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.
STAR CHASER III BLOG
Two Epic Milky Way Adventures on the South Coast
I’m thrilled to share the magic of not one, but two Star Chaser III Tours that lit up the South Coast of NSW in June 2025.
Both tours were six-day adventures packed with passionate astrophotographers, jaw-dropping locations, and the thrill of capturing the Milky Way. While the tours shared the same spirit, each had its own unique vibe and those little moments that make every group special. Whether you’re dreaming of joining or just love a good starry-eyed story, here’s a recap of our unforgettable journeys.
Ready to chase stars? Join a Star Chaser Tour in 2026!
First Tour: A Stellar Journey Under Clear Skies
Day 1: First Night at Glasshouse Rocks
The first Star Chaser's met at Sydney Airport, buzzing with excitement, before we hit the road to Narooma, our home base for the week. We stopped for a break and grabbed lunch at Se7en Café in Batemans Bay, a spot I love for its views and hearty meals. Then, we rolled into Narooma under perfect weather with first settling into our own cosy apartments.
After settling in, we headed Glasshouse Rocks for our first night under the stars. The giant formations looked small from afar, but with the right framing, they towered against the ocean under the Milky Way. A few clouds teased us for the first 15 minutes, but clear skies took over, giving us a dreamy start. Layering up for the cold was a must—trust me, I’ve learned the hard way over the years!
We nailed our first shots and headed back, buzzing from the South Coast’s magic.
Day 2: Editing & Camel Rock Beauty
The next morning, we ventured to Salt Café, a gem on a quiet bay with stunning views for coffee and breakfast. I strolled out wearing shorts and sandals, while the group rocked snow gear—proof that June’s “winter” here is more crisp than freezing!
After breakfast, we dove into our first editing session. I teach Milky Way processing from the ground up, pacing it for all skill levels. The group soaked it up, learning the flow and editing their Glasshouse shots. After a light lunch at a local bakery, we rest up before our second night under the stars.
We headed to Camel Rock at dusk. This place is unreal—not just the camel-shaped rock, but a maze of formations with water carving leading lines. I’ve shot here for years, and the tides water flow always surprise me with fresh angles. We spent hours under the stars, even seeing Laura, a past Milky Way Masterclass student, out shooting the stars.
Day 3: Australia Rock and Horse Head Rock
Day three started at the groups new favourite café, Raven Cafe & Grill, where we fuelled up ready to refining our editing skills. By now, beginners were piecing together workflows, and it was awesome to see their progress.
That night, we split into two groups: one captured Horse Head Rock, navigating its rocky terrain, while the other shot Australia Rock, with its iconic continent-shaped hole. Both spots delivered epic Milky Way frames, and we reunited afterwards hyped about our captures.
Day 4: Cathedral Rock’s Perfect Night
Back at Raven Cafe & Grill which ended up being the breakfast spot the star chaser loved.
That night, we headed to Moruya to an amazing lookout, despite a potentially cloudy forecast. The South Coast skies pulled through with clear conditions, giving us a flawless 4-for-4 record. The bay’s curves, cliffs, and cliffs framed the Milky Way perfectly for a stunning composition and we shot for 90 minutes until clouds crept in. Everyone was stoked, already itching to edit these shots.
Day 5: Seals and a Gothic Church
Morning editing sessions polished our editing workflow, then we grabbed gourmet treats at Honor Bread bakery. We then visited the local seals chilling on Narooma’s breakwall and playing in the crystal clear water. It’s such a quirky local highlight, and the group loved it.
Our final night was a dream—clear skies for a perfect 5-for-5. We shot the Milky Way with a Gothic Church as our foreground, adding a fresh vibe to our portfolios. Sharing these nights with passionate photographers, embracing our passion for capturing the stars, is why I love leading these tours.
On day 6, we wrapped up with breakfast in Batemans Bay, soaking in the green hills on the drive back to Sydney. We said our goodbyes with the memories of our Milky Way shots and shared laughs made it fantastic star chasing experience.
STAR CHASER SPOTLIGHT: DAVID PHILLIPS PHOTO'S
David Phillips joined our Star Chaser III Tour, returning for his second adventure after loving Star Chaser II in 2023. His enthusiasm for capturing the Milky Way shone through as he skillfully framed stunning images at iconic South Coast locations like Glasshouse Rocks, Camel Rock, Cathedral Beach, and Australia Rock. His breathtaking shots, showcased below, reflect the magic of the Star Chaser tour, from clear starry nights to the gothic church under the cosmos. He shared his amazing images in the David Magro Milky Way Masterclass Facebook Group, where you can find even more images of others who join the Star Chaser. Amazing work David!
2026 Star Chaser Tours Available.
In 2026, I’m hosting Star Chaser II, capturing golden canola fields, a stunning waterfall, and NASA telescopes under the stars; Star Chaser III, chasing the southern jewels under the Milky Way; and the new Star Chaser IV, showcasing Tasmania’s diverse landscapes under the night sky.
Limited spots remain—check out the tours below!
Second Tour: Chasing the Stars
Day 1: Glasshouse Rocks Redux
We kicked off just like the first tour, meeting at Sydney Airport with a group brimming with excitement.
We stopped at Se7en Café in Batemans Bay for a hearty lunch with stunning coastal views—a perfect way to ease into the adventure. Then we continued our trip reaching Narooma to settle into our apartments.
That evening, we headed to Glasshouse Rocks, where the star chasers was awestruck by abundance of stars and the towering formations against the ocean. The Milky Way sparkled above, and with a chilly breeze, everyone was thrilled to capture their first shots. A few wispy clouds added drama to our compositions, but the clear skies gave us another perfect start.
Day 2: Camel Rock Flowing Water
Our morning began at Salt Café, where the Star Chasers savoured coffee and breakfast by the serene bay. I showed up in my usual shorts and sandals, as the group bundled up in jackets.
We dove into editing, transforming our Glasshouse shots into masterpieces. Beginners picked up the workflow as we begun to piece the workflow together. Then after a delicious lunch at a local bakery, we rested during our free time.
We left early to head to Camel Rock as the sun set. The rock formations, sculpted by tides, created a playground of leading lines and textures. We spent hours shooting under the Milky Way, experimenting with angles and marvelling at how the tides reshaped the scene. It was completely different form the week before I was just here with the first Star Chaser's!
The group’s energy was electric, and we stayed late, even meeting another fellow astrophotographer capturing the night sky here.
Day 3: Cathedral Beach and Gothic Church
With breakfast at Raven Café and Grill, we fueled up then got stuck into editing, polishing images that popped with color and detail. In the forecast, a cloudy outlook for the next day pushed us to Cathedral Beach first, as we needed to make up for the upcoming weather by shooting two locations this night to maximize our starry windows. This is why it’s a Star Chaser Tour—we chase the stars!
The bay’s dramatic cliffs and curves framed the Milky Way beautifully, and the group was thrilled with their captures. Then, we hopped back into the minibus and drove to the nearby gothic church, photographing its amazing architecture under the Milky Way. The mix of coastal and architectural scenes gave everyone diverse additions to their portfolios, and the excitement carried into our morning editing session, where we couldn’t stop talking about the night’s double shoot.
Day 4: Cosy Night at Narooma Hotel
The weather turned challenging with high clouds, so we pivoted to a restful evening at Narooma Hotel. It was a chance to recharge and connect, reminding us that star chasing is as much about the people you are with as the photography.
The group bonded over a warm meal with great views, swapping stories and dreaming up tomorrow’s compositions for the last night ahead, as we knew we’d have clear skies again and would be shooting two locations, The Blue Pool and Australia Rock.
Day 5: Blue Pool and Australia Rock
After the morning of breakfast and editing, we grabbed gourmet treats at Honor Bread bakery, then we visited the seals lounging on Narooma’s breakwall—a quirky stop that had everyone snapping photos and chuckling at their playful antics in the water.
That evening, with clear skies forecast, we doubled up on locations to maximise our starry windows, just like we did on Day 3. First, we headed to Blue Pools, where the a rock pool perfectly aligns with the Milky Way, creating a otherworldly image. Then, we hopped back into the minibus and drove to Australia Rock, framing its iconic continent-shaped hole under the starry sky. The contrast between the rock pool and the rugged rock formation gave everyone a diverse set of shots, and the excitement of the double shoot kept us out late, lost in the magic of the night.
On day 6, we said goodbye over breakfast in Batemans Bay, soaking in the rolling green hills on our drive back to Sydney. The group left with full memory cards, new skills, and memories forged under the stars. This tour’s unique mix of locations, adaptability, and community made it just as special as the first.
