Spend a night capturing mesmerising star trails for you to create a star trail and a star trail time-lapse! This Masterclass teaching you how to set up your camera, plan your photoshoot, how star trails work, stacking your photographs and editing from start to finish.
2024 STAR CHASER PHOTO TOUR I
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Tour Overview
We begin the Star Chaser tour in Narrabri and continue inland shooting impressive waterfalls, then Hat Head photographing stunning images.
Under expert guidance from multi-award winning astrophotographer David Magro, amateurs to semi-professionals are welcome to join further advancing their skills while capturing incredible nightscapes.
This is a full inclusive tour where you will be escorted in a modern mini-bus, enjoying comfort in your spacious accommodation and meals throughout the workshop with spectacular photographic opportunities. The full tour itinerary is outlined below.
THE NIGHT SKY COMES TO LIFE IN DARK SKY LOCATIONS.
YOU WILL EXPERIENCE A DISPLAY OF STARS ALIGNED WITH BREAKTAKING SCENERY.
The exclusive Star Chaser tour is a highly unique 6 day photography tour that will allow you to experience a diverse range of locations in Northern NSW.
The Milky Way will be above the horizon shortly after sunset allowing us to shoot at a comfortable hour of the night to ensure we have plenty of rest throughout our photography tour.
There will also be a lot of time in the classroom to post process our photographs as I assist you in editing your images ready for you to bring home.
STAR CHASER FEATURES
Meeting Location
We meet at Narrabri at 3pm on our start date or meet David at Gold Coast Airport at 7am to be transported via our modern 12 seater mini-bus to Narrabri. The Star Chaser Tour will conclude at Gold Coast Airport at 12pm at the end of the tour. Link Airways flies directly to Narrabri from Sydney & Brisbane.
Accommodation
In Narrabri, participants are accommodated in a spacious shared apartment in their own private room with one other participant.
In Dorrigo, participants are accommodated in their own private stylish room at Lookout Mountain Retreat.
In Hat Head (Nambucca), participants are accommodated in their own private comfortable 4 star room.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided each day. We will have breakfast at cafes or in-house at our accommodation in the morning. For lunch we will eat either in-house, cafes or at restaurants dependant on if it is a day we are travelling. Dinner will most likely be informal, eaten in places convenient to the shooting areas.
Transportation
You will be escorted in a modern air conditioned 12 seater mini-bus throughout the workshop and back to Gold Coast Airport.
Fitness level / difficulty level
A good level of fitness is required. At Ebor Falls, we safely descend down to the falls which requires moderate physical fitness. Although not difficult, a moderate level of fitness is required.
Post-Processing Sessions
There will be many hours of classroom post-processing time to edit our photographs.
Limited Availability
The Star Chaser Tour is limited to 6 participants.
TOUR OVERVIEW
DAY 1 - MAY 31ST - NARRABRI TELESCOPES
Upon arrival at Narrabri Airport, you will be picked up and brought to your accommodation to have time to unwind. The Star Chaser Tour will commence at 3pm where you will meet fellow photographers and go over the overview of the workshop.
After dinner, we will have exclusive access to the telescopes as we shoot the 6 huge telescopes under the night sky. This impressive location will leave you breathless as you wander below the instruments used to collect data about our universe.
DAY 2 - JUNE 1ST - NARRABRI TELESCOPES
We will start the day with breakfast, followed by a classroom session post processing our photographs from the night earlier until lunch.
After relaxing throughout the day and freshening up, we will learn the holy grail of timelapse photography - the smooth day-to-night transition timelapse. Additionally, there are many more remarkable compositions to photograph the telescopes under the Milky Way and we will have the opportunity this night to expand and diversify our portfolio with star trails, timelapses, panoramas or noise free photographs.
DAY 3 - JUNE 2ND - DORRIGO WATERFALLS
On day 3, we will review our photographs in a classroom session post processing our images from the night earlier after breakfast. Our next destination will take us chasing waterfalls where we will arrive at Dorrigo in the afternoon at our amazing retreat.
With our next photography subjects being waterfalls, we will learn the important techniques on how to shoot waterfalls under the night sky. Our first location for the night will be Crystal Shower Falls which is nearby our retreat and a small hike. Then it is a short drive to Dangar Falls where we will continue shooting the Milky Way under the majestic curtain of water.
DAY 4 - JUNE 3RD - DORRIGO WATERFALLS
We will enjoy a delicious breakfast and review our waterfall photographs from under the night sky. A classroom session will be held post-processing our photographs.
In the afternoon after a relaxing day at the retreat, we will visit one of Australia's most impressive waterfalls, Ebor Falls. This twin tiered waterfall cascades down into the gorge below where the Milky Way aligns perfectly producing images with detail and depth. We will spend the night in awe mesmerised by the beauty of the falls.
DAY 5 - JUNE 4TH - HAT HEAD
On day 5, our last post processing session and photography review will be held after breakfast. Afterwards, we will make our short drive to Nambucca Heads and in the afternoon we will explore the dramatic cliffs and scenery around Hat Head in preparation of our shoot at night.
Our night will be spent capturing the Milky Way around Hat Head visiting diverse locations within close proximity including a secluded hidden cove and Smoky Cape Lighthouse.
DAY 6 - JUNE 5TH - GOLD COAST
This is our final day of the Star Chaser tour where we will drive back to Gold Coast Airport arriving at 12pm. You may wish to head back alternatively instead of joining me on my journey home if it is more convenient for you.
It is time to say our goodbyes for you to reflect on the incredible images you captured.
TOUR MENTOR
I am a professional Milky Way Landscape photographer from Australia with 11 years experience capturing the night sky. I have taught over 4000 students and 500 Masterclass workshops across Australia on how to shoot astrophotography.
I love capturing the beauty of night that other people do not often get the chance to see. It drives my passion in hope of inspiring others to take the time to look up and marvel at the universe above. It is a therapeutic and calming experience spending a night underneath the stars and with photography, you can take a piece home with you.
HOW TO JOIN THE STAR CHASER PHOTO TOUR
Contact David
WHAT TO BRING
DSLR or mirrorless camera with a spare battery
Wide angle lens with fast aperture f/2.8
A sturdy tripod
A laptop computer
Water proof walking boots or shoes
Warm clothes to keep you warm
WILL WE HAVE LONG NIGHTS SHOOTING?
Our shooting schedule is designed for us to shoot from 6pm - 10pm most nights to ensure we are not fatigued throughout the tour and well rested. We may continue shooting later as it can be exciting shooting the night sky and time flies when having fun under the stars.
SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS?
The Star Chaser tour is suitable for all skill levels, including beginners and semi-professionals. I recommend participants join David Magro's Milky Way Masterclass prior to the tour, however you will be learning new techniques on the tour that I will be teaching you.
WHAT HAPPENS WITH CLOUDY CONDITIONS?
The tour itinerary may change if weather conditions at our planned locations are not favourable. I have a vast knowledge of locations in the area if we require to move our shooting location to chase the stars. This is at the discretion of the tour leader, David Magro. The month of May/June is a favourable month for astrophotography with cloud coverage less likely at this time.
WHAT IS THE FITNESS LEVEL NEEDED?
The Star Chaser tour requires you to have a moderate level of physical fitness with most locations easily accessible and only a short walk. There are occasions of uneven surface for a brief period where good hiking boots are best to keep you comfortable and balanced. At Ebor Falls, we safely descend down to the falls which requires moderate physical fitness. Although not difficult, a moderate level of fitness is required - see video of the only tricky spot.
WHATS NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR?
Flights to Narrabri or Gold Coast are not included, you can meet David at 7am at Gold Coast Airport if you would like to join the journey to Narrabri. The tour finishes at Gold Coast Airport with flights home not included. Alcohol, beverages, snacks, laundry, souvenirs, personal items, travel insurance and anything not mentioned is not included.
CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY
If you decide to cancel for any reason and your spot is filled, we will refund you the full amount you have paid minus the $500 administration fees. However, if your spot is cancelled for any reason and your spot if not filled, we will refund you based on the following schedule below.
180 days or more before the beginning of the tour, 25% of the total tour amount is forfeited. 180 - 90 days prior to the beginning of the tour, 50% of the total tour amount is forfeited. 90 - 60 days prior to the beginning of the tour, 75% of the total tour amount is forfeited. 60 days prior to the beginning of the tour, 100% of the total tour amount is forfeited.
HEAR WHAT OTHERS SAY
David’s enthusiasm and passion for astro photography is awesome.
Great course, caters for beginners as well as the more advanced photographer
Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge.
— Alison Robinson
