My 5 Favorite Instagrammable Places in Australia — Through the Lens of a Travel Photographer
As a travel photographer, I’m always chasing places that make you stop in your tracks—the kind of landscapes where light, texture, and story all collide in a single frame. On my recent trip to Australia, I found more than a few of those. From salt-kissed ocean pools to quiet rainforest swimming holes, these were the spots that not only made my camera sing—but also made me want to stay a little longer, breathe a little deeper, and really look around.
Here are five of my favorite, most Instagrammable places in Australia:
1. Bondi Icebergs Pool, Sydney
This was my first sunrise in Australia, and honestly, it felt cinematic. The Bondi Icebergs Pool is carved right into the cliffs at Bondi Beach, with waves crashing into the turquoise water in perfect rhythm. I shot this from above on the coastal walk, but also got low at the edge of the pool to capture swimmers suspended between ocean and sky. It’s iconic for a reason—there’s no bad angle here.
2. The Palm Field, Oak Beach
Tucked quietly between Port Douglas and the Daintree, I stumbled on the Palm Field near Oak Beach—a seemingly endless row of palm trees stretching toward the mountains. The symmetry is irresistible. I went at golden hour when the light filtered softly through the trunks, and every photo came out like a minimalist postcard.
3. Mossman River Swimming Holes
Some of the most magical places are the ones you have to look for. The swimming holes along the Mossman River feel untouched—cool, clear water flowing between boulders wrapped in rainforest green. I spent hours photographing reflections, long exposures of the current, and even tried underwater shots to capture the way the light bends beneath the surface. Bring a tripod and patience—it’s pure serenity.
4. Daintree Rainforest, Far North Queensland
Photographing the Daintree is like stepping into another era. The textures here are ancient—ferns the size of umbrellas, roots tangled like sculpture, and a dense, humid quiet that hangs in the air. I shot wide to emphasize scale, especially along the boardwalks near Cape Tribulation, and used backlighting in the morning to highlight the mist and give the trees that glowing, otherworldly edge.
5. Q1 Tower, Gold Coast
After so much nature, standing atop the Q1 Tower was like entering a different world entirely. From the SkyPoint Observation Deck, you get a full sweep of the Gold Coast—beaches, skyline, and hinterland stretching in every direction. I timed my visit for sunset, capturing the warm light skimming across the buildings and the horizon slowly fading into blues and purples. If you want a cityscape that still feels connected to nature, this is the shot.
Final Thoughts
Australia is a dream for photographers—wild, polished, raw, and colorful all at once. Each of these places gave me something different to work with, whether it was mood, motion, or sheer visual drama. If you’re heading down under and chasing beauty through a lens, don’t miss these.
And if you want to see how I captured them all, follow along on Instagram @GarrickTakesPhotos or check out my print shop—these places deserve a spot on your wall, too.
GARRICK CLARK-FRASER 