Page 37 - Tropic Magazine Issue 38

TROPIC • COVER STORY

Underwater

treasure

Marine biologist Kelly Palmer spends her rounding up as many guests as I can.
days in the magical depths off Normanby I always end my tour with a visit to
Island, which is part of the Frankland George, my favourite giant clam!
Islands chain. She guides guests towards
its myriad of delights including sea Favourite local cafe or restaurant
cucumbers, giant clams, sharks, rays, Dunwoody’s Hotel. You can always
octopus and even star sand! Her other find me there on a Wednesday night
qualification as a primary school teacher participating in the funkybunch trivia
adds to the educational experience. night. Go team Open Watermelons!

Q&A Most famous guest
Norma the sea turtle. She regularly visits
How would you describe your our rock pools and steals the show, even
guiding style? posing for photos.
Relaxed yet passionate. I bounce off the
guests and what wildlife we encounter.
Dogs or cats?
Dogs. 100%. No arguments.
Tell us about a particularly
memorable trip
One trip I had a mangrove expert join us
as a guest, but I didn’t realise until after I
did a talk on our red
mangrove tree! Luckily, he was really
happy with everything I said and
was overjoyed that I highlighted the
importance of them. He then took over
the tour for a bit which was excellent as I
learned so much more!

If you weren't a dive guide, you
would be ...
I would go back to teaching primary aged
children in school. I have a passion for
teaching and the ocean. I feel like I get a
bit of both in this job.

Do you have a pre or post trip routine?
My pre-tour routine is wiping the sand
off of my feet to put my shoes on, filling
up my water bottle and stealing the
‘good’ radio from my supervisor before 1. Credit: TTNQ
2. Credit: Walkabout Cultural Adventures
MORE: franklandislands.com.au

GUIDING JOBS MAKE UP 7.5% OF OVERALL TOURISM ROLES IN THE REGION

50% tours 37% diving 11% driving 2% white water rafting

Source: TTNQ
37 • tropicnow.com.au