Celebrating 60 years of wildlife photography

EMBARK on a journey into the heart of the natural world with the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.

Featuring remarkable moments of animal behaviour, stunning species, and the mesmerising diversity of life on Earth, this showcase highlights the brilliance of nature through the lens of the world’s most talented photographers. These breathtaking images not only capture the raw beauty of our planet but also inspire action and advocacy to protect it for generations to come.

Marking its 60th anniversary, the globally acclaimed exhibition, created and curated by the Natural History Museum in London, is on display at the National Wool Museum until May 18. For more than half a century, this competition has stood as a beacon for wildlife photography, providing a platform that celebrates creativity, skill, and a deep connection with the environment. Today, it remains a vital reminder of the need to conserve the fragile ecosystems that sustain life as we know it.

The competition attracts extraordinary talent from across the globe. This year, it received a record-breaking 59,228 submissions from photographers of all ages and experience levels, spanning 117 countries and territories. Among them, the winning entries stand out for their ability to convey powerful stories of endangered species, environmental challenges, and the tireless efforts of conservationists working to preserve habitats. These award-winning photographs will journey across the world, where they will be seen by more than a million people.

Geelong is proud to be part of this international tour. Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj expressed the significance of hosting the exhibition.

“We’re proud to continue our ongoing partnership with the Natural History Museum London by bringing this amazing exhibition to our community and showcasing some of the most talented photographers in the world,” he said.

“The exhibition is telling important stories about endangered species, environmental degradation and the conservation work being done to preserve habitat. All of which are incredibly important to our coastal community”.

Through the unparalleled emotive power of photography, Wildlife Photographer of the Year captures the imagination and engages audiences of all ages. It challenges us to reflect on our role in safeguarding our planet and motivates us to become passionate advocates for the natural world.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 60 is on display until May 18. While at the Museum you can also visit Cats and Dogs All at Sea, produced by Australian National Maritime Museum.