Wet Tropics Naturalist Guide
Clayton Smith
“I've spent 20 years learning where these animals live, what they eat, and when they move. That knowledge is what I bring to every tour.”
Clayton Smith
About Clayton Smith
Clayton grew up in southern Tasmania, surrounded by both the beach and the bush, where he developed a lifelong passion for natural history through fishing, birdwatching, and fossil collecting. He later moved to Queensland to pursue a Diploma in Wildlife Management, graduating in 2000.
Since then, Clayton has gained extensive experience working as a koala keeper, crocodile catcher, and deckhand throughout the Great Barrier Reef. He eventually settled in the rainforest village of Kuranda near Cairns, where for the past 20 years he has been leading tours that highlight the remarkable beauty and biodiversity of the region. His tours often focus on finding rare and endemic species of birds, mammals, and reptiles.
In addition to his expertise in wildlife, Clayton maintains a deep interest in botany, geology, and natural history more broadly. Fluent in both English and German, he has led a wide range of tours from general natural history excursions to specialised birding and mammal expeditions.
Clayton's Career in Wildlife
From koala keeper to one of North Queensland's most experienced naturalist guides.
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Crocodile Catcher
Before settling in Kuranda, Clayton worked as a crocodile catcher across Far North Queensland, gaining a rare understanding of reptile behaviour and habitat that still informs his wildlife tours today.
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Koala Keeper
Clayton's career began in hands-on wildlife care as a koala keeper, working closely with Australian marsupials and developing the fieldcraft and patience that defines his guiding style.
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Great Barrier Reef
As a deckhand on the Great Barrier Reef, Clayton gained firsthand knowledge of marine ecosystems, completing a career that spans reef to rainforest.
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20 Years in the Wet Tropics
Two decades based in the rainforest village of Kuranda, leading birding and wildlife tours across the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and Atherton Tablelands.
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20+ Years
Guiding in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area
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Wildlife Management
Diploma in Wildlife Management
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Award Finalist
Cairns Tourism Award
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Bilingual
Fluent in English and German
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Swarovski ATX
Premium optics for every guest
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Max 6 Guests
Small group, personal experience
Clayton Smith in the Field
In the field
Atherton Tablelands
Nocturnal survey
With guests
Digiscoping
Expeditions Led by Clayton Smith
Multi-day wildlife experiences with one of the Wet Tropics' most experienced naturalist guides.
Wet Tropics Endemic Birding Expeditions
Targeting all 15 Wet Tropics endemic birds and around 250 species total. Multi-day expeditions across rainforest, tablelands, and coastal habitats.
View expedition details →Wet Tropics Wildlife Immersion
Nocturnal mammals, owls, higher altitude species. Spotlighting, dawn surveys, and immersive rainforest experiences.
View expedition details →Coming Soon
The Endemic Birds of Tropical North Queensland
Clayton is currently authoring a field guide to the 15 species found nowhere else on Earth. Available soon as a free download for expedition enquiries.
By Clayton Smith
Book an Expedition with Clayton
Join Clayton for a multi-day birding or wildlife expedition in the Wet Tropics. Small groups, premium optics, 20 years of local knowledge.