When capturing Milky Way Landscapes I look for alignments that are visually effortless to view. In this photograph, this secluded cove showcases exactly what I look for: a distinct piece of the landscape presented with the Milky Way stars.

At Hat Head National Park, the surrounding landscape is unique to Australia with sheer cliffs along the coastline dropping vertically into the ocean below. From the cliffs edge, the views are breathtaking with wallabies freely hopping about on the grasslands.

In some parts in this stretch of this coastline, you will discover small coves with interesting rock features and large smooth rocks. This is not a common scene as most of Australia’s coastline is filled with flat sandy beaches without these magnificent rock features.

I was instantly drawn to visit this landscape and find unique compositions to capture under the night sky. Upon searching, I was fascinated by this particular spot as the geometry of the rock shelves recede inwards framing the small body of water that enters the cove.

Not only that, the large inclining rock in the water reaches upwards into the sky with intricate lines showing its age. Adding to this, the contrast of the water washing over the large dark grey rocks is striking, yet soft to see.

Although this scene looks calm and soft from to the long exposure photography technique used, the sea was rough with roaring echoing inside the cove. Once I was settled in, the rhythmic sounds became soothing and I was able to begin photographing this secluded cove.

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