JULIEN
It all started in 1996. After a long winter in Berlin, I made my decision to fulfil my childhood dream: going to Australia!
After travelling across the country for over a year, my soul has succumbed to the charms of this land of natural wonders.
Melbourne naturally becomes my home. It’s a fascinating city of European influences and peaceful nature, and so far the best megalopolis I have ever lived in. It is chock-full of little secrets, elegant and groovy. That it has been voted most liveable city in the world is no surprises to me!
Living in the city makes me feel like a caged animal. I need to breathe the fresh sea air and my eyes are always seeking the horizon.
Two hours away from Melbourne is the southern tip of Australia, which has gradually become my peaceful corner of the world. I like to regenerate in this pristine and scenic environment bearing strong marks of aboriginal culture and pioneers’ history.
Wilsons Promontory National Park is the extreme south tip of the continent. The landscapes there are magnificent: red granite rocks, turquoise sea, and amazing wildlife.
That’s where I have decided to live my next adventure… with you!
Almost 20 years ago I created Southern Secrets, a personalised tour operator designed at sharing my love for Australia. I hope to meet you in this heaven on earth soon.
Fair austral winds!
CHRISTINE
Well travelled and university-educated in anthropology with a remarkable knack for finding the rare, unusual and hidden, Christine makes an inspiring and attentive guide — often described by clients as being ‘très a l’écoute’.
Communicating in both French and English, she is passionate about sharing her insider knowledge and love of this country where she was born and chose to return to more than 24 years ago. As curious about encountering new bird life in the bush and exploring Aboriginal culture and Franco-Australian history as she is fascinated by the sheer energy of Sydney and its lively restaurant and bar scene, Christine creates an inspiring atmosphere of relaxed adventure and enjoyment of discovery during tours. Her ease and experience in dealing with people of diverse ages and backgrounds have earned her the French nickname ‘Passepartout’ — a master-key to other cultures.
EVA
Passionate with ancient culture since a young age, Eva was attracted to visit Australia 30 years ago. She has been travelling all around the country a few times; stayed with the Aboriginal Tiwi people in Melville Island; lived in Melbourne; and now has established herself in Sydney for 22 years.
She will warmly welcome you and will share an unforgettable tour, mixing nature, old culture as well as modern.
VERONIQUE
Originally from France, I have called Sydney home for 30 years. I have always been involved in travel and tourism and after a career in the media, I now share my passion about Australia to French speaking tourists. As a guide I take great pleasure in showing all aspects of Sydney and beyond to visitors. I am fully accredited and experienced to take you and your groups to the rest of this vast country. I love to see people bond together and I take it to heart to ensure they have a wonderful time. I bring Sydney to life, while combining my deep understanding of its history and present, and leave people touched by this beautiful place.
I would love to meet you!
ANDREW
Hi, I’m Andrew, 53, born and bred in Sydney, Australian since 3 generations. I was a French teacher for 23 years and have been tour guiding for 10, all with Southern Secrets ! I give tours of my city and surrounds in English, French and German. I am fluent in all 3. I love languages, culture and people. I was previously a guide at the Opera House and now drive tours around NSW, but Sydney is my love and speciality. I am also into nature, music and sport!
I can’t wait to meet you and show you my city and give you my unique insights!
PIERRE
As a language teacher and a doctor in philology, Pierre shares passionately about the culture and history of this ancient island-continent. In his career, he has had first-hand experience of the traditional people of the Central Desert (whose languages he studied), their beliefs and their mores. He will share extensively and respectfully about the indigenous sites he will take you to visit.
In his own words, “it is a privilege to be employed to show the most striking, spectacular and uncanny aspects of Sydney and its region”.
He loves to surprise his guests with the richness and intricacies of pre and post-colonial history, which he brings to life for our visitors.
A keen bush walker and explorer of the Australian wilderness, he can turn into a Pierre Grills and take you to rugged and exclusive panoramas if you are keen to discover the wild aspects of nature in New South Wales.
As a wildlife rescuer and carer, his love for the animals and plants of the Australian bush is contagious.
BIANCA
I started my tour guide activity as Italian speaking guide in 2008. It is my pleasure and my responsibility to make your time in Sydney an unforgettable experience, for this reason my search for new information, new stories (true stories not just anecdotes) and picturesque locations (most of which off the tourist map and known only to a few residents), is continuous and thorough.
As any good Italian I love driving and I will be thrilled to drive you far and wide through the City and the most fascinating areas of New South Wales at your command. I am a comedian too and as a parallel activity to tour guiding, I run a theatre company specialized in Commedia dell’arte, so fun should be guaranteed with me.
Last, but not least: Do you urgently need a decent Espresso? Or a good pizza ‘come Dio comanda’? Are you experiencing a sudden gnocchi with ragù withdrawal crisis? Keep calm and ask me! I know where you can meet these needs!
Vi aspetto!
JALILA
I immediately fell in love with Melbourne when I arrived here from Paris in 2009. After a few months, I realised that Melbourne has just about everything; architecture, events, sport, music and art with a great mix of European ambiance and good old Aussie friendliness. Melbourne is the most multicultural city in Australia and everyone you meet will try to say at least one word in your language.
There is a great energy here which you will definitely feel when you walk through the laneways, streets and along the Yarra River. And it is because of this vibrancy that 6 years ago I gave up my career in Human Resources to become a tour guide, so I could share my love of my adopted city and to give visitors the best experience of Melbourne. My specialty is the personalised walking tour of the city with a particular emphasis on history, architecture and street art. I will welcome you like a friend and together we will discover the best Melbourne has to offer and some of it’s secrets too. You will walk away from the tour with a love and appreciation of this charming city and all the best and up to date recommendations for restaurants, bars, rooftops, sports events, and museums.
GREG
I love Australia! I have travelled pretty extensively in the world, through Europe and Asia, I speak three languages, have a business degree and did the whole corporate thing. I have lived in New Zealand and the UK, where I fell in love with an Australian woman. I came back to Australia with her and fell in love, a second time, with the country itself. I decided to stay and now I do what I love; enjoying the great outdoors and sharing my enthusiasm for Australia’s nature, culture and history with others. I’m passionate about showing people the real Australia, there is so much here to enjoy!
BIRGITTA
I am an experienced professional tour guide conducting day tours with couples, families and small groups. With my passion for history, Aboriginal culture, fauna and flora as well as local stories, I love showing off Melbourne and Victoria’s little hidden secrets! Belgian by birth, but Australian by heart after 30 years in Australia!
I am also an experienced multi-lingual tour manager in US and Australia — conducting incentive tours for medical staff, chocolatiers, architects, economic delegations as well as farmers. I love hiking under the big blue Australian sky somewhere in Australia... or swimming in a remote lagoon in crystal blue waters... or connecting people with the world’s oldest living culture...
Member of Guiding Organisations Australia and the Professional Tour Guide Association of Australia.
Our administrative team
Celine
I arrived in Australia 4 years ago with my partner and my daughter and I immediately fell in love with this country for its landscapes, its diversity and the kindness of its inhabitants.
Now well established in my adopted country, I in turn wish to share it with others.
Passionate about travel, I am delighted to be able to help you organise your perfect stay in this magnificent country.