Trekabout Photography Workshops - Twelve Day Kimberley Wildnerness Adventure Tour and Workshop with Pam Jennings and Mark Rayner
Workshops, Tours, Adventures with AIPP* Accredited Professional Photographer Mark Rayner and the Dream Team
14 Day Kimberley Adventure Tour and Workshop
with Pamela Jennings and Mark Rayner
Creating Adventure through Photography
with Pamela Jennings and Mark Rayner
Creating Adventure through Photography
When : 1 August to 14 August 2024
Where : The Kimberley, North West Australia
Please check back for additional dates. If you subscribe to the TREKeZine RSS feed, you will be automatically notified when more workshop dates are released.
The Kimberley is one of the last true wilderness areas on Earth! If you are a passionate landscape photographer with a love of birds then this is for you.
Where : The Kimberley, North West Australia
Please check back for additional dates. If you subscribe to the TREKeZine RSS feed, you will be automatically notified when more workshop dates are released.
The Kimberley is one of the last true wilderness areas on Earth! If you are a passionate landscape photographer with a love of birds then this is for you.
Let your senses indulge the breathtaking wonder of this incredible photographer’s paradise.
Imagine 14 days of photographic discovery in the Kimberley in far north Western Australia from the comfort of an air-conditioned 4WD, where we will adventure off-road to photograph wildlife and ancient landscapes.
Departing Broome we explore the Ord River, Purnululu World Heritage Area (where we will capture some amazing astro shots over the Bungle Bungles) El Questro Wilderness Park, Home Valley, Cockburn Ranges, Wyndham and Parry Lagoon Nature Reserve, the Gibb River Road gorges, Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek, Derby and finishing in Kununurra. We will be taking you to the best photographic locations at the best time of day and we will only have 6 guests to share 2 tutors. This will ensure your comfort (window seat always when travelling) and unlimited access to photography guidance.
This is a fully accommodated 14 day experience (not easy to achieve on the remote Gibb River Road) including private river camps, cattle station stays, eco lodges, world heritage areas, outback bird photography locations, wildlife reserves and wetlands. Travel by 4WD to outback locations, walk into El Questro gorge, and soak in a Kimberley hot spring, visit nature reserves and wetlands and walk in a world heritage park. Photograph the domes of the Bungle Bungles under the Milky Way and be part of our Ord River wildlife photography cruise in search of crocodiles and birdlife. We offer an optional helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungles during our stay.
Come and join Pamela Jennings and Mark Rayner for an amazing 14 day Photographic 4WD Journey through the Kimberley. We will photograph amazing landscapes and its wildlife and show you how to take amazing milky-way shots.
You will enjoy a wide range of photographic topics and locations with our small group of like-minded photographers while we have the time of our lives in the Kimberley. And don't forget Pam is a local and has spent many years photographing and exploring the Kimberley and would love to share her beautiful Kimberley with you.
Here is what Dorianne McGillivray from the Gold Coast said after her 2017 Kimberley adventure. Dorianne has kindly created two audio visuals of her experience. Enjoy:
When you tick off what's on top of your bucket list, it becomes a life changing moment. It was amazing to do so with the company and expertise of Mark Rayner and the awesome fellow photographers along the way.
From Day one, being able to photograph the amazing Boab trees to continuously being in awe the next few days with millions of years old untouched rock formations, riverbanks filled with wildlife like saltwater crocodiles and immense bird life to the simple pleasures of cruising rivers at sunset.
Then came the wilderness of El Questro, that is a must for all nature's lovers. It's just heaven on earth.
However, what is the Kimberley without the Bungle Bungles!! If going to the Kimberley is the opportunity of a lifetime for you, then you wouldn't want to miss out on flying on top of the Bungle Bungles because that, my fellow photographers, is an experience out of this world (literally).
You won't want to have your feet back on the ground I promise...
Finish relaxing on the shores of famous Cable Beach with sunsets and camels...
I have known Mark now for over two years and have participated in many of his workshops. What I found out about Mark is his consistent willingness to assist you always with a smile. No questions big or small are an issue for him.
The workshops are professionally organised with often exclusive places to visit which are sometimes hard to get too unless you have built connections with the locals.
I wish you the best time of your life.
A fellow Trekkie
Dorianne McGillivray
Thank you Dorianne
When you tick off what's on top of your bucket list, it becomes a life changing moment. It was amazing to do so with the company and expertise of Mark Rayner and the awesome fellow photographers along the way.
From Day one, being able to photograph the amazing Boab trees to continuously being in awe the next few days with millions of years old untouched rock formations, riverbanks filled with wildlife like saltwater crocodiles and immense bird life to the simple pleasures of cruising rivers at sunset.
Then came the wilderness of El Questro, that is a must for all nature's lovers. It's just heaven on earth.
However, what is the Kimberley without the Bungle Bungles!! If going to the Kimberley is the opportunity of a lifetime for you, then you wouldn't want to miss out on flying on top of the Bungle Bungles because that, my fellow photographers, is an experience out of this world (literally).
You won't want to have your feet back on the ground I promise...
Finish relaxing on the shores of famous Cable Beach with sunsets and camels...
I have known Mark now for over two years and have participated in many of his workshops. What I found out about Mark is his consistent willingness to assist you always with a smile. No questions big or small are an issue for him.
The workshops are professionally organised with often exclusive places to visit which are sometimes hard to get too unless you have built connections with the locals.
I wish you the best time of your life.
A fellow Trekkie
Dorianne McGillivray
Thank you Dorianne
The Kimberley - Australia's Last Great Wilderness by Dorianne McGillivray
Purnululu - The Bungle Bungles - An Aerial Dance - by Dorianne McGillivray
Here is what Chris Head from Perth had to say after our 2016 Kimberley experience:
If you want to experience a true Kimberley adventure then go on this tour!
Pamela Jennings and Mark Rayner did an excellent job of guiding and oranising the tour. From the beauty of the gorges on El Questro Pastoral Lease, to the wildlife along the Ord River and the spectacle of the Bungle Bungles in Purnululu National park you won't be disappointed.
We did all of the above and more, ably instructed by Pam and Mark in the technical and composition side of photography.
Being such a small group of only six adventurers, we had no problems in getting a very quick answer to any issues we might have had taking photos.
The days seemed to pass too quickly as there was so much to see and do. I personally love the Kimberley and this was my second time there but my first on an organised photography tour.
I give Pam and Mark a five star rating for this tour so if you are remotely interested in doing it, if you are interested in wildlife, amazing landscapes, beautiful sunsets, experiencing the beauty of the Kimberley and an insight into Aboriginal culture - go ahead, do it!!
Chris Head
Perth
Thank you Chris.
If you want to experience a true Kimberley adventure then go on this tour!
Pamela Jennings and Mark Rayner did an excellent job of guiding and oranising the tour. From the beauty of the gorges on El Questro Pastoral Lease, to the wildlife along the Ord River and the spectacle of the Bungle Bungles in Purnululu National park you won't be disappointed.
We did all of the above and more, ably instructed by Pam and Mark in the technical and composition side of photography.
Being such a small group of only six adventurers, we had no problems in getting a very quick answer to any issues we might have had taking photos.
The days seemed to pass too quickly as there was so much to see and do. I personally love the Kimberley and this was my second time there but my first on an organised photography tour.
I give Pam and Mark a five star rating for this tour so if you are remotely interested in doing it, if you are interested in wildlife, amazing landscapes, beautiful sunsets, experiencing the beauty of the Kimberley and an insight into Aboriginal culture - go ahead, do it!!
Chris Head
Perth
Thank you Chris.
Here is what Tony Day from Brisbane had to say after our 2022 Kimberley experience:
Just another(!) email to thank you and your team for such a fantastic holiday. I learned a lot about my equipment from Mark and Pam, but more importantly, I learned how to take better photos, regardless of the gear.
It was almost uncanny how Mark or Pam would make this comment about how to approach a particular shoot and make it all sound so matter-of-fact, when I am, like, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
Plus their enthusiasm for photography and down-to-earth way of answering what I am sure sounded like stupid questions.
If people are reading this and wondering whether to sign up for a workshop or tour - DO IT!! Worth every cent…pure gold.
I know there was a lot of last-minute adjustments to accommodation and other issues, that we, as guests, did not know about. So, thanx. Can I particularly thank Ken, our extra driver. I know he made a particular sacrifice to agree to driving our sorry butts around the Kimberley in the dry.
If anyone reading does this tour in the future, do yourselves a favour and take both the helicopter rides (The Bungles and the Wyndham mud flats). They were both, in their different ways, totally awesome. I had never been on a helicopter before this tour, and was completely blown away both times!
Tony Day
Brisbane
Thank you Tony.
Just another(!) email to thank you and your team for such a fantastic holiday. I learned a lot about my equipment from Mark and Pam, but more importantly, I learned how to take better photos, regardless of the gear.
It was almost uncanny how Mark or Pam would make this comment about how to approach a particular shoot and make it all sound so matter-of-fact, when I am, like, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
Plus their enthusiasm for photography and down-to-earth way of answering what I am sure sounded like stupid questions.
If people are reading this and wondering whether to sign up for a workshop or tour - DO IT!! Worth every cent…pure gold.
I know there was a lot of last-minute adjustments to accommodation and other issues, that we, as guests, did not know about. So, thanx. Can I particularly thank Ken, our extra driver. I know he made a particular sacrifice to agree to driving our sorry butts around the Kimberley in the dry.
If anyone reading does this tour in the future, do yourselves a favour and take both the helicopter rides (The Bungles and the Wyndham mud flats). They were both, in their different ways, totally awesome. I had never been on a helicopter before this tour, and was completely blown away both times!
Tony Day
Brisbane
Thank you Tony.
Day-to-Day Program
1 Aug - Day One - Kununurra
Check-in after 2:00pm and then meet and great 3:30pm before a sunset shoot and dinner
2 Aug - Day Two -Ord River Private Camp
-
Wyndham and gouldians and King River road.
This afternoon we will photograph at Marglu Billabong in Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve. It’s an important waterbird feeding and breeding area and is listed as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
Lower Ord River it promises to be a great first night; clear starry skies, a campfire and great Kimberley hospitality. Sunset Boab tree.
3 Aug – Day Three - Ord River Private Camp
The Ord River is a nature photographer’s paradise. We will spend a full day out on the river in purpose built dinghies photographing the tropical river-life.
We capture abundant birdlife in its native habitat and it’s one of the few places in Australia where you can photograph freshwater and saltwater crocodiles side by side.
4 Aug - Day Four - Purnululu National Park, World Heritage area.
Today we travel to the Bungle Bungle Range of Purnululu National Park.
Once off the Great Northern Highway it’s only 50kms of 4WD track but takes around 2-3 hours to travel. Here we encounter a landscape dominated by spinifex country.
We arrive in time to photograph the rich red escarpment of the Bungle Bungle Range as it lights up at sunset.
5 Aug - Day Five - Purnululu National Park, World Heritage area.
This morning we do a sunrise shoot at the domes followed by exploring Piccaninny Creek and the stunning Cathedral Gorge.
Optional - helicopter shoot over the massif is highly recommended.
This afternoon we explore the northern section of the massif and Echidna Chasm. This gorge is a spectacular long, narrow chasm. It has striking colour variations, depending on the angle of the sun beaming into the chasm, with Livistonia palms waving from the 200 m high ridges above.
6 Aug - Day Six - El Questro Wilderness Park
This morning we say goodbye to the Bungle Bungles. We have a variety of photo opportunities along the way on our way to El Questro Wilderness Park on the Gibb River Road.
We capture another beautiful sunset image around ELQ and the Cockburn Ranges tonight.
This morning we do a sunrise shoot at the domes followed by exploring Piccaninny Creek and the stunning Cathedral Gorge.
Optional - helicopter shoot over the massif is highly recommended.
This afternoon we explore the northern section of the massif and Echidna Chasm. This gorge is a spectacular long, narrow chasm. It has striking colour variations, depending on the angle of the sun beaming into the chasm, with Livistonia palms waving from the 200 m high ridges above.
6 Aug - Day Six - El Questro Wilderness Park
This morning we say goodbye to the Bungle Bungles. We have a variety of photo opportunities along the way on our way to El Questro Wilderness Park on the Gibb River Road.
We capture another beautiful sunset image around ELQ and the Cockburn Ranges tonight.
7 Aug - Day Seven - Ellenbrae
We are up early for our private photo shoot at the series of thermal pools that make up Zebedee Springs. We have landscape ¯o options here.
After breakfast we hit the road and drive our 4WDs along the dusty road to Ellenbrae Station.
We enjoy more unique accommodation at this station stay. The beautiful grounds and great birdlife.
We are up early for our private photo shoot at the series of thermal pools that make up Zebedee Springs. We have landscape ¯o options here.
After breakfast we hit the road and drive our 4WDs along the dusty road to Ellenbrae Station.
We enjoy more unique accommodation at this station stay. The beautiful grounds and great birdlife.
8 Aug – Day Eight - Bell Gorge
Today we continue travelling along the Gibb River Road and photograph the amazing country along the way including the Gibb River. Expect to see cattle station country, wild Dingos, river crossings and secluded waterholes.
Have a swim in the Gibb River and shoot the gorgeous waterfall at Galvan’s Gorge. A small but beautiful waterfall flowing into a deep pool, complete with Boab at the top. Our destination tonight is the exclusive APT Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge where they will wine and dine us under the stars.
Today we continue travelling along the Gibb River Road and photograph the amazing country along the way including the Gibb River. Expect to see cattle station country, wild Dingos, river crossings and secluded waterholes.
Have a swim in the Gibb River and shoot the gorgeous waterfall at Galvan’s Gorge. A small but beautiful waterfall flowing into a deep pool, complete with Boab at the top. Our destination tonight is the exclusive APT Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge where they will wine and dine us under the stars.
9 Aug– Day Nine - Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge
The main photographic target today is Bell Gorge and the magnificent Bell Falls. There is some hiking involved today, so you will need sturdy shoes, a good backpack and a tripod.
But boy is it worth it! We take a small trek into the magnificent Bell Falls where you can spend hours photographing before we continue onto our accommodation at Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge along a bumpy winding track in the Wunaamin Miliwundi Conservation Park.
10 Aug - Day Ten - Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge
We spend the day in the beautiful surrounds of the lodge photographing birds. Take and drive and a walk up to their local gorge and swim, photograph and relax.
11 Aug - Day Eleven - Derby
This morning we continue along the Gibb River Road to Windjana Gorge. The Lennard River runs through the Napier Range (part of the ancient Devonian limestone reef system) and forms the 3.5km long Windjana Gorge. The worlds friendliest freshwater crocodiles live here.
This area has many photographic opportunities that may arise along the way including the Derby Jetty and the interesting tidal flats of King Sound.
Overnight in Derby.
12 Aug – Day Twelve - Broome Bird Observatory
Drive across the flood plains for the Fitzroy River on our way to Broome. The Broome Bird Observatory is just 40mins out of Broome but it feels like a world away. Affliliated with BirdLife Australia it was established in 1988 to recognise the immense value of Roebuck Bay and it’s migratory shorebirds. We stay at the observatory tonight.
13 Aug -Day Thirteen - Broome
Today we head into Broome after we have an early morning bird shoot in the area. Broome is known for its laid back atmosphere, pearling history, big tides, red pindan cliffs and azure water. Our final sunset shoot is on Cable Beach followed by a farewell dinner to end our amazing adventure.
14 Aug – Day Fourteen -
Check out and departures.
The main photographic target today is Bell Gorge and the magnificent Bell Falls. There is some hiking involved today, so you will need sturdy shoes, a good backpack and a tripod.
But boy is it worth it! We take a small trek into the magnificent Bell Falls where you can spend hours photographing before we continue onto our accommodation at Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge along a bumpy winding track in the Wunaamin Miliwundi Conservation Park.
10 Aug - Day Ten - Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge
We spend the day in the beautiful surrounds of the lodge photographing birds. Take and drive and a walk up to their local gorge and swim, photograph and relax.
11 Aug - Day Eleven - Derby
This morning we continue along the Gibb River Road to Windjana Gorge. The Lennard River runs through the Napier Range (part of the ancient Devonian limestone reef system) and forms the 3.5km long Windjana Gorge. The worlds friendliest freshwater crocodiles live here.
This area has many photographic opportunities that may arise along the way including the Derby Jetty and the interesting tidal flats of King Sound.
Overnight in Derby.
12 Aug – Day Twelve - Broome Bird Observatory
Drive across the flood plains for the Fitzroy River on our way to Broome. The Broome Bird Observatory is just 40mins out of Broome but it feels like a world away. Affliliated with BirdLife Australia it was established in 1988 to recognise the immense value of Roebuck Bay and it’s migratory shorebirds. We stay at the observatory tonight.
13 Aug -Day Thirteen - Broome
Today we head into Broome after we have an early morning bird shoot in the area. Broome is known for its laid back atmosphere, pearling history, big tides, red pindan cliffs and azure water. Our final sunset shoot is on Cable Beach followed by a farewell dinner to end our amazing adventure.
14 Aug – Day Fourteen -
Check out and departures.
About Pamela Jennings:
Pamela is a professional photographer who specialises in wildlife and wilderness photography of remote Australia.
Based in Broome Western Australia, Pamela runs a selection of extended photography tours complimented by short Broome based workshops. She loves nothing better than jumping into the 4WD and taking people photographing and exploring the wilderness of the Kimberley.
Pamela’s images have been highly awarded in professional photography events including the International Pano Awards. She is a member of the Australian Institute of Professional Photographers. (AIPP)
Her first solo exhibition was an outdoor installation on 2.5 metre cubes in Darling Harbour Sydney, during May 2015 as part of the HeadOn Photo Festival 2015.
She was recently named 2017 AIPP WESTERN AUSTRALIAN SCIENCE WILDLIFE AND WILD PLACES PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR.
This Kimberley photo safari will fill up very quickly. Limited to a maximum of 6 photographers with 2 tutors you are assured of comfort (window seat always when travelling) and personal access to photography guidance.
Please get in quick and book your spot today.
Cost: $ 10,400.00 per person based on Double Occupancy
$1500 single supplement
Includes :
- Accommodation for 13 nights starting in Kununurra ending in Broome travelling along the Gibb River Road.
- All Meals
- Transportation in air-conditioned 4x4 (3 guests per vehicle, all with window seats)
- Entrance fees to all Parks
- Cruise on the Ord River
Exclusions :
- Airfares to/ from Kununurra and Broome
- All incidental personal items.
- Optional helicopter flights at El Questro and Bungle Bungles
- Alcohol
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory and remains your responsibility.
This workshop is limited at 6 participants with 2 tutors to ensure a high level of comfort and a high student/tutor ratio.
The workshop requires a minimum 5 bookings to proceed
A $1000.00 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your position.
(please note a 3.2% handling fee applies to credit card payments)
Final payment must be paid 60 days prior to the workshop.
To book please call Mark on 0459 221678 or email