Head Guide

Intrepid Travel; Darwin; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free Intrepid trip annually

Family discounts and friend benefits

5 extra days of leave per year

10 weeks paid parental leave

Learning & mentoring programs

20 hours of volunteer leave annually

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Intrepid Travel is seeking a Head Guide for Bamurru Plains, Australia, to lead guiding operations and deliver exceptional nature-based experiences for guests worldwide.

You will oversee guides delivering airboat safaris, game drives, river cruises, and walking experiences, leveraging deep knowledge of ecology and conservation to ensure safety and guest satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Extensive guiding experience in ecotourism or wilderness settings.
• Previous leadership or supervisory roles guiding teams.
• Strong knowledge of Australian wildlife, ecology and conservation.
• Excellent communication and guest engagement skills.
• Proven ability to manage guides in remote environments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all guiding operations across Bamurru Plains.
• Lead a team of guides delivering safaris, river cruises, and walks.
• Mentor guides, maintain equipment and vehicles, coordinate daily touring activities.
• Work with Lodge Management to ensure guest satisfaction and safety.
• Uphold environmental stewardship and high service standards.

Skills

Guiding operations

Leadership

Wildlife knowledge

Safety awareness

Guest engagement

Tools

Vehicle operation (4x4)

Airboats

Job description

Application Close Date: 7th November 2026

We’re redefining the travel experience with a collection of experience-rich stays, where each fosters deep connections with local culture, people and the environment, all while providing an exceptional base for exploration and relaxation.
As Stay Intrepid grows, so do the ways you can build a career with us.

Nestled on the edge of Kakadu National Park and surrounded by vast floodplains teeming with wildlife, Bamurru Plains offers one of Australia's most unique wilderness experiences. We are seeking an experienced, passionate and highly professional Head Guide to lead our guiding team and deliver extraordinary nature-based experiences for guests from around the world.

As Head Guide, you will be responsible for overseeing all guiding operations across the property, ensuring every guest experience reflects the exceptional standards and authentic hospitality Bamurru Plains is known for. You will lead a team of guides delivering airboat safaris, game drives, river cruises, walking experiences and wildlife encounters while sharing your extensive knowledge of the region's ecology, wildlife, culture and conservation values.

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring outstanding guest engagement, operational planning, staff development and a strong commitment to safety. You will be instrumental in mentoring guides, maintaining equipment and vehicles, coordinating daily touring activities and continuously enhancing our guest offering. Working closely with Lodge Management and operational departments, you will ensure the seamless delivery of all guiding activities while fostering a positive team culture and maintaining the highest standards of safety, environmental stewardship and guest satisfaction.

This is a full time position based at Bamurru Plains, approximately three hours from Darwin, in a remote and spectacular wilderness setting. Accommodation and meals are provided as part of your package.

The successful candidate will ideally possess:

• Extensive experience in guiding, ecotourism or wilderness tourism operations
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience managing guide teams
• Strong knowledge of Australian wildlife, ecology and conservation
• Excellent communication and guest engagement skills
• Proven ability to lead teams in remote environments
• Strong organisational and time management capabilities
• Experience operating four-wheel drive vehicles and marine vessels in particular Air Boats
• Ability to remain calm and decisive during emergencies and incidents
• High level of professionalism and attention to detail

Our people reflect the diversity of our customers and the communities we visit:

Intrepid is made up of 71 nationalities in over 30 countries, and werecognisethat diversity makes us a stronger business. We support a culture where people can be themselves and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Including First Nations People, LGBTQI+ people, those living with a disability, or from disadvantaged backgrounds, and all people from different ethnicities, races, and religions.

Rewarding and developing our people is important to us, some of our work perks include:

• A free Intrepid trip every year, plus generous discounts for families, and close friends
• 5 extra days of leave a year for use on Intrepid trips
• A minimum of10 weekspaid parental leave for all parents, and other additional leave provisions.
• Access to e-learning platforms, professionaldevelopmentand mentor programs
• 20 hours of volunteer leave every year to use on causes most important to you
• Employee Assistance Program, a 24/7 service that offers counselling for you and your family

We are Real. Together. Ambitious. Impactful.

These are our values and to usthey'remore than just words, they are the pillars of our success and every dayit'sour people and the work they do thatbringthem to life.

We aim to ensurediversity, equity, and inclusion stay part of our recruitment process. If you require anyreasonableadjustmentto participate in therecruitment process, please contact us at [e-mail] your name, location, and theadjustmentsyourequire, we will then be in touch to support your application.

Application Close Date: 7th November 2026