Best Private Guides in Australia

Cathy Wharton, North West Safaris

With a lifelong connection to the land and its people, every bespoke journey with Cathy Wharton from North West Safaris becomes an immersive journey into the heart of Australia’s tropical north. Growing up on a cattle station, Cathy’s love for the land and respect for its people developed at an early age. Her adventures have taken her across Afghanistan, Iraq, Northern Africa, Europe, and the Pacific, fuelling her passion for exploring her own country and sharing its wonders with others.

Cathy’s intimate knowledge of Queensland’s secret spots, along with her lifelong friendships with locals and Aboriginal Elder, Mooks, allows her to craft exclusive experiences for The Tailor. From river drifting under the canopy of an ancient rainforest, heli flights to remote Aboriginal rock art galleries and picnics on pristine sandy beaches, Cathy’s experiences transcend the ordinary and unlock the many marvels of one of Australia’s wildest frontiers.

With her incredible passion, innate knowledge and infectious enthusiasm, guests are left with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for the region’s diverse beauty, rich history and unique culture.

James Castrission, My Adventure Group

Journey into the heart of the Blue Mountains with James Castrission, two-time Guinness World Record holder, founder of MyAdventure Group, and recently named among Australia’s 50 Greatest Explorers. His own resume includes kayaking unassisted across the Tasman Sea, trekking to the South Pole and back, and penning a couple of bestselling books along the way. Over more than a decade at the helm of MyAdventure Group, he has built a canyoning and hiking program led by a hand-picked guiding team considered among the most qualified in the country.

Every day is private and built entirely around the client: pacing that flexes with the weather and the group’s energy, and access into remote canyons, hidden trails and protected pockets of the mountains that standard tours never reach. James and his team lead guests past the lookouts and into slot canyons, waterfalls and ridge lines most visitors never see, lingering wherever the day calls for it and leaving room for whatever catches a guest’s attention along the way.

With James, you come away having pushed further into the wild heart of the Blue Mountains than most ever get to go, with a sense of accomplishment and a handful of stories that stay with you well after the trip ends.

Geoff Scholz, Gawler Ranges Wildlife Safaris, Eyre Peninsula SA

Since 1988, Geoff and his wife Rene have been running one of Australia’s most beloved outback operations, deep in the Gawler Ranges of South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. Their family business, Gawler Ranges Wilderness Safaris, is built on decades of intimate knowledge of a region most travellers never reach.

Out here, the terrain shifts from red sand plains and ancient rocky gorges to the glassy salt expanse of Lake Gairdner, and the wildlife is extraordinary. Three species of kangaroos are regularly spotted together, over 100 bird species move through the mallee, wild koalas rest in the scrub, and on the coast, guests swim with Australian sea lions and dolphins in their natural habitat.

Geoff’s base camp, Kangaluna, is a genuine luxury safari experience in the mallee wilderness. Remote, immersive, and completely unhurried. Evenings around camp feel a world away from anything familiar, in the best possible sense.

What makes Geoff exceptional isn’t just what he knows. It’s the pace at which he shares it. There’s no rush out here, and he understands that deeply. Guests leave with a connection to this country that simply can’t be manufactured.

Isaac Bengtsson, Ever Bloomfield

Isaac’s guiding began before he had a word for it, tagging along behind University of Queensland researchers on fauna surveys across the 240-acre nature refuge he grew up on in South East Queensland, leading them to creek lines and rock formations he already knew by heart. That instinct followed him to Ecuador, where a chance conversation with a Contiki trip manager turned into building and hosting a craft beer experience and a walking tour through Quito’s Centro Histórico on guests’ first night in the country.

Back in Australia after six months living out of a 4WD, he joined Saffire Freycinet as Guest Service Manager, later becoming Guide Manager and overseeing hiking, whiskey and wine touring, marine sightseeing and the lodge’s Tasmanian Devil program. Seasons spent as a skipper and deckhand, on commercial fishing boats and tourism vessels alike, sharpened his seamanship before he moved into Assistant General Manager roles at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge in Canada and Tierra Patagonia in Chile, working alongside teams guiding everything from marine mammals and sport fishing to heli-access adventures and horseback trail rides. He is now Field Experience Manager at Ever Bloomfield in Far North Queensland, where that whole range (mountains, boats, wildlife) feeds into building experiences shaped around each individual guest.

Isaac’s focus sits at the edge of a guest’s comfort zone: tracking sea wolves along a coastline, drifting silently up to a crocodile on the shoreline, or coaxing someone onto a mountain bike for the first time in years. He holds a Wilderness First Responder certification, Coxswains and SVOP boat licences, and a working level of Spanish, and spends his time off duty just as happily on a motorbike or elbow deep in an engine that needs fixing. Guests leave having seen Far North Queensland from angles most itineraries miss, and having found something in themselves they didn’t know was there.

Craig Wickham, Exceptional Kangaroo Island

Craig Wickham is the heart and soul behind Exceptional Kangaroo Island. His relationship with The Tailor extends well over two decades, and with our trusted friend as your guide, you’re not just exploring a destination; you’re delving into his lifelong love affair with Kangaroo Island’s rugged beauty and diverse wildlife.

Hailing from the island, his deep-rooted connection to the land and its inhabitants was further cemented from a career studying wildlife and park management and working with National Parks, which transforms each excursion into an intimate encounter with nature.

Through Craig’s eyes, you’ll witness the island’s untamed splendour and conservation efforts, leaving you with a profound appreciation for its treasures. With each tour curated to your personal preferences, an unforgettable adventure awaits on Kangaroo Island with one of Australia’s most personable and knowledgeable guides.

Dan, Dingo, and Libby, Localing Australia

Step into the world of Localing Australia, a premier boutique touring company that The Tailor has worked closely with for more than 10 years. Localing is touring for people who don’t like tours – offering a refreshingly personalised approach to travel that goes far beyond the standard experience. Renowned for their bespoke experiences that delve deep into the essence of Australian culture and its unique landscapes, meet Dan, Dingo, and Libby, the extraordinary guides behind the magic.

Dan and Dingo are your experts on the ground in Melbourne, ready to immerse you in the kinetic energy of the city’s streets, culture, and history. Dan is the resident history buff and a passionate storyteller, who’s unique cultural insights will change the way you experience Australia. Dingo knows everyone in Melbourne’s vibrant arts and cultural scenes. As a quick thinker and fast talker, a day with him will ensure an all-access pass to Melbourne’s coolest cats.

Meanwhile, Libby brings her expertise from a lifetime spent travelling, offering personalised tours amidst the hip coastal playground of Byron Bay. She’s cool, calm and collected with an eye for detail that will ensure your time with her is not just a tour, but a captivating journey through one of Australia’s most sought-after coastal havens.

David ‘Lunch’ Doudle, Australian Coastal Safaris

Embark on an unforgettable journey along South Australia’s remote and rugged coastline with David ‘Lunch’ Doudle, your expert guide from Australian Coastal Safaris. With years of experience and a deep family connection to the Eyre Peninsula, those lucky enough to tour with Lunch will enjoy his laidback Aussie personality, infectious enthusiasm and the opportunity to uncover the wonders of this wildly beautiful slice of Australia.

Meet wild koalas at a location where they are quite literally at eye level, hunt and gather seafood for a beach BBQ, swim with Australian sealions in secluded bays, roam over massive sand dunes and rugged clifftops to discover secret locations only known by locals.

With David you’ll venture into the heart and soul of the region and share authentic encounters with locals that will leave an indelible mark on your Australian adventure.

Andrew Walters, The Tailor Touring

Applying more than twenty-three years of local knowhow and incorporating a network of specialist South Australians, Lead Guide for The Tailor Touring Co., Andrew Walters, provides seamless pickups and transfers peppered with local commentary, and characterised by his easy-going nature and ability to read guests.

Andrew is a seasoned guide who highlights the best of South Australia – whether it’s to experience major icons or off the beaten track experiences only known by locals.  With his extensive knowledge of the area and a passion for creating unique and memorable experiences, Andrew ensures that every tour is tailored to showcase the best of South Australia’s vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and world-renowned wineries.

Whether you’re exploring the picturesque Adelaide Hills, sampling world-class wines in the Barossa Valley, or indulging in gourmet delights in McLaren Vale, Andrew’s expertise guarantees an unforgettable journey through wine country and beyond.

Craig Williams, Pepper Bush Adventures

Join sixth generation Tasmanian and real-life bushman, Craig Williams on an extraordinary adventure through Australia’s Apple Isle. The mastermind behind Pepper Bush Adventures, Craig’s intimate understanding of Tasmania’s wilderness, honed over years of exploration, ensures that every outing is a bespoke journey into the heart of the island’s untamed beauty.

With Craig as your guide, you’ll travel country roads, stand amongst ancient forests and giant trees, climb dolerite mountain peaks, and delve into Tasmania’s rich history and wildlife. His personalised approach and deep connection to the land create a truly immersive experience, where each moment is filled with wonder and discovery.

From fireside tales of ‘bussie’ adventures to exploring the nighttime forests on a Quoll Patrol, Craig’s quick-witted charm and expertise ensure an unforgettable journey through Tasmania’s rugged wilderness.