Rising majestically out of the Tasman Sea 550km off Australia, World Heritage Listed Lord Howe Island is a photographer's paradise.

Fed by a mix of warm and cool currents from The Great Barrier Reef, New Caledonia, New Zealand, and Australia, this crossroads in the South Pacific is a treasure trove of fauna and flora housed on a 7 million-year-old extinct volcano.

At the southern end of the island, the often cloud-covered twin peaks of Mt Gower and Mt Lidgebird rise perpendicular form the sea. To the north, the sheltered coral lagoon (one of the most southerly coral reefs in the world) arcs around the tiny settlement of Lord Howe. Ancient rainforests cover the slopes, and kilometre after kilometre of white sandy beaches and rocky shores await exploration by you and your camera.

Spring has been chosen not only for its favourable weather and warming seas, but particularly for the incredible bird-life, which descends on the island for the breeding season. Many exotic sea-bird species nest on the rocky shores, including terns, shearwaters, gannets and tropic-birds, along with the famous Lord Howe Island Woodhen in the forested areas.

This workshop will be presented by professional wildlife and nature photographer and tutor, Michael Snedic. Upon arrival at Lord Howe you’ll be transferred to our workshop base, the centrally-located Ocean View Lodge, only a short stroll from the beach. The workshop will include a blend of structured lectures including informal discussions and one-on-one tuition time, as well as a boat cruise with snorkelling. These sessions will be interspersed with free time to make up your week of photographic learning.

One of the wonderful things about visiting the island at this time is the abundance of birdlife and their relative fearlessness. Unlike some other locations you won't need 800mm lenses to make full-frame portraits of the birds. Telephoto lenses up to 200 or 300mm can be fine, although there'll always be times you want more. For landscapes, a decent wide-angled lens is recommended. A tripod is also essential for our sunrise/sunset shoots and they can be packed into your main suitcase.

When capturing photos of action such as birds in flight, the optical viewfinders and fast autofocus of DSLRs really shine. We will be helping you take advantage of all these features. Some of the "CSC"/mirrorless cameras can do good work here too. Compact cameras make reasonable backup cameras, but their reduced image quality and sluggishness would make them frustrating as primary camera bodies.

• Birds (including birds-in-flight0
• Sunrises
• Sunsets
• Landscapes/seascapes
• Composition
• Aperture/Depth-of-Field
• Lighting
• Exposure and metering
• Focusing points and styles
• Filters
• Image critique
• And much more!

• Sunrise shoots at Ned’s and Blinky’s Beaches
• Seascape and bird photography shoot at Malabar Sea Cliffs
• Sunset shoot at Signal Point
• Cruise and snorkelling at North Bay
• Mt Eliza and North Bay bird photography shoot
• Mt Gower and Mt Lidgebird photography from sea level
• Bird photography including LHI Woodhens, Sooty Terns, White Terns and many more
• Image critique

Michael is an experienced and widely-published wildlife and nature photographer, writer, tutor, presenter and photography competition judge. His articles and images have featured in magazines such as Australian Photography +Digital, Australian Geographic, Wildlife Australia, Australian Birdlife as well as the BBC Wildlife, Nature TTL and WildArt (all based in the U.K.). His images have featured in numerous calendars, diaries, books and many other publications, including billboards and he has published two coffee table books on Australian wildlife. Michael is a Nikon School tutor in Queensland, Australia and regularly conducts wildlife and nature photography workshops and tours across Australia and the world.

It’s up early for a pre-dawn shoot at Ned’s Beach, just a short distance from our base. Here you will photograph the sunrise over the beach, followed by a bird photography shoot on the beach

After breakfast, we’ll head off for a cruise onto the lagoon in a glass-bottom boat, which will include some snorkelling in one of the most renowned coral/fish areas in the world! You will see amazing coral reefs, as well as huge green turtles, rays, sea snakes and lots of incredibly beautiful fish, in all sorts of shapes and colours. Time to get those underwater compact cameras out :-))

After our snorkel, we will land ashore and have morning tea, followed by a bird photography session. With the variety of birds on Lord Howe Island, we should find lots of subjects to photograph, including thousands upon thousands of Sooty Terns nesting on the beach, as well as Grey Ternlets and Common Noddys. This is followed by a walk up the Mt Eliza track, for a chance to photograph the spectacular views over the turquoise lagoon of North Bay, southward to the twin peaks of Mt Gower and Mt Lidgebird, as well as Sooty Terns at eye level! We will return via boat back to our starting point, close to our accommodation.

Free Day. This is your chance for your own personal explorations, or a time to relax. Options include a guided Mt Gower climb; a SCUBA dive; another snorkelling trip or fishing charter, or maybe a boat trip out to Ball's Pyramid. You could also revisit your favourite locations and subjects again with your camera, either on foot, by bicycle or hiring a car for a day.

This morning we will head to the jetty to photograph the delightful White Terns as they hover and land on the Norfolk Island pine trees.

After breakfast, we spend time playing with light and shade in the palm forest called 'Valley of the Shadows'. Photogenic fig trees, with amazing aerial roots and buttresses, are one of the many forest highlights as well as more Woodhens.

Our final session is a seascape shoot from the jetty and along the shores near Signal Point.

This morning you’ll have free time to pack and prepare for the trip home and say your goodbyes. Departures for home cities are at various times through the day.

No matter what your level of experience, Michael will help you gain valuable photographic technique that will ultimately lead to you taking better quality photos. With a professional wildlife and nature photographer and experienced photography tutor on hand throughout the week, there will be many opportunities to ask any photography-related questions, specific to your own personal needs.

Deposit is non-refundable. Cancellation up to 90 days before departure non-refundable or transferable. Cancellation between 90 and 60 days before departure - 50% of total workshop price forfeited. Cancellation less than 60 days before departure or during tour, no refund available.

We will spend the day visiting a variety of sites which may include Holmes Jungle, East Point, Lee Point and Buffalo Creek. Birds we’ll seek to photograph include Rainbow Pitta, Arafura Fantail, Northern Fantail, White-gaped Honeyeater, Forest Kingfisher, Silver-crowned Friarbird and Paperbark Flycatcher. In the mangroves at Buffalo Creek Red-headed Honeyeaters, Green-backed Gerygone, Lemon-bellied Flycatcher, Grey Whistler, Red winged Parrots and Common Sandpiper are found and the rarely seen Chestnut Rail.

Various seabirds and waders are also possible. We will visit the Botanical Gardens to look for Rufous and Barking Owls.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

With packed breakfast, we drive to Fogg Dam with its spectacular diversity of water birds including Comb-crested Jacanas, Black-necked Stork, Magpie Geese, Straw-necked and Glossy Ibis, Pied Heron, Plumed and Wandering Whistling Ducks, Green Pigmy Geese, Whiskered Tern, Caspian Tern and Brahminy Kite. Saltwater and Freshwater Crocodiles are also found here.

A boardwalk on the edge of the lake is a good place for Rainbow Pitta, Little Kingfisher, Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove, Shining Flycatcher, Little Bronze-Cuckoo, Rufous-banded Honeyeater and Broad-billed and Lemon-bellied Flycatcher

Along the Arnhem Highway we will keep an eye out for for Crimson, Long-tailed, Double-barred and, if we are very lucky, Gouldian Finches. A stop at Adelaide River could produce Mangrove Golden Whistlers and along the route Black-faced Woodswallow, Marsh and Spotted Harriers, Black-shouldered Kites, Nankeen Kestrels, Black-breasted Buzzard, Red-backed Kingfisher are among the possible species.

The first planned stop in World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park is Mamukala Wetlands where the numbers of water birds can be spectacular and there may be the possibility of seeing some species not seen at earlier sites.

In Kakadu,  we go to Jabiru to stay at the Anbinik Kakadu Resort, which is owned by a local Aboriginal corporation,  to check in to our accommodation. Time permitting, After dinner in Jabiru we look for Barking Owls.

Accommodation: Anbinik Resort for 3 nights.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

A private dawn cruise on the famous Yellow Waters Billabong is the perfect start to the day. The early flights of the waterbirds are a great spectacle. After breakfast at Cooinda spend time photographing   the wildlife close to Cooinda. Back in Jabiru we visit the Bowali Visitors centre then have lunch. After a break in the middle of the day travel north to the Bardedjilidji walk and the art sites at Ubirr. Sunset at Ubirr is a Kakadu tradition and a great way to finish the day. Birding highlights include species previously listed and  Long-tailed, Double-barred and Crimson Finches and many more. Amongst the sandstone outcrops two special locals are the Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeon and Sandstone Shrike-thrush. Mammals seen here include Common Wallaroo, Agile Wallaby, Wilkins Rock Wallaby and Sandstone Antechinus. At nearby Cahills Crossing, the causeway across the East Alligator River to Arnhemland, Saltwater Crocodiles are commonly seen in big numbers.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Have an early start to get to Burrungkuy and Angbangbang Billabong when the birds are most active. Another highlight there would be seeing, and photographing, the Black Wallaroos that are endemic to the Arnhemland Plateau. This is a good location for the locally endemic Banded Fruit-Dove, White-lined Honeyeater, plus Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeon and Partridge Pigeon. In the afternoon we will explore any areas where the birds are active.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Travelling further south through Kakadu towards Pine Creek provides the opportunity to look for two of Australia’s rarest raptors, the Grey Falcon, which has almost mythical status because it is so elusive, and the Red Goshawk. Brown Goshawks, Australian Hobby, Black-breasted Buzzard, Whistling Kites, Collared Sparrowhawk and Black and Brown Falcons are also found in this area. Masked Finches, Weebills, Black-tailed Treecreepers, Brown Quail, Brush Cuckoo, Black-eared Cuckoo and Variegated Fairy-wren are all possible at random roadside stops. The little town of Pine Creek where we stay the night is a good location for Hooded Parrot, Varied Lorikeet, Cockatiel, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Northern Rosella, Red-collared Lorikeet, Diamond Dove, Striated Pardalote, Magpie Lark, Crested Pigeon, Black-chinned, Blue-faced and White-throated Honeyeater, Crested Shrike-tit, Owlet Nightjar and sometimes Gouldian Finches.
The nearby sewage treatment plant is home to Australian Pratincole, Black-fronted Plover, Black-winged Stilt and Grey Teal whilst Chestnut-backed Buttonquail have been seen at the nearby
cemetery.

Accommodation: the Pine Creek Railway Resort for 2 nights.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

A very early start will be necessary today to go to the Edith Falls area to be ready for dawn at a location where beautiful Gouldian Finches and a many other species come for a morning drink. Red-winged Parrots, Hooded Parrots, Cockatiels, Rufous Whistlers, Black-tailed Treecreepers and Long-tailed and Crimson Finches are regular visitors to the waterhole. Just down the road is Edith Falls, a good spot for lunch and wildlife such as Merton’s Water Monitor, Golden Orb Spider & Agile Wallaby birds.

Drive south to Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park for a photo shoot around the nationalpark grounds, visitor centre for wildlife such as Agile Wallaby, Black Flying Fox and Firetail Skink, and head up to the lookout for stunning scenery/landscapes before heading back to Pine Creek for the night.

Breakfast and dinner included.

An early start to have another visit to Edith Creek to look for Finches and other species then travel back to Darwin via Adelaide River where the Silver-backed Butcherbird is often seen near the beautiful war cemetery. This beautiful bird is only found in the Top End and Kimberley regions. The tour will conclude this afternoon when returning to your accommodation in Darwin.

Accommodation: 1 night at the Mercure Darwin Airport Resort

Breakfast and dinner included.

We depart the hotel at 7am to begin our 12 day Wildflowers Photo tour.

The wildflower collection in Western Australia is the largest on Earth. With more than 12,000 species, over 60% of which are found nowhere else on earth.

Our first stop is the town of Moora, followed by Badgingarra NP, renowned for its incredibly diverse bushland.

Our destination this afternoon is the town of Cervantes, the gateway to the Pinnacles Desert and Nambung NP. We then continue 17kms south to Nambung NP, made up of 17,000 hectares of coastal heathland. The Pinnacles are amazing natural limestone structures, formed approximately 25,000 to 30,000 years ago. We’ll stay in the park to photograph the sunset.

Overnight accommodation- Motel room with en-suite in Cervantes (2 night stay)

Our first stop today is Lesueur National Park, which is home to over 900 plant species – 10 per cent of Western Australia’s known flora. Lesueur National Park is a biodiversity hotspot and ranks as one of the most important reserves for flora conservation in WA.

The park is also home to a wide variety of fauna including 122 species of birds, 15 species of native mammals, 52 species of reptile and a variety of insects including 29 species of the colourful jewel beetle.

Next, we’ll take the Carnamah-Eneabba Wildflower Drive, known for its spectacular wildflower displays.

Our final stop today is Coorow, where we’ll hunt for wreath flowers.

Overnight accommodation- Motel room with en-suite in Cervantes

Today we travel to the town of Mingenew, where we can take the Mingenew Wildflower Walk, located south west of the Mingenew Recreation Centre. This is an ideal place to experience many varieties of wildflowers.

Next is the rugged reserve of Depot Hill, a short 12km drive northwest of Mingenew via the Allanooka Springs Rd.

We reach Geraldton and you have the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.

Overnight accommodation- Ocean Centre Hotel, Geraldton- hotel room with en-suite. Located right next to the beach.

We depart Geraldton and drive east to the town of Mullewa, one of the few places in the world that the wreath flower grows. Here we can take the Wildflower Walk, a picturesque 2,820 metre circuit through bush land renowned for its stunning wildflower displays.

Continuing south, we arrive in Morawa, known as the Heart of the Wildflowers and one of the most prolific areas for native flowering plants, including the unique and distinctive Wreath Flower.

Our destination today is Dalwallinu and en-route we stop in Perenjori and a couple of other spots if there’s time.

Overnight accommodation- room with en-suite – The Old Convent Dalwallinu

**please note that single rooms here have king single beds only and the price reflects this**

We spend today in the Wongan Hills region, in the Wheatbelt district. Gathercole Nature Reserve is located just outside of Wongan Hills and offers a short five minute scenic walk to view some fascinating sculpture. Views across the farmland and into the distance are available along the walk. The 2.5km Christmas Rock Walk is on the outskirts of Town.

A little further afield, Mount Matilda is the highest point of the Wongan Hills Nature Reserve, at 434m. The area is extremely diverse with more than 1400 species of flowering plants and 24 species are unique to the Wongan Hills. Here there will be a possibility of photographing Mallee fowl and their nests.

Our accommodation this evening is in historic York, the first inland European settlement in WA and situated in the Avon Valley.

Overnight accommodation- Terrace motel room with en-suite –The York Palace Hotel and Terraces

This morning we drive down to the township of Narrogin, where we will head to the nearby Foxes Lair to explore. Foxes Lair has landscapes, plants, and birds from both regions. There are over 240 species of flowering plants here.

This afternoon we’ll visit Dryandra Woodland, north of Narrogin, where there are lot's of wildlife species to photograph, including the rare Numbat. We have some time to explore before our private evening experience at Barna Mia, a predator-proof animal sanctuary, situated within the Dryandra Woodland. With the guide using special torches, you can see threatened native animals such as bilby, woylie, mala, quenda and boodie.

Overnight accommodation- motel room with en-suite at the Narrogin Motel

Today we drive to the Stirling Ranges National Park.The mountain ranges of Stirling Range National Park rise to more than 1000m above sea level, featuring stark cliff faces, sheltered gullies, magnificent views and a rich diversity of unique and colourful wildflowers.

After lunch, we depart for our afternoon of exploring with the retreat's resident flower expert, who will show us the best orchid and wildflower hotspots and to discover well camouflaged blooms hidden under bushes.

Overnight accommodation at the Stirling Range Retreat, nestled against the majestic Stirling Ranges National Park.

This morning we take the spectacular 115 kilometre mountain drive, filled with enthralling views and stops along the way, then head for the small coastal town of Bremer Bay.

Many rare species are found only in and around Bremer Bay. The Fitzgerald River National Park boasts an abundance of over 1800 unique species of flora and over 200 types of fauna. Orchids are also a big highlight of the area with many different species recorded and they can be seen walking around the townsite from the footpaths and walk trails.

Overnight accommodation- Bremer Bay Resort - motel room with en-suite

This morning we drive out to a nearby bushcamp for a special tour of the property with their resident botanist. This is an eco tour in a sensitive area, bordering Fitzgerald River National Park, so the group will be split into 2 for the day. One group will head off for a 3 hour tour with the botanist while the 2nd group has time to explore the wildflowers around the camp area. And then the groups swap over. These are small group private tours for just our tour group and there’s plenty of time to learn about and photograph the wildflowers.

After the tours finish, we drive to Albany for our overnight accommodation.

Overnight accommodation- Dog Rock Motel in Albany- motel room with en-suite

We head further west today, driving to Denmark and onto the tree-cloaked Walpole-Nornalup National Park, home to tingle forests, which occur nowhere else in the world. Here we take The Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, featuring a stunning walkway positioned 40 metres above the ground amid the dizzying heights of the tingle forest canopy.

Our next stop is inland, to Pemberton and the Gloucester National Park, home of the Gloucester Tree. The Southern Forests region is known for it's biodiversity with more than 2500 species of plants including over 100 terrestrial orchid species.

At Gloucester National Park we hope to see karri wildflowers Cutleaf Hibbertia, Tassel Bush, Native Wisteria, Coral Vine and White Clematis.

Overnight accommodation- Manjimup, motel room with en-suite (2 night stay)

Orchid lovers should be happy today as we travel to D’Entrecasteaux National Park. Consolidated limestone cliffs overlaid with sand at Pt D'entrecasteaux provide a perfect habitat for coastal heath wildflowers and orchids.

At Point D’Entrecasteaux there’s an easy cliff-top walk and there’s plenty of other offshoot trails if you’re more adventurous and haven’t had enough of the stunning coastal blooms.

We have the whole morning to explore here and then this afternoon, we’ll take a private cruise on the Donnelly River. We will transverse a diverse eco system that is only accessible by boat. From the lush Jarrah and Karri forests, through the Paperbark and wetlands, to the limestone cliffs and majestic Southern Ocean. On the way we will cruise past the unique holiday huts nestled amongst the towering Marri trees and coastal dunes. This cruise will be tailored to suit our group’s photography interests and includes an on-shore stop en-route, for drinks and a gourmet BBQ.

Overnight accommodation- Manjimup, motel room with en-suite