The natural world’s most spectacular snaps are once again being assembled in Sydney, as the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition opens at the Australian National Maritime Museum from Thursday, May 15. Reaching 60 not out this year makes the exhibition’s return extra notable, as does the strong Aussie representation in the category finals; so if you’ve not paid a visit, 2025’s edition is the perfect time to go.
The exhibition is once again on loan from London’s Natural History Museum, and as always, puts the spotlight on the beauty, intricacies, and troubles of the natural world, particularly amidst the rising threats of habitat change and the climate crisis. Spanning oceans, forests, deserts, and urban landscapes, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition remains as powerful and eye-opening a display of photography as it was since debuting in 1965.
This year’s award included three Australian winners, including the spectacular image of a leopard seal on the Antarctic Peninsula, shot by Newcastle’s Matthew Smith, which won the Underwater category. Meanwhile, Jannico Kelk captured the Animals in their Environment award for his image of a greater bilby, whilst Justin Gilligan’s thought-provoking shot of a dead flesh-footed shearwater alongside all the plastic found inside its stomach won the Oceans: The Bigger Picture category.
Photographers from 117 countries and territories entered this year’s competition, generating a range of indelible images that have a special kind of power when mounted at full-scale in the exhibition. It’s open until October 19, and given the wealth of both Australian and international talent on display that’s assembled here, you’ll want to pay a visit this winter.