Mount Hay and Butterbox Point Photo Adventure

Come and join Sony Advocate Jay Evans again, as we explore one of the gems of the Blue Mountains on this epic photo walk. Our first outing of this wonderful walk had fun, laughter and fantastic views all the way through, and this is definitely a photo adventure not to miss.

The Mount Hay and Butterbox Point areas of the Blue Mountains are declared wilderness areas, with particular values meaning they stay untouched and natural, and from here there is a staggering amount to photograph, from the epic vistas across the Grose Valley with its distinct blue haze, the incredible diversity of eucalypt forest, hanging swamps and sandstone cliffs, plus, at this time of year, a startling array of colourful wildflowers intermixed with the wildlife in cockatoos, eagles, wallabies, snakes and reptiles.

Our morning begins at the National Park entry gate on Mount Hay road, where we will travel in convoy along the dirt trail to the Butterbox Point car park (this trail is now suitable for 2WD vehicles again after being recently repaired and graded).

We will stop to capture sunrise before hiking the bush tracks to the summit of Mount Hay and back via Butterbox Point, photographing the views, flowers and wildlife along the way, while taking in the breathtaking beauty and silence of our surrounds.

As we walk, you will be expertly guided by your Blue Mountains guide, introduced to the variety of Flora, Fauna and with tales of this declared wilderness area, along with the story and visible signs and recovery from the 2019/2020 black summer bushfires.

You will be guided to the best viewpoints along the way, and given tuition on your landscape, nature, macro and wildlife photography.

We will return to our cars for approximately 1PM before making our way back to civilisation.

LICENSE & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Jay is licensed to operate Photography tours and Bushwalk Activities in NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service under an Eco Pass License # LIC20/116. We wish to acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the country we visit during our tours, the Gundungurra, Dharug, Wiradjuri, Darkinjung and Thawawal people and pay our respects to elders past, future and ongoing.

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS - Grade 3 - Small distance bush walking (<5km) with some inclines, stairs and rocky outcrops. Stairs may be unformed with no handrails. Walks may be on muddy tracks. Some rocky outcrops must be climbed. Moderate levels of fitness required and good level of personal awareness required.

WILL WE HAVE SONY EQUIPMENT TO TRY? we may have Sony Digital Imaging equipment to try while we are on our sessions. This will always be dependent on what Sony has available to loan and our ability to get gear to our location. Check in with me before hand if you want to try anything in particular during the session and we will try to coordinate it for you.

WHY IS THERE A FEE? Apart from receiving Landscape photography coaching & tuition from your highly experienced guide and tutor, your small fee covers our business costs for hosting such tours in NSW National Parks, Council Reserves and Crown Lands which includes:

• Any National Park Entry Fees ($4.64 per person per day).
• License fees (such as NSW National Parks EcoPass).
• Public Liability Insurance to cover Bushwalking and Wilderness Activities (a Requirement of  Licenses)
• An Experienced and Accredited Guide and Photography Educator with Remote Area First Aid Accreditation.
• Other Ancillary costs.

• Landscape & Nature Photography
• Macro Photography
• Wildlife Photography
• Wilderness bushwalking for photographers
• Sony Cameras and Lenses
• Landscape Composition

• Good Walking Boots - Mid/high ankle boots preferred
• Hiking appropriate clothing including base layers, fleece and rain jacket
• Hiking poles if used
• Comfortable camera backpack with rain cover
• Water Bottle (minimum 750ml recommended)
• Packed lunch and snacks if required
• Your camera with batteries and empty memory cards
• Selection of lenses - Ultra wide (12-24mm), Medium Tele (24-105mm), Tele (70-600mm)
• Bring your macro lenses for Spring Wildflowers
• Tripod
• Shutter remote
• Any landscape filters including Circular Polariser