From scientist to guide: Angus finds his path in Tasmania's wild places
Published on: 14 Oct 2026
Scientist turned Guide Angus Olding on a voyage along the South-West Coast of Tasmania. Photo by Stefan Eberhard Photography.
A lifelong love of Tasmania's national parks and a curiosity about the natural world have led Angus Olding from the laboratory to the wilderness, and into a new career as a professional guide.
After spending more than a decade as a scientist, Angus enrolled in TasTAFE's Certificate III in Guiding to turn his passion for bushwalking, camping and exploring Tasmania's unique landscapes into a profession.
His transition may seem like an unexpected one, but Angus believes the inquisitive nature that made him a successful scientist is equally valuable as a guide.
"I did a Bachelor of Science, a master's and PhD and then one year of a postdoctoral research fellowship. I'd been a scientist for the last 10 years but decided to call it quits and spent six months travelling, bushwalking, camping and kayaking," Angus said.
"I decided to try and make that a viable career."
For Angus, guiding offers many of the same rewards as scientific research: constantly learning, observing and helping others understand the world around them.
"Even though I'd been bushwalking in Tassie for years, there was a lot that I realised I didn't know once I started the course. I'd never been taught geology before; I never gave much thought to the botany or the native birds and now I can speak at great length to people who hopefully want to hear about Tasmania's natural history."
The decision has already paid off. Since completing his qualification last year, Angus has secured work with the Tasmanian Walking Company guiding groups along the famous Overland Track, as well as with Intrepid Travel and the Maria Island Walk.
Along the way, he has also discovered a talent behind the camera.
During a TasTAFE study trip to the Walls of Jerusalem National Park, Angus snapped a photograph of fellow student Rachel while carrying his camera "just for a bit of fun".
"I hadn't tried taking pictures of people before, so I thought I'd practise on a willing crowd," he said.
"I didn't even know there was a competition on when I took it."
The image captured more than just a bushwalking moment. It told a story about learning, adventure and life-changing opportunities through vocational education.
With Rachel's support, Angus entered the photograph into The Heart of TAFE Photographic Competition, which invites TAFE students from across Australia to showcase their experiences through photography.
The image won first prize in Tasmania and will now be displayed at Parliament House in Canberra, where it will represent the state in the national finals.
"I can't make it to Canberra because it coincides with one of the guiding trips I have with the job I've just started," Angus said.
"So Rachel will be going instead, and we've decided to split any winnings 50/50."
Angus credits much of his success to the practical, industry-focused training he received at TasTAFE and the support of teachers Alex Hale and Bruce Morley.
"Alex and Bruce are fantastic. They're very passionate and knowledgeable and they have experience. They have been working as guides for years," he said.
"We had operations managers from almost all the major companies come in and speak to us. Having that connection, I think, was vital in getting the jobs that I did. Having Alex and Bruce wired into the guiding loop was extremely useful."
The experience also changed the way Angus thinks about education and career pathways.
He said TasTAFE's strong industry connections were a stark contrast to his university studies, where career links were often less visible.
"I think a degree is by no means the pathway we should all aspire to," he said.
"I think university and TAFE should be viewed as parallel pathways."
Now working in the outdoors he loves, Angus is keen to share not only Tasmania's spectacular landscapes with visitors, but also the importance of protecting them.
"There's a very strong emphasis on it in the course; the principles of leaving no trace and minimal-impact bushwalking, and we're encouraged to pass that onto guests."
And while life as a guide has been incredibly rewarding, it has also revealed new levels of physical endurance.
"The packs on the first day of the Overland Track are 23 kilos of frozen chicken fillets and lamb racks and such," he laughed.
"Thank God they fly the wine in by helicopter!
