Matt Cornish2023
Matt’s journey began at just 16 years old when he started volunteering at a local reptile park in New South Wales. Mentored by seasoned experts, he quickly grew into a public wildlife presenter, launching a dynamic career as a wildlife educator and tour guide. By the age of 19, Matt relocated to Far North Queensland, where his career flourished.
Over the years, Matt has held roles as a venomous snake and crocodile keeper, a police officer, a remote first aid instructor and a nature tour guide. Together with his wife, Jodie, he co-founded a wildlife education enterprise for youth across Far North Queensland.
Wildlife photography is another of Matt's passions. A self-taught photographer, he has ventured to some of the planet’s most extraordinary locations, from the Ecuadorian Amazon and Borneo to Rwanda, Egypt, the Komodo Islands and Peru, capturing the beauty of wild places and their inhabitants. As a Nat Hab Expedition Leader, Matt loves to share the wonders of his Australian backyard with travelers, helping them connect with the awe-inspiring wilderness of the region.
What's in My Camera Bag
When traveling for an extended period, I pack as light as possible, taking only two lenses. I pack my 100-500mm lens, which is extremely helpful for most wildlife photography. Australia is full of gorgeous landscapes, so it is imperative that I pack a wide-angle lens for these moments. When leading Photographic tours, I always bring a lightweight tripod that is imperative for astrophotography and capturing the extremely elusive aurora australis.
Cameras
Canon 6D mark II
Canon R3
Lenses
Canon L-series 70-200mm II f2.8
Canon L-series 17-40mm f4
Canon L-series 100-500mm f4.5-7.1
Canon 1.4x Extender
Other
Macbook Pro Laptop
Samsung SSD Harddrive
Wolfeyes white/red light torch
Zerotech 10x42 TRACE Binoculars
3-legged Thing tripod
Waterproof bag
What Our Guests Say
Matt is an exceptionally gifted guide both in knowledge and his ability to handle the group and personalities and circumstances. Could not say enough good things about him.
Matt is the sort of guide everyone wishes for- knowledgeable, friendly, doesn’t miss a thing, funny, supportive of all the various experts while adding to what they discussed, attentive, kind- hearted- need I say more? He’s every persons guide.
Upcoming Adventures with Matt Cornish
Southern Australia & Tasmania Photo Expedition
Photograph a wide array of unique and intriguing Australian wildlife—plus dramatic landscapes from Tasmania’s mountains and sapphire lakes to the rugged Southern Ocean coast
Australia North: Kakadu, Kimberley & the Outback
Journey to the back of beyond on this singular itinerary that connects three of Australia’s most remote tracts of untouched wilderness via private chartered flights—plus a luxury train trip on The Ghan.
Australia South: Tasmania, Kangaroo Island & the Great Ocean Road
Discover the diverse landscapes and ecology of far-south Australia as we explore four national parks and a host of private nature reserves teeming with endemic and endangered wildlife.
