A pool at Austinmer Beach, near Wollongong, NSW, photographed with a 15 second exposure. The water is illuminated by moonlight and the glow of street lights, as dark waves break over the pool.
This photo was taken at Nobby’s Beach in Newcastle, New South Wales, just after sunrise. “The sunrise wasn’t anything special due to all the cloud cover, but I snapped this after the sun had risen, when this father and son were heading out to brave the cold ocean,” says Jessica Porter. “It’s now one of my favourites.”
The SS Dicky floundered on what is now known as Dicky Beach in Caloundra, Queensland, in 1983. Less of the wreck remains each year, but she still draws a crowd of keen photographers on weekends.
“A violent summer storm ripped over my house then out to sea, and the following light show was one I’l never forget,” says photographer Matthew Harvey.
“As I was stepping over a rock pool on Arrawarra Headland. north of Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, a defensive mud crab thrust its claw skyward,” says photographer Jenny Young. “It was an unlikely place to find a crab, which are normally found on the soft, muddy bottom of a sheltered estuary.”
The Flying Dutchman sails through Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne, Victoria.
An osprey does a low fly-by with its fresh catch.
Sunrise at Picnic Rocks, Eddystone Point, Tasmania.
Waves beat the rocks at North Gorge, North Stradbroke Island, Queensland.
A surfer watches the waves at Tea Tree Bay, a north-facing cove in Noosa National Park, south-east Queensland.
Lifesavers carry an Inflatible Rescue Boat (IRB) into the surf at Noosa Main Beach in south-east Queensland.
Point Cartwright, Queensland, at sunrise.
Sunrise through a dew drop on North Beach, Perth, Western Australia.
A seagull’s angel wings.
Fortescue Bay in Tasmania faces the Southern Ocean, providing a well-protected harbour where blazing sunrises are commonplace.
“I was fishing at my favourite beach early one morning,” says Petina Alexander. “I always have a camera with me and this particular morning a heavy fog had settled along the shoreline. I saw a runner in the distance and, coupled with the patterns created by the surf wash, I spied an interesting composition.”
Bar-tailed godwits forage on North Shore Beach near Port Macquarie, New South Wales.
The sunshine silhouette of a beautifully backlit wave.
When a storm descended, Michael Harris acted fast. “I grabbed my camera and headed for a spot a few minutes away that I’d been to a few times before to try and shoot a sunrise,” he says. “This is one shot, a three-minute exposure that has captured the intense beauty and power of nature.”
Altona Beach, Victoria, at dusk with street lights illuminating the sand and foreshore.
The last remaining section of the SS Dicky on Dicky Beach, Queensland. “A late afternoon thunderstorm passed leaving us with a half rainbow,” says photographer Erin Cole. “The image was taken using several slide grad filters and a circular polarising filter.”
“These are my two dogs, Lucky and Chilli, who enjoy our daily walks on Windang beach, New South Wales,” says Mandy Creighton.
Sandstone along Perth’s shoreline.
Pelicans fight over fish scraps thrown by fishermen from the Shellharbour boat ramp, New South Wales.
“My friend and I headed out to South Arm, Tasmania early one morning to catch some waves during the sunrise,” says Lachlan Phillips. “I took a few quick shots before we headed into the ocean.”
Prison Island is one of 27 coral islands in the Cocos Keeling Islands archipelago. “Whilst living on Cocos we often had the privilege of cruising out across the lagoon to relax on Prison Island,” says Tracey Chatman. “Even better, we usually had the place to ourselves.”
Fur seals bask in the sun near Apollo Bay, Victoria.
Newcastle Ocean Baths, New South Wales, at 4:45am.
Eye-catching contours and the charm of Queenscliff Pier, Victoria, inspired this photo, says Jenny Young. Built in 1886-87 the pavilion has provided shelter for countless ferry passengers and sightseers.
Sherilyn names Newcastle Baths, New South Wales as her favourite place. “The weather was perfect for this shot,” says Sherilyn. “Dark, moody sky and very windy – the weather didn’t stop some people taking a dip on a warm Australia Day weekend.”
This photo was taken at Nightcliff Beach, near Darwin in the Northern Territory. “I got in amongst the cliffs to try and capture the unique rock formations,” says Peter Harrington. “I was very lucky to have the dramatic cloud lines appear as the sun was low in the sky.”
Sunrise at Point Eric, South Coast, Tasmania.
“The coastal strip between Newcastle and Anna Bay offers photographers many such opportunities, if only they’ll wait for the light,” says Barry Ashenhurst.
Cathedral Rocks at Kiama, New South Wales. “Most images of this location make use of a wide angle,” says Andrew Losurdo. “I went for a longer lens to engage the viewer in the main focal point and try to minimise distractions.”
“This photo was taken during a king tide at Keira Beach, New South Wales,” says Janice Fleming. “The surf was raging and pouring over the walkways. I cropped the photo to reflect magnitude of the waves.”
The spray of 7 Mile Beach on the south coast of New South Wales.
After chasing silver fish through the water in the Cocos Keeling Islands lagoon, my children rested on their very own deserted island.
‘The Divide’, New South Wales.
“This shot was taken at Altona Beach in Victoria, which is where I live,” says Peter Harrington. “This scene only lasted for a few moments, before wind rippled the water and spoiled the reflections. I had to get my feet wet to get the shot.”
“Overcast skies and rain the whole morning weren’t a good sign, and I’d already accepted that the morning was probably going to be a complete waste,” says Michael Harris. “Once the sky started to lighten up, I noticed a small cloudless band on the horizon. Fingers crossed I sat, waited and hoped the sun would rise through this little window in the distance.”
“I’ve driven passed this tumble-down jetty near Belmont, New South Wales, many times, but on this occasion the light was so spectacular I had to grab the camera,” says Barry Ashenhurst. “I set it up, then asked a fellow shooter to hit the shutter for me when my dog Bill and I were in position.”
A rough day at Bondi Beach, Sydney.
Seeking shelter under Henley Beach Pier, South Australia.
A single fin surf comp is held annually at Frenchman’s Beach, north of Caves Beach, New South Wales.
Currumbin on the Gold Coast, Queensland, just before dawn.
Mangroves at Nudgee Beach, Brisbane, Queensland. “Very early in the morning as the tide was coming in, I stood in the mud and set the camera to a long shutter speed to capture the movement of the water,” says Ann Ingham. “It looked like silk.”
An Estonian backpacker climbs out of the water at Camp Cove, Wastons Bay in New South Wales. The Sydney skyline is visible across the harbour.
The sun rises over Stradbroke Island’s Flinders Beach, off the coast of Queensland. “There’s a reason fishermen get up early and it’s not just to catch the morning meal,” says Vikki Siliato.
This photograph of Pumping Jetty in Surfers Paradise, Queensland, was shot in the early morning with a 30-second exposure.
A seal dives out of the surf off the coast of Apollo Bay in Victoria.