Cocky Guides is a licensed Parks Eco Pass operator with NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service. On Monday, 28 February 2022, Cocky Guides will take their first group of blind and low vision travellers to the summit of Australia’s highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko.
Cocky Guides has created a purpose-built accessible tourism business for blind and low vision Australians, offering fully immersive and engaging sensory experiences to more than 50 destinations across the country. Now they are expanding into more active adventures within NSW National Parks.
Owner and founder of Cocky Guides, James (Buck) McFarlane, reckons, “We have led blind and low vision Australians to destinations as diverse as Cradle Mountain in Tasmania, Fraser Island in Queensland and Lightning Ridge in New South Wales. These are iconic destinations that many of our travellers never thought they’d get to experience independently. Let alone on a multisensory group tour. With experience leading trips in Sydney’s Royal National Park, we have the knowledge and expertise to deliver an exceptional experience in the Kosciuszko National Park.
Paul Johns, a blind traveller, says, “My first activity with Cocky Guides was a three-day road trip to Surfing Australia’s High-Performance Centre at Casuarina for surf lessons with my son Noah. Noah has a similar eye condition as myself, so I am excited that I now have opportunities to enjoy father and son time doing outdoor adventures like surfing and hiking to the top of Mount Kosciuszko, with the support of Cocky Guides. “
Cocky Guides run tactile and sensory group adventures all around Australia. You can find out about upcoming experiences and register for their newsletter online at cockyguides.com.au or call 1300 657 640.