Wet Tropics Tour Guide Program

The Wet Tropics Tour Guide Program provides ongoing professional development for tour guides, educators and other public-contact personnel in the tourism and education industries. This open network of like-minded professionals and interested parties comes together to continually improve the interpretation of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.

Program goals

• To build tourism industry knowledge of the World Heritage Area and its values and enhance visitor experiences.

• To create networking, information and skill sharing opportunities for Wet Tropics stakeholders.

• To build awareness of land manager and Aboriginal Traditional Owner protocols.

Who can join?

The Wet Tropics Tour Guide Program is open to anyone who has an interest in presenting the unique qualities and values of the Wet Tropic World Heritage Area. While tour guides are the main participants, many people have joined to find out about becoming a guide, or build their skills and enjoyment in roles such as coach driving, visitor information centre, hospitality and airport public contact, or teaching related secondary school programs. We welcome offers from tourism, researchers and other stakeholders to participate as presenters or partners in the program.  

Become a Wet Tropics Tour Guide

To become a certified Wet Tropics Tour Guide you must:

• attend one full field school (two-day programs held annually in various locations)

• complete three course units delivered in conjunction with field schools ('Developing Flora, Fauna Landscape Commentary', 'Presenting the World Heritage Area as a Cultural Landscape', and 'Prepare and Present Tour Commentaries')

• undergo a field assessment of your knowledge and skills.

Upon completion, guides receive a certificate and badge and they (and their employers) can promote their status as an official Wet Tropics Tour Guide. Wet Tropics Tour Guides are acknowledged by the region’s tourism organisations as leading interpreters of the Wet Tropics, and are increasingly used for media escort roles, presentations to groups, and other contact opportunities.

Field schools

Field schools are a series of professional development presentations, workshops, updates, and familiarisations across two days. Newcomers to the industry, experienced guides and operators all find value in these two-day programs.   

Course workshops

Individuals wishing to start or continue the process of becoming a certified Wet Tropics Tour Guide can sign up for workshops (usually held in conjunction with a field school) that cover the three key units and deliver valuable resources.  

Field assessments

To complete your Wet Tropics Tour Guide certification applicants must complete a skills assessment in the field. Guides can do this in conjunction with their regular tours or make alternative arrangements.

Program partners

The Wet Tropics Tour Guide Program is a partnership with the Wet Tropics Management Authority and Savannah Guides, with the support of Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, local and regional tourism organisations, and nature-based tourism operators.

For more information about upcoming field schools, workshops, and programs or to subscribe to the Wet Tropics Tour Guide mailing list contact Russell Boswell at info@savannah-guides.com.au or phone 0408 772 513.

Examples of presentations/content from previous field schools:

• Daintree Rainforest Observatory; Peter Byrnes, JCU

• Interpreting the World Heritage Area; Dr Paul Chantrill, WTMA

• Wet Tropics Statement of Outstanding Universal Values; Dr Steve Goosem, WTMA

• Wet Tropics Natural Heritage Criteria; Dr Steve Goosem,  WTMA

• What Tropical Plant is that?; Stuart Worboys, Australian Tropical Herbarium