Ultimate Guide to Sunshine Coast Photography Workshops (2025–2026)

Landscape, Seascape & Astrophotography Courses | Noosa, Coolum, Borumba Dam & Glass House Mountains

The Sunshine Coast in Queensland is a photographer's dream, blending iconic coastal sunrises, majestic hinterland vistas, and pristine astrophotography locations. Whether you're chasing golden sunrises, dramatic long exposures, or star-filled skies, the Sunshine Coast delivers year-round.

I’m Dylan Knight, an award-winning photographer with nearly a decade of experience, certified by the Professional Photographers' Association of Queensland (CCP). This guide is your definitive resource for discovering why the Sunshine Coast is a top photography destination and how my workshops can elevate your craft—whether you’re local, interstate, or international.

🌅 Why the Sunshine Coast is a Photographer’s Paradise

The Sunshine Coast uniquely combines diverse terrains within close proximity, offering:

• Iconic Sunrise Spots: Point Cartwright, Coolum Beach, Noosa National Park

• Dramatic Hinterland Scenes: Glass House Mountains, One Tree Hill (Maleny)

• Pristine Dark-Sky Locations: Borumba Dam (perfect for Milky Way photography)

• Waterfalls & Rainforests: Kondalilla Falls, Buderim Forest (ideal after rain)

Consistently good light, minimal crowds, and diverse landscapes make this region an unbeatable photographic playground.

📷 What You’ll Master in My Photography Workshops

Every workshop builds both confidence and creativity, tailored to your experience level:

🌊 Seascape & Landscape Photography

• Master foreground composition and leading lines

• Capture compelling sunrise and sunset scenes

• Learn long exposure techniques with ND filters

• Safely shoot dynamic wave action and tide interactions

✨ Astrophotography & Night Sky Mastery

• Expertly photograph the Milky Way and star trails

• Use trackers for long exposures and stacking methods

• Blend foreground elements seamlessly into starry skies

• Optimize camera settings for low-light conditions

🖥 Post-Processing in Lightroom & Photoshop

• Comprehensive editing workflows (exposure, color, sharpening)

• Noise reduction and advanced blending techniques

• Personalized editing sessions available online or in-person

🗓 Workshop Types: Private, Single-Day & Multiday

✅ Private 1-on-1 Workshops

• Price: From $149 (1-hour) to $295+ (full-day)

• Perfect For: Customised guidance, flexible scheduling, accelerated learning

✅ Single-Day Group Workshops

• Price: $150–$250 per person

• Perfect For: Quick skills upgrade, specific location mastery (sunrise, sunset, astro)

✅ Multiday Workshop Retreats

• Price: From AU$1,650 (3-day) up to AU$6,950 (5-day luxury retreats)

• Locations: Sunshine Coast, Uluru, Cradle Mountain, Kimberleys

• Perfect For: Full immersion, advanced techniques, portfolio-building

📍 The Best Photography Locations on the Sunshine Coast

🌴 Noosa National Park Photography

Best Time: Sunrise, early golden hour
Why Visit: Rugged coastal landscapes, pandanus-lined beaches, turquoise waters
Perfect for seascape composition and sunrise photography.

🌊 Coolum Beach & Headland

Best Time: Sunrise, golden hour, afternoon pastels
Why Visit: Dramatic rocks, long-exposure opportunities, pastel skies
Excellent for mastering water motion and shutter speed.

🌳 One Tree Hill (Maleny)

Best Time: Astro photography, sunrise fog
Why Visit: Iconic minimalist compositions, atmospheric layers
Ideal for starry skies and ethereal sunrise imagery.

🌌 Borumba Dam Astrophotography

Best Time: Astro season (April–August), late blue hour
Why Visit: Low light pollution, reflective lake surfaces, pristine Milky Way
Unmatched for astro-photography practice.

🌅 Point Cartwright Seascapes

Best Time: Sunrise low-tide, dramatic astro
Why Visit: Textured rock shelves, wave dynamics, lighthouse compositions
Perfect for dynamic seascape training.

⛰ Glass House Mountains

Best Time: Foggy sunrise, sunset silhouettes
Why Visit: Iconic volcanic peaks, dramatic layered compositions
Ideal for drone and telephoto compression shots.

📆 Seasonal Guide: Best Times for Photography

Season	Best For	Photography Highlights
Summer (Dec–Feb)	Seascapes	Warm sunrise colors, dramatic cloud build-ups
Autumn (Mar–May)	Astro + Sunrise	Clear skies, early Milky Way, glassy reflections
Winter (Jun–Aug)	Astro	Optimal Milky Way visibility, crisp conditions
Spring (Sep–Nov)	Variety	Thunderstorms, wildflowers, late Milky Way

Pro Tip: Schedule astro sessions in late autumn/winter for best star visibility.

🎒 Essential Gear Recommendations

Camera Bodies

• DSLR/Mirrorless with manual mode (e.g., Nikon Z8, Z6II, D850)

Recommended Lenses

• Wide (14–24mm f/2.8): Seascapes, astro

• Standard Zoom (24–70mm): General landscapes

• Telephoto (70–200mm): Hinterland compression, details

Filters (Essential)

• ND filters (long exposures)

• Graduated ND (sunrise/sunset)

• CPL (reduce glare/reflections)

Astro Gear

• Star tracker (optional but beneficial)

• Sturdy tripod, red headlamp, extra batteries

• Dew heater or hand warmers for cold nights

❓ FAQs

Q: Are workshops beginner-friendly?
Yes, all workshops are tailored from beginner to advanced photographers.

Q: Do I need expensive gear?
No, any camera with manual control is suitable; guidance is tailored to your existing kit.

Q: What’s your cancellation/rescheduling policy?
Flexible—weather-based reschedules or full credit given; your investment is safe.

Q: Is there significant walking involved?
Minimal—most locations are within short walks from parking areas.

Q: Can I book private online editing sessions?
Yes, I offer personalized Lightroom & Photoshop coaching via Teams.

📅 How to Book & Next Steps

Spaces are limited—early booking is strongly recommended.

Ready to Capture Incredible Images?

Experience hands-on photography workshops tailored to your skill level, with personal guidance from an accredited local photographer. Create unforgettable photos while discovering the Sunshine Coast’s most breathtaking locations.

👉 Book Your Sunshine Coast Photography Workshop Now
Early-bird discounts and gift certificates available.

About Knighty’s Photography:
Dylan Knight is a CCP-certified, award-winning photographer with nearly 10 years of experience running landscape and astrophotography workshops across Queensland. Comprehensive liability insurance up to AU$20 million ensures peace of mind, and participants receive exclusive reseller discounts on top photography brands.

Capture Kiama’s Natural Wonders: A Photographer’s Guide to Bombo Quarry, Cathedral Rocks, and Minnamurra

Updated: June 18, 2025
Location: Kiama, NSW

As of 11:12 AM AEST on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, the days are getting longer, and the golden hours are stretching—perfect conditions for photographers heading to Kiama. With summer just around the corner, now is the best time to plan your next coastal shoot.

Kiama, just 90km south of Sydney, is a magnet for landscape and astrophotographers. From dramatic basalt cliffs to tidal estuaries and dark skies perfect for Milky Way photography, this coastal gem offers an incredible range of photo opportunities. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to photograph three of Kiama’s most iconic spots—Bombo Quarry, Cathedral Rocks, and Minnamurra—including the best times to shoot, ideal gear, and insights gained from running workshops on location.

Why Kiama Is a Must-Shoot Location

Kiama challenges and rewards photographers. You’ll learn how light, tides, and weather shape every shot—and how to adapt your camera settings to suit. Whether you're into long exposure seascapes or astrophotography compositions, Kiama offers professional-grade scenes with minimal effort once you know where to look.

1. Bombo Quarry – For Drama and Depth

Bombo Quarry’s jagged basalt columns and wild coastal energy make it one of Australia’s most compelling seascape and night photography locations.

Best times to shoot:

• Golden Hour: Soft light enhances texture and shape.

• Clear winter nights: Perfect for Milky Way alignment over the quarry.

Gear & tips:

• Tripod: Carbon-fibre preferred—sturdy in wind and salt spray.

• 6-stop ND filter: Slows shutter speed for motion blur in waves.

• Wide-angle lens: Essential to capture scale and depth.

• Shutter speed: 1–2s for texture, 10s+ for a misty water effect.

💬 Workshop Moment: One student captured the Milky Way arching over crashing waves—combining a tracked sky with a static foreground using exposure stacking. A wall-worthy print, built from a 5-minute on-site demo.

→ Join a Bombo workshop and shoot it like a pro.

2. Cathedral Rocks – Foregrounds for Astro & Seascape

These towering volcanic formations create unforgettable silhouettes against colourful skies—or anchor Milky Way compositions with bold geometry.

Best times to shoot:

• Sunrise/Sunset: Low light adds contrast and drama.

• Moonless nights: Ideal for tracked or stacked astrophotography.

Gear & tips:

• Tripod + Graduated ND filter: Balance the bright sky and dark rocks.

• Wide-angle lens: Needed to frame both stars and foreground.

• Shutter speed: 0.5s–1s for water texture, 20s+ for ethereal blends.

💬 Workshop Moment: A client submitted their tracked Milky Way shot to an international competition—and became a finalist. Their secret? Careful planning with the PhotoPills app, a tip we covered in-session.

→ See the Kiama Coastline Multiday Workshop 2026

3. Minnamurra – Tranquil Estuary Scenes

Where river meets ocean, Minnamurra offers stillness, soft gradients, and lush vegetation. It’s ideal for long exposures and telephoto compositions.

Best times to shoot:

• Winter mornings: Expect soft fog and magical reflections.

• Late afternoons: Rich golden tones and long shadows.

Gear & tips:

• 6-stop ND + polariser filters: Slow the shutter and remove glare.

• Telephoto lens: Perfect for isolating details.

• Shutter speed: 1–4s for painterly water and tidal motion.

💬 Workshop Moment: One beginner created an image that resembled an oil painting—fog, clean water, and soft light—all from a pre-dawn shoot after a quick rundown on metering and shutter control.

→ Grab my Sescape Cheat Sheet for full estuary setup and editing tips.

What’s Next?

Mastering Kiama’s landscape photography is about more than gear. It’s about timing, composition, and knowing how to respond to light and conditions. These locations are not just photogenic—they’re where photographers level up.

“You don’t make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you’ve seen, the books you’ve read, the people you’ve loved.”
— Ansel Adams

Take Action

Ready to take your shots from “nice” to “next level”? Here’s how:

• 📸 Join a Workshop: Hands-on training at Bombo, Cathedral Rocks, or Minnamurra.

• 📘 Download My eBooks: Proven techniques for long exposures, seascapes, and Milky Way mastery.

• 📺 Subscribe on YouTube: Free tutorials, gear reviews, and behind-the-scenes edits.

• ✉️ Join My Mailing List: Get exclusive tips, early workshop access, and gear discounts.

Got any questions or want to follow along?

Contact me here or message me on Instagram: @knightysphotography