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.
2027 ADVANCED MASTERCLASS
AUGUST - 31st - SEPTEMBER 3rd
Join award winning photographer David Magro on a 4-day Masterclass to capture golden canola under pristine night skies.
Over three nights, we will capture sweeping Milky Way panoramas, craft timelapses from twilight to the night sky, and capture elegant star trails above the flowering canola.
FEATURED IN
Tour Overview
Our Advanced Astro Masterclass begins with a group pickup at Canberra Airport before we travel south in our private 12-seater mini-bus to Hat Head on the mid-north coast. This is a small group tour limited to 6 participants, giving everyone space to travel comfortably and plenty of one-on-one time in the field.
We will be based at Federation Inn in Young, chosen for its comfortable private rooms, welcoming atmosphere, and central location that allows us to quickly access a wide variety of canola fields.
Over three nights we will capture panoramas, a timelapse, and star trails. There will also be opportunities to photograph deep-sky objects or if you prefer to continue focusing on wide-field nightscapes, you are encouraged to do so. The Advanced Masterclass is designed so that both approaches are fully supported.
THE NIGHT SKY COMES TO LIFE IN DARK SKY LOCATIONS.
YOU WILL EXPERIENCE A DISPLAY OF STARS ALIGNED WITH BREATHTAKING SCENERY.
Experience Central NSW dark sky locations, where the Milky Way rises above breathtaking golden canola with each night offering unique compositions.
The Milky Way will be above the horizon 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 3 hours in the classroom each day to post-process our photographs, as I assist you in editing your images ready for you to bring home.
YOUR DAY AT A GLANCE
Three nights and each day looks like this
MORNING 8AM
MORNING 9AM
LUNCH 12PM
AFTERNOON 1PM
EVENING 5PM
Slow breakfast at the cafe.
3 hours in the classroom — editing the previous night's images together, step by step.
Light lunch.
Rest, explore the area, or keep editing at your own pace — the afternoon is yours.
4 hours shooting — star trails, sunset-to-stars timelapses and panoramas in dark skies.
NIGHT 9:30PM
Back to our hotel.
Every day follows this rhythm — no dawn starts, no all-nighters, and a proper sleep-in the next morning.
ADVANCED MASTERCLASS FEATURES
Meeting Location
We meet at Canberra Airport at 1pm on our start date to be transported via our modern 12 seater mini-bus. The Advanced Masterclass Tour will conclude at Canberra Airport at 2pm at the end of the tour.
Accommodation
Enjoy your private room at The Federation Inn, Young, selected for proximity to shooting locations and a relaxing stay in private rooms.
Meals
All meals are included. Enjoy hearty breakfasts and lunches at charming local cafes perfect for keeping you energised during our daily adventures. Dinners will be at eaten informal conveniently located near our shooting sites.
Transportation
Travel comfortably in a modern, air-conditioned 12-seater minibus to all locations and back to Canberra Airport.
Fitness level / difficulty level
We shoot at an easy, unhurried pace at comfortable hours, never late through the night. Locations are a short walk from the vehicles (5–20 minutes on paths), and you're welcome to bring a camp chair for between shots — many do.
Post-Processing Sessions
Three classroom sessions are included to edit your images, ensuring you leave with polished nightscapes ready to showcase.
Limited Availability
Only 6 spots per tour ensure an intimate, personalised experience..
EVERYTHING IS TAKEN CARE OF
Private room, every night
Private minibus, airport to airport
Lifetime Advanced Masterclass tutorials and resources
Every meal - breakfast, lunch & dinner
All tuition & classroom editing sessions
Small group - six people, never more
TOUR OVERVIEW
DAY 1 - PANORAMAS
Upon arrival at Canberra Airport at 1pm, you’ll be welcomed by David and join the small group of six in the private 12-seater mini-bus. We’ll travel to Young before reaching our base at The Federation Inn, Young.
After settling into your private accommodation and as night falls, we head to our first field of canola where the golden flowers are in bloom. Our first shoot is dedicated to capturing Milky Way panoramas, sweeping arcs of the galaxy over the magnificent canola fields under pristine dark skies.
DAY 2 - TIMELAPSE
After breakfast we will gather for our first post-processing session for Day 1’s images stitching and editing our panorama photographs. Then enjoy time to explore our area.
In the evening, we travel to the canola fields, where sweeping golden landscapes create striking foregrounds beneath the night sky. Here, you will photograph a complete Holy Grail timelapse, beginning with the warm glow of golden hour, transitioning through twilight, and continuing as the Milky Way emerges above the horizon.
DAY 3 - STAR TRAILS
Following a hearty breakfast, we’ll dive into our second post-processing session, working through timelapse workflows and deep sky images
That evening, we return to the canola fields to a new location. The sweeping golden landscape provide a striking setting for our final project: star trails. We will set up to capture exposures that reveal the Earth’s rotation in graceful arcs above the fields.
DAY 4 - EDITING & HOME
After breakfast, we post process our star trail images for our last editing session. We will have a light lunch before driving back to Canberra Airport arriving back by 2pm for farewells.
As we say goodbye, you’ll leave with not only a portfolio of images — panoramas, timelapse, star trails and, if you chose, deep-sky captures. You also the leave with knowledge and confidence to recreate the entire process on your own under any sky.
TOUR MENTOR
I am a professional Milky Way Landscape photographer from Australia with 14 years experience capturing the night sky. I have taught over 5000 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.
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
HOW TO JOIN THE ADVANCED MASTERCLASS PHOTO TOUR
Book Your Spot Below
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.
SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS?
The Advanced Masterclass is suitable for all skill levels, including beginners and semi-professionals. I recommend participants join David Magro's Milky Way Masterclass and Editing 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 August & September is a favourable month for astrophotography with cloud coverage less likely at this time.
WHAT IS THE FITNESS LEVEL NEEDED?
The Advanced Masterclass tour requires you to have a moderate level of physical fitness with most locations easily accessible. Walking times range from 5 - 20 mins from the car park to our shooting location. There are occasions of uneven surface for a brief period where good hiking boots are best to keep you comfortable and balanced.
WHATS NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR?
Flights to Canberra are 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.
