Tina Dalton, one of the original presenters of Australian travel programme Getaway, has died at the age of 61 after a “short illness” on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
The Channel Nine star, whose career spanned more than three decades, began presenting Getaway in 1992. She left the show in 1993 to move into documentary production, though she returned for a special guest appearance in 2023.
Career and tributes
Her production company WildBear Entertainment confirmed the news. Former Getaway executive producer John Walsh paid tribute, writing: “Very saddened to hear of the passing of Bettina 'Tina' Dalton one of the original cast members of Getaway in 1992.
“Tina was a very engaging presenter with a deep love of nature and an effortless communication style that really made you lean in and listen.
“She went on to become a celebrated wildlife filmmaker and returned to Getaway in 2023, 31 years after her debut, for a multi-part series on Antarctica.”
Family and legacy
Her death comes six years after the death of her partner, John Schaeffer AO, a well-known art collector and businessman from Sydney. She is survived by their two daughters, Pnina and Chana, as well as her mother, sister and brother.
Getaway co-star Catriona Rowntree said she was “so sad to hear the news, of the passing of a role model to many of us. RIP dear Tina, the OG of Getaway.”
WildBear Entertainment CEO Michael Tear described Tina as “clever, creative, visionary and great fun”, writing: “Our collective knowledge base about the planet is so much richer because of her work. My thoughts are now with her daughters and wider family.”
