Cat Davidson named Tasmania’s First Tour Guide of the Year
Destination Southern Tasmania congratulates Bruny Island-based guide Cat Davidson on being named the inaugural Tasmanian Tour Guide of the Year by the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania (TICT).
Announced at the 2025 TICT Conference in Launceston, the new award recognises exceptional field guiding and celebrates the vital role that skilled, passionate guides play in shaping authentic visitor experiences.
A science communicator and ecology tour guide with Inala Nature Tours, Cat has made a remarkable impact with her unique style—blending deep scientific knowledge with humour, storytelling, and a heartfelt connection to place. Whether helping guests witness the flash of a Swift Parrot in flight, marvel at a Pencil Pine twisted by time, or spot a darting Eastern Quoll, Cat’s guided experiences bring Tasmania’s biodiversity to life.
“I truly have one of the best jobs in the world,” says Cat. “I get to help people view the natural world in ways they’ve never seen before and fall in love with the places and species that need our protection. Interpretation is an art, not a script.”
Originally from Scotland, Cat has guided in Canada and the Falkland Islands and now calls Bruny Island home. Her work takes her across Tasmania, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory, inspiring guests to engage meaningfully with nature and the challenges facing the environment. Beyond tours, she also contributes to citizen science projects, delivers public talks, and mentors others in the guiding profession.
As she celebrates this milestone, Cat is looking ahead to expanding her work in guide training and environmental storytelling. Her award is not only a personal achievement—it’s a win for conservation, science, and the power of shared knowledge in Tasmania’s visitor economy.
📷 Follow Cat’s wild journeys: @wandering_wildcat
🌱 Explore Inala Nature Tours: inalanature.com.au
