About YCBT

Your Principal Tour Guide:

Mikhali has been living and working in Exmouth for the past 15 years.

He initially travelled from the East Coast of Australia to work as a dive guide on the Navy Peir for what was supposed to be one season of work.

However, like most ‘visitors’ now living in town, he fell in love with the place and the people and ended up meeting his wife, Amelia. They now have a beautiful young daughter called Poppy.

Throughout his time in Exmouth he has worked in the tourism industry on the whale shark boats and most recently in the oil and gas industry as a deckhand and skipper.

He feels grateful to have Yardie Creek as his workplace and enjoys meeting all of the lovely guests on board and sharing his knowledge and wisdom about the flora, fauna and landscape of the creek and surrounding areas.

Ash Broinowski with his famous Great Grandad Gracius Joseph Broinowski

Tour Guide

Also part of the YCBT Team is our tour guide Ashley (Ash) Broinowski! Ash is a local wildlife guide who has lived in the region for over 17 years is very passionate and particularly knowledgeable about birdlife in the region. In this regard, he is following in the footsteps of his family heritage, as Ash’s great-grandfather was Gracius Joseph Broinowski, the (Polish-born) Australian artist, ornithologist and author  of the well-known book “The Birds of Australia”.

Key Stakeholder

YCBT works closely with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) – formerly Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) – in Exmouth and takes their responsibility of Environmental Stewardship in cooperation with DBCA very seriously. We have comprehensive Licence Conditions to operate under whilst on Yardie Creek and are regularly audited by DBCA. We are also the only licenced tour operator to do daily boat tours of Yardie Creek (based on our operating schedule).

Yardie Creek is classed as a Nature Reserve and as such strict conditions apply as to how it can be used and enjoyed for recreational purposes – all with the view of protecting the wildlife in the Creek and maintaining the unique ambience of this pristine location.

YCBT assists DBCA by providing wildlife data reports from the Creek on a routine basis, which assists with the ongoing research, monitoring and management of the area. We are very keen & passionate about protecting and maintaining Yardie Creek in it’s beautiful and pristine condition for now and into the future!

Low Impact Nature-Based Tourism

YCBT supports the philosophy of low impact nature-based tourism and the boat tour is the epitome of this type of experience.

The simple pleasure of being on a small, quiet vessel, cruising up the creek and absorbing the colours, sights and sounds of Yardie is a wonderful and relaxing experience. With relevant commentary to explain about the environmental, cultural, aboriginal history and local aspects and intrigues, we want our clients to leave the creek knowing a little bit more about Exmouth and the surrounding regions and the importance of protecting and preserving it for future generations.

YCBT is committed to following some of the core principles of Ecotourism which include (but are not limited to):

1. Natural Area Focus
   YCBT focuses on giving visitors/clients the opportunity to personally and directly experience nature at Yardie Creek.
2. Interpretation
   YCBT provides opportunities to experience nature in ways that lead to greater understanding, appreciation and enjoyment aboard “Yardi” during the boat cruise on the creek.
3. Environmental Sustainability Practice
   YCBT aims to achieve best practice for environmentally sustainable tourism.
4. Contribution to Conservation
   YCBT considers that we positively contribute towards the conservation of natural areas in and around Yardie Creek.
5. Benefiting Local Communities
   YCBT provides constructive ongoing contributions to the local community – we are proud to support local sporting groups, organisations & individuals fund-raising for worthy causes.
6. Cultural Respect
   YCBT aims to be sensitive to, interpret and involve the culture/s existing in the area.
7. Customer Satisfaction
   YCBT strives to consistently meet the expectations of our clients.
8. Responsible Marketing
   YCBT is marketed and promoted honestly and accurately so that realistic expectations are formed.

Supporting Local Businesses

As long-term local residents the Owner/Directors of YCBT proudly support many local businesses in the region, by purchasing goods & services from within Exmouth – these include (but are not limited to):

• Exmouth Mitre 10 Hardware
• IGA Supermarkets – Exmouth
• Exmouth Newsagency & Toys
• Exmouth Wholesalers
• Affordable Signs

YCBT also supports other tourism providers and businesses in Exmouth, including (but not limited to):

Local Bookings Agents for YCBT:

• Ningaloo Visitors Centre ( www.visitningaloo.com.au )
• Ocean Eco Adventures ( www.oceanecoadventures.com.au )
• Exmouth Dive and Whalesharks  ( www.exmouthdiving.com.au )
• Milyering Discovery Centre (DBCA), Cape Range National Park ( www.parks.dbca.wa.gov.au/site/milyering-discovery-centre )
• Australia’s Coral Coast ( www.australiascoralcoast.com )
• Ningaloo Lodge (www.ningaloolodge.com.au)
• Yardie Homestead Caravan Park ( www.yardie.com.au )
• Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort (www.mantaraysningalooresort.com.au)
• Exmouth Escape Resort (www.exmouthescaperesort.com.au
• Potshot Hotel Resort ( www.potshotresort.com )
• Ray White Real Estate, Exmouth ( www.raywhiteexmouth.com.au )
• Sal Salis ( www.salsalis.com.au )
• Ningaloo Reef Holidays (www.ningaloo.net )
• Bullara Station Stay (www.bullara-station.com.au)
• Exmouth Bus Charters (www.exmouthbuscharters.com.au)
• Exmouth Camper Hire (www.exmouthcamperhire.com.au)
• Integrity Coach Lines (https://www.integritycoachlines.com.au)