The Miena cider gum is an iconic frost tolerant eucalypt found only around the edges of frosty low-lying areas within a 20 kilometre radius of Miena, a small village on the shores of the Great Lake. There are only a small amount of Miena cider gum stands left, with only one stand remaining in reasonable health.
Since the early 90s, it has faced a gradual decline in numbers, leading to its current listing as an endangered species. Climate change is the overarching threat to the Miena cider gum as it is sensitive to drought and the warmer temperatures are decreasing its resilience. The Miena cider gum is an iconic tree of Tasmania’s Central Highlands that has evolved to be the most frost tolerant of the eucalypts. It has a rich cultural history of use by the Tasmanian Aboriginal people, who would drink the rich sugary sap or ‘cider’ that leaks from crevices in the trunk.
Tasmanian Photography Tours have secured special access to locations that allows us to carefully capture the haunting silhouettes of the perished and also enjoy moments with the few still remaining. With a focus on spending time amongst the cider gums this tour suits those who love capturing trees and want to pay homage to these beauties while they still exist.
To ensure a personalised experience this tour is limited to just six guests. The small group size means more one on one tuition, individual feedback and the opportunity to learn from two different photographic styles and perspectives.
Details
- Location - Central Highlands, Tasmania
- Date - Friday xxx - Sunday xxx
- Tuition - TWO local expert photographers
- Sleeping Arrangements - One room per person. Twin share available upon request
- Departure & Return - The tour departs from and returns to the Old Woolstore Hotel, located at 11/1 Macquarie Street, Hobart City. Departure is scheduled for Friday morning, XX with return on Monday afternoon, XXX
- For those travelling to Hobart we can help you with a 10% discount at The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel which is the collection point on day one. Simply use TASPHOTO on the Old Woolstore's website at checkout
- Payment Terms - A $500 AUD deposit is required to secure your booking. Once received, we will email you an invoice for the full tour amount. The remaining balance must be paid no later than 60 days before the tour’s start date. By booking you acknowledge and accept our Terms and Conditions
- Fitness / Mobility Requirements - This workshop involves a low to moderate level of fitness. Participants should be comfortable with short walks to shooting locations, including walking by head torch before sunrise or after dark. Some locations are accessed via slippery rainforest trails, unsealed paths, steps, and gentle inclines, and conditions may be cold and/or wet (weather and safety permitting)
Price $3250 per person
Meet Your Instructors
Francois Fourie is a Tasmanian landscape and adventure photographer who has spent years exploring the island’s wildest corners from the Western Arthurs to the remote Tarkine, the rugged West Coast to the quiet forests of the highlands. Francois brings a considered, unhurried approach to photography that is entirely his own. He describes photography as therapy, a way of slowing down, seeing more, and connecting deeply with a place. That philosophy carries directly into his teaching. With Francois, you won’t be rushed through locations. You’ll be taught to truly see them.
Geraldina Dijkstra – Geraldina’s photography specialises in the extraordinary and often invisible macro detail, night skies, aurora, bioluminescence, glowing fungi, and the quiet magic of Tasmania after dark. She is also a published author, her children’s book Chasing the Lights inspired by Tasmania’s remarkable natural light phenomena. Geraldina sees Tasmania with the wonder of someone who chose it deliberately, and that perspective is infectious in the field.
Together, they bring complementary strengths. Francois’ deep landscape and compositional expertise alongside Geraldina’s eye for the intimate, the nocturnal, and the extraordinary detail. Between them there’s always knowledge, encouragement, and genuine enthusiasm for this remarkable island, Tasmania.
Your Accommodation
The Central Highlands Lodge, located in the highland village of Miena, is the gateway to Tasmania’s Central Plateau.
Being the most centrally located lodge to the famous Miena Cider Gums, it is the perfect location for a weekend of photography.
After relaxing in the lounge by cosy log fires, comfortable rooms with crisp sheets on a pre-warmed bed await you.
Your accommodation features ensuite bathrooms, heating, electric blankets, fridge, TV, Wi-Fi, tea and coffee making facilities.
What You Will Learn
TPT delivers a structured learning program designed for photographers of all skill levels ensuring everyone develops new techniques and makes measurable progress throughout the experience.
As part of the tour, guests receive our dedicated photography learning guides covering key techniques, settings and creative approaches explored throughout the tour.
Dedicated editing sessions are built into the tour, helping you refine your photographs and leave with a finished collection that reflects your growth, creativity, and the skills developed throughout the tour.
You will learn about:
- Composition & visual storytelling
- Reading the light
- Long exposure techniques
- ICM – Intentional Camera Movement
- Exposure blending
- Focus stacking
- Post-processing workflows in Adobe Lightroom Classic
And if there’s something specific you want to work on we are happy to help.
What You Will Need
Dressing and packing well means you stay comfortable in the field longer, which means better images. Here’s a guide on what to bring:
Camera Gear
- A DSLR or mirrorless camera
- Fully charged batteries (bring spares if you have them)
- Memory cards with plenty of space
- Your lenses, not sure what to bring? Let us know before departure and we’ll point you in the right direction
- A tripod, useful for specific shoots
- Filters, if you have them. If not, let us know
- A headtorch, essential for pre-dawn starts and navigating in low light
- A laptop for editing sessions
- Adobe Lightroom Classic installed on your desktop
Clothing & Footwear
There is no bad weather, only bad clothing choices. In most cases we have great conditions but we plan for the worst, just in case.
- Sturdy walking boots, waterproof if possible, as conditions may be wet, muddy, or sandy
- Warm, insulating layers, a decent fleece or wool jumper and warm pants as a base
- A quality waterproof jacket, this is non-negotiable in Tasmania
- Beanie and gloves, mornings start early.
Not sure if your gear is suitable? Reach out and we will happily advise. We’d rather answer your questions now than have you unprepared.
Included / Not Included
Included
From the moment we collect you in Hobart, your focus belongs entirely photography and having a great time. Everything else, that matters, is taken care of.
- A one on one online session prior to the tour will help us get to know each other, understand your goals and help you prepare
- Three nights in your own private room with a Queen bed and private ensuite
- Three delicious and filling meals per day (excluding breakfast on Day 1 and dinner on Day 4)
- Structured coaching and photography tuition from two expert local photographers
- Dedicated editing sessions that review, refine and finalise images before you leave
- Private return transfers to and from the collection point in Hobart
- All National Park passes and permit costs
- Operated by a fully government-registered and licensed tour operator. Your safety and peace of mind are important to us.
- A sensational Tasmanian experience shared with a small group of like-minded photographers
Not Included
A short list, by design.
- Your own travel to the collection point in Hobart
- Beverages (water and soft drinks are provided in your vehicle)
- Travel, equipment and medical insurance (we strongly recommend arranging cover before departure)
- Breakfast day 1 & dinner day 4
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