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.
2026 ADVANCED MASTERCLASS
JULY 10th - 13th, 2026
Join award winning photographer David Magro on a 4-day Masterclass to capture Hat Head’s magnificent coastline 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 coastline.
FEATURED IN
Tour Overview
Our Advanced Astro Masterclass begins with a group pickup at Gold Coast 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 The Cubana Resort in Nambucca Heads, chosen for its comfortable private king rooms, welcoming atmosphere, and central location that allows us to quickly access a wide variety of landscapes along the coastline.
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 the mid-north coasts dark sky locations, where the Milky Way illuminates breathtaking coastal scenery 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.
ADVANCED MASTERCLASS FEATURES
Meeting Location
We meet at Gold Coast Airport at 9am on our start date to be transported via our modern 12 seater mini-bus. The Adanced Masterclass Tour will conclude at Gold Coast Airport at 3pm at the end of the tour.
Accommodation
Enjoy your private room at The Cubana Resort, Nambucca Heads, selected for proximity to shooting locations and a relaxing stay in King 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 Gold Coast Airport.
Fitness level / difficulty level
A moderate fitness level is required. We’ll walk 5–20 minutes on paths to shooting locations, carrying camera gear.
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..
TOUR OVERVIEW
DAY 1 - HAT HEAD: PANORAMAS
Upon arrival at Gold Coast Airport at 9am, you’ll be welcomed by David and join the small group of six in the private 12-seater mini-bus. We’ll travel south along the coast before reaching our base at The Cubana Resort, Nambucca Heads.
After settling into your private accommodation and as night falls, we head into Hat Head where the sweeping headlands meet the sea. Our first shoot is dedicated to capturing Milky Way panoramas, sweeping arcs of the galaxy over the magnificent coastal landscapes under pristine dark skies.
DAY 2 - LITTLE BAY: 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 Little Bay, one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline on the mid-north coast. Here you will photograph a complete Holy Grail timelapse, beginning with the warm glow of golden hour, moving through twilight, and into the Milky Way’s rise above the horizon.
DAY 3 - HAT HEAD: 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 venture to back to Hat Head to a new location. The sweeping shoreline and ocean horizon provide one of the most striking coastal locations to frame our final project: star trails. We will set up to capture exposures that reveal the Earth’s rotation in graceful arcs above the beach.
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 Gold Coast Airport arriving back by 3pm 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 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 July 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 Gold Coast 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.
