If you ever needed a reminder that nature is the greatest artist on the planet, this year’s Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year shortlist delivers it in style. The 2026 competition has officially unveiled its shortlisted entries, and honestly, there are some absolute bangers in the mix.
The prestigious contest celebrates the wild beauty of the Australasian Realm, a vast region that includes Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica, and New Guinea. From dramatic wildlife encounters to breathtaking landscapes and tiny macro worlds hidden from plain sight, these photographs showcase nature at its most raw, beautiful, and surprising.
This year, photographers competed across ten categories, including Animals in Nature, Animal Behavior, Botanical, Macro, Landscape, Threatened Species, Monochrome, Our Impact, Portfolio, and Junior. The competition attracted an impressive 2,129 entries from more than 500 photographers in 17 countries, making the shortlist an extraordinary achievement in itself.
What makes these images stand out isn’t just technical perfection. It’s timing. It’s patience. It’s being in exactly the right place when a fleeting moment unfolds. Some photographs capture dramatic predator-prey interactions, while others reveal quiet moments of beauty that most people would walk right past. Together, they tell powerful stories about the fragile and fascinating world around us.
We’ve selected 41 outstanding shortlisted photographs that highlight the creativity, dedication, and storytelling talent of today’s best nature photographers. Get ready to explore a collection that will leave you inspired, amazed, and perhaps a little more connected to the natural world.
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#1. Animals In Nature: Feathered Refuge by Donald Chin
#2. Animals In Nature: Wings of the Golden Light by Oleksii Boiko
#3. Animals In Nature: Wings as Raincoats by Doug Gimesy
#4. Animals In Nature: Hunting in the Glow by Nathan Watson
#5. Animals In Nature: Penguin Pose by Mat Bell
#6. Animal Behaviour: Right of Way by John Harrison
#7. Animal Behaviour: Spearfishing by David Stowe
#8. Animal Behaviour: Worm Wars by Nathan Watson
#9. Animal Behaviour: The Secret Lives of “Non-Jumping” Ants by Daniel Allman
#10. Animal Behaviour: Strutting Tern by Georgina Steytler
#11. Botanical: Ancient Arms by William Patino
#12. Botanical: Shy by Nathan Waterhouse
#13. Botanical: Heart of the Southwest by Luke Tscharke
#14. Botanical: Alchemy by Benjamin Alldridge
#15. Botanical: Spider Orchid Trio by Elizabeth Oxnam
#16. Landscape: Aether Link by Anton Gorlin
#17. Landscape: Nereus by Gergo Rugli
#18. Landscape: Lifeblood by Robert Downie
#19. Landscape: Creatures in the Shadows by Benjamin Maze
#20. Landscape: Contour Lines by Simone Osborne
#21. Macro: Spider Piñata by Melissa Christi
#22. Macro: A Spider’s Journey by Dianne Galbraith
#23. Macro: New Beginnings by Rosa Dunbar
#24. Macro: Miniscule but Deadly Dive Bomber by François Brassard
#25. Macro: Curvy Cytaea by Bridgette Gower
#26. Monochrome: In the Morning by Paula McManus
#27. Monochrome: Moon Jellyfish by Kate Snow
#28. Monochrome: The White Faced Heron by Bernard Shore
#29. Monochrome: Wood Wide Web by Joy Kachina
#30. Monochrome: Grass Tree and Wattlebird by Raoul Slater
#31. Our Impact: Caught Between Sky and Barbs by Jasmine Vink
#32. Our Impact: Net’s Toll by Brett Lobwein
#33. Our Impact: Koalas Are Dying for You to Slow Down by Doug Gimesy
#34. Our Impact: The Earth Remembers by Paul Hoelen
#35. Our Impact: Koala In Trouble by Michael Snedic
#36. Threatened Species: Resilience – A Fight for Survival by Matt Cornish
#37. Threatened Species: One in 1000 by Kendra Campbell
#38. Threatened Species: Shimmers in the Blue by Brooke Pyke
#39. Junior: Chattering Honeyeaters by Dan Parker
#40. Junior: Miners and the Moon by Max Pittorino
#41. Junior: The King’s Plumage by Arlo Wallace
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition?
The Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year is a prestigious photography contest celebrating nature across the Australasian Realm. It highlights exceptional images of wildlife, landscapes, plants, and environmental stories while promoting conservation and appreciation for the natural world.
How many entries were submitted to the 2026 competition?
The 2026 competition attracted 2,129 entries from more than 500 photographers representing 17 countries. This strong international participation reflects the growing popularity of nature photography and the competition’s reputation among both professional and emerging photographers.
Which regions are covered by the competition?
The competition focuses on the Australasian Realm, including Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica, and New Guinea. Photographers capture the region’s unique biodiversity, stunning landscapes, rare species, and environmental challenges through compelling visual storytelling and artistic excellence.
What categories are included in the 2026 awards?
The awards feature ten categories: Animals in Nature, Animal Behavior, Botanical, Macro, Landscape, Threatened Species, Monochrome, Our Impact, Portfolio, and Junior. These categories encourage photographers to explore diverse perspectives and subjects within the natural environment.
Why are the shortlisted photographs so special?
The shortlisted images represent the best work selected from thousands of submissions. They combine technical skill, creative composition, patience, and storytelling to capture extraordinary moments that reveal the beauty, complexity, and importance of protecting the natural world.
