Overall Winner: “Fractal Forest” by Ross Gudgeon, Western AustraliaThe 2025 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition celebrated its 22nd edition by showcasing the breathtaking beauty and delicate state of the natural world. Western Australian photographer Ross Gudgeon won top honors with a mesmerizing macro shot of cauliflower soft coral, praised for its originality and technical finesse. The contest featured a wide range of perspectives, including Etienne Littlefair’s acclaimed camera trap image of a ghost bat in flight, revealing rarely seen animal behaviors. Other winning entries spotlighted fragile ecosystems and endangered species, underscoring the urgent need for conservation. Judged by Scott Portelli, David Stowe, and Jasmine Vink, the final selection of images offers a compelling visual narrative of environmental transformation and a call to preserve nature’s wonders.