In November, Jo and Di joined me for a multi-day adventure exploring southern Tasmania. We met at the airport on day one and over the following 9 days there was plenty of laughter, easy banter and a series of wonderfully unplanned moments, all while out in nature with cameras in hand. It was an experience enriched by aligned interests, shared jokes, frequent encounters with birds and wildlife and the simple joy of being out and about together.

Our days and nights were shaped by Mother Nature’s ever-changing weather and conditions, and that enlivening flexibility became an integral part of the experience itself. Over the course of the 10 days, the weather shifted frequently, often multiple times within a single day. Cool air slipped into frosty temperatures, rain transformed into snow, sleet and even hail, before easing back into sunshine, rainbows and calm with an aura of warmth. Wind-flushed and rain-rinsed, our layers of appropriate clothing were peeled back or pulled on as needed. This rhythm of readiness and awareness allowed us to stay comfortable and keep enjoying whatever unfolded.

During our time together, we explored the Tasman Peninsula, the Huon Valley and southern forests, Bruny Island, Mt Field and Maria Island. Just as many hope to encounter on an adventure like this, an array of birds and wildlife joined us in different places. Echidnas captivated us at Stewarts Bay and Mt Field, a platypus played in the cascades of Horseshoe Falls, white wallabies appeared in the distance on Bruny Island and ever-adorable wombats on Maria Island, including a joey, quietly stole our hearts. Even a Brushtail Possum led us for a time during an after-dark walk at Russell Falls, becoming part of the shared humour that had us laughing all the way back to our accommodation.

In many other locations, Tasmanian Pademelons and their joeys brought moments of joy to each day. Without a sound to warn us, we noticed Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos foraging quietly in coastal heathland just a few arm lengths from where we stood, their presence revealed only by the crack of seeds as they fed. Pink Robins perched within close focal lengths in the rainforest, Swift Parrots darted about high among flowering gums, Striated Pardalotes flitted through bushland and historic ruins, and a plethora of waterbirds and waders graced the waterways and shores as we wandered and explored.

So many of the smiles and fun times are best told through the images, with each one carrying a little of what we shared along the way. The humour we shared will always stay with me, just as I’m sure their memories from their time in Tasmania will remain vivid in their minds.

I captured a series of behind-the-scenes moments of Jo and Di absorbed in their experience behind their cameras, images that have since become part of their collection of memories. Jo and Di also generously invited me to photograph alongside them when the opportunity arose. I gratefully accepted their invite with my focus naturally shifting between guiding and capturing some of the birds and wildlife we encountered, especially the wombats on Maria Island.

A heartfelt thank you, in their words

The foundations of this adventure began well before Jo & Di departed home. Through video calls and emails, their interests, intentions and hopes for their visit to Tasmania became clear. We then called upon our travel partner Tasmanian Odyssey to craft a fully tailored multi-day itinerary. All the preparation behind the scenes came together wonderfully to ultimately bring their Tasmanian experience to life. Once we were on the road, it was all about exploring Tasmania's great outdoors and photographing nature's beauty. Get in touch if you'd like an experience like this.