Karijini National Park Photography Tour 2024

Private Tour: Flexible with dates between April to October

Upcoming tour dates:

April 29th – May 12th 2024 (SOLD OUT) (This 14-Day itinerary starts in Newman & finishes in Perth)

June 24th – July 7th 2024 (SOLD OUT)  (This 14-Day itinerary starts in Newman & finishes in Perth)

July 28th – August 3rd 2024 (This 7-Day workshop starts in Newman finishes in Newman/ Paraburdoo) 

August 5th – August 18th, 2023 (This 14-Day itinerary starts in Newman & finishes in Perth)

Booking is now open for our 2024 Karijini Photo Tours.

Newman Airport transfer: A complementary airport pickup is available on request on Sunday at 3,30pm and 8.30am on Mondays. There is no extra accommodation cost if you choose to arrive on the 3.30pm flight the day before the start of the tour and camp with us, however hotel/resort accommodation prior the start of the tour in Newman is not included. Contact us for more details.

April, June and September 14-day itineraries include a mixture of accommodations with some nights in tents to give us close access to the mesmerising Western Australian night sky. Tents and bedding linens are provided, however if you prefer bringing your own pillow and sleeping bag, you are welcome. Note; Camp/Tents are the only accommodation option authorised overnight in the Karijini National Park, however Deluxe tent options are available at the ECO Retreat from $280 – $390 p/night, pending availability.

Cost: AU$ 4,980 pp | single supplement AU$ 890.00 (Flight to Newman not included)

Take 5% off of the total costs of any tours when you sign up for 2 participants or more tours* (*conditions apply, not valid with any other offers, applicable only for direct online bookings). Spouse, companion & non-photographer welcome.

Escape the busy tracks and experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn how to shoot dramatic scenery from sunrise to sunset, and capture the breathtaking night sky shining over some of the most iconic landscape in Western Australia. This Karijini Outback photo tour is offered as a stand-alone tour with option to add a pre – Perth tour extension or a post Extended tour down WA’s Southwest or to the Pinnacles National Park. It is a perfect tour to include a non-photographer companion.

Observers/ non-photographers companions can either tag along while you are out taking photographs, or do their own exploring of the surroundings and we’ll all meet up in the evenings to share a few stories of the day’s events.

Optional Accommodation: Deluxe En-suite Eco Retreat Tent in Karijini (extra TBA)

A $1500 non-refundable deposit will secure your spot. Click here to make your deposit »

• 13 nights accommodations* (refer to itinerary)
• Daily Breakfast, lunches (13x) and some dinner during the duration of the Tour
• Private transportation (incl. 2 water bottle pp p/day & snacks)
• All entrance fees to exhibits, national parks & locations that we visit for photography
• Martial’s expertise in guiding and photographic instruction

Other Options Available

• Diving with the Blue Whales in Exmouth  (extra TBA) 
• Scenic Flight in Kalbarri  (extra TBA) 

This 14–Day Tour starts in Newman and finishes in Perth. It is suitable for beginners and experienced photographers of all ages. A moderate level of fitness is required (some walking). 

Option 2

You can also opt to start in Perth and do the 1280 kms road trip between Perth and Newman with us, there is no extra cost if you choose the 16-day road trip option, however meals are not included. (CB, PL, Camp) – Motel/hotel accommodation options are available in Cue and Newman (cost TBA).

PERTH – CUE (PL, Camp). Leaving early, we drive through the Swan Valley to the Abbey of New Norcia. Established in 1847, it is the only monastic town in Australia. After a short break we continue our journey on the great Northern Hwy through the Mid West and travel to the iconic gold rush mining town of Cue. 650kms North-East of Perth.

CUE – NEWMAN (CB, PL, Camp). We continue north to cross the Tropic of Capricorn. On our way to the iron ore Mecca of the North, we pass many large sheep stations (some over 1 million acres in size). Newman was built in the 1960s by the Mount Newman Mining Company following the discovery of rich iron deposits on nearby Mount Whaleback (conducted mine tour). As the day draws to a close, we set-up camp in Newman’s newly completed campsite, and enjoy a nice pub meal in the town centre. 638kms

NEWMAN – MT ROBINSON/DALE GORGE (CB, PL, CD, Camp). Early morning flight to Newman. Airport pick-up. Conducted mine tour in Newman in the morning (optional). On the way to Karijini, we get off the beaten track to view recently discovered ancient indigenous art. As the day drawn to a close, we set-up camp in the breathtaking Karijini National Park, near Mt Robinson/ Auski Lookout or Dale Gorges, and enjoy a bush BBQ in the spectacular Pilbara Scenery in the evening. (Flight not included ~ 1196kms) 154kms  

KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK (CB, PL, CD, Camp). It’s photography time! Three full day is the perfect amount of time needed to explore the Karijini National Park and its amazing gorges. Formed over 2,500 million years ago, the Hamersley Ranges are some of the most unusual land formations on earth. Deep in the gorges you’ll come across cascading waterfalls and still water holes, a little paradise for both novice and experienced eyes, offering amazing photo opportunities. Dales Gorge, Fortescue Falls, Fern Pool, Circular Pool, Weano Gorge and Hancock Gorge are just some of the stunning areas we’ll get to visit. Definitely a highlight!  112kms 

KARIJINI – CHEELA PLAINS STATION (CB, PL, PM, Camp). Departing the Karijini Eco Retreat early morning, we'll travel to Hamersley Gorge, home of the iconic Spa Pool - One of the most photographed location in the Pilbara. After lunch we'll make our way to Tom Price and then off to Cheela Plain Station, our home for the night. Cheela Plains Station is a working cattle station nestled in the semi-arid, pastoral rangelands of the Pilbara about 170kms southwest of Tom Price. Tonight, we'll enjoy a delicious home cooked meal at the homestead. Optional astrophotography weather allowing.

Day Six

CHEELA PLAINS STATION - EXMOUTH (CB, PL, Motel/ Villa). Optional sunrise. After breakfast, we head to Nanutarra on the Ashburton River via the Nanutarra-Munjina Road which the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef and Karjini National Park. Cape Range National Park and the spectacular scenery of Charles Knife Road, where oil was first found in Western Australia in the 1950’s. Onto Exmouth where we set-up camp overlooking the magnificent Ningaloo Reefs. Sunset, twilight and nightscape session at Vlamingh Head Lighthouse.

EXMOUTH (CB, PL, Motel/ Villa). Free day. Laundry day. Optional Tours swimming with whale shark, etc. (extra - not included in this tour package)

Exmouth is a most fascinating place and the gateway to nearby Ningaloo Marine Park with its coral reefs, colourful fish and migratory whale sharks. We travel to the head of the Gulf for sunrise then onto the amazing Cape Range National park where we’ll watch the sunset and enjoy another nightscape session.  

EXMOUTH – WOORAMEL STATION (CB, PL, CD, CAMP). Sleep-in or take an early morning walk to capture the sunrise. We make the short drive to Coral Bay, the Jewel of the Northwest, where we explore and discover the wonders of the Ningaloo Reefs and its fascinating marine life. Free time; take the time to edit your images or work on your suntan. Back onto the Hwy to Carnarvon, where we visit the Babbage Island Jetty and the Fishing Harbour. This is the old North West, sheep station country, where so many farmers over the last 130 years have battled drought and great floods. Further south on the road to Shark Bay we come to Wooramel River Retreat, a unique station campground nestled under the majestic gum trees on the bank of the Wooramel River. Relax in the naturally heated therapeutic artesian bore baths from the Birdrong aquifer or enjoy the abundant bird and wildlife, camp fire, amazing night sky and the friendly outback atmosphere. 349kms 

WOORAMEL STATION – DENHAM (CB, PL, Motel/Villa). Shark Bay UNESCO World Heritage Area is one of the world’s greatest wilderness treasures, located on the edge of the Australian continent. As we come to the historical town of Hamelin Pool. Build in the 1884, and also known as Flagpole Landing in the early 1900’s, Hamelin Pool was an important telegraph and transport terminus. It was the landing point for cargo vessels bringing in supplies and taking out wool from surrounding stations as well as one of the main suppliers of Sandalwood in WA. The Stromatolites of Hamelin Pool are reputed to be the oldest form of life on earth, tiny singe cell organisms combine with the sediments of the sea water to create these rock like domed structures which are typical of life forms around over 200 million years ago. 210kms

DENHAM (CB, PL, Motel/Villa). Early morning start, this morning we make the short trip to world famous Monkey Mia Dolphins Resort– a unique encounter with dolphins and some fantastic photo opportunities. Pod of wild bottlenose dolphins have been regularly swim to Monkey Mia’s shore for the past 50 years, usually between four to seven dolphins visit the area daily, with up to twenty others visiting occasionally, often sighted in the bay with swimmers or on wildlife cruise.

After brunch, we travel back towards Denham on the other side of the Peron Peninsula, and experience a wild 4WD afternoon exploring the spectacular Francois Peron National Park. A smorgasbord of breathtaking red dunes and turquoise waters!

DENHAM – KALBARRI (CB, PL, Villa). After breakfast, we travel to Kalbarri via Useless Loop and Kalbarri National Park, on our way back to the Brand Hwy, we explore the mesmerising Shell Beach. This beautiful snow-white beach is made up of billions of tiny shells up to 10 metres deep and stretching for over 70 kilometres and the shallow water is just divine! Time allowing we’ll explore the Ross Graham and Hawk Head Lookout, and capture the late afternoon light filtering on the rich red 100 meters high gorges walls  of the peaceful Murchison River, as we enter the Kalbarri National Park from the North side.  374kms. 

KALBARRI NATIONAL PARK (CB, PL, BBQ, Villa). Early morning walk to capture the sunrise, nature and coastal cliffs. After lunch, we take a short drive to Kalbarri National Park where we explore some of the Murchison River hidden treasures, Nature’s Window and Z-Bend Gorge (it is a steep descent but well worth the effort when you get there). Optional spectacular 45 min. River Gorges and  

Coastal Cliffs via Pink Lake scenic flight. We share our last evening together around the BBQ as the sun set over the Murchison River. 

KALBARRI – CERVANTES (PINNACLES) (CB, PL, MD, MOTEL). The Hutt Lagoon, also known as Pink Lake near Port Gregory is a favourite stop to most people, however, under the right light and with clement weather conditions, it turns into a travel photographer’s paradise. Back to the North West Coastal Highway through Northampton to Geraldton. Following the coast we travel through many Cray fishing towns, Dongara, Leeman, Jurien Bay and Cervantes. As the day draws to a close, we explore the majestic Pinnacles in the Nambung National Park, although the best period of the year to capture the Milky Way in the southern hemisphere is Autumn, Winter and Spring (March to October), the Pinnacle Desert is an amazing place to visit through out the year at sunset, Golden/ Blue Hour and after dark. As the night fall, the starry sky become this amazing back drop blanket, creating this breathtaking surreal landscape with thousand of stars lighting-up the Pinnacles with ever-changing light shadow all year round. 359kms 

CERVANTES – PERTH (CB, PL). Sleep-in or take an early drive to capture the Pinnacles at sunrise.  After breakfast we take the recently completed Indian Ocean Drive past Lancelin to Perth. Built in 2010, the new Indian Ocean Drive will take us through an amazing diversity of landscapes, flora and spectacular ocean views along the shore of the Coral Coast. As we approach the sand dunes you could be forgiven for thinking they were snow-covered mountains as the sand is so stunningly white!  The Nambung National Park offer a splendour of photographic opportunities on our way back to Perth, casting dramatic shadows with the ever-changing light all year round. We’ll arrive back into Perth around lunch time, early afternoon, where we make our final goodbye. 230kms 

B = Breakfast | L = Lunch | D = Dinner | P = Picnic | P = Pub | C = Camp | M = Motel | V = Villa/Chalet 

There is a STRICT luggage limit of 15kgs per person, in a backpack or soft bag (Camera equipment not included in the 15kgs). 

Accommodations are subject to availability and may vary depending the seasons. 

A perfect add-on before your KARIJIN Photo Tour is our PERTH HALF DAY TOUR or following straight after, join us on our MARGARET RIVER extension.

Nature, Landscape, night and astrophotography 

In addition to great daily photo opportunities and night excursions, we will also touch on the following photography topics, including: 

• Understanding your camera 
• Working with available light [read & understand the light] 
• Dare to go manual Vs Auto camera settings 
• How to read your histogram and how to fine-tune-it  
• Adjust your image exposure in relation to your subject 
• Depth of Field calculation 
• What lenses should you use? 
• Camera settings to take the perfect shot every time 
• Image composition, the golden rules and how to break it! 
• Filters, Neutral Density and Neutral Density Grads
• Long exposure and waterfalls  
• Night photography tutorial 
• Capturing raw 
• Introduction to Photoshop & Lightroom Post-processing 

Temperature can range from: 8C in winter to 24-25C in the peak of summer

Average monthly rain for this time of year: 3day/ Jan-Feb- Mar and 12-14day/ Jun-Jul-Aug

Be organised and pack smart on this Golden Outback Photo Tour, as we will be on the go to fit as much photography session as we can and you will have to wheel your luggage from the 4WD to are Villa/ Motel room during the trip. You will have access to your luggage at anytime during the trip, however I recommend to pack a basic easy to grab change of cloth (jacked or light weight rain coat, etc.) in a smaller backpack or in your camera bag for the overnight or in case the weather changes suddenly.

Two pairs of shoes: One sturdy pair for in the field that you can get wet if we have a rain day. One pair for evenings or the next day in case the first pair is not dry.

Light weight rain jacket and rain pants. You don’t have to go all out here, but it will also help you to keep warm at night. * I really suggest a rain jacket if nothing else, the rain gear will keep you dry when walking in the parks. I have a pair of Teflon rain pants & jacket, super light and perfect to keep in you camera bag in case of a sudden change in the weather.

A warm jacket, long trousers and a jumper or light jacket for those late evening and early morning shoots. It can get really cold in the middle of winter or on wind days.

Hat and sun screen protection.

Your favourite DSLR camera, a multi focal lens (i.e 18-70mm) or fix lens, the wider the angle the better, and a medium to long-range lens (i.e. 80-300mm), plenty of memory cards and fully charged batteries. A small steady tripod & cable release for long exposure is essential. Don’t forget to bring your camera manual if you are not 100% sure about your camera functions. Please note that for better results a recent DSLR digital camera is preferable (0-5yrs old) as technology changes. Polarizer filter, Neutral Density and grabs filters are not a prerequisite but are great tools to have for long exposure and colour saturation.

This workshop is suitable for beginners and advanced photographers of all ages, however a good sense of humour and minimum fitness is recommended. Sturdy shoes, suitable warm cloths, drink bottle and a good camera bag!

A perfect add-on  before or directly after your Exmouth to Broome Photo Tour is our Half Day Perth photo tour or join us on a Margaret River Region Tour. 

Take 5% off of the total costs of any tours when you sign up for 2 or more.

Perth-by-Night Photo Tour | Perth Photo Tour

Margaret River | Margaret River Photo Tour

Flexible with dates |  Available all year round (Jan-Fev N/R)