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 GUIDE
INTERVIEW - Guide TK (Scott Russell)
Thank you
for talking with us. What made you decide to become
a tour guide?
I always wanted to see my country, and love working
in the out doors. Originally I was working full
time as a tree surgeon, I was very happy doing
that job but I had an accident and broke my wrist
and was unable to continue climbing trees. Looking
through the internet one day for a new job and
stumbled across an article about touring in Central
Australia and the Top End. Sounded fun.
Why the Northern Territory?
I originally started in Alice Springs. I think
I was attracted to the remoteness of the place.
It was quite appealing to me to pack up and move
to a place so different for where I had lived
my entire life, Sydney. There were jobs being
offered in different parts of Australia with roughly
the same types of tours but the ones in the Northern
Territory were more attractive. The whole sleeping
under the stars in the Outback just did it for
me.
What kinds
of training/experience do you have?
I studied Botany for three years at uni to be
an Arborist so that gave me a good background
with the Flora to be seen out there. Then after
I was hired I went through a training course to
learn all aspects of the are I was working. That
lasted for about 1.5 months during which we spent
time with National Park Rangers, Anthropologists,
and senior tour guides to teach us the finer details
of the job.
In an average
week, what does your schedule look like?
It varies quite greatly from week to week In our
busy season May to October, I can be working up
to 6 days a week. This is when all the tourists
arrive and the weather is very comfortable. In
the quieter wet season time (monsoon rains, high
humidity) I will be working 3 or 4 days a week.
This is great as I can rest up after working hard
during the busy times, and I can even fit in time
to do fishing in-between my tours.
What do you
enjoy the most, and the least, about your job?
The best parts of the job would have to be meeting
so many people from so many different places and
cultures and getting to show them this beautiful
country. I learn as much from passengers as I
hope they do from me. I don't really have a least
favorite part though I really don't like doing
any paperwork.
What are
some common misconceptions people have about Australia?
The pure size of the country would have to be
number one it is so much bigger then most people
can grasp until they visit. Then there is that
the snakes and spiders are every and will go out
of there way to get you. Just not true snakes
and spiders in Australia avoid human contact as
much as possible.
What recommendations
do you have for visiting the Northern Territory?
Why should we choose this area?
The Territory's vastness and variety make it stand
out as a must see while visiting Oz. The habitats
range from swampy wetlands in the north to deserts
in the south. Tall waterfalls in the North around
Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks and the natural
phenomenon's of Uluru and Kata Tjuta to the south.
Its natural beauty is amazing but can also be
unforgiving. If you do come out here make sure
you use sunscreen, hat and drink lots of water.
What sites
should we see?
The must see's would have to be Uluru Kata Tjuta
and Kakadu National Parks. As well there is Kings
Canyon, Devils Marbles, Litchfield and hop on
a crocodile cruise somewhere in the top end to
see one of Australia's amazing animals. If you
like fishing or just think you want to give it
a go then try your hand at some Barramundi.
Any advice
for planning the trip or packing?
Don't under estimate on time, give yourself a
few extra days just in case you want to spend
more time at a place or if you find something
different you want to do. Your traveling a long
way to get here make it count. Pack light, travel
on what you feel is your bare minimum so that
way you have a little extra room for souvenirs.
How long
a trip do you recommend?
In the N.T. a minimum of nine days to see all
of the sights worth seeing. If your looking for
the whole country then how long is a piece of
string. I would take at least thirty days but
you could take a lot longer. Just remember to
work out a minimum amount of days then give yourself
a few extra.
What local
foods simply shouldn't be missed when visiting?
Well here in oz we like to eat a variety of foods.
On Sunday you can have Kangaroo, Monday Emu, Tuesday
Camel, Wednesday Crocodile, Thursday Buffalo,
Friday Barramundi and Saturday night on the way
home from the pub there is nothing better then
a kebab from your local shop.
Where are
you from originally?
Born in Sydney and lived there until I moved to
Alice Springs for this job. These days I live
in Darwin.
What are
your other interests?
I enjoy fishing, hiking, rock climbing and caving,
four wheel driving and having a few beers with
my mates.
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