The Walpole Wilderness area, located on the southern coast of Western Australia, is a paradise for photographers, offering breathtaking landscapes, towering forests, serene rivers, and coastal wonders. Whether you’re an amateur with a smartphone or a seasoned photographer with a DSLR, Walpole provides endless opportunities to capture nature’s beauty. Here’s a guide to the best photography spots in Walpole and tips on how to make the most of your wilderness photography adventure.

1. Valley of the Giants: Tree Top Walk

The iconic Valley of the Giants is a must-visit for photographers, with its towering tingle trees and elevated Tree Top Walk offering stunning views of the forest canopy. The walk provides unique angles for capturing the scale of these ancient trees and the play of light filtering through the leaves.

• What to Capture: Shots of the treetops from the elevated walkway, wide-angle images of the towering trees, and close-ups of the textured bark.
• Best Time: Early morning or late afternoon when the light is soft, creating a magical glow through the trees.

Tip: Use a wide-angle lens to capture the immense scale of the tingle trees. For a more artistic touch, focus on the patterns and textures of the bark.

Image © Tourism Western Australia

2. Conspicuous Cliff

For dramatic coastal landscapes, Conspicuous Cliff is one of the best spots in the region. With rugged cliffs, wild surf, and a sandy beach below, this location offers endless possibilities for landscape photography. The ocean’s constant motion adds dynamism to your shots, making it an excellent spot for long-exposure photography.

• What to Capture: The contrast between the cliffs and the ocean, long-exposure shots of the waves, and the vibrant colours of the coastal flora.
• Best Time: Sunset is ideal, as the golden hour light casts warm tones over the cliffs and beach, making for dramatic, colourful images.

Tip: Bring a tripod and ND filter to create smooth, long-exposure shots of the ocean waves.

Image © Greg Snell

3. Mount Frankland National Park

Mount Frankland offers panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness, with forested hills stretching out to the horizon. The Fire Lookout Tower at the summit is an excellent spot for wide-angle shots of the landscape, and the climb itself provides plenty of opportunities to capture the beauty of the forest along the way.

• What to Capture: Panoramic landscapes, sunrise or sunset views, and detailed shots of the native flora along the hiking trails.
• Best Time: Early morning or late afternoon for the best light and clear views from the summit.

Tip: Use a telephoto lens to capture distant features of the landscape, like rivers snaking through the forest or clouds rolling over the hills.

4. Circular Pool

For photographers interested in capturing the natural beauty of waterfalls and rapids, Circular Pool is a top location. This peaceful spot on the Frankland River offers stunning scenes of cascading water and tranquil pools surrounded by dense forest.

• What to Capture: Long-exposure shots of the flowing water, reflections in the pool, and the surrounding forest.
• Best Time: Early morning when the light is soft and fewer visitors are around, providing a peaceful atmosphere for shooting.

Tip: To create smooth, silky effects in your waterfall shots, bring a neutral density filter to slow down your shutter speed.

5. Walpole-Nornalup Inlet

The Walpole-Nornalup Inlet is a photographer’s dream, with its glassy waters, diverse birdlife, and beautiful surrounding forests. The inlet offers stunning reflections of the sky and trees, making it perfect for tranquil, minimalist shots.

• What to Capture: Reflections of the landscape in the still waters, birdlife along the shoreline, and wide-angle shots of the inlet.
• Best Time: Early morning or late afternoon for golden light and calm waters, ideal for reflection shots.

Tip: Use a polarising filter to reduce glare on the water and enhance the reflections.

Image © Tourism Western Australia

6. Peaceful Bay

For photographers looking to capture the beauty of Walpole’s coastline, Peaceful Bay is a gem. This quiet beach is surrounded by rocky headlands, providing excellent opportunities for capturing dramatic seascapes. The beach is also a great spot for wildlife photography, with seabirds and dolphins often spotted in the area.

• What to Capture: Coastal landscapes, long-exposure shots of the ocean, and wildlife along the beach.
• Best Time: Sunset, when the soft light enhances the textures of the rocks and sand.

Tip: Experiment with different shutter speeds to capture both the motion of the waves and the serenity of the calm water.

7. Giant Tingle Tree

The Giant Tingle Tree is one of the most iconic spots in Walpole and a great subject for photography. This massive, ancient tree has a hollowed-out base large enough for people to walk through, making for dramatic and awe-inspiring shots.

• What to Capture: Wide-angle shots that showcase the scale of the tree, close-ups of the tree’s textures and bark, and people interacting with the tree for a sense of scale.
• Best Time: Early morning or late afternoon, when the light is softer and creates interesting shadows.

Tip: Use a wide-angle lens to capture the entire tree and convey its immense size. Including a person in the shot helps to provide a sense of scale.

Image © Tourism Western Australia

8. Fernhook Falls

Located within Mount Frankland National Park, Fernhook Falls is another fantastic spot for waterfall photography. The falls cascade over rocky outcrops, creating beautiful natural pools and flowing water that offer plenty of opportunities for long-exposure shots.

• What to Capture: Waterfalls, reflections in the pools, and the surrounding forest.
• Best Time: Visit after rainfall, when the water flow is at its strongest, for the most dramatic shots.

Tip: For long-exposure shots of the falls, bring a tripod and set your camera to a slow shutter speed to blur the motion of the water.

Photography Tips for Walpole

• Time of Day: The best time for landscape photography is during the golden hour, shortly after sunrise and before sunset, when the light is soft and warm.
• Gear: A tripod is essential for capturing long exposures and steady landscape shots, especially in low light. Bring a wide-angle lens for capturing the vastness of the landscapes and a telephoto lens for wildlife or distant landscape features.
• Weather: Overcast days can provide excellent diffused light for forest photography, while clear days are ideal for dramatic coastal shots. Be prepared for variable weather conditions in the wilderness.
• Filters: Use a polarising filter to reduce glare and enhance colours, especially when photographing water. A neutral density filter is great for long-exposure shots of waterfalls and waves.

Image © Tourism Western Australia

Final Thoughts

The Walpole Wilderness is a photographer’s paradise, offering a diverse range of landscapes, from towering forests and serene rivers to dramatic coastlines and waterfalls. Whether you’re capturing the intricate details of the tingle trees, the motion of cascading waterfalls, or the wild coastline, Walpole provides endless inspiration for your photography journey. With the right gear and timing, you’ll be able to capture stunning images that showcase the natural beauty of this incredible region.