Oz-E Wild Adventures Captures Australia After Dark

Dominick Hawkes, founder of Oz-E Wild Adventures, uses photography and videography to showcase Australia’s unique nocturnal wildlife. Photo source: Oz-E Wild Adventures

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By Chelsea Ravizza

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Inspired by the wildlife documentaries he watched growing up in Canada, Mackay’s Dominick Hawkes now spends his nights exploring the Australian bush in search of elusive native species to photograph through his wildlife platform, Oz-E Wild Adventures.

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“The sudden shift from freezing Canadian winters to the vibrant, sun-drenched atmosphere of the Southern Hemisphere instantly opened my eyes and sparked a deep want for adventure,” Mr Hawkes said.

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Driven by a fascination with the nocturnal world, Mr Hawkes ventures out after dark to capture some of Australia’s rarest and most elusive creatures in their natural habitats, from cryptic pythons to gliders and native reptiles rarely seen by most people.

Through his photography and videography, he hopes to inspire greater appreciation and understanding of Australia’s wildlife and the importance of protecting the habitats they rely on.

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“Every habitat in Australia is vital because our ecosystems are deeply interconnected, and an incredible 87 per cent of our mammals and 93 per cent of our reptiles exist nowhere else on Earth,” he said.

“When deforestation occurs, it doesn’t just clear trees; it destroys ancient, irreplaceable evolutionary lineages and drives unique species toward extinction.”

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Mr Hawkes said wildlife photography involved far more than simply waiting for the perfect shot, often requiring long hikes through the bush carrying equipment, tracking signs of animal activity and spending hours searching remote areas at night.

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“It’s trekking for miles with water and food while tracking signs of life in the bush,” he said.

“And sometimes it’s waking up the next morning only to find a hitchhiking tick you missed the night before — the price you pay for the adventure.”

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Mr Hawkes said his passion for wildlife and conservation was also driven by his hopes for the future of his four-year-old daughter, Margaux, who he enjoys teaching about the animals and discoveries he encounters in the wild.

“I do have a beautiful four-year-old Australian daughter, Margaux, and I love teaching her about my findings and helping her appreciate nature and wildlife from a young age,” he said.

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Mr Hawkes said he would also love the opportunity to turn his passion into meaningful conservation work in the future, whether through national parks, ranger work or working closely with regional communities.

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“I’d love to get my foot in the door somewhere meaningful where I can work with communities and help look after national parks and our native wildlife,” he said.

Through Oz-E Wild Adventures, Mr Hawkes said his ultimate goal was to spark curiosity, respect and love for Australia’s wildlife and natural environment.

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To see more of Dominick Hawkes’ wildlife photography and adventures, search Oz-E Wild Adventures across social media platforms.

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