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Winners of the 2026 Nature in Focus Photography Competition

We are excited to announce the winners of the 2026 Nature in Focus Photography Competition. With over 1300 entries, this year’s competition showcased an incredible display of talent and creativity from across the country.

With stunning entries from adults, juniors, professionals, and amateurs across multiple categories, the competition highlighted the incredible diversity of Australia’s natural environments and native species.

Thank you to all entrants for showing us the beauty of Australia’s many ecosystems and inspiring people to learn and care about nature. We hope to see you again next year!

With support from Chevron Australia and Caltex Australia, the Nature in Focus Photography Competition encourages Australians of all ages to explore, celebrate and help protect the country’s natural environment through photography.

Our judges were impressed by the quality of entries received, making the selection process exceptionally challenging.

Oceans, Wetlands and Rivers

Adult Professional

Title:
King River Mud Flats, near Wyndham in Far North WA by Brad Donaldson.

Entrant description:
“Near Wyndham, in WA’s spectacular Kimberley region. I went on a helicopter flight over the King River mud flats in order to photograph them, and was rewarded with some breathtaking sights and shots. This was one of them.”

Adult Smartphone

Title:
Batemans Bay Rocks by Lolita Ruckert.

Entrant description:
“Batemans Bay mini wave crash onto tide pool rocks. I used my iphone 13 pro max to get this shot.”

High School (Year 7 to 12)

Title:
The power of water by Annie.

Entrant description:
“This is a photograph of the beautiful Lesmurdie Falls. The picture portrays the power of water as it falls down the face of the rock. I decided to use this as my subject as it creates a meaningful and direct message of the beauty in nature. It captures the flowing water in the foreground while still directing the viewers eyes to the waterfall in the background. The natural sunshine of the day created a bright and inviting photo, appealing to viewers emotions.”

Year 3 to 6

Title:
Valentine Creek by Narah McGregor

Entrant description:
“This is a beautiful little creek in Valentine Park that is across the road from my house.”

K to Year 2

Title:
Brolgas in Wetlands by Eva Duncan

Entrant description:
“I see these Brolgas on my way to school. They are beautiful and I love them and want people to protect them.”

Sustainability

Adult Professional

Title:
A net for a home by Daniel Sly.

Entrant description:
“An endangered white’s seahorse clings to the swim netting beneath Clifton Gardens Wharf in Sydney Harbour.

The wharf is a popular place for swimmers and fisherman, but beneath the surface its pylons and netting have become important habitat for this threatened species. Seahorses use their prehensile tails to hold onto the structure, moving with the gentle flow of the harbour while remaining remarkably well camouflaged among the growth that covers it.

This image was captured in the early morning, just as the sun appeared above the horizon. The low sunlight passed through the water behind the seahorse, backlighting its body and the surrounding netting.”

Adult Smartphone

Title:
Mrs Nesbit the queen frog by Sami Sam.

Entrant description:
“Mrs Nesbit the elderly green tree frog that lives in my backyard here in QLD. She’s the queen of all of the 2x dozen + frogs -they know that Mrs Nesbit is the boss & follow their peaking order. I’ve known her since we moved into this house in 2014, she eats the odd roach & bug I’ll off to her, she will hop right over to me & she enjoys following me around & being in my company! She’s very friendly & very smart & loves to pose for photographs! She loves to swim in this frog bath & lay her eggs in there each year & I really enjoy watching her tadpoles grow up! I adore my dear frog friend Mrs Nesbit! 🐸💚💚💚Sam 👋”

High School (Year 7 to 12)

Title:
From Observation to Action: Planting Hope on the Stony Rise by Rocky D.

Entrant description:
“After monitoring the Thomastown East Recreation Reserve along Darebin Creek for a few years, I noticed a loss of native understory vegetation. The area has 14 species of small woodland birds which rely on this habitat. So I stepped in to restore the reserve.

After mapping out the area, and researching for the right indigenous plants, I found the gaps in connectivity, of which the first stage has now been planted out with indigenous understory shrubs, some groundcover and Manna Gums. This will eventually, after revegetating the rest of the corridor, create a continuous habitat to bring back vital shelter for our local small woodland birds and skinks.

I believe that even the smallest of steps to restore our wild places can make a big difference.”

Year 3 to 6

Title:
Rabbit defence by Micaiah.

Entrant description:
“Due to pest species being introduced native plants are being eaten. We need to guard them to ensure growth, flowering, seeding and spread.”

K to Year 2

Title:
Letting the bush grow by Emily Grant

Entrant description:
“This is near the playground in the Valley Conservation Reserve in Mount Waverley. There is a fence to stop people walking here so the bush can grow and not be stepped on. There is a nesting box in a tree behind which gives a safe place for birds to nest. We saw a bird go into one of the nesting boxes.”

Species and Habitats

Adult Professional

Title:
Green and Gold Jewel of the Bushland by Ed K.

Entrant description:
“A jewel beetle perched on a flowering wattle bloom at Manea Park WA, its iridescent metallic greens and golds glimmering in the afternoon sunlight. A soft dusting of pollen on its head reveals the subtle pollination work it performs throughout Australia’s bushland. This macro image illustrates the delicate and often unseen interaction between species and habitat that occurs between insects and plants and highlights the ecological significance of beetles within woodland pollinator networks.”

Adult Smartphone

Title:
Wombat in the Mountains by Janelle Fowler.

Entrant description:
“We came across this gorgeous wombat on a walk at Cradle Mountain, Tasmania. It was kind enough to pose for a photo ☺️”

High School (Year 7 to 12)

Title:
Fungi Red by Ben Tomlin.

Entrant description:
“A spot of red on the rainforest floor. Unnoticed by most but keen eyes are rewarded. A noticeable contrast in the dark of the undergrowth, backlit by penetrating rays. Fungi play a vital role in the maintenance of ecosystems, equal to animals and plants. They’re a network of organisms decomposing and recycling nutrients and unfortunately are usually unnoticed. Found in the Styx, Tasmania.”

Year 3 to 6

Title:
King of the Fishers by Toby W.

Entrant description:
“I took this photo when I saw this azure kingfisher fishing in Mellum Creek. He was watching the water below and bobbing his head. It is important that we protect their habitats.”

K to Year 2

Title:
Blue Faced Honeyeater – Coffs Harbour by Hudson.

Entrant description:
“One of the cheeky honeyeaters that tried to get some of my banana at the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour. Shout out to my dad for helping me find the type of bird in his bird book.”

People’s Choice Award

Title:
Kookaburra Friends by Baby Cosmo.

Entrant description:
“Two kookaburras sitting on a branch.”

Lyn Beazley Encouragement Award 2026

Title:
Sunset Prayer by Billy Igle.

Entrant description:
“A praying mantis on a fence post while the sun is setting.”

Award eligibility note: The Lyn Beazley Encouragement Award acknowledges students who demonstrate a connection with Australia’s biodiversity and show promise in their ability to express themselves through photography. Students who identify with a disability or learning difficulty are eligible for this award.

Congratulations to all winners and thank you to everyone who entered! We will be in contact with category winners so you can receive your prizes.

Contact [email protected] for more information.

The Nature in Focus Photography Competition is proudly supported by Chevron Australia and Caltex Australia.