Who are we?
I’m Brad, founder of Winston Stays. Like many of our guests, my life has been shaped by movement — and Winston Stays was born from that.
I’ve worked in mining for most of my twenties and thirties, starting out in FIFO roles and later transitioning into commercial mining. For more than a decade, my life revolved around work, rosters, airports, and time away from home. In between swings, I travelled — a lot. I’ve backpacked different parts of the world four separate times, clocked around fifty international trips, and explored Australia and the east coast more times than I can count.
I’m a nomad at heart. I love new places, different cultures, good food, different environments, and the stories you collect along the way. Travel has always been where I feel most alive — whether that’s navigating a foreign city, chasing waves somewhere new, or finding a small local restaurant that becomes the highlight of a trip.
Outside of work, I’ve lived a full life. I come from a background as a professional athlete, and these days my downtime looks a little different — surfing when I can, enjoying a great meal out, and spending time in the kitchen as a self-confessed foodie and stay-at-home chef. Travel still sits at the centre of everything I love.
All of that experience — work, travel, people, movement — eventually pointed me in a new direction. One that felt natural. Winston Stays is the result of years spent living out of suitcases, staying in countless places, and understanding first-hand what really matters when you’re away from home.
What Drives Us?
When you travel as much as I have, accommodation stops being just a place to sleep — it becomes everything.
I’ve experienced the full spectrum: the incredible stays that make you feel instantly settled, and the ones that leave you counting down the days until you can leave. When you’re busy exploring, accommodation almost fades into the background. But on your down days — when you’re tired, jet-lagged, or just want to slow down — where you stay matters more than anything. All you want is a comfortable bed, a calm space, and somewhere that feels familiar.
That idea of a home away from home sits at the core of Winston Stays.
Later in my mining career, I moved into leadership roles, managing teams, planning maintenance, and travelling regularly for work. I found a real passion for people — understanding them, working with different personalities, and creating environments where people can do their best work. That same mindset naturally flowed into hosting.
Whether someone is travelling for a holiday, a family break, or corporate work, the need is the same: a safe, comfortable space where you can relax, reset, and feel grounded. My goal has always been to create stays that feel lived-in, considered, and welcoming — places where you can curl up with a book, cook a meal, or switch on Netflix and just breathe.
That’s why we do what we do. Not just to provide accommodation, but to create spaces people genuinely enjoy coming back to.