Sunshine Coast Multiday Photography Workshop
Multiple Dates · Point Cartwright · Point Arkwright · Coolum Bays · Lake Weyba · Borumba Dam · Hinterland
Reserve Your Spot⚡ These workshops typically sell out within 1–2 weeks of release. Don’t miss out.
Duration
3 Days / 2 NightsGroup Size
Max 4Tuition
AU$1,000†AU$1,250 after 19 Aug 2025
†AU$350 deposit secures your seat. Balance due 30 days prior.
Location Preview
Why the Sunshine Coast?
Golden beaches, volcanic headlands and easy access to dark-sky hinterland make the Sunshine Coast one of Australia’s most diverse photo playgrounds. You’ll chase first light at Point Cartwright, frame silky wave action at Coolum’s hidden bays, then pivot inland for pristine Milky Way reflections over Borumba Dam.
With flexible scheduling, we’ll adapt to tides, swell and cloud to keep you in the right place at the right moment—sunrise, sunset and under the stars.
Daily Flow
- Pre-dawn meet-ups & composition walk-throughs
- Golden-hour & blue-hour shoreline drama
- Mid-morning edit labs—RAW ➜ hero image in 3 hrs
- Afternoon recharge / scouting new angles
- Pastel sunsets over headlands & tidal pools
- Milky Way tracking & stacked panoramas (weather-permitting)
Skills You’ll Master
- Precise exposure for noise-free astro
- Focus & aperture stacking for front-to-back sharpness
- Wave-timed shutter speeds—freeze vs silk
- In-camera colour grading & custom white-balance hacks
- Planning with PhotoPills, Clear Outside & tide charts
- Star-tracker basics & multi-frame Milky Way blends
- Lightroom power workflow & presets
- Photoshop noise-stacking, masking & web/print export
What’s Included
- 3 full days of small-group field mentoring
- Daily Lightroom/Photoshop edit labs
- Star tracker introduction & use
- Free Composition eBook & laminated Seascape Cheat Sheet
- Personalised gear advice & partner discounts
- Lifetime access to workshop editing videos
- Post-workshop Zoom critique & email support
- Comprehensive pre-workshop planning guide
What’s Not Included
- Accommodation, meals & drinks
- Transport to / between shooting locations
- Flights or long-distance travel
- Travel insurance / medical cover
Why tuition-only? Most locals drive home or stay with family, while interstate guests often use hotel points or house-sit. Keeping lodging flexible lowers the fee and lets everyone book accommodation that suits their budget and schedule.
Is This for You?
Workshop Seasons: Winter & Summer
Winter Season (March–September): Experience the dramatic galactic core of the Milky Way, perfect conditions for detailed astro-panoramas, and breathtaking landscapes in crisp winter skies.
Summer Season (October–February): Capture the Galactic Anticentre, stunning star trails, Orion, and vibrant nebulae in warmer nights under unique summer skies.
- Comfortable shooting in Manual mode & eager to level-up
- Fast wide-angle lens (≈ 14–24 mm ƒ/2.8) & sturdy tripod
- Okay with beach scrambles & pre-dawn alarms
- Excited by the prospect of late-night Milky Way sessions
Travel Logistics
| Option | Travel Time to Base | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) | ≈ 15 min (10 km) | Closest airport; direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide & more. |
| Brisbane Airport (BNE) | ≈ 1–1.5 hrs | Con-X-ion shuttle, Airtrain + Sunshine Coast line, or rental car via the Bruce Hwy. |
| Self-Drive | Varies | Free parking at Point Cartwright meet-up and most sunrise/sunset sites. |
Accommodation Picks
Stay anywhere between Caloundra and Coolum Beach and you’ll be within ~30 min of every meet-up. These properties are proven favourites:
| Region | Recommended Stays |
|---|---|
| Buddina / Point Cartwright | Surfside on the Beach — beachfront apartments Beachcomber on the Spit — quiet studios on the sand |
| Mooloolaba | Landmark Resort & Spa — rooftop pool, ocean views Mantra Mooloolaba Beach — family-friendly suites |
| Coolum Beach | Coolum Seaside — self-contained apartments Element on Coolum — stylish apartments above dining precinct |
| Hinterland Retreats | Maleny Lodge — boutique heritage inn Narrows Escape — rainforest cabins, couples-only |
Secure Your Spot
AU$350 deposit today—three days of sunrise, sunset & astro mentorship to transform your portfolio.
Reserve Your SpotIf fully booked, join the waitlist to be notified of openings.
FAQs
Why isn’t accommodation included?
Many locals drive home or stay with friends, while interstate guests like the freedom to use hotel points, house-sit, or choose a style that suits them. Separating tuition from lodging lets us:
- Keep the workshop fee lower (no hotel margin baked in).
- Give you control over budget and comfort—from hostel to 5-star.
- Let you plan downtime your way—visit cafés, see family, rest early.
- Stay agile with weather pivots—no single “base hotel” to worry about.
We still make travel easy with quick airport options, hand-picked stays, and nightly SMS pins for exact meet-ups. Need a room-share or car-share? Email me after booking and I’ll connect you with other participants.
What fitness level is required?
Walk ~1 km on sandy/rocky terrain with gear at a relaxed pace.
Can I rent gear?
Yes—reserve wide-angle lenses, tripods & batteries from our local partner.
Cancellation policy?
Full refund up to 60 days out. Partial credit if we rebook your spot within 60 days.
Weather backups?
Cloudy nights = deeper edit labs; stormy seas = dramatic long-exposures. We adapt.
Beginner friendly?
Know Manual mode basics; we lift you from there.
Drone rules?
Keep 30 m from people & wildlife, fly <120 m AGL, line-of-sight (standard CASA regs).
Travel insurance?
Strongly recommended—protect yourself & your gear.
Testimonials
“I was absolutely stoked with the workshop, was a bit unsure with the constant rain but Dylan kept me up to date every day and honestly gave me peace of mind. I’d been trying to learn on YouTube how to capture the Milky Way but honestly wasn’t having any luck until I got hands on and Dyl clarified a lot of the questions I had. Would love to do this workshop again and soon!”
“Dylan was an attentive and knowledgeable instructor who was prepared to put in extra time in order to make sure the group had an opportunity to capture the images in a night of changing cloud conditions. He made sure to check on all photographers in the group and provided tailored advice to each individual.”
“The Astro photo workshop was excellent. Dylan was very knowledgeable and professional. He went over and above to ensure we all had a great experience and followed-up with addition information to assist us further. I would highly recommend a Nikon School Workshop and Dylan Knight.”