Into my own back yard we go.

By Danielle Lancaster

Today we farewelled the Gold Coast and a big ticket bonus on the ‘Experience Queensland - Where Australia Shines’ campaign for operators on Tamborine Mountain is that it was included on this famil.

I can honestly say I know a little bit about the mountain – well now I know more! First up, we met up with Cody of Bunyip Bike Tours who, until I’d received my itinerary, I had never heard of. It happens Cody has been running his bike tours for around 12 months and he loves the mountain. The tour which started from Gallery Walk included Curtis Falls and a visit to a winery. Usual tours include the Glow Worm Caves but we were a little short on time to include this today.

Being honest the thought of the bike ride daunted a few of us – yes it is mountain bike riding not riding ones with engines – however even for those of us who had not been on a bike for over 20 years, those of us who are not as fit as we’d like to be etc that was never a problem for Cody. Hills can be walked and dips sailed and the new bike tracks make riding safe and a great way to see the mountain plus keeps our carbon foot print low doing so!

Jo, Brent and Cody
Image by Danielle Lancaster

From there we popped into the Mount Tamborine Brewery and Cheese Factory for a tasting. Once again the cheeses – all made in house – where a delight and I stocked up. I gave the beer tasting a miss, as I don’t drink bubbles, but my fellow travellers enjoyed the quenching cool ales especially after the bike ride.

Next stop was Songbirds for lunch. This has been on my bucket list for some time and I was far from disappointed. The food was excellent, the service perfect and the setting divine. Not hard to see why it’s won an award or two and I won’t have a problem referring it in the future, that is for sure. I must say that when the meal first arrived I was a little aghast at the size, however fine food fills and once our plates were finished we were all agreeing a shady mango tree for a nap would be in order.

 

Image by Danielle Lancaster

Not so. Instead we opted to walk it off with a visit to Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk. As many of you already know I love this forest – the third oldest National Nark in the world and the oldest in Queensland. One of the wonderful creatures the crew at Skywalk have been protecting by planting a specific native vine is the Birdwing Butterfly. Considered endangered, it thrives here and also in my own backyard!

Birdwing Butterfly
Image by Danielle Lancaster

So just goes to show one can always learn something new about their back yard!

A top tip: To see the glow worms at night in their natural environment take the Curtis Falls Walk. Don’t forget a torch and sturdy non-slip foot wear.

More:

Bunyip Bike Tours:
http://www.bunyipbiketours.com.au/Bunyip_Bike_Tours_Gold_Coast/Welcome.html

Songbirds: http://www.songbirds.com.au
Tamborine Mountain Brewery: http://mtbeer.squarespace.com/
Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk: http://www.rainforestskywalk.com.au
Tips on Photographing Butterflies: www.blue-dog.com.au and click through to e-newsletter archives

Is the sun shining on Queensland?

Two weeks ago we had an interesting photography brief – ‘find out why people are still holidaying in Queensland with the news of floods. We want to hear from visitors how they are finding it, have they regrets and what is their message’.

We received this brief the day before the devastating floods surged through Toowoomba, flowed down the range to Grantham and through the Lockyer Valley to Ipswich and Queensland’s vibrant river side capital Brisbane.

Life, home and treasures were lost. The people of our home state here in Australia are reeling. With 75% of the state being effectively at some time over the past two weeks being inundated in metres of water no wonder it made international news.

Cold calling, as it’s known, is not easy. It’s walking into someone’s life, asking them to be photographed for the media and then capturing that image and walking on to find the next person to ‘fit the brief’.

There are different types of ‘cold calling’ you may be asked to do when working professionally – some not as nice as others. This was one of the nicer jobs.

What do we need do a job like this?

a). The gear: a good camera (DSLR of course), external flash and the ability to work the flash with natural daylight.

b). People skills! Yes the front to walk up to someone, introduce yourself and explain in less than 25 words what you are doing and why. After that they lose interest – you have to remember they have other things on their mind than you fulfilling your brief.This is one area many budding photographers find hard. What if they say no? Then oblige, thank them with a big smile and move on.

c). The ability to frame the shot and grab it first go.

These is not your average portrait session: they have to sell the story behind the image and the words which you may not see till in print. You need to be able to utilise colourful backgrounds if available, crop tightly if need be due to storm clouds brewing etc, use DOF creatively and know what should or should not be included.

We want to make sure these images are ready to go out of camera - time is of an essence for both us and Queensland, our so called client.

What we did find out is that Queensland is open for business! Our first port of call was the Gold Coast, undoubtedly one of Queensland’s tourism Mecca’s. And it appeared everyone was out having fun. 

L-R Noah, Ebonnie and Molly Simmons from Tamworth

“Loving the Gold Coast and the wet weather – what wet weather? We are having a fabulous time! Our advice is come on up and swim without goose bumps!”