Meet Your Guides
TONY SHARLEY
Founder and Guide
Tony grew up in Renmark where his love for this river first started. When asked how long it took him to create Murray River Walk, Tony answers, "about 60 years." With a background in environmental science, and a lifetime of advocating for it, Tony's passion for the river is undeniable. His belief that anyone who saw, heard, and understood the river as he does would share his enthusiasm inspired him to create the immersive experiences we share today.
Kym Manning
Guide
Kym grew up just downstream in the Riverland town of Barmera. A carpenter by trade and keen fisherman, Kym is well known locally as the driver of the SA Carp Frenzy, an annual community fundraiser and carp removal initiative at Lake Bonney.
When Murray River Trails established a foundation to regenerate the area we explore it was Kym that reminded us the health of this system isn't just about what's above the water line and inspired the "Fish Hotels" project which will place 24 tonnes of habitat back in the river in 2026.
Cathy Schier
Guide
Cathy Grew up in Renmark and has always felt a spiritual connection to the river. Alongside a more formal career in education as a TAFE teacher she has always enjoyed sharing the history, culture, and ecology of the river with visitors to the region. Cathy has more recently studied Forest and Nature Therapy and enjoys sharing the river's unique stories that inspire a deeper connection with nature.
Sophie Hoffmann
Operations manager and Guide
Sophie grew up in Renmark and has fond memories of being in the bush and river as a child, particularly on horseback. She moved down to Adelaide to study science focused on plant and soil biology but loves learning everything about the environment and is often getting out in the field to help facilitate citizen science.
She has a strong connection to water, and loves a swim in the Murray on a sunny day, even in winter!
Di Cresp
Boat Host
Di raised a family in Renmark while working as a nurse at the local hospital. Her family holiday destinations were often based on the best fishing locations along the river. Di hung up the scrubs in January 2022 to try her hand at hosting guests on the Murray River and hasn't looked back. A fantastic cook herself, Di shies away from taking any credit for her son Anthony's career as chef who more recently returned to Renmark to help bring a fine dining menu to the Hotel Renmark.
Max Rush
Guide
Max grew up in the Adelaide hills and loved exploring the remnant bushland nearby. Max was fascinated by the smallest plants in the landscape, with the ephemeral herbs and bulbs becoming a passion for him. Max’s enthusiasm for the natural world led him to an Ecology degree at Adelaide Uni, where he investigated new ways of increasing the plant diversity of revegetated woodlands.
When he’s not guiding tours for Murry River Trails, Max is a volunteer wildlife carer, helping to raise orphaned and injured native animals.
Sam Sharley
Sales and Marketing Manager and Guide
Sam grew up in Renmark and spent his holidays camping or houseboating along the stretch of river we explore on tour. The health of the Murray Darling Basin was standard dinner table conversation in the Sharley house growing up, and in 2019 he joined the family business as a guide.
Sam now gets out on the trail a few times a season but is otherwise the voice at the other end of the line if you have any questions about joining us on tour.
Leon Mead
Guide
Leon aka "Storm Boy" grew up at Goolwa on the Lower Lakes and Coorong, where his connection to the region and its people took root.
A photographer by trade, Leon worked in media across South Australia before running his own photography business in Broome, WA. Sailing, boating, kayaking and nature photography remain lifelong passions, alongside his volunteer work in wildlife conservancy. Now semi-retired, Leon finds purpose in passing on his love of nature and outdoor skills to others.
Heather McNaughton
Guide
Heather's passion for travel, adventure and the outdoors is hard to hide. Her enthusiasm is shared through her interpretation of the environment and her past experiences living on Calperum Station (a property you walk through) making her very familiar with the landscape and its flora and fauna.
The crew were so incredibly skilled and knowledgeable and everything so streamlined. They work so tirelessly so that we could have an incredible holiday as well as learning experience. Really appreciated all their efforts.