Australian Geographic nature photographer of the year 2025 winners – in pictures
Overall winner: Fractal Forest
A painterly, macro view of a cauliflower soft coral by Ross Gudgeon has taken out top prize in the Australian Geographic nature photographer of the year competition. ‘This is an exceptional photograph that skews perception and leaves us questioning reality,” the judges said.
Winner – portfolio: Priscilla
‘About the size of a dumpling, the southern dumpling or bobtail squid are treasured photography subjects. These nocturnal creatures emerge cloaked in vivid colours as if wearing shimmering eye makeup. Usually timid, they tend to hide when seen. This one however, affectionately named Priscilla, happily lingered, posing for a photoshoot.’ Gadigal country, Sydney, New South Wales.
Photograph: Peter McGee
Winner – macro: Liftoff
‘Vertical migrations are some of the most remarkable in the world. Billions of animals hide in deep waters and then travel to the surface at night to feed under the cover of darkness. This paper nautilus hitched a ride on a passing jellyfish – a truly unique and magical encounter on one of the world’s greatest vertical currents.’ Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Photograph: Talia Greis
Finalist – aerial: The Chase
‘I’m fascinated by interspecies interactions. I question: is it just social interaction or are these encounters driven by deeper connections, communication, or even cooperation? These two bottlenose dolphins were riding the humpback’s wake then swimming to its eye and pausing. It was like a reunion of old friends in a fleeting moment.’ Nyangbul country, Lennox Head, New South Wales.
Photograph: Craig Parry
Winner – monochrome: Party Streamer
‘Orca WA007 joyfully leaps out of the Bremer Canyon after devouring a Cuvier’s beaked whale, her prey’s intestines subtly hanging from her mouth like a festive decoration. Around 300 of these mammal-hunting orcas have been recorded in this remote Southern Ocean hotspot, with unfolding research suggesting they may be their own ecotype.’ Noongar country, Southern Ocean, off Bremer Bay, Western Australia.
Photograph: Rachelle Mackintosh
Winner – landscape: The Beast
‘I love the raw power and beauty of storms. Watching this severe storm making its way to me, I was filled with excitement and anticipation. To capture the only CG (cloud-to-ground) bolt to come from this amazing shelf cloud was absolute bliss. Once again, thank you Mother Nature!’ Kabi Kabi country, Kings Beach, Queensland.
Photograph: Darren Wassell
Winner – astrophotography: Oberon Kenobi
‘An amphitheatre of pandani watch on as the galactic core, swathed in airglow, rises over an alpine lake, nestled in a rugged Tassie mountain range. Lady Aurora dances under the Magellanic Clouds. This image was captured on a crisp night in one of Tasmania’s more rugged and majestic multi-day walks.’ Loinnekumme country, South-west national park, Tasmania.
Photograph: Marley Butler
Winner – aerial: Jabiru Leaf
‘This is not a dead leaf; it is a result of massive tides retreating over mudflats. I thought of a dead tree and a bird as we flew over the flats in the chopper. As this blacknecked stork flew towards the drainage, we banked hard just in time to capture them together.’ Balanggarra land, Wyndham, Western Australia.
Photograph: Charles Davis
Finalist – landscape: Enchanted Forest
‘On a camping trip with my son, we came across this amazing section of silver beech that were stunted and beautifully sculpted by the elements. After several attempts, I was finally present when it snowed. Not long after dawn, the clouds departed, and the low angled sun added a hint of warmth to the fairytale scene.’ Te Rua-o-te-Moko/Fiordland, New Zealand.
Photograph: William Patino
Finalist – astrophotography: Celestial Iris After the Fires
‘On New Year’s Eve 2019, a huge fire devastated the tiny town of Mallacoota and the surrounding forests. This photograph was taken looking vertically up through the burnt coastal melaleuca. Amongst all the devastation, the Milky Way, so clear in our dark skies, seemed to symbolise the hope of renewal and regrowth.’ Bidwell country, #Mallacoota, #Victoria.
Photograph: Caroline Jones
Finalist – monochrome: Transpiration
‘While driving home from a pre-dawn shoot in the Meander Valley, I stopped to admire the dawn breaking behind a young Blackwood tree. Its silhouette struck a beautiful contrast as the sun warmed its transpiring leaves, with the evaporating water droplets rising from the branches to mingle with the surrounding mist.’ Tommeginne country, Deloraine, #Tasmania.
Photograph: Joy Kachina
Finalist – threatened species: Standing Watch
‘Huddled together for warmth on a cold morning, these juvenile #numbats (affectionately known as numbubs) survey their surroundings for any potential threats. With introduced species such as the feral cat and European red fox to contend with, their formative years are spent learning to blend in with their woodland surroundings, always alert to danger.’ Wiilman country, Dryandra, Western Australia.
Lewis Burnett
Finalist – animals in nature: Rifleman Stare
‘After a demanding four-hour hike into the rugged Southern Alps of New Zealand, I spotted a titipounamu/rifleman (New Zealand’s smallest bird) darting through the dense forest. The bird’s intense gaze pierced through the foliage and, after multiple attempts, I captured the photograph I was hoping for, defying the bird’s lightning-fast movements.’ Kā Tiritiri o te Moana/Southern Alps, New Zealand.
Bernie Shore
earthling