Our Guides
谷萩 真樹 Masaki Yahagi
Ecotourism Consultant & Environmental Interpreter
Nature Guide Training Instructor, Eco-tourism and Eco-tour Consultant
Masaki Yahagi is Natura Ecotours' Japanese and English language speaking tour guide who was born in Tokyo, 1976. His previous experience includes time as campaign staff for the international environment NGO, "Greenpeace Japan" working on the reduction of pollution and climate change. He has experience also as a gym and swimming instructor. At the Australian National University he completed an Environmental Science degree, studying Biology, forest science, soil science, geology, climate, management and protection of ecology and wildlife. In 2003 he received the ANU's Environmental Achievement Award.
He has extensive experience in volunteering activities and as a National Park guide. He has been serving as a nature guide for the Gold Coast region since 2003. In 2004 he began work with JTB and the Kinki Nippon Tourism travel agency and is an expert tour guide for Fraser Island tours. In 2006, he partnered with other environmental professionals to create the Natura Ecotours tour company on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.
For an introduction of Natura's ecotourism activities, visit Masaki's Japanese language weblog at masakie11.space.live.com
Chris Audley - Ecotourism Consultant & Educational Program Coordinator
Ecotourism Consultant, Environmental Program Planning Specialist and Eco-tour Guide.
Christopher Audley is a sustainable tourism, environmental education and community engagement consultant for Natura Consulting. Christopher has a background in Environmental Science, Conservation Biology and Ecotourism. In 2005, he completed a Masters in Environmental Education at Macquarie University and has since worked extensively in the education industry. He also has an Undergraduate in Environmental Science from Griffith University (Gold Coast) and a second Undergraduate in Business Management with Honours in Tourism Management and Development.
Christopher is an avid conservationist and has been involved in many projects around the world using sustainable tourism as a tool for conservation. His 14-year experience in the tourism and conservation industries has involved extensive travel through more than 60 countries throughout East Asia, the South Pacific, North and Central America, Europe, the Middle East and Northern Africa. Using his exceptional inter-personal skills together with his passion for teaching and community engagement, he has been able to successfully empower a variety of indigenous communities to work effectively with local, regional and federal governments. This approach has facilitated the development of a collaborative framework towards the conservation of their respective natural and cultural assets.
