Itinerary - A Kimberley Adventure for Photographers
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2018 ITINERARY - Updated March 7.
After several years of poor wet seasons, we finally had a bumper one last year (72 inches) which left lots of water lying around and made for great reflections and landscapes. So far this year’s wet has been less than last year but the BOM has forecast more rain to come. We have some new locations planned, but won’t know for a few more weeks about access so we'll need to stay flexible with itinerary. The itinerary options are: An overnight camp at a spacious site beside a large waterhole with the ranges for a backdrop and a flat camp area. The waterhole is a great location for sunsets and rises and should be good for a variety of birds. There's a surprise prop there too making a nice feature in the landscape and also suiting night photography. There are two other waterholes nearby that could be good opportunities to photograph waterbirds. It's a remote and non-tourist area. By night at camp we plan to play with fire and lights and get some fun night time images. We have other overnight camping options if need be. We are arranging for some local characters to sit for a portrait session. We hope to have a small mob of cattle in the yards for an afternoon session photographing them and the big old boab tree with stock riders through the light and dust. An after lunch trip up the King River Valley will provide a welcome billabong swim, barramundi fishing and afternoon, early evening shots over the billabong and the escarpment. Cave paintings, waterlily pond and prison boab tree. Five Rivers Lookout at the Bastion above Wyndham, Parry Lagoons (Marlgu) bird sanctuary, bird hide and lookout. Lastly, if enough guests are keen, we could arrange for an early morning chopper flight (30 mins) from Digger's, giving you the chance the view the aerial perspective of the Cockburn Ranges and tidal creeks. The side doors can be taken out for photography. Let me know on booking as these flights going ahead usually depend on getting the numbers. The itineraries for the Kimberley photo trips always include multiple opportunities to sit with Bewley and advance your post production skills (Lr and Ps). This is a great opportunity to pick the brains of an industry expert. When we go out photographing, Bewley is there to help you with camera technique, from the basic to the complex. He has a great teaching approach - it's all about what you'd like to achieve with your photography, about getting you to experiment and try things and most of all about not taking all too seriously but having fun, sharing what we've learned and lifting each other up! *This itinerary is provided as a guide only and we reserve the right to make alterations to optimize your experience. 2017 ITINERARY Day 1 We’ll pick you up mid morning from Kununurra Airport or from your Kununurra accommodation. You'll have a few minutes to buy last minute items before a café lunch and a 2 hour drive to our base for the week - the remote Kimberley cattle station, Digger’s Rest. At the station we’ll get you settled in your Bush Hut or Bunkhouse room, show you around and meet the owners, Rod and Alida over dinner. Later our tutor Bewley will outline the plan for the week. Day 2 We set up early for a panoramic shoot of the Cockburn Range with a Billy tea on site. After the session it’s breakfast with cooked options, cereals and fresh fruit. Take an optional tour of the property in a bull buggy - great fun and good to capture on the Go Pro if you have one. Spend the mid morning photographing characters and mustering preparations around the homestead and cattle yards. If the middle of the day is hot we can use the bush studio to boost our editing skills. Lunches are usually cold meats, fresh salads, homemade pizzas, wraps and the like. After lunch we photograph the wildlife along a creek line and wetland continuing on to the “sunset spot” for complimentary champagne and a Kimberley sunset. On the way you’ll see locations where Hugh and Nicole filmed a number of scenes for ‘Australia’. Then it's back to the station for dinner and music around the fire. Day 3 We head out early to photograph a massive boab tree in the early light. Spend the mid morning editing, keep shooting in the "machinery graveyard" or photograph the action around the horse and cattle yards. After lunch we head out to our private overnight campsite. Explore the location - a billabong against a backdrop of ancient cliffs reflected in the water. Experiment with night photography, light painting or time lapse under a canvas of stars. Spot a crocodile by torchlight and share music and tall tales around the fire. Day 4 Rise early for a pre-dawn headlamp hike with towering views of the Cockburn Ranges and across to Wyndham. Bring the tripod to capture the sun rising on this special place. After a campfire-cooked breakfast, continue exploring the billabong vicinity and you'll stumble on some very large boabs. Throw a line in and see if you can catch a big barramundi for lunch (like Bev did on the 2016 trip). Back to the station in time for dinner. Day 5 After breakfast it’s time for a swim at a secluded waterhole and if station scheduling allows we’ll get to capture some cattle scenes – think silhouetted people, boabs and cattle; dusty stock workers, yards and battered vehicles. Other options are the Karunjie Stock Route where a vast expanse evokes the surface of the moon, Moochalabra cave art, Wyndham Bastion lookout. Day 6 Free time this morning to keep photographing or to try out some of the other activities on offer around the station. Many are included while horse riding (experienced riders only) is an extra. If there is somewhere on the station you'd like to revisit, we’ll endeavour to take you! Prep your favourite 5 images for an evening exhibit on the big screen when we celebrate our final evening in Kimberley style with champagne and canapés followed by a singalong around the fire. Day 7 After breakfast, we say our farewells to the station hands and owners and transfer you to Kununurra. On the way we drop in at the world class bird sanctuary, Marlgu which never disappoints. The we drop you off at your hotel, or at the airport in time for your afternoon flight. |
Photo - Bewley Shaylor
Photo - Lou Gilbert
Photo - Lou Gilbert
Photo - Lou Gilbert
Bev caught a beautiful barramundi at camp.
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