Inside the Mind of a G Adventures Tour Guide

Ever wondered what goes through the mind of a tour leader? Now’s your chance to find out – we had a chat with the wonderful ‘Blinky’ Pyper from G Adventures to pick his brain on everything from the best tours to take to top Aussie travel tips.

Name: Callum ‘Blinky’ Pyper
Nationality/Birth Place: Australian (I was actually born in Wales, UK but I got outta there as soon as I could walk)
Occupation: Chief Experience Officer – Tour Leader

Hi Blinky. First of all, please tell us how you became an Australian tour guide and what being G Adventures CEO means?

When I was 21, I decided I wanted to travel the world. I spent the better half of two years travelling around Asia, North America & Europe. When I finally made my way back to Australia, I quickly realized that I wanted to work in tourism. I spent one year as a travel agent, which is where I first heard of G Adventures. I learnt all about the non-profit foundation, Planeterra, supported by G Adventures and knew this was a company that aligned with my personal values.

At G Adventures we call our Tour Guides “CEO’s”. This stands for Chief Experience Officer and although we do everything a normal trip leader does, we take it one step further. We are there every step of the way with our travellers, creating life changing memories and sharing the experience with them. This might mean painting boomerangs together with a local Aboriginal community, or snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef with someone that has never snorkeled before and isn’t a confident swimmer.

Do you have a favourite tour?

Tough question, I love all the trips we do and I love that I get to run a variety of different trips in Australia. If I had to pick one though it would be our National Geographic Journeys Explore Australia trip. You get it all in 12 days; beaches, ancient tropical rainforests, cities, desert and Indigenous culture – all tied up nicely with unique regional experiences only found on the National Geographic Journeys tours.

If someone only has 3-4 weeks to see the best of Australia, what would you recommend as the top 3 destinations or Aussie icons they have to put on the bucket list.

1. Melbourne: Voted the world’s most livable city an incredible 6 times in a row, this city is a must for anyone interested in live music, sports, food & coffee, street art and rooftop bars. Just remember to pack your jumper!
2. Uluru: The world’s largest monolith is tucked away in the heart of Australia. Rich in Aboriginal culture and natural beauty this place is a must for anyone with a sense of adventure and a pair of hiking boots.
3. Cairns: Cairns is the fourth most visited place in Australia by international tourist and for good reason. It is the gateway to the world’s largest reef, The Great Barrier Reef, and the world’s oldest living rainforest, The Daintree Rainforest. It also boasts a variety of activities available to adrenaline junkies such as skydiving, zip lining, bungee jumping, wake boarding, white water rafting and many more.

Uluru is obviously a big pull for people to visit Northern Territory and Alice Spring but what other destinations or highlights should people look forward to? Could you share a couple of your favourite photos with us?

If you are planning a visit to the red centre of Australia there are so many hidden gems to visit other than Uluru. Within the same national park is Kata Tjuta (which means ‘many heads’ in local Anangu language). Kata Tjuta has hikes available to suit most fitness levels and is a definite must. Four hours from Uluru is Watarrka – Kings Canyon National Park. This is a permanent source of water in the Red Centre and offers beautiful, yet challenging hikes. If hiking isn’t your thing and you would prefer to have a swim in a natural water hole, then head over to the West Macdonnell Ranges. About an hour west of Alice Springs you can have a swim at Ellery Creek Big Hole or Ormiston Gorge. If you’re tight on time, 30 minutes from Alice Springs is Simpsons Gap (which is still part of the West Macdonnell Ranges). You can’t swim there, but there are some nice walks and a good chance to spot the rare Black-footed Rock-wallabies.

Kata Tjuta – Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, NT

Ellery Creek Big Hole – West Macdonnell Ranges, NT

Kings Canyon – Watarraka National Park, NT

4)   For someone who is living in Australia, why should they take advantage of a 3-4 day tours?

Short tours take away the stress from a short break. A local guide will have local knowledge and insight that you would never get travelling on your own. They know where to get the best photo or the best place to eat. They also take away the responsibility of the long drives, which no one really wants to do whilst on holiday.

What advantages do you think come with a group tour?

Group tours are planned well in advance, so when you are travelling you can concentrate on enjoying your trip! Let your guide worry about the logistics, just sit back and relax. Use the extra time to share your experience with like-minded travellers and enjoy the benefits of a local expert sharing their knowledge of the area.

Regarding seasons, is Northern Territory a year-round destination? What are the highlights of Wet Season vs Dry Season?

I think the NT is definitely a year-round destination. The North may be (Darwin, Litchfield, Kakadu etc.) more accessible in the dry season, but in the wet season you have breathtaking waterfalls that are in their full glory. The southern part of the NT (Alice Springs, Uluru, Kings Canyon etc.) is beautiful all year round. Summer time has longer days, which make it easier to fit more into your day, like long hikes. The nights are warm but be prepared to get up early before the walks close (some hikes close when the temperature reaches 36° Celsius). Winter has shorter days, but cooler temperatures, meaning the hikes aren’t as difficult. Bring warm clothes though, as the temperature can drop below 0° Celsius overnight. Something that you won’t find in your travel books is about the flies around the Red Centre in the summer. If you are easily bothered by insects then winter is the best time for you to visit.

For a second time Australia traveller who has possibly done East Coast main highlights, what state or tour would you most highly recommend?

Western Australia. WA doesn’t see the huge tourist numbers that the East Coast attracts, yet has so much natural beauty. Attractions such as the white sandy beaches filled with Kangaroos, National Parks with amazing hikes, the Ningaloo Reef, the Stromatolites (one of the world’s oldest lifeforms) and much more. Enjoy this amazing state before it gets too busy!

Western Australia and South Australia are home to some of Australia’s most stunning but lesser known natural wonders. What are your favourite destinations and where do you feel people get the most star struck?

As mentioned, Western Australia is full of natural beauty. My favourites are Cape Range National Park, Francois Peron National Park and Cape Le Grande National Park. Unfortunately, I haven’t yet made it to Karijini National Park but I’ve been told this is Australia’s most beautiful National Park.

South Australia is where I grew up and there are plenty of lesser known attractions in my home state. Number one is Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, there are great hikes available here and it’s home to an abundance of native Australian animals. The place I find most people are blown away by is Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park. Australia’s largest lake and the lowest point of Australia, this is a huge Salt Lake which makes for great photos. On the rare occasion that it fills with water it becomes a pink lake and an important breeding ground for hundreds of birds.

Tour Guide Tales – Every tour guide has a favourite campsite tale to tell. What’s your story?

I like to talk about the mystery of Azaria Chamberlain going missing from her tent whilst camping near Uluru back in 1980. What do you think, was it really a dingo or is Lindy Chamberlain guilty?

What’s your favourite Aussie Outback Fact?

There are more bird species in Central Australia than the whole of England.

Find out more about the amazing range of  G Adventure tours and experiences on offer here