Gold Coast Hinterland Photography Workshop (May 2026)
Five days of small-group coaching across rainforest waterfalls, tide-led seascapes, and a conditions-led Milky Way session. You'll leave with cleaner capture habits and a Lightroom + Photoshop workflow you can repeat at home.
Capture waterfalls, tide-led seascapes, and (conditions permitting) a clean Milky Way set, then build a repeatable edit workflow that makes your files look intentional, not accidental.
Note: session timing and exact sites are conditions-led and subject to access rules, permits and safety on the day.
Who this is for
- Keen beginners to intermediate photographers who want fast improvement with hands-on coaching
- Anyone who wants one trip that mixes astro-first technique (conditions-led), waterfalls, and coast
- Photographers who want a repeatable capture + edit workflow, not just "nice spots"
- People who prefer a small, intimate group over a crowd
Not the right fit if…
- You want guaranteed astro regardless of cloud, wind, moonlight, or access rules
- You don't want to use a tripod or learn manual settings
- You need fully included accommodation (most nights are self-booked)
What you'll shoot
- Astro (conditions-led): Milky Way workflow around Mount Barney on the best workable night
- Lamington waterfalls: rainforest flow, polariser technique, long-exposure control
- Gold Coast seascapes: sunrise/sunset at Currumbin and Fingal (tide, wind and swell dependent)
- Editing: Lightroom + Photoshop workflow, culling, masking, finishing
What's included
- Small-group workshop tuition with guided sunrise/sunset sessions
- Workshop transport between locations
- Complimentary BNE pickup/drop-off (group schedule)
- 1 night accommodation included: Mount Barney lodge (shared)
- Night session when conditions allow
- Editing + review sessions (Lightroom/Photoshop)
- Loaner star tracker (limited) + Milky Way RAW files for workflow training if cloud blocks astro
- Permits/permissions where required
- $20M public liability insurance
Not included
- Flights to/from Brisbane (BNE)
- Accommodation (self-booked): Lamington + coast nights
- Meals and drinks
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Personal gear purchases
Travel window: arrive before 12:00pm Day 1; book departure flights 1:00pm or later Day 5 (to suit group transfer timing).
Payment + cancellation
- AU$500 deposit secures your seat
- Balance due 60 days before the workshop (full payment if booking within 60 days)
- Payment plans available on request
Cancellation policy:
60+ days before start: refund of monies paid less $100 admin fee
30–59 days: 50% refund of monies paid
Under 30 days: no refund unless seat is filled; if filled, refund less $100 admin fee
ACL rights apply regardless
Full policy: dylanknight.com.au/cancellation-policy
Accommodation + transport
- Included: BNE transfers + workshop transport
- Included: 1 night at Mount Barney lodge (shared)
- Self-booked: Lamington + coast accommodation (choose your budget/comfort)
- Meet points and timings confirmed in your pre-departure pack
Night/after-hours approach + fallback plan
Astro is planned, but it's always conditions-led (cloud, wind, moonlight, and safe access) and only run where permitted.
If the night isn't workable, you still learn the complete workflow (planning, settings, focus routine, file intent), using provided Milky Way RAW files during the editing sessions.
What past participants say
Real feedback from real workshops.
"I considered myself a capable photographer before the workshop, but it surprised me how much I still had to learn — and how quickly small adjustments improved my results. Dylan challenged me creatively and helped me produce a collection of images I'm truly proud of. You leave with practical skills and genuine confidence in your vision."
"Dylan has so much knowledge and experience and is so willing to share it all. I learnt so much, but at a rate I could understand and didn't feel overwhelmed. Would highly recommend and would participate in future workshops in a heartbeat."
"Definitely worth it — expert tuition, incredible locations, and a great group of like-minded photographers. I was surprised how much a simple white balance adjustment transformed my images. If you're sitting on the fence, just go."
"Even with the constant rain, Dylan kept me up to date and gave me peace of mind. The workshop clarified so many things that YouTube never could."
"I had an astro session with Dylan that was an amazingly transformative and immersive experience as a beginner photographer... I came back with marvellous photos and newfound confidence."
"Dylan was an attentive and knowledgeable instructor. He made sure to check on all photographers and provided tailored advice."
Everything you need to plan and pack
Day-by-day flow, seasonal context, gear expectations and how pivots work.
BNE pickup + Mount Barney sunset + night option
Arrive before 12:00pm. Travel to Mount Barney. Orientation, gear setup and sunset session. Astro-first session if conditions are clear and access is safe and permitted. Mount Barney lodge night included (shared).
Mount Barney sunrise + editing + move to Lamington
Sunrise session, then an editing/review block (practical Lightroom/Photoshop workflow). Transfer to Lamington area and shoot a rainforest session if conditions suit. Lamington accommodation self-booked.
Lamington waterfalls + rainforest fieldcraft
Waterfalls and rainforest scenes. Expect uneven tracks, damp steps and a steady pace. We pace to the slowest walker and prioritise safe footing over "hero shots".
Editing block + transfer to coast + sunset
Editing/review block (refine what you shot so far), then transfer to the coast. Sunset seascapes picked by tide, wind and swell (Currumbin/Fingal depending on conditions). Coast accommodation self-booked.
Sunrise seascapes + wrap + BNE drop-off
Sunrise at Fingal or Currumbin (conditions-led), debrief and take-home practice plan. Depart to BNE. Book flights 1:00pm or later.
Planned locations
- Mount Barney area (approved viewpoints / safe access options)
- Lamington National Park waterfalls (formed tracks)
- Currumbin (tide-led seascape options)
- Fingal Causeway (conditions-led sunrise/sunset options)
Exact site usage is always conditions-led and aligned to access rules, permits and safety on the day.
Gear expectations
- Mirrorless or DSLR with manual controls
- Ideal lens range: 14–24mm for astro/seascapes; 24–70mm (or similar) helps in rainforest
- Sturdy tripod (non-negotiable for long exposure)
- Polariser recommended for waterfalls
- Headtorch + spare batteries for pre-dawn / night work
- Laptop required for editing/review blocks (Lightroom/Photoshop taught)
Weather + conditions philosophy
This workshop is conditions-led. Rain can improve waterfalls; cloud can soften coastal contrast. If swell, wind, track state, or access makes a plan unsuitable, we pivot to a protected option, adjust timing, or lean harder into technique and editing.
Permits & access notes
- Permits/permissions handled where required
- Access rules checked close to the date (rules can change)
- Drones are not part of the workshop program
- Night sessions only where safe and permitted
FAQs
Direct answers before you book.
How much does it cost and what's the deposit?
A AU$500 deposit secures your seat. Balance due 60 days before the workshop (full payment if booking within 60 days).
What's included after the workshop?
Can I pay in instalments?
What experience level do I need?
How fit do I need to be?
Is astrophotography included?
What happens if the weather, wind or swell is bad?
What gear should I bring?
Is accommodation or transport included?
Accommodation: 1 Mount Barney lodge night is included (shared). Lamington + coast accommodation is self-booked.
What's the cancellation / refund policy?
30–59 days: 50% refund of monies paid
Under 30 days: no refund unless seat is filled; if filled, refund less $100 admin fee
ACL rights apply regardless
Full policy: dylanknight.com.au/cancellation-policy
Ready to lock in the last seat?
AU$500 deposit secures your place. You'll get workshop transport, BNE transfers, and edit/review blocks built into the week.
Testimonials
"Dylan has put a lot of time and effort into this workshop. He is easy to understand and ensures each student gets the time they need to grasp the concepts. I really appreciated that there were only four students—Dylan spent plenty of time with each of us. The follow-up eBooks he created and published are a terrific way to reinforce the weekend and make sure the new techniques and knowledge really stick. Thank you Dylan—I really enjoyed the weekend and can’t wait to see what’s next."
– Jo
"I've done quite a few workshops with Dylan. The planning that Dylan goes into to find great locations and getting the time right for the best light is brilliant. Milky Way sessions are just fantastic!"
– Terry Mugavin
"Knighty's Astro photography session was an amazingly transformative and immersive experience as a beginner photographer... I came back with marvellous photos and newfound confidence."
– Amber
"Highly recommend Knighty’s Photography! You won’t be disappointed! I’ve done a few private workshops with Dylan over the last five years and it’s been great! Looking forward to my next workshop with Dylan!"
– Wendy K.
"It was a great night – fantastic location, and great tips to get the most out of the night sky."
– Linda
"The workshop was excellent. Dylan was very knowledgeable and professional. He went over and above to ensure we all had a great experience."
– Nikon School Attendee
"I would highly recommend a Nikon School Workshop and Dylan Knight. He followed up with extra resources and provided a professional experience from start to finish."
– Nikon Workshop Participant
"I was absolutely stoked with the workshop... Dylan clarified a lot of the questions I had. Would love to do this again!"
– Workshop Participant