A native of Australia, David McGonigal is an award-winning travel writer and expedition leader who has traveled extensively in the polar regions over the past two decades—including more than 12 visits to Antarctica and 30 trips to the Arctic. Based on his polar travels, he has co-authored several books that are considered to be the definitive guides on Antarctica and the Arctic: the 608-page Antarctica: The Complete Story, Antarctica: The Blue Continent and Antarctica, Secrets of the Southern Continent. 

David has always had an adventurous spirit. He became an avid skier at age 17 and later became the first person to motorcycle through all 24 time zones across all seven continents. David has scuba dived, white-water rafted and sailed throughout the world. Beyond Antarctica and the Arctic, he has also led expeditions in the Himalayas and China.  

David is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a life member and past president of the Australian Society of Travel Writers. In addition to his polar guides, he has written several other books on natural history and even Thai cooking.