The 2025 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year (AGNPOTY) competition once again highlighted the astonishing beauty and fragility of the natural world. Now in its 22nd year, the contest—owned by the South Australian Museum and produced in partnership with Australian Geographic—continues to set the benchmark for excellence in nature photography across Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica, and New Guinea.
Photo by: Ross Gudgeon
This year’s overall winner was Western Australian photographer Ross Gudgeon, whose psychedelic macro image of a cauliflower soft coral captivated the judges. Captured in the waters of Lembeh Strait, Indonesia, the striking inside-out view revealed the coral’s puff-like texture in surreal, vibrant detail. The judges praised the photograph for its originality and technical brilliance, demonstrating how advancing technology, such as probe lenses, is expanding the possibilities of underwater photography.
The competition also showcased a diversity of perspectives, from the intimate to the expansive. Camera trap photography emerged as a strong category in 2025, with Etienne Littlefair’s haunting image of a ghost bat in mid-flight receiving high recognition. These innovative approaches offer rare glimpses into the hidden lives of elusive species, capturing behaviors rarely seen by human eyes.
Other winners highlighted the delicate balance of ecosystems under pressure, from Antarctic landscapes shaped by ice and climate to portraits of endangered species across the region. Each photograph served as a powerful reminder of both the beauty and vulnerability of nature in transition.
With judges Scott Portelli, David Stowe, and Jasmine Vink facing an exceptionally tough field, the 11 winning images reflect not only individual artistic mastery but also a collective documentation of environmental change. Together, they form a vibrant catalogue that both celebrates natural wonder and challenges us to protect it for generations to come.
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#1. Overall Winner: "Fractal Forest" by Ross Gudgeon, Western Australia
"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."
#2. Threatened Species Winner: "Red Dawn" by Etienne Littlefair, Northern Territory
"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."
#3. Animals in Nature Winner: "PJ and Crabs" by Charles Davis, New South Wales
"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."
#4. Aerial Winner: "Jabiru Leaf" by Charles Davis, New South Wales
"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."
#5. Macro Winner: "Liftoff" by Talia Greis, New South Wales
"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. "
#6. Astrophotography Winner: "Oberon Kenobi" by Marley Butler, Western Australia
"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."
#7. Our Impact Winner: "Skink in a Tight Spot" by Sara Corlis, New South Wales
"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."
#8. Landscape Winner: "The Beast" by Darren Wassell, Queensland
"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!"
#9. Monochrome Winner: "Party Streamer" by Rachelle Mackintosh, New South Wales
"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."
#10. Junior Winner: "Perched" by Isabella Rogers, 17 years old, South Australia
"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."
#11. Portfolio Winner: "Sydney Cephalopod Portraits" by Peter McGee, New South Wales
"Sydney has incredible marine diversity including numerous species of cephalopods. Each species is able to rapidly change skin colour to communicate or camouflage within its environment. These photos were captured at night (or in low light) when cephalopod are often most active. Lights were used to illuminate vibrant natural colours."