Dion Hobcroft has been guiding for Victor Emanuel Nature Tours since 2001 and is among the most experienced leaders in the Asia-Pacific region. Over the past two decades, he has led more than 200 tours to destinations including Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Bhutan, Indonesia, India, China, the Philippines, Japan, Tanzania, Madagascar, and the Antarctic. In multiple years—2007, 2013–2019, and 2022–2025—he showed participants more than 2,000 bird species annually, a testament to his exceptional field expertise.

Born in Tasmania and based in Sydney, Dion has spent more than 40 years conducting fieldwork on birds and other terrestrial vertebrates, amassing one of the most extensive knowledge bases of Asia-Pacific biodiversity. Renowned for his calm, informative, and engaging leadership style, he brings an educator’s perspective to every tour, delighting in helping travelers uncover rare and elusive species.

Dion has published numerous papers in field ornithology, served on national and state rare bird committees, and taught introduction to ornithology courses at the University of Sydney. His professional work has included positions with organizations such as the Australian Museum, Taronga Zoo, and the Antarctic Division. He lives in Sydney with his wife, Lise, and their two grown children, Grace and Daniel.