Twelve Day Victorian High Country Landscape, Bird and Nature Hybrid Photography Tour and Workshop
Workshops, Tours, Adventures with AIPP* Accredited Professional Photographer Mark Rayner and the Dream Team
When: 21 May - 1 June 2023 - SORRY FULLY BOOKED
Where: Victorian High Country and surrounds
Booking information at the bottom of this page.
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Join experienced professional travel photographer and photography expert and tutor Mark Rayner on an amazing iconic high country adventure not to be missed.
This is a workshop with a difference. As well as traditional motel accomodation we'll be camping at prime locations to give you every opportunity to achieve stunning images that would otherwise require travelling over treacherous roads pre-dawn or after sunset.
No, you'll be there on top of the mountain for sunset and just a short walk away from the campfire and your comfortable tent. You'll wake up to the sound of birds right outside your door just begging to be photographed.
If you don't own a four wheel drive this workshop will give you access to places you just can't get to without one. All the details are below.

Itinerary and Program of Events
Arrive at Melbourne Airport Hotel, meet and greet at 5 P.M. over drinks and dinner.
Overnight Melbourne Airport motel.
Day 2
Depart Melbourne at 8 AM and travel to Lakes Entrance for our next overnight. Today is really a travel day but we'll stop along the way at a few picturesque spots to exercise your shutter fingers.
Overnight Lakes Entrance


Today we hit the Great Alpine Way and pass through Omeo as we climb to Mount Hotham. Stunning alpine scenery awaits including a detour to the Dargo High Plains for a taste of what's to come with Snow Gums and Alpine meadows. We'll eventually make our way to our motel in Bright where will make our base for the next three nights.
Overnight Bright motel




An easy day today as we explore the autumn colours of Bright. This place is renowned for the beautiful displays of colour each year and, with nature's cooperation, this year will be no different. We'll wander down tree lined avenues of gold, red, yellow and browns that will have your creativity on overload.
Overnight Bright motel
Day 5
Today we take the road less travelled as we circumnavigate Mount Buffalo on fire and logging trails to access more unusual landscape. We'll pause at Lake Buffalo for lunch and a session using neutral density filters to really make the lake come alive.
After lunch we continue around Mount Buffalo through the picturesque town of Myrtleford and then make our way up Mount Buffalo to the historic Mount Buffalo Lodge. Whilst there you'll take in incredible views of the gorge and valleys below.
Finally today, as we head back down the mountain we'll stop to walk into Ladies Bath Falls and photograph this gorgeous waterfall in the perfect afternoon light.
Overnight Bright motel


We say goodbye to Bright today and head up to Falls Creek high country for our first night camping out in nature.
We'll be stopping at our first alpine huts, Wallace Hut and Cope Hut before making camp at Raspberry Hill. Here there will bird photography opportunities including the beautiful tiny Flame Robin as well as Snow Gums extraordinaire! The Snow Gums in this area have largely avoided the horrendous bushfires of recent years and are simply stunning.
Dinner under the stars (literally) and if the mist and cloud lords are co-operating we'll have our first astro shoot of the tour.
Overnight Raspberry Hill - Camp
Day 7
Leaving Raspberry Hill we head back towards the historic town of Glenrowan. Along the way we'll shoot Woolshed Falls, again making use of ND Filters to slow down the water. Arriving at Glenrowan Caravan Park we'll be treated to an afternoon of relaxing bird photography.
Overnight Glenrowan
Day 8
An early start as we look for the elusive Gang-gang cockatoo. They are known to frequent the caravan park daily for water and the surrounding trees just happen to contain their favourite snacks.
Leaving Glenrowan we make our way to Cobblers Hut utilising the full 4x4 capabilities of our vehicles. There'll be plenty to shoot along the way before we make camp at Cobblers Hut.
Overnight Cobblers Hut - Camp




A relaxing morning around the camp before we make our way along the tracks to Kings Hut. After checking out the hut we'll move on to Bindaree Falls before finally making our way to Bindaree Hut for the night. We'll set up camp next to a pristine alpine stream. The area abounds with Crimson Rosellas, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos various honeyeaters and some very friendly kookaburras.
Overnight Bindaree Hut - Camp
Day 10
Craig's Hut today. The one you've been waiting for. Sunset over Craig's Hut with the amazing Alpine National Park mountains backdrop. The weather can do anything here so you'll never know what you're going to get until it happens. Misty, moody, brilliant blue, this place can do it all.
Around camp the Flame Robins are sure to be in attendance to keep you occupied.
Overnight Craigs Hut - Camp
Day 11
Sunrise at Craig's Hut this morning and then back to camp for breakfast (walking distance). We'll have a slow morning allowing time to wander amongst the snow gums before packing up and heading to Mansfield.
Overnight Mansfield motel
Day 12
Sadly, our last day. After a scrumptious breakfast at one of the many splendid Mansfield cafes we'll make our way back to Melbourne to the same motel we started from. Along the way Yea Wetlands for our final bird-shoot.
Overnight Melbourne motel - included.
Workshop ends.


A sense of adventure and a love of our incredible outdoors.
Tents and inflatable mattresses will be provided but you will need to provide your own sleeping bag and pillow.
Photographic Prerequisites:
This wonderful and varied photography tour workshop is designed to suit the beginner or serious enthusiast.
A digital SLR or mirrorless interchangeable lens camera camera is recommended.
For landscape needs a wide angle or standard zoom lens such as 14-30, 16-35, 24-70 is ideal.
Best lenses to bring for birding include a longer zoom or prime. Lenses such as Canon 100-400, Nikon 80-400, Tamron or Sigma 150-600 are ideal as are 400, 500 and 600 primes. 1.4x and 2x teleconverters are also very useful.
A sturdy tripod is essential.
Some of the topics that will be covered:
• Bird Photography techniques
• Best camera settings
• Wildlife
• Composition
• Lighting
• Exposure and metering techniques
- Landscape photography
- Use of filters
Cost for the 11 day tour : $ 5690.00 per person
$1000.00 per person deposit required to secure your position.
Please note a 3.2% surcharge applies to credit card payments
Balance payable 30 days before workshop.
Click here to book.
Inclusions :
- Accomodation
- All Dinners
- All Lunches
- All Breakfasts
- All Ground transport
- Guiding and tuition
Exclusions:
- Alcohol
- Items of a personal nature
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is highly recommended and remains your responsibility.