Regional Tour Guide Day:
Shaping Our Story Together
AT A GLANCE
• Queensland’s first Regional Tour Guide Day in Bundaberg brought together guides, operators, and industry leaders to learn, connect, and celebrate guiding as both craft and community.
• The day introduced the Queensland Guiding Community of Practice locally, boosted professional development, and reinforced guides as storytellers, custodians, and ambassadors for the region.
On Thursday 26 February, we had the privilege of hosting Queensland’s first Regional Tour Guide Day in the Bundaberg Region, in partnership with Tourism & Events Queensland - and what a powerful, engaging day it was!
Bringing together guides, operators and industry leaders from right across our region, the workshop created space for learning, connection and professional pride. From nature-based hiking guides and cultural interpreters to Master Reef Guides and emerging EcoGuides, the diversity in the room reflected the richness of the experiences we offer visitors every day across the Bundaberg, North Burnett and Southern Great Barrier Reef.
The program delivered both inspiration and practical tools. Tourism and Events Queensland’s Diana Mulholland led the introduction of the Queensland Guiding Community of Practice (CoP), outlining its vision to strengthen career pathways, mentoring and professional recognition for guides across the state. Russell Boswell of Savannah Guides led a session in storytelling and the EcoGuide insights reminded us that guiding is both craft and responsibility - blending knowledge, emotion and environmental stewardship. QTIC shared pathways into the industry and micro-credential opportunities, while industry representatives reinforced the real-world career opportunities and challenges.
The morning sessions supported aspiring and new guides to better understand the lifestyle and opportunities within the sector. The professional development workshop on storytelling elevated the conversation for experienced guides, exploring how powerful interpretation shapes not only visitor memories, but regional reputation.
In the afternoon, we turned our focus to the Bundaberg Region story itself - unpacking the values and moments that define our destination. The discussion highlighted something important: guides are not simply narrators. They are custodians of place, influencers of visitor behaviour, and ambassadors for our community.
Importantly, the day also marked the formal introduction of the Queensland Guiding Community of Practice to our region, a welcome step toward building stronger networks, clearer development pathways and a shared commitment to professionalism in guiding.
The energy in the room was collaborative and future-focused and a timely reminder that when we invest in our regions people, we invest in the visitor experience - and in the long-term strength of our destination.
To everyone who participated, contributed and shared so generously, thank you. The Bundaberg Region story is in very capable hands.
