I’m Elise, owner and operator of Spare Seat.

At Spare Seat, we’re reshaping how learning, wellbeing, and the outdoors come together—especially for young people who feel stuck, disconnected, or just not themselves in traditional school settings.

I bring a background in education, with experience across a mix of settings in the Northern Territory and South Australia. From the moment I stepped into a classroom, it was clear that the usual approach wasn’t going to cut it. The system is complex, and too often it leaves little room for curiosity, creativity, or connection. So I did things differently—grounding my work in relationships, backing young people to feel seen, and focusing on what actually helps them grow.

These collective experiences led me to create Spare Seat. A way to bring outdoor adventure to the table—but designed with intention: small group sessions, meaningful interactions, and experiences that respond to real needs, not rigid systems.

This isn’t about lugging heavy backpacks or measuring success by checkboxes. It’s about movement, joy, confidence, and the kind of learning that actually sticks.

I’m here to carve out new pathways—spaces where young people can reset, feel capable, and rediscover what they bring to the world. South Australia has no shortage of coastline, scrub, and hidden gems to explore, so let's get out there.