Wilderness Adventure Tasmania guides are experienced Tasmanian bushwalkers.  Guides are selected for their knowledge of and passion for the Tasmania Wilderness, their commitment to providing the highest quality service and their interesting characters.  All guides have level-two first aid.  

Richard Bennett – Director

A mountaineer and professional photographer, Richard Bennett started walking in the South West Wilderness as a teenager.  So captivated was Richard by Tasmania’s wilderness that it became his lifelong passion, shaping his career.  At age 23, Richard was accepted onto the Australia’s first international mountaineering expedition, where he made first ascents in the Peruvian Andes.  He then commenced a career capturing the landscape on film.  As a photographer, Richard also rose to the top of his field, becoming a master of photography through the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP).  Richard also became president and later fellow of the AIPP.  Richard is best known for his photography of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and of course, Tasmania’s Wilderness.    

Sue Bennett – Director

Sue Bennett was born in England and after spending much of her youth travelling the world, came to Tasmania for a holiday in 1974.  She never left.  Before concluding her holiday Sue wanted to experience Tasmania’s world renowned wilderness.  After being advised to go with Richard Bennett, Sue set off for a 14 day expedition on one of the worlds most famous and challenging bushwalks – Federation Peak.  During those 14 days, Sue fell in love with both Tasmania’s Wilderness and Richard Bennett.  Sue is a co-founder, director and Head Guide for Wilderness Adventure Tasmania.    

Claire McLaren – Director

Claire’s first significant Wilderness experience was at age 11, when she completed a 7 day expedition along the South Coast Track in the South West World Heritage Area.  Claire began guiding for Wilderness Adventure Tasmania as a teenager.  Studying Adventure Education throughout high school, Claire was an outdoor education peer leader for Project Hahn (outdoor experiences for disadvantaged and troubled teens) and studied Adventure Education as a pre-tertiary subject to university. Claire has walked, kayaked, rock climbed, abseiled and skied in National Parks throughout Tasmania.  In 2008 Claire became a director of Wilderness Adventure Tasmania.  Claire is also a marketing and communications professional working in the tourism industry.