Kiama Coastline
Multiday Photography Workshop
4 Days · 3 Nights - Cathedral Rocks - Bombo Quarry - Minnamurra Headland
Next intake: 19–22 February 2026
Reserve Your SpotDuration
Group Size
Workshop Price
Overview
This is a seascape first workshop focused on landscape and coastal photography. We shoot twilight and blue hour into sunrise and golden light into sunset, building elegant blends and long exposure control at world class locations like Bombo Quarry, Cathedral Rocks and Minnamurra Headland.
Stay Partner - Nova Kiama: modern, central and minutes from all locations. Workshop guests receive 15% off, with no upfront payment and free cancellation up to 24 hours before arrival. February is busy in Kiama, so please book your room early.
Compliance: this workshop is fully licensed across Sydney Water land at Bombo and Kiama Council public land at Bombo Section A, Cathedral Rocks and Minnamurra Headland. We are one of the only commercial photography workshop operators in the Kiama region running a fully permitted and insured itinerary.
Astro and Dark Skies
Night photography is not permitted on Kiama Council land. Our separate agreement with Sydney Water allows controlled access to Bombo Quarry Section B for astro when the Milky Way is in position and swell conditions are suitable.
At Bombo Section B you will learn how to work safely in the dark around rock platforms, how to use white headlamps for access and red headlamps for shooting, and how to capture tracked or stacked Milky Way data that can be blended with twilight and blue hour foregrounds from your seascape sessions.
All astro sessions at Bombo are subject to weather, swell and safety, and are run inside the low impact, small group conditions agreed with Sydney Water.
Why This Workshop
World class locations
Basalt cathedrals, explosive wave hits, tidal pools and sweeping headland views, all within a tight driving radius.
Local shortcut
Years of on the rocks experience, tide windows, swell angles, safe access paths and pre scouted compositions.
Capture to print
Post production labs that cover blue hour blending, ethical astro compositing and print ready finishing.
Fully licensed and insured
Approved by Sydney Water and Kiama Council, with full public liability insurance and risk documentation in place.
Locations at a Glance
- Bombo Quarry - volcanic hexagons, wave plumes and glass off reflections. Sunrise and sunset seascapes in Section A under Kiama Council licence, and optional astro in Section B under Sydney Water approval.
- Cathedral Rocks - twin stacks and natural arch, with side lit sunrise colour and backlit drama when conditions align.
- Minnamurra Headland - layered shelves, tidal pools and long, gentle lines that work beautifully for blue hour and sunset colour.
Night photography is conducted only at Bombo Quarry Section B under our Sydney Water agreement. Cathedral Rocks and Minnamurra remain sunrise, sunset and twilight locations.
What You Will Master
In the field
- Reading tides and swell for dynamic but safe seascapes
- Balancing wave motion with tack sharp foreground detail
- Twilight colour management and blue hour foregrounds
- Using PhotoPills to plan ethical composite alignment
In post
- Natural looking blue hour and twilight blends
- Ethical Milky Way compositing that stays true to location
- Noise control with stacking and careful exposure choices
- Print ready sharpening, contrast and colour work
Weekend Rhythm
Exact locations flex with tide, swell and cloud cover. Astro at Bombo Section B is weather and safety dependent.
| Day | Session | Location* |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday PM | Check in, orientation and first sunset shoot | Cathedral Rocks or Minnamurra Headland (conditions dependent) |
| Friday pre dawn | Blue hour into sunrise | Bombo Quarry Section A |
| Friday mid morning | Post Session 1 - coastal tones and exposure blending | Editing room - Nova Kiama |
| Friday sunset | Golden hour seascapes | Cathedral Rocks or Minnamurra Headland |
| Saturday pre dawn | Blue hour into sunrise | Bombo Quarry or Minnamurra Headland |
| Saturday mid morning | Post Session 2 - seascape blending and astro prep | Editing room - Nova Kiama |
| Saturday evening | Optional astro session | Bombo Quarry Section B (Sydney Water land, conditions dependent) |
| Sunday pre dawn | Final blue hour into sunrise | Cathedral Rocks or Bombo Quarry |
| Sunday mid morning | Post Session 3 - final polish and print prep | Editing room - Nova Kiama |
*Locations are chosen each day based on tide, swell and safety. Astro at Bombo runs only when all safety thresholds are met.
What Is Included
- All guided shoots across Bombo Quarry, Cathedral Rocks and Minnamurra Headland
- Small group tuition, maximum 4 participants
- Daily post processing labs in Lightroom and Photoshop
- Comprehensive PDF field guide, shooting checklists and quick reference cards
- Lifetime email support for image feedback and gear questions
- Exclusive discounts on selected tripods and accessories
Accommodation: self book at Nova Kiama to access the 15% partner rate, no upfront payment and free cancellation up to 24 hours before arrival. February fills fast, so please reserve early.
Pricing
Workshop tuition and ground support
A$2,650 Early-Bird
A$3,250 Standard
Includes tuition, guided shoots, local transport between locations, post sessions, permits and ongoing support.
Accommodation: paid directly to Nova Kiama at your discounted rate. Flights and meals are not included.
Reserve Your SpotFAQs
What skill level is required
Committed beginners through to advanced shooters are welcome. If you can use Aperture or Manual mode, or want to learn, you will be fine. We adjust field time and post work to suit your level.
Do we shoot astro in Kiama
Night photography is not permitted on Kiama Council land. Astro is conducted only at Bombo Quarry Section B on Sydney Water land, and only when swell, weather and safety conditions allow.
Why do you not publish the exact astro spot
We protect fragile coastal environments, avoid crowding and reward paying students. You will receive precise coordinates, access notes and safety information in your booking pack.
What camera gear do I need
An interchangeable lens camera with manual controls, a wide angle lens in the 14 to 24 mm or 16 to 35 mm range, a sturdy tripod and a remote or intervalometer. ND filters and a circular polariser are useful but not mandatory.
Where do we stay and how does transport work
You book your own room at Nova Kiama using the workshop discount. Once you arrive in Kiama, local transport for workshop sessions is included. Airport transfers are not included.
What happens if the weather turns bad
We adapt locations, lean into mood and run more in depth post production blocks using both your images and pro grade seascape and Milky Way source files so you still leave with strong work and new skills.
Secure Your Spot
Four seats only per intake. February books out quickly, so reserve your Nova Kiama room and your workshop place early.
Reserve Your SpotTestimonials
"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
"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.
"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
"I was absolutely stoked with the workshop... Dylan clarified a lot of the questions I had. Would love to do this again!"
– Workshop Participant
"Dylan was an attentive and knowledgeable instructor who was prepared to put in extra time... He made sure to check on all photographers and provided tailored advice."
– Participant Feedback
"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
"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. Highly recommended!"
– Workshop 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