Cocky Guides

02/06/2026

Many of our Cocky Guides travellers will know Melbourne-based trip leader Ben “Dutchy” Holland.

After being diagnosed with brain cancer, Dutchy has spent the past 18 months doing what he does best — sharing adventures, creating memories with family and friends, and making every moment matter!

Dutchy is now receiving palliative care and is experiencing a cognitive decline.

If you've travelled with Dutchy, you'll know he's much more than a trip leader. He's a mate. The bloke who could make you laugh, bring people together, and help turn a good trip into a great one.

If you have a favourite photo, memory, or message, please share it in the comments. We'd love to collect them so Dutchy and his family can see just how many people he's had an impact on through his time with Cocky Guides.

Thanks, Dutchy, for the adventures, the laughs, the friendships, and for making our community a better place. ❤️

Image descriptions with each individual photos.

01/06/2026

Keeper Cody introduces adventurers Graham and Kristy to three Hippopotamus, ready for their encounter with Leader Keliie in this two minute reel!

29/05/2026

Low vision adventurer Sam shares information he learned about a very special tree on Magnetic Island's west coat in this 80 second reel!

Cocky Guides discovering the west coast with Tim from

Townsville Enterprise Queensland Tourism Industry Council - QTIC Visit Queensland, Australia

20/05/2026

Cocky Guides Launches The Value Exchange at to Help Tourism Operators Connect with Blind and Low Vision Travellers and Unlock New Markets.

This time last week at the Australian Tourism Exchange in Adelaide, we officially launched The Value Exchange — a practical, experience-based initiative designed to connect tourism operators directly with blind and low vision travellers.

The concept is simple.

There is already fantastic work happening across the tourism industry through accessibility experts helping businesses understand inclusive tourism principles and improve access.

The Value Exchange is designed to sit alongside that work as the next practical step.

It gives operators the opportunity to experience their product in real time with travellers who have lived blind and low vision experience — creating honest conversations, practical feedback, and often small improvements that can make a big difference.

Importantly, it also helps businesses better understand a growing and often underserved market of more than 575,000 Australians who are blind or have low vision.

As Kellie Hayes and I mentioned during ATE26:

“The Value Exchange is about helping operators move from learning about accessibility to actually experiencing it alongside real travellers in real environments.”

Over the week, I also took time out from appointments to chat with Adam & Jennie on Radio 5MU Breakfast Show about accessible tourism, sensory travel, and why inclusion creates better visitor experiences for everyone.

🎧 Listen here: https://soundcloud.com/adam-and-jennie-on-5mu/cocky-guides-driving

📸 Image description: Buck and Kellie standing in front of the giant ATE letters at ATE26 in Adelaide, with Tourism Australia’s Ruby the Roo mascot behind them.

South Australian Tourism Commission Tourism and Events NT Queensland Tourism Industry Council - QTIC Destination NSW Victoria Tourism Industry Council Peter Malinauskas Tourism Industry Council Tasmania Vision Australia Guide Dogs Australia Jennie Lenman Blind Citizens Australia

29/04/2026

We tried to keep Buck under control… We failed. Spectacularly. fans get to go even more Overboard at in this 40 second reel!

29/04/2026

Join Leader Buck as he hops onboard Overboard for the first time at in this 105 second reel!

23/04/2026

All aboard the Silver Bullet motor rail with the crew from the

Where will our traveller end up?

Find out in this 45 second reel by our Leader Buck!

15/04/2026

The White Cane Mingle at Moorebank Sports Club, scheduled for Wednesday, 29 May 2026, has been rescheduled to Wednesday, 6 May 2026.

This change has been made to enable our community to join Guide Dogs Australia activities celebrating International Guide Dog Day 2026.
Let us know if you can make the new date via our booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/DGOWI

Image of five travellers, two guide dogs and Cocky Guides Leader Buck on Main Street, Sovereign Hill

White Cane Mingle is a relaxed and inclusive social gathering hosted by Cocky Guides in partnership with Moorebank Sports Club. Together, we are...

15/04/2026

We are about to enter Taronga Western Plains Zoo

15/04/2026

Today we are at Taronga Western Plains Zoo and with an exhibit area of over 350 hectares, you can choose to explore the 5 km circuit via car, van, bus, bicycle, carts or using your own two feet. Our travellers chose the cart with their Guide Dogs Australia trained dog guides to experience the sounds and smells as we travel around. New South Wales Dubbo + Great Western Plains