Hopetoun Falls & The Redwoods Workshop (3-4hrs)
A 3–4 hour landscape photography session in the Otways. Photograph Hopetoun Falls and the Californian Redwoods in one morning, learning long exposure technique and capturing soft natural light in the rainforest.
The Otways are home to some of Victoria's most photogenic rainforest landscapes. This workshop covers two of the best in a single morning — Hopetoun Falls, a tiered cascade set deep in a fern gully, and the Californian Redwoods of Aire Valley, where 90-year-old Sequoia trees rise impossibly tall above a forest floor of tree ferns. Around 2.5 hours' drive from Melbourne, both within Great Otway National Park.
This is a self-drive workshop. We meet at the Californian Redwoods car park at 10:00am, then drive in convoy to Hopetoun Falls partway through the session.
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Operates in all weather conditions (overcast and rainy days are often best for forest and waterfall photography)
- Not wheelchair accessible
What to expect on the day
Two of the Otways' most iconic landscapes, in one focused morning.
We start at the Californian Redwoods at 10am — late enough that the harsh overhead sun has softened, when shafts of light filter through the canopy and the forest floor of tree ferns glows green. Then a short drive to Hopetoun Falls, a tiered waterfall set in a deep fern gully, where we'll work with long exposure technique and the soft natural light that the gully holds throughout the day.
It's a workshop that covers two very different landscape disciplines back-to-back — forest interiors and moving water — which makes it one of the most rewarding ways to develop your photography in a short window. Whether you're picking up your first mirrorless camera or you've been shooting for years and want to refine specific skills, the session is tailored to where you're at.
Workshop Guidance
Across the two locations, we'll work through the techniques that matter most for forest and waterfall photography. You'll come away with a clearer understanding of:
- Manual settings and exposure for changing light and shaded conditions
- Long exposure technique for moving water
- Using ND filters and polarisers to manage glare and saturate foliage
- Composition in dense forest — leading lines, foreground interest, and finding order in visual chaos
- Composition for waterfalls — framing, scale, and using foreground rocks
- Reading and capturing soft natural light in the forest canopy
- Working in low-light conditions without losing sharpness
I'll work with each person individually throughout the session, so the time is genuinely tailored to what you want to learn.
Locations
The Otways are home to some of Victoria's most photogenic rainforest landscapes. This workshop covers two of the best in a single morning.
The Californian Redwoods — A 90-year-old plantation of towering Sequoia sempervirens trees off Aire Valley Road, surrounded by tree ferns and dappled morning light. We'll start here at 10am when the light is at its softest.
Hopetoun Falls — A tiered waterfall set in a deep fern gully near Beech Forest, a 20-minute drive from the redwoods. A short walk down to the viewing platform, with multiple shooting positions along the boardwalk and at the base.
Both locations are within Great Otway National Park, around 2.5 hours' drive from Melbourne.
Quick Answers
Photography Handbook
A landscape photography handbook is provided free of charge in advance of the photography workshop
Learn the Technicals:
- Demystifying the Exposure Triangle: Grasp the interplay of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, and learn to control light for perfect exposure.
- In-Camera Mastery: Utilize in-camera metering, histogram analysis, and graduated neutral density filters to capture dynamic scenes.
- HDR and Bracketing: Explore High Dynamic Range techniques to preserve detail in high-contrast scenes.
- Depth of Field and Focus: Understand how these tools influence sharpness and creatively direct the viewer’s eye.
Meeting Point
This is a self-drive workshop. We meet at the Californian Redwoods car park (Aire Valley Road, Beech Forest) at 10:00am, then drive in convoy to Hopetoun Falls partway through the session. Parking and toilets are available at both locations. Allow approximately 2.5 hours' drive from Melbourne.
Equipment
The following equipment is required to be self-supplied;
- DSLR or Mirrorless Camera with manual mode, digital or film camera although digital is preferred for on location guidance and critique
- SD card/s (or film), charged batteries, wide angle lens 16-35mm (FF Equivalent) or similar, and a zoom lens 24-70mm (FF Equivalent) or similar and a camera bag.
- A sturdy tri-pod
- Weather appropriate clothing
- 3 or 6 stop neutral density filter, 3 stop medium graduated neutral density filter & Polariser Filter (preferred but optional)
- Hiking boots preferred
- Snack, and Money for lunch and dinner
What's Included
- 3–4 hours of guided photography instruction
- Personalised coaching for your skill level
- Digital landscape photography handbook to take home
- Small group format — maximum 6 participants
What’s Not Included
- Travel Insurance
- Meals & Drinks
- Airfares
Season Timing
This is a morning workshop, starting at 10am at the Californian Redwoods. Both locations are best photographed in soft, diffused light rather than direct sun, which makes mid-morning the ideal time to begin. You'll receive a confirmation email 48 hours before the session with the meeting point, kit checklist, and weather outlook.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 3 weeks prior your tour date for a full refund. If you cancel less than 3 weeks before the tour date, the amount you paid will not be refunded. This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Dedicated, Small-Group Mentorship
All experience levels are welcome. Group sizes are kept small — 4 to 6 photographers — so everyone gets dedicated time and feedback.
Long Exposure & Moving Water
Hopetoun Falls is one of the best locations in Victoria to learn long exposure technique. We'll work with neutral density filters, slow shutter speeds, and careful composition to transform moving water into something quiet and cinematic.
Master Your Camera in Manual Mode
Stop relying on automatic settings and unlock your camera's full creative potential with personalised, hands-on instruction in two of the Otways' most photogenic locations.