Best Photography Spots in Australia

Pastel beach boxes at Brighton (technically Bayside but close enough), the bluff at Cape Schanck, and the wineries inland — a one-day trip with three different photo missions.

Iconic shot:

Cape Schanck lightstation from the boardwalk at sunset

Best time:

Late afternoon for the bluff, early morning for the boxes

Best for:

coastallifestylelandscape

The Neck — a slim isthmus that connects the two halves of the island — is the signature shot. Cape Bruny lighthouse and the cliffs add depth for a half-day trip.

Iconic shot:

The Neck isthmus from the wooden viewing platform, blue hour

Best time:

Sunset from The Neck lookout

Best for:

landscapecoastalwildlife

Hastings Street is the obvious frame, but it's the Noosa National Park headlands at first light — and the Everglades upstream — that reward serious shooters.

Iconic shot:

Tea Tree Bay from the headland walking track at dawn

Best time:

Sunrise at Hells Gates lookout

Best for:

coastalwildlifewater

The Twelve Apostles are the postcard, but Loch Ard Gorge, Gibson Steps, and the Bay of Martyrs reward the photographer who keeps driving past the obvious.

Iconic shot:

Twelve Apostles from Castle Rock viewpoint, last light

Best time:

Sunset at Twelve Apostles, sunrise at Loch Ard

Best for:

coastallandscapesunset

The Cape Byron lighthouse is the easternmost point of the Australian mainland — and one of the best-positioned sunrise shoots in the country.

Iconic shot:

Cape Byron lighthouse with whales breaching offshore (Jun–Nov)

Best time:

Sunrise at Cape Byron lighthouse

Best for:

coastalsunriselifestyle

Lucky Bay's blinding white sand and turquoise water — with kangaroos on the beach. Cape Le Grand National Park is one of the highest-impact half-days of shooting in Australia.

Iconic shot:

Lucky Bay with kangaroos resting on the sand at first light

Best time:

Mid-morning for water clarity, late afternoon for warm light on Frenchman Peak

Best for:

coastalwildlifelandscape

Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet from the air — or from the lookout — are the kind of frames that look unreal until you stand there. Aerial drone work is restricted in marine park zones, plan accordingly.

Iconic shot:

Hill Inlet from Tongue Point lookout, mid-rising tide

Best time:

Mid-tide for Hill Inlet swirls, late morning sun

Best for:

aerialcoastalwater

The Bungle Bungles, Mitchell Falls, Cape Leveque — the Kimberley is a multi-week shoot with some of the most distinctive landscapes on the continent. Most accessible by 4WD May–Oct only.

Iconic shot:

Bungle Bungle range (Purnululu) from the air at sunrise

Best time:

May–Sep dry season

Best for:

landscapeaerialremote

Beaches, salt lakes, and the famous quokka selfie. The Basin and Pinky Beach at sunrise are the photography wins; the quokkas are everywhere.

Iconic shot:

Bathurst Lighthouse from Pinky Beach with the cove in foreground

Best time:

Sunrise at Pinky Beach, midday for water

Best for:

coastalwildlifelifestyle

Cable Beach camels at sunset is the cliché everyone wants — and it's good. But Gantheaume Point's red rocks against turquoise water is the better photograph.

Iconic shot:

Camel train silhouetted on Cable Beach as the sun drops

Best time:

Sunset at Cable Beach, mid-tide at Gantheaume

Best for:

coastalsunsetlandscape