Our Story
At McNally Travel, we don’t just plan trips — we help you create the kind of stories you’ll remember for a lifetime.
Based in Australia, with a long-lived and loved connection to Canada, we specialise in personalised travel that goes beyond the ordinary. These are journeys shaped by firsthand knowledge, thoughtful detail, and a deep respect for wild places.
From heli-hiking alpine ridgelines to photographing bears in the wild, kayaking with whales to staying in secluded wilderness lodges only accessible by air, our trips are crafted for those who seek rare encounters, deeper connection, and more than just ticking off the highlights.
We welcome the adventurous spirit — and we know exactly where you can take it.
For some, that’s a first glimpse of the northern lights. For others, it’s a quiet lodge on a hidden lake, or the thrill of watching orcas from the bow of a boat. Whatever your version of Canada looks like, our role is to listen, shape, and guide — turning ideas into journeys you’ll carry with you long after the holiday ends.
Wild North Collective
Launched in 2025, Wild North Collective is the creative heartbeat of McNally Travel — our collection of signature tours designed for travellers who want more than a holiday. These are journeys for photographers, birders, nature-lovers, and curious explorers who feel most alive in the wild.
Wild North Collective brings together decades of lived experience in Canada with carefully chosen partners, ethical wildlife practices, and insider access that goes far beyond standard itineraries. Each tour is crafted to immerse you in the land, the light, and the life that make Canada unforgettable.
To capture the spirit of our journeys, we’ve shaped three distinct series — each with its own way of exploring Canada’s wild heart:
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Wild Exposure – Photography-focused tours designed to get you closer to wildlife, landscapes, and the rare, fleeting moments you’ll treasure forever. These are intimate, small-group journeys where photography comes first, guided by specialists in the field.
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Wild by Air – Aviation-themed adventures that celebrate the vastness of Canada. From floatplane-only wilderness lodges to heli-access expeditions, these journeys take you into places you can’t reach any other way.
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Wild Signature – Immersive, lodge-based and culturally rich journeys that capture the essence of the Canadian wild. These are handcrafted experiences built on connection, comfort, and authenticity.
Together, these series form the backbone of Wild North Collective: a portfolio of tours that are exclusive, carefully designed, and true to the Canada we know best.
We believe travel should feel personal and wildly rewarding — whether you're on a custom-designed private trip or joining one of our signature small group tours. Each journey is planned with you in mind, with trusted local partnerships and responsible travel practices woven into every step — creating the richest and most meaningful experience possible.
Your Canadian adventure starts here — come feel the wild.
Our Founder
Karen McNally is the founder of McNally Travel, a Canadian travel specialist whose passion lies in helping others see the wild—not just as scenery, but as something that stirs the soul.
A former helicopter pilot and lifelong aviation enthusiast, Karen spent years flying at home in Australia and across some of Canada’s most remote northern regions. She flew across the scenic Gulf Islands, over the heart of the country, and into places few travellers ever reach. Along the way, she became an unofficial tour guide—sharing secret fishing spots, swapping stories with locals, spotting wildlife from the air, and quietly falling in love with Canada’s untamed landscapes and warm-hearted people.
After hanging up her flying boots to raise her kids (though she was jet-setting with her firstborn at just ten weeks old), Karen turned her passion for wild places into a business. McNally Travel was born from that spark—to create personalised Canadian holidays that offer more than a checklist. They offer connection, wonder, and the kind of adventure that stays with you.
Karen’s a bit of a foodie, a keen photographer, loves weather-watching, and is a big fan of adventure and the outdoors.
Our Accreditations
McNally Travel is a full member of the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) and an accredited agent with the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA).
Our CATO membership reflects our commitment to ethical, professional, and responsible travel operations. We comply with strict industry requirements including appropriate insurance coverage and risk management protocols. We follow the CATO Member Code of Conduct and operate with transparency, integrity and care across every journey we create.
As an ATIA-accredited travel business, we uphold the highest standards of financial governance, consumer protection, and compliance with Australian Consumer Law. Our accreditation confirms that we are a financially sound and professionally accountable business—ensuring every journey is not only unforgettable, but responsibly managed from start to finish.
