For 30 years, Catriona Rowntree was the face of Australian travel television, taking viewers to far-flung corners of the globe. But when the cameras stopped, she traded the jet-set lifestyle for something quieter: a farm in the Victorian countryside with her husband and two sons.
Born: 19 July 1971 · Nationality: Australian · Occupation: Television and radio presenter · Known for: Host of Getaway (1992–2022) · Married: Since 2008 to James Pettit · Children: 2 sons
Quick snapshot
- Born 19 July 1971 in Australia (IMDb Biography)
- Hosted Getaway for over 25 years (Platinum Speakers and Entertainers)
- Married farmer James Pettit on 5 April 2008 (Now To Love)
- Mother of two sons (Now To Love)
- Exact net worth not publicly verified
- Whether she has undergone weight loss surgery
- Children’s names and exact ages (beyond first son)
- Whether she and her husband are separated
- Exact start year on Getaway (sources vary between 1992 and 1996)
- Whether she holds a pilot’s license
- Continues hosting travel shows and features (Enhance Entertainment)
- Runs a small farm with husband James Pettit (Enhance Entertainment)
- Active on social media sharing family and farming life (Enhance Entertainment)
Ten key facts about Catriona Rowntree, one pattern: her career spans journalism, radio, and television, while her personal life centres on family and farming.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Catriona Rowntree |
| Date of Birth | 19 July 1971 |
| Age | 53 years old |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Television and radio presenter |
| Years Active | 1992–present |
| Spouse | James Pettit (m. 5 April 2008) |
| Children | Two sons (first son Andrew John Rowntree Pettit, b. 5 August 2009) |
| Known For | Getaway, Wonder World! |
| Height | Approximately 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) |
How many children does Catriona Rowntree have?
Names and ages of her children
- Catriona Rowntree has two sons with her husband James Pettit (Now To Love).
- Their first son, Andrew John Rowntree Pettit, was born on 5 August 2009 (Now To Love).
- The second son’s name is not publicly disclosed, though Rowntree occasionally shares parenting moments on social media (Nine News).
How she balances motherhood with her career
- Rowntree has spoken about raising her boys on a farm while still working on television projects (Now To Love).
- She has described the shift from Sydney media life to semi-rural Victoria as a deliberate choice to prioritise family (Nine News).
Rowntree gave up the constant travel grind to be present for her sons, but she still takes on select TV roles that fit around school runs and farm chores.
The implication: Rowntree’s career choices reflect a deliberate prioritization of family over constant travel, a pattern seen in few long-running television hosts.
What does Catriona Rowntree’s husband do?
James Pettit’s profession as a farmer
- Her husband is James Pettit, a farmer who runs a property in Victoria (Now To Love).
- Rowntree has described him as a “true country bloke” who loves the land (Nine News).
- The couple’s farm life includes livestock and crops, a stark contrast to Rowntree’s former jet-setting lifestyle (Now To Love).
How the couple met and married
- Rowntree met James Pettit at a country party on a farm in the mid-2000s (Now To Love).
- Pettit proposed in 2007 (Now To Love).
- They married on 5 April 2008 in a small ceremony (Now To Love).
For a TV personality who spent decades on the road, marrying a farmer meant a complete lifestyle pivot — one that has grounded her public persona and private life alike.
The pattern: Rowntree’s marriage to a farmer not only reshaped her personal life but also provided a grounding counterpoint to her earlier jet-setting career.
What is Catriona Rowntree doing now?
Current television projects
- Rowntree continues to host travel shows and features, including Find My Country House (Enhance Entertainment).
- She appears in Getaway reruns and specials on Nine Network (Nine News).
- She also takes on corporate speaking engagements and brand partnerships (Platinum Speakers and Entertainers).
Her role in the farming community
- Rowntree and her husband run a small farm in Victoria, where they raise cattle and grow produce (Now To Love).
- She has embraced rural life, often posting about farm chores and country living on Instagram (Nine News).
Social media and public appearances
- She is active on Instagram and Facebook, where she shares travel memories, farm updates, and family moments (Nine News).
- Rowntree occasionally appears at public events and television industry functions (Platinum Speakers and Entertainers).
Rowntree has successfully transitioned from full-time TV host to a semi-retired media personality with a second act as a farmer and content creator, reaching a new audience through digital platforms.
The catch: While she has stepped back from full-time television, Rowntree remains a public figure through digital media and selective projects, maintaining her relevance.
How did Catriona Rowntree become famous?
Early career on Wonder World!
- Rowntree studied journalism and began her media career at Business Review Weekly and Prime Television (IMDb Biography).
- She moved into radio in 1991, working at community radio and then ABC’s Triple J until 1996 (IMDb Biography).
- She was a host on Nine Network’s Wonder World!, a children’s science show, before joining Getaway (IMDb Biography).
Long-standing role on Getaway
- Rowntree joined Getaway in the mid-1990s, with one source pinpointing 1996 as her start date (Enhance Entertainment).
- She became a main presenter and was associated with the show for more than 25 years (Platinum Speakers and Entertainers).
- A Nine profile described her as having spent more than 30 years criss-crossing the globe on Getaway (Nine News).
Recognition as Australia’s most travelled woman
- Rowntree has traveled to over 80 countries for the show, earning the nickname “Australia’s most travelled woman” (Nine News). This recognition, alongside fellow Australian media figures like Bruce McAvaney and Shane Crawford, underscores her impact on travel television.
- This recognition came from both media coverage and her own social media biography (Wikipedia).
Rowntree’s rise from journalism researcher to household name wasn’t overnight — it was built on a decade of radio and TV groundwork before Getaway made her a fixture in Australian living rooms.
What this means: Rowntree’s fame was built on consistent presence over decades, not overnight success.
How much is Catriona Rowntree worth?
Estimated net worth and income sources
- Her net worth is estimated at $1 million to $5 million, though no official figure is publicly verified (Platinum Speakers and Entertainers).
- Income sources include television hosting, corporate speaking engagements, and brand endorsements (Enhance Entertainment).
- She has also invested in property and farming with her husband (Now To Love).
Comparison with other Australian TV personalities
- Compared to other long-running Australian TV hosts like Bruce McAvaney, Rowntree’s net worth is modest — reflecting her shift away from full-time television (Platinum Speakers and Entertainers).
- Her wealth is tied more to lifestyle choices than aggressive commercial pursuits, aligning with her semi-rural, family-focused priority (Nine News).
Without a verified public figure, any net worth estimate is speculative. Rowntree’s true wealth may be in the land and lifestyle she’s built, not in liquid assets.
The upshot: Rowntree’s wealth is modest compared to peers, reflecting her choice of lifestyle over high earnings.
Timeline
Seven milestones in the life of Catriona Rowntree, one pattern: a steady career arc with a sharp pivot to rural life after marriage.
| Date/Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 19 July 1971 | Born in Australia (IMDb Biography) |
| Early 1990s | Began career as host of Wonder World! on Nine Network (IMDb Biography) |
| 1992 | Joined the travel series Getaway as a presenter (Wikipedia) |
| 5 April 2008 | Married farmer James Pettit (Now To Love) |
| 2010s | Became known as “Australia’s most travelled woman” (Nine News) |
| 2022 | Getaway ended after 30 years; Rowntree continued with specials and new projects (Nine News) |
| 2024–present | Hosts Find My Country House and remains active on social media (Enhance Entertainment) |
The timeline underscores her deliberate transition from media to rural life.
Clarity check
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth figure not publicly verified.
- Whether she has undergone weight loss surgery.
- Her children’s names (beyond first son) and exact ages.
- Whether she and her husband are separated.
- Exact start year on Getaway (sources vary between 1992 and 1996).
- Whether she holds a pilot’s license.
The clarity check highlights the gaps in public knowledge about Rowntree’s personal finances and family details.
In her own words
“I’ve been so lucky to have had this incredible career, but the best thing I ever did was marry a farmer and move to the country.”
— Catriona Rowntree, in an interview with Now To Love
“After 30 years of travel, I’m happy to stay home and watch the grass grow — literally.”
— Catriona Rowntree, via Instagram post shared on Nine News
She is regarded as one of the most recognisable faces in Australian travel television, noted for her warmth (Wikipedia).
Rowntree’s journey from inner-city media to rural farming is a reminder that a successful career doesn’t have to be a one-way track. For Australian TV fans who grew up watching her on Getaway, the lesson is clear: the most interesting adventures often happen after the cameras stop rolling, and the choice to prioritise family over fame is a rare but rewarding pivot.
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Frequently asked questions
Does Catriona Rowntree still host Getaway?
No, Getaway ended in 2022 after 30 years. Rowntree now hosts Find My Country House and appears in specials and reruns.
What is Catriona Rowntree’s height?
She is approximately 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) tall.
How did Catriona Rowntree lose weight?
No verified source confirms weight loss surgery. She has spoken generally about a healthy lifestyle, but specific methods are not publicly documented.
Is Catriona Rowntree separated from her husband?
There is no evidence of separation. She and James Pettit appear together in social media posts and public mentions as of 2025.
Who is Catriona Rowntree’s sister?
Her sister’s name is not publicly disclosed. She grew up with three older siblings, including a sister, but names are private.
Does Catriona Rowntree have a pilot’s license?
No reliable source confirms she holds a pilot’s license. This appears to be a rumour.
Where was Catriona Rowntree born?
She was born in Australia, specifically growing up on Sydney’s North Shore.
How old is Catriona Rowntree’s husband James Pettit?
His exact age is not publicly known. He is believed to be a similar age to Rowntree (born 1971).
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australian News Desk, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.