queensland Archives - Photo Tips, Creative Photography + Travel Guides - The Wandering Lens

A Guide to Photogenic Landscapes + Locations in the Whitsundays

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 00:25:53 +0000

Your Photography Guide to The Whitsunday Islands, Australia In the calm waters of the Coral Sea, a collection of 74 Whitsunday islands await visitors with their fish filled waters, snorkelling hot spots and lush coves aplenty ready for sailors to float on in. The magical Whitsundays were first visited by Captain Cook in 1770 when he noted ‘Indeed the whole passage is one continued safe harbour,’ on the morning of Sunday, 3 June. Its sparkling seas are now infamous for the annual Hamilton Island Race Week and of course for tourists travelling on boats, seaplanes, helicopters and kayaks as they explore the endless dive and swimming locations amongst the myriad of islands. For photographers, the reef formations, vibrant underwater world and sandy shores offer a playground of opportunities to take that perfect tropical landscape shot. Having lived on Hayman Island for five years I’ve used these special spots over and over again in all seasons and can safely say you won’t leave the Whitsundays without your own series of amazing photos. This destination guide is my way of sharing one of my favourite places in the world, a collection of photogenic experiences and locations for you to visit whether you’re...

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A Guide to Tropical North Queensland Photography Experiences

Lisa Michele Burns — Sat, 13 Aug 2022 22:59:46 +0000

Travel in Queensland – The Tropical North Rainforest to Reef – Experience the natural beauty of Queensland, Australia with this guide to the most photogenic outdoor experiences you can have from the Atherton Tablelands to Cape Tribulation. Growing up in Australia, there was this one children’s book I remember being obsessed with called ‘Where the Forest Meets the Sea’ by Jeannie Baker. It described everything dreams as a little future explorer were made of with tangled trunks of giant rainforest trees hiding Dinosaur shadows in a land where the lush green landscapes met clear blue seas. It was like Where’s Wally for nature lovers, and 8yr old me was hooked. Well, now that I’m a travel obsessed adult, I’ve finally visited the exact place this book spoke of all those years ago…Tropical North Queensland. Spoilt with year-round warmth, rich colourful vistas and natural wonders, this part of Australia is a photographer’s haven for all things outdoorsy and beautiful. From the waterfalls to the reef, there’s so many places to visit to get amongst nature whether you’re hiking, swimming or flying high over the scenery. To sum up the regions photography offerings, I’ve put together a little guide below to what I...

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The Great Barrier Reef – Photographing Above and Below

Lisa Michele Burns — Thu, 03 May 2018 09:54:16 +0000

Australia’s Natural Wonder Every shade of blue from teal to navy appeared beneath me as we flew over the Great Barrier Reef east of Cairns in Queensland, Australia. As one of the world’s natural wonders, the reef really lives up to its reputation of being a photogenic landscape with that vibrant myriad of blues appearing not only above, but below the water too. Running for over 2,300km along the Queensland coast, the Great Barrier Reef is made up of numerous reef systems, sand cays and tropical islands. Basically if you dream up paradise, this is a giant picture perfect version of it. It’s a huge watery canvas with photo opportunities at every single angle whether you’re visiting it near Bundaberg, Airlie Beach or Port Douglas. I had never visited the reef further north off Cairns so the lovely (and super talented!) Katie from @mycolourfulworld_ showed me around her favourite photography spots and experiences. You can read more about our adventures exploring Tropical North Queensland here. The water has always been a huge inspiration in my work so getting the opportunity to photograph the patterns, natural formations and contrasting tones of this beautiful landscape again was one that I jumped at....

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Swimming with Whales on Australia’s Sunshine Coast

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 29 May 2017 23:00:41 +0000

Imagine floating in the middle of the ocean when a gentle giant swims in the deep blue beneath… Your first reaction is probably pretty spot on; it’s both terrifying, exciting and magical. It’s a once in a lifetime experience. The Sunshine Coast is home to Australia’s first Humpback Whale Swim, where you can jump in the water with these majestic mammals on their annual migration along the Queensland coast. Each year on average 24,000 humpback whales pass by the Queensland coast as they swim north to the warm waters of the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef. On their way back south, mothers are often seen teaching their new born calves tail slapping and jumping tricks. Departing from The Wharf in Mooloolaba, Sunreef take small groups out on Australia’s Zoo’s Croc One, a boat designed by the one and only Steve Irwin who was so passionate about animal conservation. I headed out with the team on my birthday last week for what turned out to be a spectacular way to celebrate getting older. On the water by 7:30am it only took five minutes before we caught a glimpse of our first whale and calf. Within the next ten minutes we had...

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Noosa Festival of Surfing: Surf Dogs

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 01:46:04 +0000

The coastal Queensland haven of Noosa is known for it’s luxe crowd, surf spots and national parks…that was until the surfing dog spectacular hit town! I usually feature landscapes and destinations on The Wandering Lens but while I was in Noosa to photograph the beach at sunset yesterday these furry four legged gnarly surf dudes hit the waves. How could I not share this with you!? The Noosa Festival of Surfing is currently taking place on the main beach and if you’re in town it’s definitely worth a visit. Surf legends and tricksters take part in what has grown to be the largest surfing event in the world based on competitor numbers…this year sees 600 in 15 categories and I’m pretty sure that includes the doggies! The surfing dogs are still hanging around the beaches and while they can’t carry their own boards to show off their skills on a whim, they are pretty keen to meet their fans and will happily pose for a photo. Here are a few photos from the action yesterday…

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Photographing aerials of The Great Barrier Reef

Lisa Michele Burns — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 02:00:22 +0000

Listed as one of the natural wonders of the world, The Great Barrier Reef is one big collection of sparkling gems sitting in the Coral Sea off the coast of Queensland, Australia. It’s a snorkelers dream and a must see location for tourists visiting Australia, wowing with its unforgettable beauty both above and below the water. I will share how to capture the underwater world of the reef in another post but for now let’s get to talking about one of my favourite ways to photograph…from a seat 1000ft in the air! Firstly, helicopters aren’t cheap. It’s definitely a luxury but if you’ve researched your destination and feel aerial imagery could really showcase the landscape then it is well worth the investment and it’s an incredible experience. As a weather geek, I’ll triple check the weather forecast for weeks in advance to ensure the conditions are going to be picture perfect and if not you can usually postpone your flight if you’re staying a few days in the area. The Great Barrier Reef can be accessed from a few locations along the Queensland coast but my personal favourite is The Whitsundays. From this region you can hire a helicopter from...

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Jump on board the Whitehaven Express!

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 10:59:03 +0000

Checking the weather forecast like some kind of obsessed meteorologist, the day I’d chosen for a boat trip to the dreamy Whitehaven Beach was perfect. Light winds, no swell, not a cloud in the sky and a warm 26 degrees. Beach bliss ahoy! Whitehaven Beach and I have seen each other for photographs a number of times over the past five years. In rain storms, cyclones, gale force winds and sunny days, I’ve stood on its white silica sandy shores or flown over from above and regardless of the weather it’s always looking fabulously photogenic. Tuesday was luckily one of those sunny days and jumping on board my boat at Abell Point Marina in Airlie Beach, I knew it was going to be fun when I saw the pirate like crew ready to set sail. Whitehaven is known for the naturally formed shifting sand swirls of Hill Inlet on Whitsunday Island and was discovered by Captain James Cook in early June 1770. I bet if Captain Cook had a camera he would have been snapping away like visitors today who are in awe of its overwhelming beauty and aquatic rainbow of sea and sand. As Whitehaven is all about the...

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