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A retired mechanical engineer from QLD has taken out the top prize for his stunning shot of a cauliflower soft coral

A psychedelic inside-out coral. Lady Aurora dancing under the Magellanic Clouds. A ghost bat gliding through the pre-dawn light. A shark cruising over a carpet of spider crabs. These captivating scenes are among the winners of the 2025 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year produced by the South Australian Museum.
Now in its 22nd edition, Australia’s most prestigious nature photography contest attracted 1,864 images from 449 photographers in 18 countries. Submissions showcase life and landscapes throughout the ANZANG bioregion – Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and New Guinea – in ten categories. These include: overall, aerial, animals in nature, astrophotography, junior, landscape, macro, monochrome, our impact, portfolio and threatened species.
The 2025 winners were revealed on Thursday, August 28, with the 99 shortlisted images featured in an exhibition at the South Australian Museum from August 30 to February 1, 2026. Take a sneak peek at the winning images below.
‘Fractal Forest’ by Ross Gudgeon, QLD
‘PJ & Crabs’ by Charles Davis, NSW
‘Jabiru Leaf’ by Charles Davis, NSW
‘Oberon Kenobi’ by Marley Butler, WA
'Liftoff' by Talia Greis, NSW
‘Red Dawn’ by Etienne Littlefair, NT
‘Skink in a Tight Spot’ by Sara Corlis, NSW
‘The Beast’ by Darren Wassell, QLD
‘Orca or killer whale (Orcinus orca)’ by Rachelle Mackintosh, NSW
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