Tasmanian Dark Sky Chase: Equinox Edition - March 2025

PLEASE NOTE: The $500 ticket price here is the deposit required to secure your spot. The full cost of this 3-day Chase is AUD $1,950. Please see the pricing section below for additional balance payment details before booking.

This workshop is open to photographers using any brand of equipment.

Join professional landscape photographer Luke Tscharke on a unique 3-day, 2-night Dark Sky Chase across Tasmania. We're timing this chase to maximise our photography opportunities - combining the autumn equinox, current solar maximum period, and new moon. This creates ideal conditions for both potential aurora displays and stunning nightscape photography under Tasmania's famously dark skies.

Finding the Best Dark Sky Location in Tasmania

We're doing something different in this workshop. Our small group size of 3 allows maximum flexibility, which is crucial in Tasmania where weather can change dramatically from region to region. While it might be cloudy at Cradle Mountain, Freycinet could be experiencing perfect conditions just a few hours away. That's why our flexible approach is so valuable - rather than being locked into one location and hoping for the best, we can adapt our plans and travel to where the conditions are most favourable.

While we can never guarantee clear skies, having the entire state as our playground significantly increases our chances of finding those perfect dark sky conditions. Over our two nights together, this mobility gives us the best possible opportunity to capture remarkable night sky images, whether that's in a well-known location or somewhere more unexpected that the weather has guided us to.

We'll review weather forecasts together and determine the best possible location for night photography, whether that's capturing the Milky Way, star trails, or if conditions align, the Aurora Australis. While aurora displays aren't guaranteed, we've chosen this time carefully. The autumn equinox period often brings heightened geomagnetic activity thanks to the Russell-McPherron effect, and combining this with the current solar maximum period gives us increased chances of aurora activity. Even without an aurora show, Tasmania's extremely dark skies offer incredible opportunities for nightscape and astrophotography.

Potential locations include kunanyi/Mount Wellington, South Arm Peninsula, Tasman Peninsula, Freycinet/Coles Bay, Central Highlands, St Helens/Bay of Fires, Bruny Island, Huon Valley, Cradle Mountain, Stanley/Tarkine, and Southwest/Lake Pedder.

Chase Planning and Inclusions

While we're primarily focused on dark sky photography, we'll make the most of our time by capturing Tasmania's landscapes during daylight hours too. The chase works as follows:

• Pre-chase briefing: Online Zoom session earlier in the week before departure where we'll review weather forecasts, determine shooting locations, and discuss accommodation and logistics
• First Chase day (Saturday 29 March): Pick-up in Hobart, drive to planned location, check-in, explore shooting locations in daylight, sunset followed by dark sky photography
• Second Chase day (Sunday 30 March): Optional sunrise*, explore and photograph locations around the area, sunset and dark sky photography
• Third Chase day (Monday 31 March): Optional sunrise*, check-out, photograph locations en route to Hobart, return to meeting point

* Sunrise shoots are optional and based on how late we were up photographing the night before

Accommodation

The flexibility to chase the clearest skies across Tasmania means booking accommodation with short notice. While our preference is for everyone to have their own private room, the short-notice nature of our bookings means we can't guarantee this - twin share arrangements might be necessary depending on availability. If you have specific accommodation requirements or concerns, please get in touch before booking so we can discuss options.

We'll discuss all accommodation arrangements during our pre-chase briefing. The goal is to find comfortable options close to our shooting locations, ideally staying both nights in the same place to minimise fatigue and maximise shooting time.

Meals

While photography is our priority, we'll always try to eat at local restaurants where possible. During our briefing, we'll discuss meal arrangements based on our planned locations. We might be eating earlier than usual to accommodate our shooting schedule, and sometimes we may need to be flexible - picking up supplies for a picnic dinner or preparing simple meals if we're in remote locations. We'll work out the best plan together to ensure everyone's well-fed while maximising our photography opportunities.

Personal Capabilities and Experience Level

While some night photography experience would be beneficial, all skill levels are welcome. You'll receive access to online tutorial videos to help prepare. Our locations are chosen with accessibility in mind - we may encounter some uneven terrain at night, but we won't be doing any serious hiking. I'll be there photographing alongside you, providing guidance and assistance throughout.

Pricing and Payment

Deposit: AUD $500
Balance Payment: AUD $1,450 due three weeks before the chase
Total Price: AUD $1,950

The price by the booking button above is the deposit to secure your place. After booking, we'll provide additional information including balance payment details.

Minimum numbers: A small group size of 3 people is required for the event to go ahead. A group of 2 (couple or friends) may be considered by paying a higher rate, contact Luke directly to organise.

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.

Join me under Tasmania's dark skies as we chase the best possible conditions for night photography, whether that's the dance of the Aurora Australis or the arch of the Milky Way. With limited spots available, don't delay making your booking. Feel free to contact Luke if you have any questions.

• Aurora Photography - Understanding and capturing the Southern Lights (conditions permitting)
• Nightscape Photography - Techniques for shooting the night sky and landscapes
• Landscape Photography - Daytime photography and sunset long exposures
• 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:

• Essential Clothing:
  • Warm, weather-appropriate clothing (layers recommended)
  • Sturdy, comfortable footwear
• Camera Equipment:
  • Camera with manual settings capability
  • Sturdy tripod
  • Wide-angle lens suitable for night photography
  • Remote or cable shutter release (if your camera requires an external device)
• Accessories:
  • Headtorch (red light capability recommended)
  • Spare batteries
  • Extra memory cards

And don't forget to bring a sense of adventure and excitement!