Australian Geographic Magazine - Issue 194 - September/October 2026

Welcome to Issue 194, Australian Geographic's annual Nature Photographer of the Year issue. This year's cover star is an Australian pelican, photographed brilliantly by 17-year-old Aaryan Dhakal - so brilliantly, in fact, that the image won the Junior category in this year's competition. Inside, discover the overall winner and category winners, along with thoughts from the judges and the talented photographers behind each image.

In this issue:

• Once Upon a Time in Australia – Foreign filmmakers have long been fascinated by Australia, using it as a backdrop for everything from westerns to thrillers.
• Chasing Ghosts – Delve into the secrets of the mysterious Australian ghost shark that dwells in the ocean's depths.
• Sugar and Strife – In our 40th anniversary year, Australian Geographic looks back at stories over the decades. This one is from April–June 2005.
• Devastation in PNG – Seventy-five years after thousands died in the catastrophic eruption of Mt Lamington, the story of Australia's deadliest natural disaster has largely faded from our national memory.
• Deep Roots – Trees aren't just large, long-lived life forms of biological beauty. They can carry memories through decades, even centuries.
• For Peat's Sake – Meet the team championing the peatlands of Southwest Australia and learn why these places are so critical to our world.
• How to Save a River – South Australia sits at the end of our country's greatest river system, entirely dependent on what happens upstream.

About Australian Geographic Magazine

Uniquely Australian, Australian Geographic Magazine is a bi-monthly magazine renowned for its photography, stories and cartography that cover Australian life, natural history, adventure, science, culture, innovation and travel.

Journey to every corner of Australia in each issue, explore diverse landscapes, plants and wildlife, unearth the latest in conservation, industry and scientific research and share insights into Australia's rich cultural heritage and rural life.

Issue 194 September/October 2026