Staff Interview with Jodie Douglas

What inspired you to work for Nullarbor Traveller?

Western Australia (WA) is my home. It’s where I grew up. It’s where I spent school holidays exploring. It’s the area in this country I first fell in love with. Nullarbor Traveller gives me a chance to showcase this amazing area to people from around the world. Plus Nullarbor Traveller is more than an employer, they are family and I love being part of this amazing family.

Describe a typical day in the life of an outback tour guide.

My day starts by putting into place the best bit of advice I’ve ever received, “First we make the coffee, then they do the things”. Breakfast is somewhere new every day, and after a quick pack up, every day delivers a new destination. Roadtripping, hiking, exploring, sightseeing, animal spotting, swimming, meeting new friends, bush camping, cooking on the fire, camping in swags under a million stars. All in a day’s work.

What do you think makes Australia a unique destination for travelers?

We are an amazing island that has been secluded for millions of years. We have millions of years of evolution, tens of thousands of years of culture, thousands of square kilometers of land, and animals, that is so diverse. The welcoming and culturally diverse nature of Australia means there is something for everyone, and everyone is welcome to come and explore.

Nullarbor Travel offers a wide variety of tours around Australia. Which one is your favorite and why?

Adelaide to Perth. There is no other way to experience so much of the southern part of Australia than on this tour. Hundreds of people take this path every day, but without an experienced tour guide you miss all of the amazing hidden sights along the way.

What tips or advice would you give to someone before they embark on one of Nullarbor Travels adventures?

Get ready for adventure. Leave behind any expectations of what you think you know about the Nullarbor and get ready to be amazed. It is a huge, vast, and wonderful place.

Environmental sustainability is deeply rooted into the company's culture. What do you do to make travel eco-friendly while touring?

I educate my passengers about how we can travel this country while minimizing our impact. Every chance we get to travel, we travel with environmental sustainability in mind. Minimizing waste, disposing of litter appropriately, and minimizing interference with animals.

Protecting these places for future generations is key.

What do you hope for travelers to take away from the tours they experience?

Knowledge and happiness. Knowledge makes the world a more tolerant place and if I can pass on just a little knowledge to make the world a more tolerant and accepting place, that makes me happy. The happiness and satisfaction that comes from exploring a place as much as you can, and that feeling of having a full contentment cup at the end of the tour, is something that you can see written all over their face.

 What results drive you to continue striving to improve each tour?

Each and every reaction I get from a passenger. The good, the bad, and even the ugly, sometimes.

Why do you think travel is important in the world today?

Travel is important in the world today because it expands people’s minds as to what is out there. Those who don't travel only know what is told to them by others and the media. It is important to go out and see, experience, and learn for yourself. Learning about other cultures, people, and places opens your mind to be more accepting and understanding, and gives you the ability to show other cultures, and other humans, compassion.

Most of the fear in the world today is driven by a lack of understanding of other cultures. A lack of understanding about why they do the things they do and have done for thousands of years. The world needs more people to get out there and see the truths of the world.

Who do you want to be....the person out there experiencing these things first hand making up your own mind and changing the perception of the world, or the person who is force fed opinions and never leaves their comfort zone?

It's a scary thing sometimes, making the decision to travel, but nothing worth doing is ever easy.

You believe you’ve landed your dream role. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

The fact that I’m able to share all that is amazing about this country with my passengers on a daily basis.

What do you think is to come for Nullarbor Travel and the rest of Australia Wildlife Travel in 2018?

 Amazing things, just watch!