Small World Journeys Guides

Maggie Booth

Maggie Booth has worked as a marine biologist for 12 years. Originally from England, Maggie has lived in north Queensland for 16 years. Part of this time she ran the James Cook University research station on Orpheus Island -- the research station plays a critical role in the study of the systems at The Great Barrier Reef, as well as hosting numerous student groups interested in marine biology. Maggie has a double degree in zoology and marine biology, as well as a graduate diploma in education. Having worked with teenagers both in and out of the classroom, Maggie has honed a teaching style that young people appreciate and learn from. She is an avid SCUBA diver, Dive Master, and enthusiastic teacher.

Dr. Martin Cohen

Martin has worked as a zoologist and wildlife commentator for over 20 years. During this time he has conducted numerous wildlife surveys, been involved in wildlife research (including a PhD on cane toads), and undertaken biodiversity monitoring programs. He has also worked with community conservation groups, guided eco-tours all over Australia, written countless popular wildlife articles and presented wildlife and conservation talks to people from all walks of life. He was even sponsored by Land Rover to drive right around Australia in 80 days and write about his experiences including the best wildlife locations and places to camp. Martin is always in demand for his writing and photography skills, and is involved in several wildlife research projects including climate change impacts on the Wet Tropics biodiversity and canopy bridges for arboreal fauna for James Cook University. With Julia Cooper, he was the author and photographer of 101 Animals of the Wet Tropics, 101 Plants of the Wet Tropics and Rainforest Animals.

Rick Hall

As a former researcher for the Wet Tropics Management Authority, Rick has spent many years up close to Australian fauna. He was involved with frog monitoring and mammal surveys, which eventually led to his profession as a naturalist. Rick also conducted extensive field research and interpretation programs on sea turtle biology at the Mon Repos Turtle Rookery. Rick is a true-blue Aussie bloke born and bred in Queensland, and he knows the Aussie “bush” intimately. Having worked as a full time naturalist guide from the coast to the outback for many years, Rick is also a superb generalist with an enthusiasm for camping, teaching, and working with young people. Working with companies such as Australian Wild Escapes and Wilderness Eco Safaris further honed his group management and “tour guiding” skills. His travels have taken him through South America and Papua New Guinea, and his time with Australia’s indigenous people created a fondness for playing the didgeridoo.

Alan Gillanders

Alan Gillanders is a wildlife expert and keeps busy showing guests the unique fauna of the area. Alan was a primary school and high school science teacher, as well as temporary principal for several small schools. Alan’s natural history education started in childhood with his parents, along with family and aboriginal elders, developed through personal experience and investigation and rounded out by joining scientists in the field. He was a national park volunteer for 20 years, and now his specialty is wildlife spotting. Alan is a true-blue Aussie bloke, born and bred in the region, and groups always enjoy his enthusiasm for all things wild.

Kylie Michell

Kylie is our Sydney-based guide: she loves showing visitors the hidden and unusual corners of Sydney, and her two children keep her busy discovering more. Kylie got her start as a guide in 1994 with Contiki which gave her a sound background in managing groups of young people and an intimate knowledge of Australia’s entire east coast. Kylie then went on to train tour guides for Contiki’s head office in Sydney, and even taught tour guiding at an adult college. Kylie studied mass communications at MacQuarie University in Sydney, and obtained her NAATI accreditation as an interpreter which has led to work in Italian as well as French. Kylie has also recently completed a course on the colonial history of Sydney, which has added a new dimension to her knowledge of the city. Although Kylie spent her youth in Florence, Italy, having attended the American School there, she is an Aussie through and through. Consequently, Kylie is just as comfortable sipping a cappuccino at a cafe as a beer in a country pub.

Symony Wright

A true animal lover, Symony has been a zookeeper and an animal welfare manager at a native animal educational sanctuary. In addition, she has worked with New South Wales National Parks & Wildlife, leading talks and tours as well as wildlife spotlighting and bushwalks. A love of educating has also inspired Symony to work as an outdoor educator for both Coastlife Adventures and The Crossing Land Education Trust, which involved teaching and engaging young people in conservation and nature-based activities. Symony has a certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation, Certificate III in Captive Animal Management, and a Certificate of Husbandry and Conservation of Macro pods and Other Marsupials from the University of New South Wales. Symony has her Bronze Medallion and advanced SCUBA certification. Her vivacious personality and enthusiasm makes Symony very popular with young people, and we consider ourselves lucky to have her as one of our guides.