Travel with confidence
Cocky Guides is committed to helping you travel with complete peace of mind. That’s why every single member of our team is personally trained by founder and leader, James (Buck) McFarlane. Buck has spent more than 10 years perfecting the secret formula to great trips with companies like G Adventures, Adventure Travel Australia, Oz Experience, Grand Circle Travel, Overseas Adventure Travel, Autopia and Wildlife Tours. What’s more, every guide is accredited, or on the pathway to accreditation, with the Professional Tour Guide Association of Australia and is proficient in first aid.
Meet our talented team
When it comes to delivering high-quality, safe and affordable sensory experiences, no other guides come close. Bursting with local insight and infectious enthusiasm, our friendly and experienced team will provide you with everything you’ve always wanted in a trip:
• Care and passion for travellers, the community and the environment.
• Capable guides who deliver memorable and fun experiences.
• Creative knowledge-sharing and multi-sensory storytelling.
• Collaborative approaches to trip design and support.
James (Buck) McFarlane
Founder & Owner
Buck has been delivering experiences for travellers with G Adventures, Adventure Tours Australia, Wildlife Tours, Autopia Tours, Oz Experience, Busabout, Overseas Adventure Travel and Grand Circle Tours for over 10 years. Before entering the travel industry, Buck was a Product Manager and New Product Developer for financial services brands including AMP, Commonwealth Bank & PMI Mortgage Insurance (now QBE LMI). When Buck is not swimming or camping, he will be out seeking new tactile and sensory experiences for blind and low-vision Australians.
Kellie (Striker) Hayes
Product Development & Delivery Manager
Our most fashionable tour guide, Kellie comes with 4 years of tour guiding experience across various Australian-based tour companies and prior to that, 12 plus years in design and fashion working across the globe. Kellie is also the founder and operator of Sensory Styling which focuses on wardrobe overhauls and personal shopping for the blind and low vision community. With the combination of her creativity, business acumen and love for the great outdoors, Kellie has been an integral part of Cocky Guides growth.
Donna (Kebab) Quirke
Trip Leader based in Sydney
Ben (Dutchy) Holland
Trip Leader based in Melbourne
Maree Nicholson
Trip Leader based in Cairns
Michelle Jago
Trip Leader based in Cairns
Busfleet Australia
NSW Accredited Transport Operator #40377
Busfleet is Cocky Guides accredited bus and coach operator. We have partnered with Busfleet as they have a highly experienced team with a large fleet of vehicles and are well-positioned to assist us to grow new markets.
