Our Staff

A self proclaimed ‘country boy’, spending his formative years on the family farm in outback Queensland. His background in the bush has led him to become a talented Tour Guide, with many interests in birdlife,ecology, flora and fauna and Aboriginal history and culture. Richard has led many Outback Track Tours over the last five years visiting remote and stunning outback areas throughout Australia. Many of these areas include the Kimberley, remote cattle stations in NT and WA as well as Cape York, Corner Country, Top End, Kakadu, Qld Gulf Country and more.

Richard has a keen interest in catering and as a trained chef, he established his own catering company, Etiquette 24/7 in 2003. After moving its base from Sydney to Toowoomba, Queensland, it has flourished, becoming the first gold class caterer in the area. Richard’s expert knowledge will be of great benefit and enjoyment on tour.

Phil and Klara Neil - Tour Guide / Cook

Have operated 4WD tours for clients for the last 25 years. Often making tracks through remote terrain, the Canning Stock Route is a favourite itinerary that they have done at least 50 times. They have a vast knowledge and wealth of experience in this track as well as most other remote areas of Australia. Phil is also a true ‘bush mechanic’, while Klara cooks up scrumptious meals! As a team, they operate fantastictours with wit and humour. During the summer months, Phil & Klara manufacture campervans and trailers for off-road touring – some of which they have tailor made for Outback Track Tours.

BIRDWATCHING GUIDES

Allan Richards

During his childhood on a farm in the Hunter Valley, Allan was familiar with the local birds and plants. It wasn't until he moved to Sydney that he fully pursued his interest in nature and joined a bird club. He has been on the committee of Birding NSW since 1984 andhas led many outings for the club. A keen camper, Allan's first trip with Bert Bolton's Outback Track Tours was to Lake Brewster in 1986.

Since then he has been on many OTT tours as a bird-guide and more recently as a driver. Allan's interest in birds has continued but he is frustrated by not being able to find any Princess Parrots on OTT trips alongthe Canning Stock Route. His Australian bird-list remains on 709 species. He is a keen traveller and has been on many overseas adventures ticking off about 4,000 birds worldwide. Since his retirement in 2007, it is very hard to find Allan at home, he is always away somewhere birdwatching!

John Duranti

A birdwatcher for over 35 years. During that time he has travelled extensively on birdwatching expeditions to most places in Australia. John has also been on many overseas trips observing and studying birds.He has been on the executive committee of Cumberland Bird Observers Club since the Club’s inception in 1979. He is also a long time member of Birding NSW. John is skilled in bird identification and has a vast knowledge of Australian bird behaviour. He leads many Club outings as well as doing guided bird walks for community groups such as local councils, Forests NSW and other associations.

John has been the bird guide for a number of successful bird trips for Outback Track Tours over the past seven years. Based in Sydney, birdwatching is one of his passions and he enjoys passing on his knowledge to other nature-loving people, especially those new to birdwatching. Since his early retirement from a busy commercial environment, John has been able to devote a lot more time in pursuit of his interest in birds as well as bushwalking, swimming, camping and travel.

Jim Valentine

Jim first discovered nature and in particular bird watching at a young age and continuing through till now. Having spent his working life as an engineer for Qantas he now spends his time pursuing his interest in birdwatching and nature. Jim has been an active member of Birding NSW for 25 years and led many trips with the club over this time.  Jim has pursued studies in Botany, Plant Identification, Mammals, Reptiles and Birds in addition to completeing a Certificate of Outdoor Guiding. Since retiring, Jim has acted as a guide and driver for Outback Track Tours and has a keen intert in sharing his passion and knowledge with new birders and developing their interest. 

Judy Harrington

As a committee member of the Birds Australia NSW and ACT regional group and a founder of the BA Discovery Centre at Sydney Olympic Park, where she works as a Park Ranger, Judy is able to inspire and educate both locals and visitors. She particularly enjoys helping beginners,bird, learn and observe. You are never too old, or young, to learn.

Judy has an ever expanding interest in the Outback, fostered through visits to her daughter and son-in-law, who are rangers with Territory Parks. Her two boys also work in the environmental field and with indigenous people. Open spaces, the colours, tracks in the sand, intriguing plants, reptiles and frogs and of course the birds – amaze and intrigue her. With a teaching background and the opportunity to speak with people of all ages and backgrounds in her work, Judy enjoys being ableto encourage people to really look at the world about them.

Clive Meadows

Clive first became interested in birding when he was a young lad in England many years ago. He has a great love of nature and enjoys being out in the Australian bush whenever he can. He has been a member of Birding NSW for 16 years and has led many of their outings. He participated in the NSW Twitchathon main competition between 2004 - 2006 with 2 other members of the highly successful "Whacked-out-Woodswallows" team. That team came 2nd, 1st and 2nd respectively in those 3 years with over 200 birds seen or heard in a 24 hour period in each year. Clive has been a bird leader with Outback Track Tours since 1999 and has led many successful tours. He is an amiable birder with a dry sense of humour and on tour he is absolutely dedicated to locating those hard to find birds. Clive currently lives in Port Macquarie and is an active member of the Hastings Birdwatchers.

Trevor Waller

Trevor practiced his spotting skills in the game parks of South Africa before immigrating to Australia, only developing his passion for birds after settling in Sydney. He has travelled throughout Australia and has led both accommodated and camping birding tours. He likes nothing better than finding birds and passing his bird knowledge on to others. A special interest in the flora and fauna of the arid areas of Australia keeps him heading outback as often as he can. Once the birding bug bi the spent all of his free time attending bird education courses and studying birds in the field. Trevor is a well known leader of bird club outings around Sydney. He has recently added butterfly photography to his list of interests.