The Melbourne Walk and Shoot Group

Sorrento Solstice & Burning Man

Sat, Jun 20 · 2:00 PM AEST

Sorrento, Erlandsen rd, AU

Celebrate the year's shortest day. (Draft Schedule)

For all of us who can't make it to the original Burning Man festival in the USA, the next best option is the Sorrento Fire Festival (or Sorrento Fire Night), a free, annual winter solstice celebration on the Sorrento Foreshore (Victoria, Australia) featuring a major "burning of the man" spectacle. Held on June 20th, it features a 6-metre burning effigy, fire cannons, performers, live music, and food trucks, celebrating the longest night of the year.
Sorrento Fire Festival

This is a free but ticketed event, so please grab your tickets at Tickets

Schedule:
2:00 pm Gates Open

5.00 pm lantern Walk

6.20 pm Fire Dance

6.30 pm watch the effigy burn

9.00 pm events ends. (Optional astro if conditions are suitable.)

Check this page the day before the event in case we need to cancel due to weather conditions.

SAFETY & IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This event involves outdoor activities, including easy walking. To help ensure we operate safely and inclusively, we ask all members and guests to abide by the MEETUP GUIDELINES.
Please take a moment to read the following important disclosures and recommendations carefully:

• Event Adjustments: Your safety is our highest priority. Though we do not plan high-risk activities, we reserve the right to modify or cancel parts of the event if unforeseen risks, such as extreme weather, are identified. Our goal is a fun, stress-free, and secure weekend for everyone.
• Personal Responsibility: Participation in all activities, including travel and carpooling, is at your own risk. The organisers are not liable for any personal injuries, or damage/loss of personal belongings.
• Insurance: We strongly advise all attendees to have comprehensive ambulance and health insurance to cover potential medical emergencies. While we take every precaution, accidents can happen.

By signing up and attending this event, you and your guest agree to the above disclosures and the MEETUP GUIDELINES

Schwerkolt Cottage and Yarran Dheran National Reserve

Sun, Jun 28 · 12:00 PM AEST

Schwerkolt Cottage, 2 Deep Creek Road, Mitcham, AU

The Schwerkolt Cottage is a historic museum located in Mitcham and surrounded by 2.2 hectares of bushland. An interesting place to visit and photograph and we will take a nice walk to the Yarran Dheran National Park not far from this cottage.

For more information on Schwerkolt Cottage and Yarran Dheran:
https://www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/things-do/arts-culture/schwerkolt-cottage

https://yarrandherannaturereserve.wordpress.com/

Draft Schedule

12.00pm Meet at The Coach Sports Bar for lunch
https://thecoach.net.au/

1.00pm Leave for Schwerkolt Cottage and meet at entrance for briefing.
(there is parking at Schwerkolt Cottage)
1.15pm Explore Schwerkolt Cottage

2.30pm Meet again at the entrance of the Cottage to regroup and leave for Yarran Dheran (on foot)

4.30pm Event ends.

This is an event that is weather dependent - so please check this page the day before the event for any updates if we need to cancel due to bad weather conditions.

Rowan and Andrew P

An afternoon at Cranbourne Royal Botanic Gardens

Sun, Jul 5 · 12:00 PM AEST

Royal Botanical Gardens Cranbourne, Ballarto Road and, Botanic Drive, Cranbourne VIC 3977, Cranbourne, AU

If you're into landscape, nature, architectural, or abstract photography, the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne is one of the most photogenic locations around Melbourne. Unlike traditional botanic gardens filled with exotic flowers, it focuses entirely on Australian native landscapes and uses bold design elements, dramatic colours, and sculptural forms that photograph exceptionally well.

The garden combines a highly designed contemporary landscape (the Australian Garden) with extensive native bushland, wetlands, and woodland walking trails. This gives photographers a mix of:

• Abstract compositions
• Wide landscape scenes
• Native flora close-ups
• Wildlife photography
• Architectural and environmental portraits

https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/cranbourne-gardens/

DRAFT SCHEDULE

12.00pm - Meet at the entrance of the Garden for introduction and brief.

12.15pm - Explore the garden

2.00pm - Meet at the cafe for coffee and chat

2.45pm - Continue to explore the garden

4.30pm - The event ends

Optional challenge for this event - TBA

Look forward to having you join us at this event.

Rowan and John

Newport Lake Reserve & Cherry Lake

Sat, Jul 18 · 7:30 AM AEST

Cherry Lake, Millers Road, Altona, AU

To help ensure we operate in a safe and inclusive manner we ask all members and guests to abide by the following guidelines
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11Tlklt2nqT-B8RnDaxvmZv8vsGXy3w8rVpiArNf_-f8/edit?usp=sharing
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We have made some changes to this event and will begin with Cherry Lake at sunrise, followed by breakfast and then move on to Newport Reserve for more photography. Given this is a weather dependent event, please check this page the day before the event in the event we need to postpone due to poor weather forecast.

If you are interested in attending only Newport Reserve and breakfast, you can join us at either 9am for breakfast or 10.30am at Newport Reserve. Otherwise we will see you at Cherry Lake at 7.30am.

Join us for a relaxed photography walk at Cherry Lake and Newport Lake Reserve on Saturday 18 July (weather permitting), We will start off with sunrise photography at Cherry Lake, followed by breakfast at a local café (details to be advised). We will then explore
Newport Lake Reserve after breakfast and this reserve offers a variety of photographic opportunities, from tranquil lake reflections and walking trails to abundant birdlife including ducks, swans, cormorants, pelicans and smaller native birds often found throughout the reserve. The surrounding bushland and open water also provide excellent landscape and nature photography opportunities.
Cherry Lake offers a different atmosphere, with wide open wetlands, boardwalks, expansive skies and additional opportunities for bird and landscape photography — particularly suited to those interested in wildlife, reflections and winter light.
Newport Lake Reserve is easily accessible by car or public transport. The nearest train station is Newport Station, approximately a 1.5km walk to the reserve.
Bring comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing and your favourite lens for nature and landscape photography.
Looking forward to a great day of photography, conversation and coffee with fellow enthusiasts!

DRAFT SCHEDULE

7:30 AM – Sunrise Photography at Cherry Lake
Meet at Cherry Lake Reserve (Entrance via Fresno Street, Altona) for an introduction and briefing.
We'll begin the day capturing the early morning light at Cherry Lake Reserve. The reserve features a scenic 3.5 km walking circuit which takes visitors around the western and northern sections of the lake. Along the way, photographers can explore a variety of landscapes, including the area's fascinating salt marsh habitats, which support a diverse range of water birds and other wildlife.
Photographic opportunities:
· Sunrise landscapes and reflections
· Water birds and wildlife
· Wetland and salt marsh environments
· Nature and environmental photography
8.50AM - re group at the entrance to drive to breakfast venue
9:00 AM – Breakfast & Social Catch-Up
Location: To Be Advised
A chance to relax enjoy breakfast with fellow photographers before heading to our second location.
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10:30 AM – Nature Photography Walk at Newport Lake Reserve.
Meet at Newport Lake Reserve (Entrance via Mason Street, Newport)
Our second session will take place at the picturesque Newport Lake Reserve. The reserve offers several self-guided nature trail loops totalling approximately 2 km, which takes around 40 minutes to complete. The trails wind through dense stands of eucalyptus and acacia trees, providing excellent opportunities for nature and wildlife photography.
The reserve is home to more than 200 plant species and nearly 165 recorded bird species, including Black Swans, wrens, herons, and many other native birds.
Photographic opportunities:
· Bird and wildlife photography
· Native flora and macro photography
· Landscapes and lake reflections
· Environmental and nature photography

12.00PM - Event Ends

What to Bring
· Camera and lenses suitable for landscapes and wildlife
· Fully charged batteries and spare memory cards
· Comfortable walking shoes
· Weather-appropriate clothing
· Water bottle
· Tripod and ND filters (optional, but recommended for sunrise photography)

We look forward to a relaxed day of photography, nature, and good company while exploring two of Melbourne's beautiful western suburbs reserves.

Catherine and Rowan