10 Winning Shots From The 2025 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer Of The Year Contest
The overall winning photograph of the 2025 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year contest, captured by Ross Gudgeon, offers a psychedelic, inside-out macro perspective of a cauliflower soft coral. Taken in the waters of Lembeh Strait off North Sulawesi, Indonesia, this surreal image looks more like an abstract painting than a photograph. The coral, named for its unique resemblance to a cauliflower, owes its puffy appearance to numerous small, rounded, and bump-like polyps.
Each year, the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition invites photographers from across the globe to celebrate the diverse fauna, flora, and natural formations of Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica, and the New Guinea region. The resulting entries capture remarkable moments that reveal the extraordinary beauty of our world. Owned and produced by the South Australian Museum, the competition showcases a stunning collection of images that inspire us to explore, appreciate, and better understand the changing environment and the wonders that define this incredible region.
More info: SouthAustralianMuseum
#1 “Oberon Kenobi” by Marley Butler. Winner, Astrophotography.
Image Source: SouthAustralianMuseum
“An amphitheatre of pandani watches 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.” – Marley Butler
#2 “Liftoff” by Talia Greis. Winner, Macro.
Image Source: SouthAustralianMuseum
“Vertical migrations are some of the most remarkable in the world. Billions of animals hide in deep waters 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.” – Talia Greis
#3 “Fractal Forest” by Ross Gudgeon. Overall Winner
Image Source: SouthAustralianMuseum
“Inside-out view of a cauliflower soft coral. Named for its characteristic appearance that resembles a cauliflower, with numerous small, rounded, bump-like polyps that give it a puffy texture. This unique perspective was made possible by the Nauticam EMWL, an underwater version of the probe or insect eye lens.” – Ross Gudgeon
According to the judges, this particular photograph is an exceptional capture. They went on to add that the unusual shot “skews perception and leaves us questioning reality. Giving us a unique perspective on coral, the photographer takes us out of the marine habitat into a whole new world. There’s nothing fake here, but still we ponder, is this nature or a painting?”
#4 “The Beast” by Darren Wassell. Winner, Landscape.
Image Source: SouthAustralianMuseum
“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!” – Darren Wassell
#5 “Party Streamer” by Rachelle Mackintosh. Winner, Monochrome.
Image Source: SouthAustralianMuseum
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.” – Rachelle Mackintosh
#6 “Red Dawn” by Etienne Littlefair. Winner, Threatened Species.
Image Source: SouthAustralianMuseum
“Ghost bats are rare and elusive, with strict roost requirements. After years studying these nocturnal predators with thermal optics, I’ve discovered a handful of regularly frequented locations in the escarpment surrounding my home. This image was captured on 1 January 2025 – an incredible way to usher in the New Year.” – Etienne Littlefair
#7 “PJ & Crabs” by Charles Davis. Winner, Animals in Nature.
Image Source: SouthAustralianMuseum
“Each year, on the full moon, tens of thousands of spider crabs gather to shed their shells. At this time, they become soft and vulnerable to predation from sharks and large rays, so they bunch up in epic numbers to protect themselves. This Port Jackson shark was cruising over the hoard.” – Charles Davis
#8 “Skink in a Tight Spot” by Sara Corlis. Winner, Our Impact.
Image Source: SouthAustralianMuseum
“Discovered in a brick wall at home, a small garden skink was trapped in a hole. I felt helpless as the lizard thrashed its body from side to side in an attempt to escape. Thankfully, it was eventually able to get itself free.” – Sara Corlis
#9 “Perched” by Isabella Rogers. Overall Junior Winner.
Image Source: SouthAustralianMuseum
“I took this photo during a morning walk in Hewett, South Australia. As I was walking home, a little disappointed with the unsuccessful outcome of my shoot, I saw the two galahs. The light post being turned on in the early morning light helped my subject to stand out.” – Isabella Rogers
#10 “Jabiru Leaf” by Charles Davis. Winner, Aerial.
Image Source: SouthAustralianMuseum
“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 black-necked stork flew towards the drainage, we banked hard just in time to capture them together.” – Charles Davis
Got wisdom to pour?