Southern Tasmania is celebrating a remarkable achievement, with Bruny Island-based naturalist and guide Cat Davidson of Inala Nature Tours named Australia’s Top Tour Guide 2025.
Cat, who previously won the inaugural Tassie Tour Guide Award, has now taken out the nation’s highest guiding honour. The recognition celebrates her ability to blend science, storytelling, and deep local knowledge to create unforgettable visitor experiences.
With guiding experience spanning from Hudson Bay to the Falkland Islands, Cat has made Bruny Island her home, where she introduces visitors to Tasmania’s extraordinary wildlife. Her approach is built on respect—for guests, wildlife, and Indigenous heritage—while inspiring curiosity and wonder through engaging, accessible interpretation of complex ecology.
Amy Hills, Chief Executive Officer of the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania (TICT), said the award was a proud moment for Tasmania.
“Cat Davidson epitomises everything Tasmanian tourism stands for and we couldn’t be prouder,” Ms Hills said.
“A professional and passionate guide can make the world of difference to a visitor’s experience, connecting them with culture, the environment, heritage and history. Cat is proof of this in the way she brings nature and science to life with humour, heart, and deep local knowledge.”
This national accolade highlights not only Cat’s talent but alsod the importance of guides in shaping lasting connections between visitors and place. Through her work at Inala Nature Tours, Cat has become a leader in ecotourism, helping to transform observation into memory and stewardship of the natural world.
The Australia’s Top Tour Guide Awards form part of the Australia’s Top Tourism Town Awards, hosted by the Australian Tourism Industry Council (ATIC). Alongside Cat’s individual win, several Tasmanian towns were also recognised nationally, further showcasing the strength and diversity of Tasmania’s visitor experiences.
For visitors to Bruny Island, Cat’s award reinforces what many already know—Tasmania’s guides are among the very best in the world, bringing the landscapes, stories, and wildlife of Southern Tasmania to life in ways that leave a lasting impression.
