Great Ocean Road
Photography Workshop
5 day, 4 night small-group photography tour along Australia's most iconic coastline. Capped at 4 workshop participants. Led by Australian Geographic 2023 Nature Photographer of the Year, Samuel Markham.
Workshop Overview
Join Samuel for an immersive 5 day, 4 night photography tour focused on the most iconic stretch of coastline in Australia. Across the five days, you will work the Twelve Apostles, Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, the Bakers Oven, and several lesser-known locations along the Port Campbell National Park, plus the rainforests of Great Otway National Park and the cascading waterfalls inland.
The group is capped at four participants. Most photography tours running this region carry six to twelve people — with four, every participant gets genuine one-on-one time with Samuel at every location, not a fifteen-second composition check before being moved on.
The workshop covers Samuel's full photographic workflow — fundamentals through to advanced photography techniques, condition reading (tide, swell, moon phase, cloud forecast), and his complete post-processing workflow in Adobe Photoshop and Camera RAW.
Workshop Details
Dates: See booking section
Photo Locations: Twelve Apostles, Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, Bakers Oven, Port Campbell National Park, Great Otway National Park, Hopetoun Falls and much more
Group Size: Maximum of 4 participants
Skill Level: Suitable for photographers of all skill levels
Difficulty: Moderate walking — must be comfortable on uneven and slippery surfaces beside the ocean
Accommodation: 4 nights at a stunning seaside location
Price: $3,475 AUD per person ($800 AUD deposit)
Locations We’ll Explore
-
![]()
The Twelve Apostles
The defining landmark of the Great Ocean Road and one of the most photographed seascapes in Australia. Limestone stacks rising up to 45 metres from the Southern Ocean, with new viewing platforms recently added at both the main viewpoint and the Loch Ard Gorge platform. The workshop works both the wide compositions from the cliff-top platforms and the beach-level access at Gibson Steps for low-angle, foreground-led frames.
-
![]()
Gibson Steps
Also known as Gog and Magog, the two stacks visible from beach level just east of the main Twelve Apostles platform. Beach-level access is tide-dependent — on the right tide and swell, this location offers some of the most distinctive low-angle compositions on the entire coast. Sunset is the priority window here.
-
![]()
Hopetoun Falls
Located in the Great Otway National Park this 30-metre waterfall plunges through dense temperate rainforest. The location offers a complete change of pace from the coastal seascapes — long-exposure water work, rainforest composition, and moss and fern foreground detail. Worked midday when the rainforest canopy diffuses the light evenly.
-
![]()
Tom and Eve Lookout
An elevated coastal viewpoint that offers wide compositional sweeps across the Port Campbell coastline. Sunrise from Tom and Eve produces some of the strongest light on the coast when the sun rises through cloud bands offshore.
-
![]()
The Bakers Oven
A lesser-known but increasingly recognised seascape formation along Port Campbell National Park. The Bakers Oven becomes the priority moonrise location during this workshop — moon rising directly behind the formation is geographically and astronomically rare.
Workshop Information
What’s Included
✅ 5 full days of personal photography tuition
✅ Direct access to all locations with experienced instructor guidance
✅ Camera fundamentals through to advanced manual mode technique
✅ Complete post-processing instruction in Adobe Photoshop and Camera RAW
✅ Tide, swell, and weather condition planning
✅ Compositional theory and field technique
✅ 4 nights accommodation at a stunning seaside location
✅ Transport for the duration of the workshop
Not Included
❌ Meals, drinks, and snacks
❌ Flights and transport to and from the Sapphire Coast
❌ Travel insurance and medical cover
❌ Visa fees (if required to enter Australia)
Book Your Spot
Workshop Dates
26th - 30th August 2026 - SOLD OUT
15th - 19th September 2027 - FOUR SPOTS LEFT
Secure your spot with a deposit. The final payment is due 30 days before the workshop starts date. The final payment invoice will be sent before the workshop.
Price: $3,475 AUD per person ($800 AUD deposit)
Secure your position on the workshop with a deposit. Final payment is due no later than 60 days prior to the workshop’s commencement.
Who’s Samuel?
Samuel Markham is a self-taught Australian landscape photographer based on the South Coast of New South Wales. He has photographed the Great Ocean Road extensively over the past decade.
In 2023, Samuel was named the Overall Winner of the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year for his image "My Country Burns", captured during the 2019–2020 Black Summer bushfires. His work has since been exhibited at the South Australian Museum, Australian Museum, and the National Archives of Australia as part of the 20 Years of Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition.
What Participants Say
Frequently Asked Questions
-
The workshop is capped at a maximum of 4 participants. This is well below the industry average of 6 to 12 and is what allows for genuinely personal instruction at every photo location.
-
The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia's most iconic coastal drives, stretching approximately 240 kilometres along Victoria's southwest coast from Torquay to Allansford. Renowned for its dramatic cliffs, pristine beaches, rainforest gullies and famous limestone formations, the region includes highlights such as the Twelve Apostles, Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, Cape Otway and Apollo Bay. The Great Ocean Road is approximately a 3-hour drive southwest of Melbourne.
-
The Great Ocean Road is spectacular year-round, but August to October is one of the best times to visit. During this period, you'll often experience dramatic skies, powerful Southern Ocean swells, lush green landscapes, flowing waterfalls and vibrant sunrises and sunsets, while avoiding the peak summer crowds.
-
Yes. The workshop is built to suit photographers of all skill levels, from beginners through to experienced enthusiasts. The small group size means instruction is tailored individually to each participant rather than pitched at a generic standard. Camera fundamentals are covered for beginners, while advanced field technique and composition are available for more experienced participants.
-
A digital camera with full manual mode (DSLR or mirrorless), a sturdy tripod, and at least one wide-angle lens are the core requirements. A full gear list is provided after booking.
-
This workshop involves a low to moderate level of fitness, with short walks at each location.
Participants must be comfortable on uneven and slippery coastal terrain, often in low light, with head torches used before sunrise or after sunset. Sturdy footwear is essential, and strong awareness of changing wave conditions is required when working near the ocean.
Ready to Photograph the Great Ocean Road?
Spaces on the Great Ocean Road workshop are limited to 4 participants and tend to book out months ahead. Secure your spot with a deposit or download the brochure for more information.