Nature on show: Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

Now in its 22nd year, the competition once again highlights the remarkable wonders of the world we live in.

Tess Poyner’s Down the Hatch.

A line of Chinstrap penguins tottering along an iceberg in Antarctica, a brown tree snake swallowing a Copland’s rock frog in the Northern Territory’s Adelaide River region and an emu locking eyes with the camera in Alice Springs are among the captivating natural subjects in the short-listed entries for the 2025 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition.

David Sinclair, Chinstraps on Ice.

Aaryan Dhakal, Stare Down.

In its 22nd year, the competition has attracted almost 2000 entries from 449 photographers spanning 18 countries, each capturing the breathtaking beauty of the natural world.

Photographers submitted works across 10 categories, including Animals in Nature, Aerial, Macro, and Landscape.

Ignacio Palacios, Aerial.

William Patino, Complete.

The winner, who takes home $10,000, will be announced on August 28, and their work will be on show at the South Australian Museum from August 30.

Beth Baker, More Than Just Rocks.

Oliver Bishop, Motions.

Tara Luck, Blue-Banded Bedtime.

Chris Young, Incoming.

Museum board chair Professor Robert Saint AM says the annual prize’s role in nurturing a deeper appreciation for nature is unparalleled.

“The more we, as a community, see and learn about nature and all its glory, the better we are able to protect and sustain it,” he says.

Lewis Burnett, Standing Watch.

Nicholas Cullen, Otherworldly.