You know how there are some places you visit for the very first time, and there's just something about them.
Something that seems to reach inside you, into your inner self and says "Welcome, stay a while".
Sometimes it's just a calmness… a comforting feeling. Other times there's a sense of belonging mixed with high levels of anticipation and excitement.
Being a photographer, and being able to freely travel around our great country, I've been fortunate to visit and camp at many stunning locations. And as a result, I’ve experienced these feelings many times. I just love being able to return to these places and re-experience those magic moments time and again.
Some feel like coming home. Others feel like that mad dash to jump off a ledge into a river!
Top of my list is Central Australia.
I guess it could simply be the vast open spaces that speak to me. However, I think it's more.
The night sky out there is just breathtaking. During the day it's that stunning red sand and deep, deep blue sky. I'm often stopped in my tracks when I see those colours.
On top of that, the age of the land is a big part of the feeling I have. It's very humbling—tiny, insignificant me, being able to immerse myself in these ancient lands.
And to return closer to home, I still remember the feeling of trepidation I had the first time my son Mitch and I undertook the dark scramble over jagged rocks, an hour before sunrise, to reach Horse Head Rock.
We'd done some research, and read of warnings to never attempt this unless it was low tide and there was plenty of light.
But we were photographers! We had to battle the swell and tide and rocks to get the shot. It was all part of the journey and the storytelling behind the photo.
So when we first set out, I admit it. I was a little apprehensive and a little excited. Mitch led the way (thanks again Mitch!) and we made it, with just a few scratches, soaked boots and wet clothes. But we made it!
The joy of watching those first rays of sunshine light up Horse Head Rock—that's one of those feelings.
I've been there eight times now. And despite my aging knees, each scramble seems to be a bit easier. We've even ventured out late at night to shoot the stars.
Horse Head Rock remains both welcoming and exciting!
A lot of our photography road trips seem to involve driving long stretches, often on the Hume Highway. Up and down eastern Australia.
Coming back from a trip to Kosciuszko National Park in late 2014, Mitch suggested we make a detour, to a forest he had read about … the magical Sugar Pine Forest (sadly now gone due to bush fires).
I don't use the term magical lightly. But there was something undeniably magical about this place!
The majesty of those sugar pines standing tall, row after row. The golden light that filters in just after sunrise. Even being visited by wild brumbies while sleeping in the car on one trip.
It was by any definition, a truely calming and magical place. I never had the chance to photograph here when snow was falling, but wish I had.
Finally, Kosciuszko National Park. Winter or Summer. (Although I do prefer the warmer months—a bit more accessible!)
To be able to sit on the highest point in Australia, after a lengthy hike. Just with your own thoughts, perhaps sitting there with some significant others. Absolute peace and tranquillity.
However, the journey, for me, is more enjoyable. Along paths, often gravel, winding up and down hills, sometimes covered in snow, crossing running streams, bounded by fields of summer wildflowers.
Even having to stop halfway up the next hill to pause and catch my breath. I relish those moments, taking in the grandness of this National Park, kneeling down to admire the beauty of a single bloom or frozen drop of water.
As a photographer, a personal highlight is capturing Kosciuszko's beautiful snow gums.
They’re a rainbow of colours, framed by glossy green leaves, often nestled in beds of winter snow. There's something very Australian about how these beauties survive and thrive in such harsh conditions.
Resilience, peace and tranquility.
And a few honourable mentions: Great Ocean Road; Gerroa; Minnamurra; Jervis Bay; Bombo; Tasmania; Seven Mile Beach; Fitzroy Falls.
