls and uneven ground, wearing a navy blue t-shirt, orange shorts, and sneakers, taking a selfie.
Two men wearing headsets with microphones, sunglasses, and casual clothes smiling inside an aircraft.
A man relaxing on a large tree limb that extends over a sandy beach, with the ocean and cloudy sky in the background.
Person wearing a black wetsuit and snorkel mask swimming underwater over a coral reef, giving a thumbs up.
Two men interacting playfully in front of a lush vertical garden with various succulents. One man is wearing a blue t-shirt and pink shorts, kneeling on one knee, hands up as if holding the other man. The second man is wearing a black t-shirt and lig
Two men hiking together on a trail surrounded by lush green mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
A man standing outdoors in snow, smiling and posing with hands in his jacket pockets. He is wearing a gray knit cap, a dark jacket, and red and black plaid pajama pants. Snow covers the ground, stairs, and railing behind him, with snow-laden trees in
Smiling man taking a selfie in a hot air balloon ride, with other passengers in the background, and a view of the sky and landscape below.