qanda-with-guides
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Take a private masterclass with Yale Norris from The Islander Estate Vineyards
Yale Norris and Jacques Lurton look upon winemaking as an art form, with Kangaroo Island as the main source of inspiration and drive. “We are both deeply connected to the land,” Yale says. “Making wine is our passion.” Yale Norris and Jacques Lurton. Image: The Islander Estate Vineyards The birth...
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Airboating across Bamurru Plains with Sab Lord
Thousands of Magpie Geese lift off into the candy-pink sky as the airboat skims along the mud-spattered surface of a gigantic floodplain. To the right, a Saltwater Crocodile lurks just under the water, its beady eyes popping up ever so briefly. To the left, water buffaloes stomp through the shallows,...
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Recording the Behaviour of the Earth’s Largest Creature with Pia Markovic
When you ask Naturaliste Charters marine biologist Pia Markovic what she loves most about Blue Whales, there’s no wavering when she answers. “Blue Whales are the largest animal on the planet – bigger than dinosaurs,” she says. “And learning more and more about them every day is both thrilling and...
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Photographing Birds of the Eyre Peninsula with Fran Solly
A group of keen birdwatchers recently named a bird after Fran Solly. The award-winning photographer – who escorts Australian Coastal Safaris guests on photography tours – explains that the Western Osprey chick was tagged in November 2020 as part of the South Australian Government’s Osprey and White-bellied Sea-Eagle Recovery Program....
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Low-light Photography Workshop with Kelvin Marshall
In the Far North Queensland Wet Tropics, rain is king. “The start of the Wet Season triggers a myriad of life cycle changes – chrysalis to butterflies, tadpoles to frogs, buds to flowers,” says FNQ Nature Tours photography guide Kelvin Marshall. Kelvin shares his love of both photography and the...
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Take A Bushwalk On Kangaroo Island With World Echidna Expert Dr Peggy Rismiller
When you join world expert echidna researcher Dr Peggy Rismiller (OAM) for a bushwalk, it’s no ordinary stroll. “I’ve been working with Short-beaked Echidnas since 1988, so I know a thing or two about them,” she laughs. “But there is still so much I’d like to find out.” Dr Peggy...
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Pelagic Birdwatching with Daniel Mantle and Plaxy Barratt
Seabird guides Daniel Mantle and Plaxy Barratt say there’s something extraordinary about observing birds while at sea. “Watching seabirds mastering the strong oceanic winds is just about the pinnacle of birding for both us,” Plaxy explains. “The spray, the wind, the rocking boat… it’s magic.” The two pelagic birdwatchers are...
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Explore the Privately Owned Shared Earth Reserve With James Boettcher
When the FNQ Nature Tours vehicle pulls up to the Forever Wild Shared Earth Reserve, it’s quickly evident that something special is about to occur. “We open this big locked gate and drive into this huge expanse of land with a wealth of ecosystems,” FNQ Nature Tours owner and guide,...
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Tracking Orcas at the helm with Captain Dundee
As soon as Captain Andrew Johnstone (better known as Captain Dundee), a Naturaliste Charters skipper with a huge smile, starts talking, you realise that you’re in for a treat. “We know around 150 of the whales we see each season personally,” he says. “After seven years in the Bremer Canyon...
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Q&A With Guides: Pia Markovic
Bremer Canyon supports one of the most astonishing aggregations of marine life anywhere on the planet and Pia Markovic has a daily front row seat as Naturaliste Charter's marine biologist! We caught up with Pia recently to find out more about her role researching some of the world's most incredible...
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Q&A With Guides: Karin Beaumont
Karin Beaumont has been part of the Premier Travel Tasmania team for more than eight years. We chatted with her just before the festive season, to find out more about her love for the Australian island-state of Tasmania! Have you always called Tasmania home? I’ve now lived over half my...
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Q&A With Guides: Craig Wickham
Recently listed as one of the Top 5 Wildlife Guides by Outside Go magazine, Craig Wickham has always had a strong passion for wildlife conservation. Craig, along with his wife and family, has owned and operated Exceptional Kangaroo Island since 1990. We caught up with Craig recently to find out...
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Q&A With Guides: Mark & Debbie Ferguson
In our latest Q&A with Guides, we chat with not one, but two guides! Husband-and-wife team, Mark & Debbie Ferguson, own and operate Exmouth Dive & Whalesharks Ningaloo, the region's original eco-tourism operation. Mark and Debbie have been involved in Western Australian marine ecotourism for over 20 years. How long...
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Q&A With Guides: David Doudle
David Doudle has lived on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula his entire life. After growing up on the family farm, David saw a great opportunity to share the natural wonders of region with international and domestic visitors. We caught up with David recently to find out more about Australian Coastal Safaris...
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Q&A With Guides: Daniel Fisher
Daniel Fisher has been guiding the Maria Island Walk for the past eight years. We were able to chat with him recently to find out what he loves about being a wildlife guide and life on Maria Island. How did you get involved with The Maria Island Walk? I moved...
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Q&A With Guides: Sab Lord
Sab Lord of Lord’s Kakadu & Arnhem Land Safaris is one of the most recognised and respected guides in Australia. Remarkably, the recently commenced 2019 season marks his 27th year of operation. We recently sat down with Sab to discuss the reasons for his longevity and his motivating drivers to...
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Q&A With Guides: Janine Duffy
Janine Duffy, along with Roger Smith, founded Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours in 1993, with the organisation becoming internationally-recognised in wildlife in the wild conservation travel, and winner of the 2014 World Responsible Travel Award. We recently sat down with Janine recently to find out more about her passion for wildlife...
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Q&A With Guides: James Boettcher
We recently caught up with wildlife guide James Boettcher to find out what he loves about the Far North Queensland region and learn about some exciting updates on the horizon for FNQ Nature Tours. What do you enjoy most about being a wildlife guide? Well, I like the ability to...