|  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. | 
