Chasing Stars and Sunrises: A Photography Adventure at Mt Buffalo
Twilight at Mt. Buffalo Chalet lookout
Mt Buffalo National Park had long been on my radar for Astrolandscape photography. When the end of January aligned with the new moon, it was the perfect opportunity to make the trip. My brother from another mother, Jason Perry, and I set out to capture the Cathedral and other stunning rock formations under pristine dark skies.
Day One – Scouting and First Night of Shooting
The Cathedral
We arrived at Mt Buffalo National Park and spent the day scouting locations around The Cathedral, a striking rock formation perfect for night photography. After locking in our compositions, we made a detour to Mt. Buffalo Chalet, deciding it would be an ideal location for early-morning shots between 2:30 AM and sunrise.
With our plan set, we made our way into Bright to rest before the night’s shoot. At 8:00 PM, we were back at The Cathedral with cameras ready. The Milky Way arched above us, and we spent the next six hours capturing its brilliance.
By 1:00 AM, fatigue hit me hard. I had just wrapped up a week of camping with family before making the long drive up the mountain. Feeling a little lightheaded, I took a break, heading back to the car for an hour’s rest while Jason kept shooting. By 2:00 AM, I was feeling refreshed, and we drove to Mt Buffalo Chalet.
The View from Mt. Buffalo Chatel
Watching the Milky Way fade as the first light of dawn crept in was nothing short of breathtaking. We stayed there until sunrise, capturing the incredible transition from night to day.
Day Two – Sunrise, Coffee, and The Horn
With the first night’s mission complete, we entered Bright and stopped at Sixpence Coffee. After a long shooting night, that first cup of coffee was blissful. If you ever find yourself in Bright, I highly recommend it!
From there, we returned to Lake Catani Campground, a fantastic spot with hot showers, a camp kitchen, laundry facilities, and clean toilets—luxuries you don’t always get when out on location. We slept from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, preparing for another long night.
This time, our target was The Horn, an incredible granite formation offering stunning views of the Australian Alps. This location is popular with climbers, and earlier in the day, we had the chance to chat with a couple of them about their experiences. We’re hoping to meet up with them again in April at Mt Arapiles.
One of the highlights of this session was capturing C/2024 G3 Atlas, a comet that had recently passed the Sun. Though its nucleus had broken up, the tail remained visible—a rare and exciting opportunity for deep-sky photography.
C/2024 G3 Atlas.
Final Night – Star Trails at The Horn
As darkness fell, I set up at The Horn Hut, a small stone shelter that became the centrepiece of my star trail shot. Using my 50mm lens, I framed the hut. I set my intervalometer to infinity, capturing 812 images to create a dramatic star trail over the structure. Meanwhile, Jason headed up the stairs to work on his planned compositions.
We shot until 2:30 AM, then returned to Lake Catani Campground for a short rest before hitting the road at 6:30 AM to head back to Melbourne.
Final Thoughts
This trip was everything I love about Australian landscape photography—the adventure, the camaraderie, and the thrill of capturing the night sky in one of the most beautiful locations in Australia.
Being up in the Australian Alps, surrounded by the grandeur of Mt Buffalo, reinforced why I’m so passionate about what I do. The combination of pristine dark skies, dramatic rock formations, and endless opportunities for creative compositions makes this a must-visit location for any night photographer.
Would I do it again? Absolutely. And I can’t wait for the next adventure.
Gear Used:
Camera: Nikon Z7II
Lens: Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 G & 50mm f/1.8
Tripod: Manfrotto 055, Newer levelling base, Sunwayfoto DT-03 Panoramic Head, Sunwayfoto DMP-140R Nodal Rail
Bag: F-Stop Shinn, F-Stop Pro ICU X-Large
Accessories: Intervalometer for star trails, Lens Warmers
