Piper Alderman advises on sale of Koala Koaches to Kinetic
15/08/2025
Piper Alderman has advised the Young family on the sale of their Gold Coast-based bus and coach company, Koala Koaches, to leading transport provider, Kinetic.
Established in 1963 by the Young family, Koala Koaches has proudly served the Gold Coast community for over 60 years. Under the leadership of Bede Young, Koala Koaches Managing Director, and his siblings, the business grew into a well-respected and much-loved part of the region’s public and school transport network.
The Koala Koaches brand and operations have now been acquired by Kinetic, Australia and New Zealand’s largest bus operators and a global, multi-modal transport network. The strategic acquisition bolsters Kinetic’s already significant presence on the Gold Coast and sees the continuation of Koala Koaches’ legacy under new ownership.
This was a significant and sentimental transaction for the Young family, requiring careful navigation of commercial, regulatory, and employment considerations to ensure a smooth transition for the business, its staff and its loyal customer base.
Dominique Budgen, Koala Koaches Director, commented:
“On behalf of the Young Family, I wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to Maria Capati and the Piper Alderman team. They were an absolute dream to work with! Their unwavering support throughout the transaction helped keep us steady and confident every step of the way. We are so grateful for the team’s professionalism, guidance, and care—it made all the difference.”
The Piper Alderman team advising on the transaction was led by partner Maria Capati with support from Tim Capelin (partner), Eilish Gigney (special counsel), Madison De Luca (lawyer) and Peter Dwyer (consultant).
Commenting on the deal, Maria Capati said:
“I was proud to have been asked by Bede to represent the Young family on this deal. His parents started Koala Koaches in the 1960s, and the family has run it ever since. It was a privilege to advise them through the sale process and to deliver an outcome they were happy with.”
This transaction adds to Piper Alderman’s diverse experience advising on the sale and acquisition in the transport and infrastructure sectors across Australia.
Further information can be found in the articles listed below: