The 5 best remote places to photograph in Australia

Discover the best places to snap your next artwork

Australia is a land of vast landscapes and breathtaking natural beauty, offering countless opportunities for photographers to capture its unique essence. While iconic landmarks like Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef are well-known, the country’s most remote and untouched locations offer some of the most spectacular and rewarding photography experiences. If you’re looking to escape the crowds and capture Australia’s raw, untamed beauty, these five remote destinations are the best places to photograph in Australia.

5. The Kimberley, Western Australia

A land of rugged beauty and ancient landscapes
The Kimberley region in Western Australia is one of the country’s most remote and dramatic landscapes. Spanning over 420,000km2, this vast wilderness is characterised by red sandstone cliffs, hidden gorges, cascading waterfalls, and ancient boab trees. The Kimberley’s isolation means that its natural beauty remains largely untouched, offering photographers a chance to capture some of Australia’s most iconic and awe-inspiring scenery.

Capture:

  • Mitchell Falls: A four-tiered waterfall surrounded by rugged cliffs and lush vegetation, best captured during the wet season (November to April) when the falls are at their most powerful.
  • Bungle Bungle Range (Purnululu National Park): The striking beehive-shaped rock formations of the Bungle Bungles are a must-see, with their unique striped patterns and vibrant colours offering incredible photographic opportunities, especially during the golden hour (last hour before sunset and first hour after sunrise).
Best Places to Photograph in Australia
Amazing cascading Mitchell Water Falls.
Best Places to Photograph in Australia
Moonrise over the Bungle Bungles in Western Australia.

4. Lake Eyre, South Australia

Soak up Australia’s largest salt lake
Lake Eyre (Kati Thanda) is Australia’s largest salt lake, located in the remote Outback of South Australia. For most of the year, the lake is a vast expanse of shimmering white salt, creating an otherworldly landscape that seems to stretch on forever. However, during rare periods of heavy rainfall, the lake fills with water, attracting an abundance of birdlife and transforming the area into a stunning oasis.

Capture:

  • Aerial shots of Lake Eyre: The best way to capture the scale and beauty of Lake Eyre is from above. An aerial photography tour offers the chance to shoot the intricate patterns formed by the salt and water, with colours ranging from pure white to deep pink and blue.
  • Wildlife photography: During the flood, Lake Eyre becomes a haven for waterbirds, including pelicans, black swans and gulls, offering unique wildlife photography opportunities against the stark backdrop of the salt flats.
Best Places to Photograph in Australia
Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre from above.
Best Places to Photograph in Australia
Dramatic sunset at Kati Thanda.

3. Cape York Peninsula, Queensland

Where rainforest meets the reef
The Cape York Peninsula is one of Australia’s most remote and untouched regions, offering a rugged and wild landscape where the rainforest meets the reef. Located at the northernmost tip of Queensland, this area is rich in biodiversity, with dense rainforests, secluded beaches and crystal-clear rivers. The peninsula’s remoteness ensures that its natural beauty remains unspoiled, making it a paradise for landscape and wildlife photographers.

Capture:

  • Fruit Bat Falls: This stunning waterfall is one of Cape York’s most photographed natural attractions. With its cascading waters and serene swimming hole, it’s a perfect spot for capturing the beauty of the region’s waterways.
  • Pajinka (The Tip): The northernmost point of the Australian mainland, known as ‘The Tip’, offers breathtaking views of the coastline and surrounding islands. Photographing the rugged cliffs and turquoise waters at sunrise or sunset provides an opportunity for stunning landscape shots.
Best Places to Photograph in Australia
Tip of Australia, Cape York Peninsula.

2. Tasmania’s southwest wilderness

A pristine wilderness untouched by time
Tasmania’s southwest wilderness is one of Australia’s most remote and least visited areas, offering photographers a chance to explore a truly wild and untouched landscape. This vast region is home to ancient rainforests, rugged mountain ranges and pristine rivers, with much of it only accessible by foot or light aircraft. The area’s dramatic landscapes and changing weather conditions provide endless opportunities for capturing moody and atmospheric photographs.

Capture:

  • Port Davey: Accessible only by foot, boat or plane, Port Davey is a stunning natural harbour surrounded by mountains and rainforests. The area’s untouched beauty and isolation make it a dream location for landscape photography.
  • Mount Anne: One of Tasmania’s highest peaks, Mount Anne offers breathtaking views of the southwest wilderness. The hike to the summit is challenging, but the panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountains and forests are well worth the effort.
Best Places to Photograph in Australia
Claytons Corner, Port Davey.
Best Places to Photograph in Australia
Mount Anne.

1. Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

An underwater paradise for marine photography
While Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is world-famous, the remote Ningaloo Reef on the western coast offers photographers a more secluded and intimate experience. This World Heritage-listed reef is one of the longest fringing reefs in the world, stretching over 300km along the coast of Western Australia. Ningaloo’s clear, shallow waters are teeming with marine life, making it a perfect destination for underwater photography.

Capture:

  • Whale sharks: Ningaloo is one of the few places in the world where you can swim with whale sharks, the sea’s gentle giants. Capturing these massive creatures in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience for any photographer.
  • Coral gardens: The vibrant coral reefs of Ningaloo are home to a diverse array of marine life, including turtles, manta rays and colourful fish. Snorkelling or diving among the coral gardens provides endless opportunities for underwater photography.
Best Places to Photograph in Australia
Ningaloo Reef, Coral Bay.
Best Places to Photograph in Australia
Aerial view of a solitary rock in Ningaloo coral reef.

Get the most from your touring with Great Australian Outdoors
Explore our latest magazine issue for more tips on photographing Australia’s most remote and beautiful locations. Visit our shop page to purchase your copy and start planning your next photography adventure in Australia’s wildest regions.