Cradle Mountain Nature and Night Photography Workshop

Join professional landscape photographer Luke Tscharke for an exciting four-day, three-night, adventure into the heart of Tasmania's wilderness. This Nature and Night Photography Workshop, set within the World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, is tailored for a small group of just three participants. It offers a fantastic opportunity to capture the park's stunning vistas under the guidance of an expert.

Scheduled over the new moon in April, this workshop is perfectly timed to immerse you in the art of nightscape photography (dependent on weather conditions). April's weather, often marked by clear, crisp nights and stable conditions, sets the stage for an unforgettable photographic journey. 

Moreover, our workshop coincides with a period of heightened auroral activity, thanks to the solar maximum, and is also timed near the March equinox. These natural cycles amplify the chances of witnessing and capturing the vibrant dance of the Aurora Australis, making every night a chance to to photograph the lights above the peak of Cradle Mountain.

Staying right within the national park at the historic Waldheim Cabins not only provides us with immediate access to a range of shooting locations but also ensures we're in the heart of wildlife activity. It's not uncommon to find Tasmania's native animals, such as wombats, meandering near our accommodations, offering unique wildlife photography opportunities right at our doorstep.

Early April also teases the early signs of the turning of the fagus, Tasmania's only native deciduous tree, which adds a splash of autumn colours to the landscape. It's also a great time to practice macro photography with some great fungi specimens. Additionally our workshop's location within the park makes it incredibly convenient to embark on night shoots, and the proximity to walking trails allows us to hit the trails right from our cabin, making it easy for us to discover and capture the stunning beauty of the park in day as well.

With so much going on, from the potential aurora displays and ideal nightscape conditions to the intimate encounters with wildlife and the subtle beauty of fungi and the turning fagus, this workshop promises to be an amazing experience. Join us for a journey that not only aims to enhance your photography skills but also connects you deeply with the natural wonders of Tasmania's wilderness.

Location and Accommodation

We'll be calling the historic Waldheim Cabins our home. Situated within the National Park, these cabins offer direct, doorstep access to some of Tasmania's most spectacular wilderness landscapes. In selecting the Waldheim Cabins for our stay, we've placed a premium on location and easy access to photography locations, especially for our night shoots.

The accommodation consists of two twin-share bedrooms, each housing two bunk beds, allowing for rest and relaxation after a day's exploration and photography. The cabins are equipped with electric heating, basic cooking utensils, crockery, cutlery and an electric stove. There are small fridges available in each cabin with limited general-use power points. While the cabins offer the essentials for a comfortable stay, including bed linen, it's important to note that bathroom facilities are external, necessitating a short walk. Each amenities block has flushing toilets and hot showers.

Luke Tscharke Photography is an authorised nature based tourism operator with Parks Tasmania.

Workshop Highlights

• Sunrise and Sunset shoots: Capture the iconic Dove Lake in the magic hour light
• Nature photography:  There will be plenty of opportunities to photograph macro subjects and intimate landscapes, with April being a fantastic time to capture fungi.
• Wildlife encounters: Experience the thrill of photographing native wildlife, including the chance to observe wombats in their natural habitat around the cabin area
• Nightscape focus: With the workshop coinciding with the new moon, we will have the right conditions to try some nightscape photography within the park
• Aurora opportunities: With Cradle Mountain's optimal south-facing aspect, there is always a chance to witness and photograph the Aurora Australis, conditions permitting.

Personal Capabilities and Experience Level

Whilst having some night photography experience would undoubtedly be beneficial, all skill levels are catered for, whether you want some pointers or are after some more dedicated help out in the field. As part of the booking, you'll receive a link to Luke's online photography tutorial videos to assist with preparation.  Luke will be there assisting you, and photographing alongside you, so you can learn and observe from him directly.

Pricing and Payment

Total Price: AUD $1,895 per person

Minimum numbers: This workshop is guaranteed to go ahead, so book now to secure your place.

Cancellation: If you need to cancel your booking for any reason you will only be refunded the total amount (less booking fees) if we can find someone to take your place, or if you transfer the booking to another experience run by Luke. Full terms and conditions can be found here.

• Landscape Photography: Daytime photography and sunset long exposures. 
• Nightscape Photography: Techniques for shooting the night sky over the landscape. 
• Aurora Photography: Understanding and capturing the Southern Lights (conditions permitting)
• Camera Settings: Tailoring settings for optimal night sky capture. 
• Composition: Framing and positioning for eye-catching images. 
• Post-Processing: Enhancing your photos to bring out the best in them. (where time permits)

• A full list of recommended equipment will be provided prior to the experience, but expect to bring: 
• Warm clothing and sturdy footwear (weather-appropriate). 
• Camera with manual settings and a tripod. 
• Lenses, especially a wide-angle lens suitable for night photography. 
• Remote or cable shutter release if an external device is required. 
• Headtorch, spare batteries and memory cards. 
• Willingness to "rough it" a little to stay in an exceptional location within the National Park