My first trip to exciting Australia, hints pls...

[Oeksen37]

Mid june, I shall be joining my son on one of his business trips to Sydney and Melbourne. During his doing business with the friendly Aussies, I have in mind to go shooting at interesting places in, or not extremely far away from these two cities. Being a Europeen I believe that the time of our visit is the beginning of your wintertime, thus it is probably advisable to bring along some not too thin clothing?

I shall bring my NIKON D200, together with Nikor 18-200mm, Nikkor 50mm lenses and my Sigma 10-20 mm wide angel lens, trusting that these should be able to meet with any challenge? Moreover, I consider upon arrival buying the new lightweight Gitzo travellor tripod - any hint about recommendable places to buy such a one (Sydney or Melbourne)?

Having never been to Australia before, I would indeed also be most happy for any advice, as to a few interesting shooting places/areas. I like cityscapes (also by night!) as well as landscapes - a few fine tourist places/objects, but certainly also places outside the usual touristic focus points.

Very best regards
Oeksen37

[phantom_oz]

Oekson

Visiting Sydney and Melbourne, you cant go wrong, you have your cityscapes and in both cases your on the coast so plenty of beachscapes and coastal shots. You can try some of these locations:

Melbourne -
St Kilda Beach
South Melbourne beach and surrounds
SouthBank in Melbourne is a great opportunity for cityscape shots and the Yarra River

Sydney -
Manly, North Head, Bondi, Circular Quay, The Rocks, Opera House, Domain and Fort Denison in Sydney. Darling Harbour is a great location for Sydney cityscapes and water shots. You have the Blue Mountains about two hours out of Sydney.

Here is a start I am sure this will be enough to keep you very busy. Avoiding tourists is the hardest part :-) Bring your walking shoes :-)

PS: Your kit should cover the requirements, a tripod would be a necessity in my opinion.

Cheers

Rick

[Analog6]

And yes, June can be cold, wet and windy. Bring some type of rain cover for your camera, too, if you have one.

But the weather is good for phots especially early morning and late evening, with interesting cloud effects and lighting.

You'll have a good time, and there is just so much to photograph. The Southern Highlands (about 1 1./2 hours south of Sydney is nice atthat time of year with gorgeous autumn colours around Bowral, Exeter, Bundanoon.

[Oeksen37]

Just to let you know, both of you, that I'm indeed most grateful for you kind advise from which I shall certainly benefit when I initiate my trip to your beautiful country/continent.

Should you have any idea of recommendable camera stores in Sydney/Melbourne, perhaps you would be kind enough to let me know.

Thanks and very best regards
Oeksen37

[Tiberius]

I live in western Sydney, and I use the kodak shop in Penrith Plaza.

If you come up to the Blue Mountains, drop me a line and I might be able to show you around for a bit.