Cocky Guides

19/08/2024

18/08/2024

Later this month we are leading adventures to Darwin to coincide with the inaugural 2024 Northern Territory Blind & Low-Vision Tennis Open. Message us if you’d like to join us on our Darwin ans Tiwi Island adventure departing 29 August 2024 or Kakadu, Katherine & Litchfield departing 2 September 2024.

In the meantime, check out this shared story by The Project with Robert Fletcher and Cocky Guides traveller Adam Fayad who are blind and low-vision coaches determined to get their sport on the grand slam circuit!

Tennis Australia Blind and Low Vision Tennis Nsw & Act Blind Sports Australia Blind Tennis

17/08/2024

Our crew get the best seats in the house at for

Image of Fernanda and Margaret seated in a leather couch facing the stage

15/08/2024

Cocky Guides is celebrating its 6th birthday with a brand refresh and opportunities for visitor economy businesses to join its 2025 tour schedule.

Six years ago, I tested an idea to develop a new way of travel called sensory tourism. Sensory tourism seeks to present destinations differently, without sight, for blind and low-vision travellers. Today Cocky Guides is an award-winning not-for-profit, accessible tourism business for blind and low-vision Australians.

Cocky Guides' success relies on collaboration with visitor economy businesses in destinations they visit to assist in providing service excellence for blind and low-vision travellers. Since its launch in 2018, Cocky Guides has returned over one and a half million dollars to the Australian visitor economy.

Five key statistics that highlight Cocky Guides contribution to Australia’s visitor economy over the past six years include:

1. Facilitated over 1,500 individual passenger movements for blind & low-vision Australians
2. Delivered 385 tours
3. Visited 70 destinations across Australia
4. Contributed over $1,500,000 to Australia’s visitor economy
5. Worked with over 170 Australian visitor economy businesses

I believe what makes Cocky Guides extra special, apart from the multi-sensory experiences we create for our travellers, is the power of our advocacy for accessible and inclusive travel. We advocate by being out and about with boots on the ground, in destinations and working with a wide range of visitor economy businesses across Australia. Our brand refresh includes a new logo as a shield, representing an ongoing team effort, plus simple contrasting brand colours on marketing assets for people with low vision who engage with us.

Right now, Cocky Guides has its sights set on engaging more visitor economy businesses and destinations for its 2025 tour Australian schedule. This is an excellent opportunity to partner with Cocky Guides and discover how most businesses are ready to welcome blind and low-vision travellers with the support of experienced trip leaders and support guides.

Are you an accommodation provider, tourism attraction, or hospitality venue operating within the Australian visitor economy that is interested in hosting a Cocky Guides group?

An expression of interest can start by sending an introduction email to [email protected]

Image of me with eight travellers and trip leader Donna in front of a sign that says 'Crickey' at the entrance of Australia Zoo

Tour Guides Australia Australian Tourism Industry Council Australian Tourism Tourism NT Queensland Tourism Industry Council Tourism Top End South Australian Tourism Commission Tourism Western Australia Destination NSW Victoria Tourism Industry Council - VTIC Tourism Industry Council Tasmania Travel Industry Mentor Experience - TIME Travel Without Limits Travel Weekly

10/08/2024

It’s time for lunch on our Autopia Tours day trip to the Yarra Valley!

Image of Cocky Guides Leader Buck taking a selfie at Chachi Yarra Valley holding a lamb and spinach calzone. Four travellers and local guide Joy are in the background seated around a table on the footpath. Visit Melbourne Visit Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges

10/08/2024

What a way to start our day trip to Melbourne’s Yarra Valley! Thanks Bailey for our private tasting at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie

Image of our Autopia Tours group around a long stainless steel table with Bailey in the middle of the group handing out chocolate tastings Visit Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Visit Melbourne

09/08/2024

Who’s up for a laugh and dinner on Saturday 17 August?

Join Cocky Guides and Coalcliff Surf Life Saving Club at the volunteer run Coledale RSL for Comedy for A Cause! Raising funds for Coalcliff SLSC.

The lineup for an evening of comedy on 17 August celebrating the season launch of Coalcliff Surf Life Saving has been announced

Comedians Gary Eck, Daniel Townes, Amanda Gray, and Mat Wakefield will bring their talent to the Illawarra on Saturday, 17 August. They will join Coalcliff Surf Life Saving Club to kick off their 101 years of association with surf lifesaving at Coledale RSL.

“One of the core values Coalcliff has created over the past 100 years is community. It’s great to bring together talent from International Comedy Festivals to our community. This event is another example of how the club and our community can engage beyond public safety on the beach,” said James McFarlane, President of Coalcliff Surf Life Saving Club.

Headlining the evening is Gary Eck, undoubtedly one of Australia’s most popular and respected comics. Gary has performed worldwide, from Singapore to Paris to New York and London, and has performed comedy shows at the Edinburgh, Melbourne, and Sydney Comedy Festivals.

In addition to a successful stand-up career, Gary has ventured into film and TV. He co-wrote and co-directed Happy Feet Two with Academy Award winner George Miller and voiced several characters for the film.

Gary won the world’s largest short film competition, Tropfest, with his short, The Money and took second place two years prior with his comedy short Tragic Love. Eck co-wrote and starred in the cult hit You Can’t Stop the Murders (now being turned into a musical!) and featured in the film Boytown alongside Mick Molloy and Glen Robbin’s.

A one-course dinner is now included at this supported event. For more information, check availability and book your supported trip, visit https://www.cockyguides.com.au/tours/

Image is a side profile of comedian Gary Eck holding a microphone and laughing on stage

06/08/2024

Our founder Buck is leading the Autopia Tours sunset trip to the Blue Mountains today. Even with cloud the sunset is stunning and dramatic!

Image is a selfie by Buck at Lincoln’s Rock with the sunset heading beneath the clouds in the background.

Visit NSW Visit Blue Mountains

04/08/2024

Cocky Guides founder Buck was pleased to support the annual Tour Guides Australia strategy workshop by leading the strategic framework and priority-setting components of the workshop for the executive team and committee members on 1st and 2nd August.

Read more in this article by Travel Weekly:
https://www.travelweekly.com.au/article/tour-guides-australia-workshop-agrees-micro-credential-course-and-accreditation-program/

This is an image of Michael Healy MP, with Tour Guides Australia President Greg Esnouf, Vice President Susan Rees, Secretary Leanne Saward, and Business Development Ben McAuliffe, Manager, around a table in an office.

Tour Guides Australia reviews its three-year strategic vision at a workshop in Cairns to better support its members and the visitor economy.

03/08/2024

Discover North Queensland's Outback Savannah Country & Cairns! - https://mailchi.mp/1912cba27ee2/outback-savannah-country-and-cairns Image of travellers Charlie and Graham on a railway platform at Kuranda next to the Savannahlander train

03/08/2024

Sensory Experiences in the Top End! Extra capacity has now been added to the Darwin and Tiwi Island trip, which commences on Thursday, August 29, 2024! Private message us for more details.

Discover six experiences Cocky Guides share with Travel Without Limits on this link: https://travelwithoutlimits.com.au/top-end-sensory-experiences-with-cocky-guides/

Image of traveller Graham feeling the texture of a juvenile crocodile's skin. Traveller Sam is next to Graham at Crocosaurus Cove Darwin

Tourism Top End Tourism NT

Cocky Guides leads seasonal tours in Australia's Top End that are a delight for all the senses.

03/08/2024

Immerse Your Senses in Tropical North Queensland!

Travel Without Limits asked traveller Charlie to tell us about his experience with Cocky Guides at the two major iconic World Heritage sites of North Queensland – the Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef. You can read Charlie's story on this link:
https://travelwithoutlimits.com.au/immerse-your-senses-in-north-queensland-with-cocky-guides/

Image of Charlie getting ceremonial paint applied to his face by our local Kuku Yalanji guide in the rainforest.

Visit Queensland, Australia Queensland Tourism Industry Council

We asked Charlie to tell us about his experience with Cocky Guides at the two major iconic World Heritage sites of North Queensland – the Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef.

31/07/2024

Explore the outback of North Queensland beyond Cairns from Tuesday, 22 October 2024, to Monday, 28 October 2024.

We meet in Cairns and spend the night before an early start on the famous Savannahlander train. The train will take you up the Kuranda Range to the edge of the Outback Savannah Country.

Then, we will transfer to a bus for a ride to our accommodation at Mount Surprise, where we will spend two nights discovering the Undara Lava Tubes.

Continue for two nights at Cobbold Village to explore Cobbold Gorge. Return to Cairns for a night before your journey home, or add a Cairns extension.

Learn more at https://www.cockyguides.com.au/tours/

Image of Cocky Guides travellers Charlie and Graham holding their white canes on the platform at Kuranda. They are standing next to The Savannahlander train.

30/07/2024

Do you love adventure, travel, the outdoors, showing people around, and accessible travel? Have you ever wondered what the best job in the world looks like? Well, this is probably it!

We are looking for a casual driver guide to lead day tours from Sydney. For more details, check out this job ad.

28/07/2024

Had an amazing time celebrating Christmas in July at The Robertson Hotel. The festive spirit was in full swing with fantastic company, delicious food, and holiday cheer! 🎄🌟

Image description: Multiple photos of Cocky Guides travellers in the main ballroom standing in front of a very large Christmas tree decorated with numerous gold and red sparkling baubles. Name of the person featured in the photo is under each image.

Destination Southern Highlands Destination NSW Guide Dogs Australia Seeing Eye Dogs

28/07/2024

It’s Christmas in July at Cocky Guides today! So let’s celebrate with sparkles at Cherry Tree Hill Wines!

First image of 14 travellers and five Seeing Eye Dogs and Guide Dogs Australia trained dog guides in a marquee spread over three tables. Linda is our host. Southern Highlands NSW.

Second to forth images of happy snaps of travellers enjoying the wine tasting.

Fifth image of Guide Dog Ella and Seeing Eye Dog Otis. Otis is wearing decorative reindeer antlers, in the spirit of Christmas in July!

26/07/2024

It was great to meet the team behind and collaborate on new opportunities for blind and low-vision travellers from both Australia and Thailand!

Image is a selfie by founder Nithi, Anusak, Natasha and founder Buck at Thanks for the intro .heng

25/07/2024

Congratulations to Cocky Guides traveller Phoebe on a successful 2024 National BLV Tennis championship!

Image of Cocky Guides Guide & Director Kellie with Phoebe on a spectator balcony above the indoor courts.

Blind Citizens Australia Tennis Australia Blind Sports Australia

23/07/2024

Cheers to a fabulous site inspection at Captains Creek Organic Wines

Image of Cocky Guides Director Kellie with companion Kara sharing a laugh with a glass of Chardonnay at the cellar door with winery owner Carolyn. Visit Victoria Daylesford Macedon Ranges

22/07/2024

Cocky Guides travellers are experiencing the The Q Train courtesy of Latrobe Community Health Service and will be featured in marketing material showcasing the accessibility improvements to this famous product.

Image of traveller Mel reading a braille menu at a table in a private dining room whilst being photographed. Traveller Nathaniel is opposite Mel and Sam is next to Mel.

Visit Victoria Visit Geelong and The Bellarine Victoria Tourism Industry Council - VTIC Blind Citizens Australia Vision Australia Guide Dogs Australia

17/07/2024

Experience the Top End of the Northern Territory next month! - https://mailchi.mp/8b563163fc5f/experience-the-top-end-next-month Image of a Tiwi Island man in traditional body paint standing in front of a decoratively painted corrugated iron fence.

15/07/2024

Port Stephens businesses get involved with ‘sensory tourism’

Travelling and exploring new places can be a daunting experience for people who are blind or vision impaired. However, an emerging concept of ‘sensory tourism’ focuses on presenting destinations differently, and businesses in Port Stephens are getting involved to ensure everyone can enjoy what the region has to offer. Learn more in the following 90-second NBN Television news clip.

https://www.nbnnews.com.au/2024/07/07/port-stephens-businesses-get-involved-with-sensory-tourism/

Sensory Tourism Australia Guide Dogs Australia Vision Australia Blind Citizens Australia Visit NSW Port Stephens Destination NSW Sparrowly Group Travel Without Limits Travel Industry Mentor Experience - TIME Australian Tourism Industry Council Tour Guides Australia

Travelling and exploring new places can be a daunting experience for people who are blind or vision

09/07/2024

Where’s Cocky Guides Trip Leader Dutchy? We’ll give you a hint. He’s at a grand slam tennis tournament in England. Find out more in this 80 second video.

09/07/2024

Cocky Guides travellers had a delicious brunch at CREST Birubi Beach this morning that overlooked Port Stephens’ famous sand dunes, accompanied by rolling waves, a pod of dolphins and some humpback whales making their journey up north!

It was great to introduce Mel Turner from Destination Port Stephens to our travellers!

Image description: Cocky Guides travellers are sitting down eating their food at a long table, trip leader Kellie is standing up on the left of the photo introducing Mel to the travellers. Mel is standing to the right of Kellie. There is a set of windows in the background, through the windows in the far background the ocean meets the horizon.

08/07/2024

Top of the morning to ya! 🌤️

First, a quick pit coffee pit stop at Magnolia and stroll along the Mt. Tomaree Head!

Image descriptions:

Image 1: A photo taken from behind, showing travellers Sharon, Margaret, Guide Dogs Australia trained Ella, Marileen and trip leader Kellie standing on a cement boat ramp talking and looking out at the ocean and Mt. Tomaree in the background. The sky is cloudy.

Image 2: Margaret and Sharon standing on the boat ramp smiling, with the ocean in the background.

Image 3: A portrait photo of Sharon smiling with the ocean in the background. Sharon is wearing a bright red fluffy jumper.

Port Stephens Visitor information centre Destination NSW

07/07/2024

Check out Cocky Guides in Port Stephens on this shared post from NBN Television!

Visit NSW Destination NSW Destination Port Stephens Destination Port Stephens Members Australia.com Guide Dogs Australia Vision Australia Blind Citizens Australia Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters Port Stephens Visitor information centre Port Stephens Council Sparrowly Group Travel Industry Mentor Experience - TIME Tour Guides Australia

07/07/2024

One of the first stops on our Port Stephens trip — Broken Bay Pearl Farm! ✨

Local guides Megan and Amelia took Cocky Guides travellers on an engaging and tactile tour covering all things oysters! Travellers even got to meet some of the resident oysters which can produce some of what is considered the rarest pearls today.

Shoutout to Megan, Amelia and the team at Broken Bay Pearl Farm!

Image descriptions: 4 images below showing Cocky Guides travellers engaging in the tactile tour.

Image 1: Group photo of Cocky Guides travellers standing around a big wooden table listening to local guide Megan. They are all standing inside a large open shed, also known as the “Shellar Door”.

Image 2: From left to right, local guide Megan talking at the end of the table. Josh, Sharon and Margaret listening and engaging.

Image 3: Close up shot featuring Josh, with Sharon, Margaret and Cocky Guides trip leader Kellie in background.

Image 4: Closeup of Margaret holding a live oyster named “Shellie”.

Destination NSW

06/07/2024

Cocky Guides is live and on location in Port Stephens for Sensory Tourism inaugural visit to the region. Look out for our bus exploring sensory adventures!

Image is a selfie by founder Buck in front of a white midi coach close to the marina at Nelson Bay.

Destination Port Stephens Visit NSW

05/07/2024

Enjoy mid Winter Days with plenty of fun supported day trips from Sydney & Melbourne! - https://mailchi.mp/db8e00562284/mid-winter-days Image of two travellers with white canes walking in the snow.