Michael Veenstra
Director & Skipper
Michael started off as a shipwright in 1992 slipping boats at Captain Sturt Marina. He then has gone on to become a 3rd generation river captain.
Michael runs both The Big Duck Boat Tours and Spirit of the Coroong. Which both offer Eco-tourism based tours.
He is a qualified Coxswain and has completed his Master 5 (inland), MED 2 and Recreational Pilot Licence.
Favourite Spot on the Fleurieu: Deep Creek National Park.
Kirk Mustart
Skipper
Kirk has been lucky enough to spend most of his working career on the southern ocean in the fishing industry. Charter fishing, Scale fishing, Crabbing and Cray-Fishing to just name a few. He’s loaded with local fishing knowledge and information.
Avid lover of our beautiful state, ocean and wildlife.
In his spare time you will find him out catching some of our amazing local seafood from the beach or boat and camping on a secluded beach.
Favourit Spot on the Fleurieu: The Pages Islands!
Jesse Wall
Skipper
Born and raised in Goolwa, South Australia. With almost 20 years of experience in the industry and a Certification III in Marine Mechanics, Jesse is proud to be a part of this coastal community. In addition to his work as a Marine Mechanic, he’s recently become a skipper for The Big Duck Boat Tours.
Beyond the workshop and the sea, you can find him in the waves surfing, fishing, and camping in the great outdoors. He’s not just passionate about the marine environment; but also has a strong love for football.
Surprising Fact: Jesse is the proud coach of the local womens ‘Goolwa Magpies’ Football team. “GO PIES”…
Joel Hirsch
Manager & Skipper
Having always been in love with nature & the outdoors. Joel completed an Eco-Tourism Degree, through Flinders Uni & has worked extensively in the Tourism industry his entire working career. A Scuba Diver, Skipper, Tour Guide, responsible for marketing and sports a nice big ‘sea-captains’ beard…
There are not too many places in the great land on Oz that Joel hasn’t been, from hiking, diving, climbing, off and on-road, he’s done several laps around our great continent, but he simply love’s our little place of the world here on the South Coast of SA.
Favourite Spot on the Fleurieu: The Coorong National Park!
Tia Harding
Ecology Co-ordinator
Growing up in Adelaide, only across the road from the beach Tia has always had a love for the ocean. Tia completed a Bachelor of Science in Animal Behaviour at Flinders University. During her undergrad Tia was lucky enough to travel to Palau and the Maldives to study tropical marine ecosystems. Tia loves working out on the ocean, the amount of wildlife she gets to see daily is unreal. Each day brings new sightings, experiences and having the opportunity to interact with visitors to the region adds another layer of fulfilment to Tia’s work. Tia believes meeting people from all walks of life who share a passion for nature and adventure is incredibly rewarding.
Surprising Fact: English isn’t her first language, ‘Dance’ is…
Meropi Hirsch
Reservations & Crew
Meropi or Mez started working in the reservations team in 2022, since then her passion for the tourism sector has grown. Mez has a strong customer service and hospitality background, but what she loves most about her role, is getting to work in an ever-changing industry and growing her wildlife and environmental knowledge of our Fleurieu Peninsula.
Favourite Spot on the Fleurieu: Petrel Cove, Beautiful all year round!
Jessica Heyer
Crew
Jessica has a double diploma in Outdoor Recreation and Tourism and has recently completed a Bachelor of Science - Marine Biology. Spending many years as an outdoor educator to school kids, facilitating camping expeditions. Jess love’s working in a space where She can show people the incredible environment that is right on our doorstep. Allowing people to make connections with the land is so important for protecting those places.
In her spare time, you'll find Jess out in the garden, away travelling and generally doing all things outdoors. Jess says “I’m so lucky to call the Coorong and coast my 'office' and I can't wait to share it with you”.
Favourite Spot: Currency Creek on a still morning, when the water turns to glass.
Alicia Wollaston
Crew
Alicia is finishing up studies at Flinders University in a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology & Palaeontology. Alicia has been fortunate enough to experience some incredible field trips - from turtle conservation in the Maldives to excavating fossils at Wellington caves (NSW). Alicia absolutely love’s working on ‘The Big Duck’, every day on the water brings new surprises. She enjoys having a chat to visitors from all corners of the world and believes talking to people about our environment is the first step to helping it.
Surprising fact: Alicia is a bit of a succulent and cacti addict- her collection record is 570 plants! Alicia now sells them in markets around the Fleurieu.
Andrew Gray
Skipper
Andrew has lived in Victor Harbor for 25 years, and works as an Outdoor Education teacher. Andrew loves the outdoors so much he Skippers The Big Duck on his weekends off and during School Holidays. Andrew has walked, kayaked and snorkeled most of South Australia’s spectacular regions, but still thinks the Fleurieu is the best with something for everyone. Andrew loves being apart of the Big Duck team and enjoys being able to meet people and show off our region.
You’ll often see him at the helm of Kondoli for our Sea Wirrina tours and is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet.
Favourite Spot: Second Valley!
Chris Welch
Crew
Chris joined the crew early in 2024 and is a semi-retired Air Force reservist, and when Chris is not crewing on board, he works part time with ADF Careers. Chris is new to the Maritime community and is working towards his Skippers ticket. Chris has always had a passion for tourism and the marine environment, and now can combine that passion with his work. Chris enjoys being involved with the community and shows this through his club commitments at Encounter Bay Paddle Club.
Surprising Fact: Chris represents Australia in Dragon Boat racing! He also is an avid cross-country skier with the Air Force team!
