Twelve Day Red Centre Experience Photography Workshop and Tour
Where:  Australia's Red Centre - Plus new for 2023 - Devil's Marbles!!!

Next workshop - 24 June to 6 July 2023 -
Fully Booked


Please visit our Bookings / Payments pages to assure your position on this fantastic photographic adventure.

Click here for Workshop Dates.

Click
here for Bookings.

Questions

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Join Mark for a winter treat in Australia's outback wonderland.
Get to know your digital camera in one of Australia's most amazing natural environments! This amazing Red Centre Experience will include a 4 day trip to Kings Canyon, the iconic Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

Here is what Pamela Dickenson from Catherine, NT had to say about her 2017 experience :

Thank you Mark, for a fantastic Red Centre Experience 2017. I chose your Photography Workshop over two other workshops for the Red Centre as you offered instruction in Macro, and Birds in Flight in addition to Landscape….

see the rest of Pam's testimonial below.
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The workshop is designed to teach participants skills in all facets of photography including composition, lighting, exposure, aperture/shutter speed/ISO, depth of field and much more.

Trekabout Photography Workshops cater for all levels of experience and are very encouraging to beginners as well as the more advanced.  Our nine day Red Centre Experience will be based in Alice Springs which, in itself, is home to many wonderful attractions and photographic opportunities.

The area surrounding Alice Springs is home to a large variety of desert wildlife and flora. The outback is also renowned for producing amazing colours at sunrise and sunset.  Both opportunities will be presented during the workshop. 

The photographic locations and subjects, coupled with Mark's extensive photographic knowledge and tuition skills, means you will have an opportunity to learn many valuable photographic tips and techniques, with like-minded people. And you will do so in the most beautiful surroundings. The outback remoteness, and the peace and tranquility it embodies, is an experience you will treasure for a lifetime.

One of the opportunities presented will be to photograph many wild and rare desert reptiles, birds and mammals at the Alice Springs Desert Park. Special access will provide additional opportunities and subjects not normally available to the general public.

You will visit the East and West McDonnell Ranges and take in the spectacular scenery of Trephina Gorge Nature Park, Jessie Gap, Emily Gap, Ormiston Gorge, Standley Chasm and much more.


This amazing Red Centre Experience now includes a 4 day trip to Kings Canyon, the iconic Uluru and Kata Tjuta. We won't be climbing "The Rock" out of respect to its traditional owners, but we will be spending considerable time at select locations to capture it's awe-inspiring beauty. Sunset photography at Uluru will be an experience not quickly forgotten.

New for 2022 we will be overnighting at the iconic Devil's Marbles. This amazing location almost deserves a workshop all to itself but a quick visit with sunset and sunrise photo opportunities will have to suffice.
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Program includes:

  • Macro photography techniques - for beginners and more advanced users.
  • Landscape photography techniques - in the expansive outback and desert, with sunset opportunities, overlooking the amazing Uluru and red sand desert expanses.
  • Waterfall and cascade photography - depending on conditions and local rainfall, a very real possibility
  • Extensive bird and wildlife photography techniques.
  • Reptile centre visit getting up close and personal with exclusive access.
  • Getting to know your camera and its hidden capabilities.
  • Simplifying the digital world including camera technicalities, image storage, unraveling digital jargon and more.
  • Advice on recommended cameras/lenses/accessories to use for specific purposes.
  • Flash photography techniques including use of diffusers, reflectors, natural light etc.
  • Group tuition as well as one-on-one tuition from Mark.
  • Best use of photographic accessories and gadgets.
  • Free time to practice what you have learned (or simply unwind and relax)

Saturday - Alice Springs
  • Check in to your hotel after 2:00pm
  • 6:00pm Meet, greet and assessment of skills and needs
  • Overnight Alice Springs


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Sunday - Alice Springs Desert Park
  • Birds in flight - introduction
  • Animal portrait photography
  • Walk through aviary bird photography.
  • Overnight Alice Springs




Monday - East MacDonnell Ranges

  • Emily Gap
  • Jessie Gap
  • Corroboree Rock
  • Trephina Gorge - Landscape photography
  • The Ghost Gum
  • John Hayes Rockhole
  • Nghala Gorge (time permitting)
  • Overnight Alice Springs

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Tuesday - West MacDonnell Ranges

  • Simpsons Gap
  • Glen Helen Gorge - Enjoy an optional chopper flight over the incredible Ormiston Pound and gorge.
  • Ellery Big Hole
  • Ochre Pits
  • Owen Springs Homestead ruins (time permitting)
  • Overnight Alice Springs


Wednesday - Central Australian Reptile Centre

  • Early morning Reptile photography - early private, glass off access to geckoes, snakes, Thorny Devils and much more.
  • Free time
  • Overnight Alice Springs

Thursday  - Uluru
 
  • Full day and evening trip with landscape photography of Uluru.
  • BBQ dinner back at Yalara accommodation and optional astro photography
  • Overnight Yulara
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Friday  - Uluru - Kata Tjuta
 
  • Full day with landscape photography of Uluru and Kata Tjuta
  • Sunset photography at Kata Tjuta
  • Overnight at Yulara
Saturday  - Kata Tjuta - Kings Canyon
 
  • Full day with landscape photography of Kata Tjuta
  • Sunset photography at Kings Canyon.
  • Overnight at Kings Canyon resort

Sunday- Kings Canyon  - Alice Springs

  • Full day with predominately landscape photography.
  • Canyon walk
  • Optional chopper flight over the canyon then back to Alice Springs
  • Overnight Alice Springs


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Monday  - Alice Springs

  • Morning free time
  • Afternoon Olive Pink Gardens - birds and macro
  • Overnight Alice Springs

Tuesday - Devils Marbles

  • Alice Springs to Devil's marbles with stops at historic telegraph stations along the way.
  • Devil's Marbles sunset shoot
  • Devil's Marbles astro
  • Overnight Devils Marbles

Wednesday - Devils Marbles - Alice Springs


  • Sunrise shoot /breakfast and start making our way back to Alice Springs
  • Tanami Track bird waterhole shoot
  • Wrap Up
  • Farewell Dinner
  • Accomodation is included tonight
  • Overnight Alice Springs

Thursday - Alice Springs

  • Checkout and departures.

*PLEASE NOTE – PROGRAM SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS

Mark has travelled extensively through the Australian outback and photographed its natural beauty. The photographic opportunities presented have been well researched and offer a condensed snapshot of desert life. Additionally, by drawing on the experience of local wildlife experts, you will have exclusive photographic access to rare and difficult-to-find wildlife. 
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Things you will need:

  • Camera gear
  • Any lenses ranging from 10mm to 600mm (don't worry if you don't have all the lenses - you will still learn a lot with your digital SLR and kit lens)
  • External flash (if you own one)
  • Memory card(s),
  • Sturdy tripod - Note: If you do not own a tripod, please call Mark first before purchasing.
  • Camera owners manual - Important!
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Drinking water
  • Insect repellant
  • Sunscreen and hat
  • Fully-charged batteries (plus spares) and charger – Important! 
 
Inclusions:

  • All park entries, fees and permits.
  • Transport to and from the East McDonnell Ranges, Trephina Gorge Nature Park
  • Transport to and from West McDonell Ranges.
  • Transport to and from Kings Canyon, Uluru and Kata Tjuta (which includes all meals and accommodation for the four days / three nights) is also included in the workshop fee.
  • Alice Springs accommodation.
  • Transport to and from Alice Springs Desert Park, Alice Springs Reptile Centre, Olive Pink Botanical gardens

Exclusions:

  • Transport to and from Alice Springs.
  • Meals (except where otherwise stated).
  • Alcohol and items of a personal nature.
  • Helicopter flights where available (Glen Helen Gorge and Kings Canyon).




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Photography workshop price: $6390.00 per person twin share

Single supplement $1100.00.

Click here to book this workshop. $1000.00 non-refundable deposit payable within five (5) days of booking.

Balance payable thirty (60) days prior to the workshop.

(please note a 3.2% handling fee applies to credit card payments)


Please note: This workshop is limited to 6 participants. This will ensure that you receive comprehensive personal tuition from Mark over the week.
Please book early to avoid disappointment. Please note a minimum of 3 participants required for this workshop to proceed.
 
 For further details on any of our workshops or if you have any other questions, please phone Mark on 0459 221678.  Alternatively, you can email  
admin@trekaboutphotography.com

For further information please follow the links below:



https://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/parks/find/trephinagorge.html


https://www.environment.gov.au/parks/uluru/

Helpful Links

A great site with loads of useful information:
https://www.centralaustraliantourism.com

 
 

Testimonial from Pamela Dickenson:

Thank you Mark, for a fantastic
Red Centre Experience 2017. I chose your Photography Workshop over two other workshops for the Red Centre as you
offered instruction in Macro, and Birds in Flight in addition to Landscape.


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I was not disappointed: You introduced us to macro portraiture of geckos, snakes and lizards at the Reptile Centre Alice Springs. You gave us tips on photographing birds in flight, dingos etc., at the incomparable Alice Springs Desert Park – two full days. Plus you took us on a half day shooting flora at the Olive Pink Gardens. Early one morning, at 2.00 a.m., you taught us the basics of a star shoot as well! But my personal favourite was an unscheduled visit to shoot the sunset at the little visited Rainbow Valley.
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All of this was on top of personally guided day tours taking landscapes and panoramas in a comfortable, air conditioned four wheel drive driven by yourself; a day photographing the East MacDonnell Ranges; another day photographing the West MacDonnell Ranges while based in a motel in the centre of the Alice.



Individually, we received personal tuition every moment of the workshop. You helped me set up my mirrorless Sony and got its wi fi talking to my iPad. You introduced us to esoteric mysteries such as “back button focus” and the secrets of dealing with tricky shadows by using bracketing and HDR!


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While we were based for the majority of time in our comfortable motel in the heart of Alice, the best part was the three days, two nights tour photographing stunning red sand dunes and their extraordinary flora plus
Kings Canyon, Uluru at sundown, and unforgettable Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) at sunrise.

With best regards,
Pam Dickenson, Katherine, N.T.

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Australia's Red Centre is the heart of Outback Australia. Uluru, Australia's most famous rock monolith, and the town of Alice Springs are the central areas to set up base.
Uluru used to be better known as Ayers Rock, and is an iconic image of Outback Australia located in the Northern Territory in the very heart of Australia.

"The Rock" is the worlds greatest monolith being 9 km in circumferance and rises an impressive 348 metres. Surrounded by a wide, sandy floodplain covered in spinifex and desert oak it is a trul inspiring sight. The enormous size of the rock is astonishing when you realise that two thirds is below the ground.

Uluru and the surrounding area is an ancient sacred place for the Anangu people. Uluru holds a significant place in the Anangu, traditional owners, creation stories and law. Many of these stories relate to how the ancestral beings formed Uluru and all of its marks and crevices.

At the base of Uluru there are cave paintings and carvings made over many thousands of years by Anangu belonging to the Luritja, Yankuntjatjara and Pitjantjatjara language groups.

In 1985 the entire area was handed back to its indigenous owners and its sights reassumed their traditional names.
A 9 kilometre, 5.6 mile walking track circles the base of Uluru giving visitors the opportunity to see some Aboriginal rock art and also the Mutitjulu Waterhole.

There is a treacherous 1.6 kilometre, 1 mile climb to the top of Uluru however the route follows a sacred religious track. Anangu prefer visitors respect their site by choosing the trails around and near Uluru and not by climbing it.

The walk trails around Uluru reveal Anangu stories and law as you reach each significant site. Your behaviour will determine the depth of your experience at Uluru. The area around the Mala waterhole, for example, bequests silence in respect for the significance of the place. Take the time to fit in with the appropriate behaviours and you will be rewarded with a very soulful experience of Uluru.

The Australian Outback is full of very well-adapted wildlife, although much of it may not be immediately visible to the casual observer. Many animals rest during the heat of the day, such as kangaroos and native dogs, the dingo.

Birdlife is prolific, most often seen at waterholes at dawn and dusk. Huge flocks of budgerigars, cockatoos, corellas and galahs are often sighted. Various species of snakes and lizards bask in the sun in winter, on bare ground or roads, but they are rarely seen during the summer months.

Feral animals such as Camels thrive in central Australia, brought to Australia by the early Afghan drivers. Wild horses known as 'brumbies,' are station horses that have run wild. Feral pigs, foxes, cats and rabbits are also imported animals that degrade the environment, and time and money is spent eradicating them, to help protect fragile rangelands.


In the centre of Australia surrounded by red desert lies Alice Springs, population 22,488, in Arrente country. The original Alice Spring, that the town was named after, is still there. It is a permanent waterhole that clinched the location of an Overland Telegraph Station and was named after the wife of the Postmaster General of South Australia. Although Alice may have once been a remote outpost, the second biggest town in the Territory now has all the conveniences of a modern city.

The township was originally called Stuart but officially became Alice Springs in 1933.

From the first residents in the 1870s until the completion of a railway service between Adelaide and Alice the town grew very little and supplies were brought in by camel train. The railway was completed in 1929 and the service became known as The Ghan after the Afghan camel drivers. A surfaced road link was not completed until the 1940s.

Since the 1970s a huge increase in tourism has brought fast growth and Alice Springs is now a lively city. Although the population is around 22 000, 400 000 travellers visit every year.

Alice can be used as a base to travel to the Simpson Desert, MacDonnell Ranges, Uluru Ayers Rock and Kata Tjuta The Olgas.

The Aboriginal Art and Culture Centre, Jukurrpa Artists and Warumpi Arts are all Aboriginal owned and can be found in the centre of Alice Springs.

CAAMA radio is a station dedicated to providing a quality service to Aboriginal people has quickly become popular with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people due to its different and appealing approach. An art and souvenir retail outlet, CAAMA Shop, owned by Aboriginal community of Alice Springs can be found just out of Alice Springs town centre.


Kata Tjuta, sometimes written Kata Tjuta{Kata Joota}, and also known as Mount Olga (or colloquially as The Olgas), are a group of large domed rock formations located about 365 km southwest of Alice Springs, in the southern part of the Northern Territory, central Australia. Uluru, 25 km to the east and Kata Tjuta form the two major landmarks within the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The 36 domes, covering an area of 21.68 km², are composed of conglomerate, a sedimentary rock consisting of cobbles and boulders of varying rock types including granite and basalt, cemented by a matrix of sandstone. The highest point, Mount Olga, is 1066 m above sea level, or approximately 546 m above the surrounding plain (203 m higher than Uluru). Kata Tjuta is located at the eastern end of the Docker River Road.


The Pitjantjajara name Kata Tjuta means 'many heads'. The site is as sacred to the Indigenous people as Uluru.
The alternative name, The Olgas, comes from the tallest peak, Mt Olga. At the behest of Baron Ferdinand von Mueller, Mt Olga was named in 1872 by Ernest Giles, in honour of Queen Olga of Württemberg. She and her husband King Karl had marked their 25th wedding anniversary the previous year by, amongst other things, naming Mueller a Freiherr (baron), making him Ferdinand von Mueller; this was his way of repaying the compliment.

On 15 December 1993, a dual naming policy was adopted that allowed official names consisting of both the traditional Aboriginal name and the English name. As a result, Mount Olga was renamed Mount Olga / Kata Tjuta. On 6 November 2002, following a request from the regional Tourism Association, the order of the dual names were officially reversed to Kata Tjuta / Mount Olga.

Reference: Wikipedia 2009

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