Darroch Donald

I was born in Scotland in the sixties and the points on my life's compass were not so much chosen, as innate. To varying degrees, wildlife, photography, travel writing and art have always been my chosen destinations, my all-encompassing North, East, South and West.

It has been a mighty voyage and my boat is...well, let's just say far more the tall ship 'Endeavour' than the cruise liner 'Star Princess'.

Plying the oceans it has weighed anchor in paradise, survived financial doldrums and been cannonballed through some perfect publishing storms.

But regardless, with my eye firmly on those compass points, I have managed to keep voyaging and for almost three decades have even made a living doing so - and for this creative, nature loving journeyman that is perhaps the greatest achievement.

After gaining a 4-year degree in Wildlife Illustration and Photography in Wales in 1986, I took up the position of assistant manager at a purpose-built wildlife rehabilitation centre in Fife, Scotland. This unusual work provided numerous unique art and photographic opportunities and also took me to some far-flung places, including Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War Eco-disaster in 1991 and eventually to New Zealand, where I emigrated in 1992.

In New Zealand I acted initially as an oiled wildlife response consultant to the government before altering course to pursue a long-held dream. That dream was realized in 1996 with the publication of my first book 'Creatures' -an account of my wildlife encounters, using the unusual combination of all three disciplines of writing, art and photography. It was published in New Zealand, Australia and the UK.

I became a New Zealand citizen in 1997, but the nagging desire to experience Australia's wonderful scenery and wildlife inevitably took me across the Tasman Sea and to Sydney in 1998.

Since 2000 I have worked as a freelance travel writer and photographer predominantly for Footprint Travel Guides (one of the top five international travel guide publishers), all of which has resulted in a highly unconventional and peripatetic lifestyle.

I am what you could call a 'veteran' Footprint author and photographer having been responsible for the New Zealand guide since its inception in 2001. I also maintain the East Coast Australia guide, wrote the Sydney Pocket Guide and co-authored the Australia Handbook.

By 2008 I was adept at design and photo imaging softwares. That same year I wrote and illustrated the new Thomas Cook East Coast Australia and South East Australia including Tasmania. I also served as principal contributor for the AA Key Guide New Zealand, 2005.

In 2010 the Footprint 'New Zealand Colour Guide' including Best Photo Locations was added to the list.

Darroch is currently based in Tasmania.

To view Darroch's Australasian and UK imagery @darrochdonald