Broome Astrophotography Tours

Absolutely not. The only pre-requisite for coming along is a disposition towards, and eye for recognising, pristine natural beauty.

Absolutely. The only pre-requisite for coming along is a disposition and eye for recognising pristine natural beauty.

Do I need photography experience?

This tour is pitched at photographers and non photographers alike.

It's pitched at all levels of photographers, from those wanting to develop existing skills, to those wanting to learn more about how night sky photographs are taken.

For the non-photographers out there, the evening is a wonderful opportunity to spend time under the beauty and powerful silence of the Broome night sky, while enjoying nice cheese and wine and seeing Broome at its most beautiful on any given day.

Is this a photography workshop or an experience?

This is certainly not a workshop. Those can last for days or even weeks, and most would still not know everything there is to know about this subject. But it is an opportunity to learn from a photographer who has worked around the world and to see how I optimise and combine the beauty of Broome's natural landscapes with its beautiful and dramatic night skies.

We will meet at the Broome Visitor Centre carpark 15 minutes prior to our scheduled departure.

The early departure is to ensure we get to our location and can get set-up in time for the sunset and blue hour on-time. This is a very beautiful time of the day in Broome and the Kimberley.

I will set up to photograph the sunset and blue hour and talk guests through the things I take into account in planning and making my photographs. Those with cameras are welcome to set up and to take as many photographs as they like.

The blue hour is a very important part of the evening for my Milky Way photography as the foreground forms a key part of the end product when the evening is done and dusted. The light at this time is generally the most beautiful in the entire day.

We will then leave our cameras and tripods in place and retreat to enjoy some nice cheese and wine while we wait for the onset of darkness and the Milky Way to rise. Fortunately at this time of year the Milky Way rises quite early.

While we wait for darkness and the Milky Way to rise, I will talk participants through the key camera, lens and settings I use to photograph the Broome night sky. Including little hacks most people don't think about but that make a huge difference to the end result. Plus other tricks photographers use such as light painting. Also things to be careful of when choosing locations to shoot, such as post-processing considerations.

We will spend about an hour photographing the Milky Way and then return to Broome not later than 2130. Those who are interested are welcome to join me to go through the post-processing afterwards.

Tours are kept deliberately small to ensure everyone receives personal attention and has the best possible experience. Group sizes are limited to a maximum of ten participants.

How do I book a tour? Simply click the Check Availability button to see available dates and complete your booking online. If you have any questions before booking, feel free to contact me directly.

What does the tour cost? Our standard pricing is as follows:

• Adults — A$185
• Couples — A$350
• Pensioners — A$165
• Children aged 12 to 15 — A$150

All prices are in Australian Dollars and include GST.

When do I make payment? Full payment is required at the time of booking. This confirms your place on the tour and ensures your date is exclusively reserved for you.

How far in advance should I book? I recommend booking as early as possible, particularly during peak season between April and October. Tours are limited in size to ensure the best possible experience for all participants, and popular dates fill quickly.

The following things ARE included in the price:

1. Memories of a magical evening under the Broome night sky.
2. The chance to see and learn from a photographer has spent much of the past 30 years living and working in Broome and the Kimberley and is the author of nine large format coffee table books.
3. An emailed photo of your evening's night sky as a beautiful memory.
4. Nice cheese and wine.
5. Cheat-sheet checklists I used for planning, shooting and post-processing.
6. A true appreciation of how unique the dark Kimberley night sky really is.
7. Free pick-up and drop-off or you can tag-along.

The following things are NOT included in the price:

1. Personal photography equipment (camera, lenses, tripods, batteries, memory cards).
2. Travel insurance or personal accident insurance.
3. Medical or evacuation costs.
4. Clothing suitable for night conditions or changing weather.
5. Insect repellent or personal comfort items.
6. Image processing tuition beyond the scope of the evening experience.
7. Purchase of prints, books, or digital images.
8. Any costs arising from late arrival or early departure by the guest.
9. Costs resulting from weather, road conditions, or circumstances outside the operator’s control.

We will meet at the Broome Visitor Centre carpark 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. Our return time will depend on the position of the stars. Earlier in the season tours depart at around 1900 and then as the season progresses the departure times move to 1630 to enable the capturing of the blue hour light which is very beautiful.

We have a number of locations we "work" around Broome and the location chosen on any particular evening will be a function of star position, weather conditions and light.

Tag-along or courtesy pick-up/ drop-off from your place of accommodation is available.

If you would like to take your own night sky photos, you will need:

1. A digital or mirrorless camera allowing manual control of focusing, aperture, shutter speed and ISO.
2. Wide angle lens of 24mm or wider for full frame cameras and 16mm or wider for crop-sensored cameras.
3. Memory cards.
4. A sturdy tripod.
5. Fully charged batteries (don't laugh - some forget this).

I recommend bringing the following:

• Your camera, lenses and a tripod if you have one.
• A head torch — essential for moving around in the dark.
• Sturdy closed toe shoes.
• Warm layers — temperatures can drop significantly after sunset even in the Broome dry season.
• A hat.
• A water bottle.
• A camping chair if you have one.

The tour is suitable for teenagers aged 12 to 15 at a discounted rate. Due to the nature of the experience — running after dark for several hours in a remote location — I respectfully ask that children under 12 do not attend. If you have any questions about suitability please don't hesitate to contact me before booking.

Please contact me before booking if you have any mobility concerns and I will do my best to accommodate you. While the location involves some walking on uneven ground I am happy to discuss your specific needs.