Bouddi Coastal Astromeet with the Sony a7V

Featuring hands-on shooting with the new Sony a7 V

Join Sony Digital Imaging Advocate Jay Evans for a special coastal Astromeet along the dramatic shoreline of Bouddi National Park, timed to align with one of the most visually compelling nights of the astro season.

This Astromeet offers the rare opportunity to photograph the Milky Way rising alongside a crescent moon, casting soft natural light across sandstone cliffs, rock platforms, and secluded beaches. The combination of moonlight, early-season Milky Way alignment, and Bouddi’s east-facing coastline creates ideal conditions for powerful nightscape imagery.

Throughout the night, we’ll move carefully along the coastal track, refining compositions as conditions evolve — from moonlit blue hour through to full darkness — while also giving participants the chance to shoot with and experience the new Sony a7 V in real coastal night conditions.

This Astromeet is about immersion, creativity, and purposeful shooting in one of NSW’s most photogenic coastal environments.

📍 Why Bouddi National Park?

• 🌊 Rugged sandstone coastline with layered foregrounds
• 🌌 Clean eastern horizon for early Milky Way alignment
• 🌙 Rare Milky Way and crescent moon combination
• 📸 Diverse compositions across beaches, cliffs, and headlands
• 🧭 A location that rewards patience and creative exploration

🌠 What You’ll Explore on the Night

🌌 Coastal Astrophotography – Milky Way positioning, moonrise timing, star trails, and sky movement

📷 Sony a7 V in Astrophotography – Real-world performance for Astro, nightscapes and dynamic range

📷 Essential Night Camera Techniques – Long exposures, accurate focus, and low-light workflows

🔦 Astroscape Lighting – Subtle lighting techniques to enhance sandstone and coastal textures

📍 Composition & Flow – Building strong foreground-to-sky connections as conditions change

⚡ Night Shooting Skills – Managing lens fog, wind, and cold coastal conditions

🧭 Astro Safety & Etiquette – Moving responsibly through sensitive coastal environments

📷 Sony a7 V & Loan Equipment Access

Participants will have the opportunity to use Sony loan equipment on the night, subject to availability, including:

📷 Sony a7 V camera bodies

📸 Wide-angle and standard lenses suited to nightscapes and Astrophography

This is a rare chance to test the Sony a7 V in real coastal astro conditions, compare results with your own setup, and experience how Sony’s latest Alpha body handles Astro, low light, dynamic scenes, and long shooting sessions.

🗓 Event Details

📅 Date: Saturday 14 March 2026

🕦 Meet Time: 11:30 PM

🌌 Galactic Core Visible: 23:42 – 05:33

🌅 Sunrise: 6:53 AM

📍 Location: Bouddi Coastal Walk, Bouddi National Park, Central Coast, NSW

🚗 Parking: End of Putty Beach Road, Bouddi National Park

📍 Google Maps Pin: https://goo.gl/maps/jdAVQztGjg49bGrAA

🌦 Weather & Conditions

• This Astromeet is weather dependent
• Heavy rain or storm activity may result in cancellation or rescheduling
  • Thursday 19 March is held as a backup date
• Partial cloud cover can still allow for creative night shooting and light painting opportunities

🥾 Fitness & Terrain

🔹 Grade 2 – Moderate

• Beach access, walking tracks, and uneven rocky ground
• Ability to navigate coastal terrain in low light required
• Elevated awareness essential near cliff edges

✨ Why Join This Astromeet?

• Photograph a rare Milky Way and crescent moon alignment
• Shoot alongside a small group of dedicated night photographers
• Experience the Sony a7 V in real-world coastal night conditions
• Refine your nightscape approach in one of NSW’s most photogenic National Parks

🛂 Licensed & Accredited

Jay is a licensed photography tour operator operating under an NSW National Parks Eco Pass Licence – LIC20/116, with permission to conduct photography events within Bouddi National Park.

💡 Why Is There a Fee?

Your booking fee contributes to:

✅ National Park entry fees

✅ NSW National Parks Eco Pass licence fees

✅ Council / LGA commercial activity permits (where applicable)

✅ Public liability insurance

✅ Experienced and accredited guide

✅ Event planning, logistics, and administration

🌌 Join Us Under the Stars

From moonlit sandstone cliffs to the first glow of dawn, this Bouddi Astromeet blends rare celestial alignment, coastal drama, and hands-on shooting with the Sony a7 V into one focused night under the stars.

📸 Moonlight. Milky Way. Sony a7 V. Coastal magic.

🔗 Places are limited — secure your spot and shoot the night sky with us.

• 🌌 Astrophotography in Coastal Landscapes – Milky Way positioning, moonrise timing, star trails, and night-sky movement
• 📷 Sony a7 V in Astrophotography – Real-world performance for Astro, nightscapes and dynamic range
• 📷 Essential Night Camera Techniques – Long exposures, accurate focus, and low-light workflows
• 🔦 Astroscape Lighting – Subtle lighting techniques to enhance sandstone and coastal textures
• 📍 Composition & Storytelling – Building strong foreground-to-sky connections
• ⚡ Night Shooting Skills – Managing lens fog, wind, and cold coastal conditions
• 🧭 Astro Safety & Etiquette – Moving responsibly through sensitive coastal environments

• MANDATORY - Headlamp or torch
• Mirrorless or DSLR camera
• Wide-angle lens (24mm or wider, f/2.8 or higher)
• Sturdy Tripod (don't forget the plate for your camera)
• Shutter remote or intervalometer
• Warm layered clothing
• Good hiking footwear with ankle support
• Water and snacks
• Insect repellent