Photographer Samuel Markham was named overall winner in the 2023 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition.

His winning shot, titled 'My Country Burns', was taken in the final days of 2019 at Parma Creek Nature Reserve in New South Wales, 20 minutes after the fire front had passed during one of Australia's worst bushfire seasons on record.

“Nothing can prepare someone for being straight in the line of a pyrocumulonimbus firestorm with a built-in flashover and temperatures exceeding 1000°C,” Markham said of his on-the-ground snapshot.

“While protecting my home on New Year’s Eve 2019, daylight turned into darkness with 40m-plus flames.”

Now in its landmark 20th year, the photographic competition, which is owned and produced by the South Australian Museum, showcases the best wildlife and landscape photographs taken across Australia, New Zealand, Antartica and New Guinea regions.

This year it attracted 2182 entries from 550 photographers.

All winning and finalist images will be on display at the South Australian Museum from Saturday 26 August until Sunday 29 October.

South Australian Museum Director Dr David Gaimster said: “From the smallest invertebrates to the grand canvas of the night sky, this year’s winners share vital perspectives of our bioregion at a critical juncture."

“Bringing audiences face to face with the biodiversity around us, these photographers combine art, science, patience, and purpose to raise the public consciousness about humanity’s impact on fragile ecosystems.”

For further information and to view the winners, runners-up and finalists, visit the South Australian Museum.

View a selection of the winning  entries below.