Meet Carla | Expert Walking Guide at Life’s An Adventure
Guide Spotlight: Meet Carla, Our Guide of the Month
At Life’s An Adventure, our guides are at the heart of every journey. They bring landscapes to life through their knowledge, stories and passion for the places we explore.
This month, we’re proud to shine the spotlight on Carla, whose warmth, enthusiasm and deep connection to nature make every tour a memorable experience for our guests.
From sharing stories along the trail to creating those quiet moments where guests can truly connect with the landscape, Carla’s guiding style reflects everything we love about walking adventures.
We asked Carla to share a little about her journey as a guide, what inspires her, and the moments that make guiding so special.
Personal & Background
How long have you been working as a guide and what inspired you to start guiding?
I spent more than 20 years working in the horticultural industry, which gave me a real appreciation for plants, landscapes and the natural environment. A few years ago, I decided it was time for a change, and guiding felt like the perfect path for me.
It allows me to combine the things I love- being outdoors, hiking, exploring and sharing my knowledge with others. Guiding isn’t just about showing people a place. It’s about creating an experience, sharing stories along the way, and seeing people connect with the environment around them. That’s what makes it truly special.
What does being named Guide of the Month mean to you?
Being recognised as Guide of the Month means a lot to me. I genuinely love what I do, so to know that my effort, enthusiasm, and care for the tours are noticed is really rewarding. Every tour is an opportunity to share something special, and I always try to make it a memorable experience for the people who join me.
That said, I definitely don’t take all the credit. I’m very lucky to work with a supportive team who are always there to help and encourage each other. And of course, the amazing guests I meet on tour make the job even more enjoyable. Their curiosity, stories and sense of adventure are a big part of what makes every tour unique.
What do you enjoy most about working as a guide?
What I enjoy most about guiding is being able to share stories and the knowledge I have about the places we explore. Every tour is different- Different people, different questions, different moments along the trail, which keeps the job fresh and interesting. It also means I’m always learning something new myself.
Being able to help create those memories and knowing I’ve played even a small part in making their trip meaningful, is incredibly fulfilling.
Guiding Style & Guest Experience
What do you think makes a great guided walking experience for guests?
A great guided walking experience is about connection, storytelling and helping guests feel part of the place they’re exploring. It’s not just about the walk itself, but bringing the landscape to life through stories, local knowledge, and the little details people might otherwise miss.
How do you make sure guests feel welcomed and included on tour?
For me, it starts from the very first moment we meet. I like to greet everyone warmly, learn their names, and create a relaxed, friendly atmosphere so people feel comfortable straight away. During the tour, I try to include everyone by checking in regularly, inviting questions, and encouraging conversations.
Every group is completely different, so I pay attention to the group’s energy. Sometimes we adjust the pace or take more breaks to suit everyone.
I never like the idea of anyone feeling left out. Often, it’s the small things that can make a huge difference, sharing stories, having a laugh, or celebrating the little achievements along the way.
When guests feel comfortable, heard and part of the experience, it naturally creates a more welcoming and memorable tour for everyone. Sometimes it can even lead to friendships forming along the trail… Being out in nature brings people together.
What is your approach to creating memorable moments for the group?
My approach to creating memorable moments is often about helping people slow down. I’ve notice that many guests arrive from very busy and sometimes chaotic lives. Part of my role is encouraging them to pause and really take in their surroundings- whether it’s a great view, an interesting plant, some wildlife we’ve spotted or even a quiet moment on the trail.
I believe the most memorable moments usually happen naturally. As a guide, it’s about creating the right space and atmosphere for those moments to unfold.
By the end of the tour, many guests say they feel reset, regrouped and recharged. They quite often mention they need to make more time for experiences like this in their everyday lives, or they come back for more adventures.
Nature, Stories & Knowledge
Do you have a favourite place or story to share when you are guiding?
Picking a single favourite place or story is really difficult because every place I guide has something special about it, whether it’s the landscape, the history or the moments shared with guests.
But if I had to choose one, I’d say the Snowy Alpine Tour. It’s a particularly special one for me because I get to guide it with my husband, Phil, which makes the experience even more meaningful. We often draw on our own personal stories and experiences of spending many years in the extreme alpine environment of the Snowy Mountains.
Sharing that personal connection with our guests helps them to appreciate just how unique, powerful and often unpredictable the alpine environment can be.
I also love how many people are excited about reaching the top of Australia. I’ve definitely lost count of how many times I’ve stood on the summit myself- but it never gets old and its always breathtaking.
How do you balance sharing information with giving guests time to simply enjoy the landscape?
Balancing information with quiet moments is important. I try to share stories, history or interesting details at natural stopping points rather than talking the whole time while we walk. That way guests can listen, ask questions and still have time to simply take in the landscape around them.
I also like to build in quiet stretches along the trail where people can walk, look around, notice the sounds of the bush, the plants, the views. Often those quieter moments are when people connect most with a place.
Reading the group is key. Some guests really enjoy stories and discussion, while others really appreciate more space and silence. Finding that balance helps guests not only learn about the place but also experience it for themselves.
What is the most interesting thing you have learned while working as a guide?
One of the most interesting things I’ve learned while working as a guide is that everyone experiences the same place differently.
One person might be fascinated by the history of the area, the rocks, the wildlife, or the plants, while someone else simply enjoys the quiet and the views.
It’s a great reminder that guiding isn’t just about sharing information. It’s also about creating a space where people can connect with the landscape in their own way and leave feeling refreshed and inspired.
Group Dynamics & Fun Moments
What is the funniest and the most memorable moment you’ve had on tour?
One of the funniest moments I’ve had on a tour was trying to eat lunch in the Blue Mountains while being surrounded by 30 very cheeky cockatoos. As soon as we started eating, they swooped in and began trying to grab food straight from my hands and even from my mouth. It quickly turned into a bit of a mission just to take a single bite. The guests were having the same problem and couldn’t stop laughing. It was chaotic but really funny, and we ended up getting some great photos.
One memorable moment for me was guiding three generations of the same family on the Larapinta Ultimate Tour. Watching a grandparent, parent and child experience the trail together was really special. They each connected with the landscape in their own way but sharing it as a family made the experience even more meaningful. The beauty of the Larapinta Trail and seeing those moments between them made it a very special tour to be part of.
How do you keep energy positive and manage different personalities in a group?
Humour helps a lot in making the tour fun! Light moments can bring a group together very quickly and help people relax. Every tour has a mixture of personalities, so it’s important to keep an eye on the group dynamic and adjust as I go…
Mostly, it comes down to being flexible and patient, making sure everyone feels included and supported. When people feel comfortable and part of the group, the energy naturally stays positive, and everyone can enjoy the experience together.
Passion for the Role
What do you think makes walking tours special compared to other types of travel?
Walking tours are special because they let you experience a place up close and at a slower pace. You can explore hidden spots and hear the local knowledge, stories and history behind the area. They’re also more personal and interactive which makes the whole experience feel more authentic and memorable.
What advice would you give someone thinking about becoming a walking guide?
If someone is thinking about becoming a walking guide, I would suggest learning as much as possible about the area you’ll be guiding in.
Do some research on the history, culture, and interesting facts about the place, find some engaging stories to share with your group.
It’s also important to have good communication skills so you can explain things clearly and keep people interested. Being friendly, patient and enthusiastic will help create a positive and memorable experience for your group.
Most importantly, have fun and keep learning.
Future & Reflection
What is one experience you hope every guest leaves tour with?
I hope every guest leaves the tour with a sense of inspiration and connection to the place they visited. I want them to feel they have learned something new, gained a deeper appreciation of the area, and have a memorable story to share with others.
Creating meaningful moments where guests feel engaged, welcomed and even a sense of achievement is very important to me. I really hope they leave with a positive experience that stays with them long after the tour ends.
Where would you love to guide a tour next if you could choose anywhere?
If I choose anywhere to guide a tour next, it would be somewhere in Australia. This country has so many incredible places and hidden treasures to explore that it’s hard to choose just one.
Those who have met me know I’m trying to manifest either guiding or holidaying in Karijini National Park and Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia. The landscapes in that part of the country are absolutely breathtaking, from dramatic red gorges of Karjini to the crystal-clear waters along Ningaloo Coast. It would be such an amazing experience not only to guide people through those beautiful environments but also to swim with the whale sharks at Ningaloo. Sharing a moment like that with guests, seeing wildlife in such a spectacular natural setting, would be a truly unforgettable experience for me.
Share this article