July 30, 2024by Chris Putnam95 CommentsAustralasia Rural, Author, Chris Putnam

LOCATION – SOUTHWEST NATIONAL PARK, TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA

Intro

This year I had the chance to shoot the first Red Bull Hardline event outside of Wales in the UK. It was held in a small town called Maydena near Hobart in Tasmania. It just so happens that this part of the world is one of my favorites so I naturally jumped at the chance to combine some sport and landscape photography.

The town of Strathgordon has for some reason, been an obsession of mine to visit. Whether its the remoteness, or the amazing aurora imagery I have seen, I couldn’t wait to visit. I stayed at Lake Pedder Wilderness Resort and I couldn’t have asked for anything more suitable. Beautiful scenery, log fires, great food, great bar, great value and the most exquisite scenery. I highly recommend. Though currently they are closed for accommodation until 2026 estimated.

Essentials

Camera Gear

Camera Gear Used

  • Canon EOS R5
  • Canon R5 RF14-35mm f/4L IS USM Lens
  • Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II Lens
  • Canon EF  400mm f/4 DO IS USM Lens
  • Hoya Pro1D Polariser
  • Hoya 4 stop ND
  • Manfrotto 190XProB Tripod

Useful Links

https://www.redbull.com/au-en/events/red-bull-hard-line-australia

 

https://www.pedderwildernesslodge.com.au/tasmania-accommodation

Prints Available On Etsy

Map

Content

I would consider Maydena to be the start of Southwest National Park by road and only a few kms is the turn off for the Styx Valley. I was there unfortunately for a disappointing reason, covering the excessive logging of Old Growth forest by Forestry Tasmania. Im a big fan of the Bob Brown Foundation, and Bob Brown is a true hero for the environment. His organization fights constantly to protect areas such as the Styx Valley and I was keen to show some of the devastation and supply to mainstream media. It was truly upsetting to see these beautiful trees cut down, and mostly for woodchips to be sent to China. These are some of the oldest trees on earth and they cant simply be replaced. The damage is essentially irreversible. I can only recommend watching a Bob Brown film called ‘The Giants’ to learn about this great man and the work he does.

 

Apart from the logging it is well worth a visit to visit to Big Tree Reserve and Styx Rivers Walk to experience the majestic nature of this area and learn of what we need to fight to protect.

As you drive along Gordon River Rd towards Strathgordon the landscape begins to open up. All of a sudden you are presented with the majestic cliff face of ‘The Needles” and Mount Mueller. You will find it impossible to not stop and photograph with the leading line of the road

The picturesque Gordon River Rd and the Needles mountain range near Florentine on a hot summer's afternoon in Southwest National Park, Tasmania, Australia

A little further along Gordon River Rd is the Twisted Sister loop. A short walk from the road is the below magnificent Eucalyptus tree that appears twisted as it rises into the sky. The surrounding walk is full of mossy logs and all the things you expect from a Tasmanian landscape.

The Creepy Crawly Nature trail is a true highlight for photographers along Gordon River Rd. Despite the name, I didn’t see any ‘creepy crawlies’. It did seem like an area for leeches but I survived without seeing one. A short walk thru amazing mossy landscape was right up my alley. Plenty of opportunity to use your tripod and longer exposure. There is plenty hopping over logs and ducking under branches but it is all worth it. It really feels like a wonderland from Lord of the Rings. It is all boardwalks with some very creative cutting around fallen trees etc

  • Canon R5 – RF14-35mm f/4L IS USM Lens. Environments such as this lend themselves to cloudy wet days. The even light enables all parts of the scene to shine

Further along you will come across the Bitumen Bones Sculpture which is a little odd, but beautiful at the same time. Just wasn’t something I expected to see so far from civilization. The mountain range behind provides a spectacular backdrop.

I was lucky enough to have one morning in an intense storm and the landscape was spectacular around here as the mist descended on the valley.

Continuing along there are wonderful spots as Lake Pedder opens up the road runs along its shore. Past McPartlan Pass Canal is wonderful scenery with sun setting behind. The mountains appear to go on forever in the distance.

A drone is of great use in this part of the world. The expanse of Lake Pedder and surrounding landscape is much better shot as an aerial image

The pièce de résistance of this entire road trip is the famous Gordon River dam. An engineering feat that formed Lake Pedder. Its a stunning piece of architecture and extremely awe inspiring. You can park right near the dam wall and walk down the steps and cross it. I personally find dams a little scary. The physics doesn’t seem to add up and walking along the wall can make you feel queasy. But the opportunities for photography are amazing. With no one around I was able to launch my drone easily and get into the valley below the top of the dam wall. It goes without saying that a very wide lens is required and I used my RF 14-35mm.

An alternative equally superb view is from Knob Hill lookout just a little way back along the road and has a large car park

The view from Knob Hill Lookout. I visited on a very stormy afternoon and this only added to the menacing nature of large dams

As mentioned in the intro, my reason for visiting this are was to photograph Red Bull Hardline. A perfect way to combine my photography and my other passion…mountain biking. Here are a couple of images from the event

MAYDENA, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 24: Riders during final practice at Red Bull Hardline Tasmania on February 24, 2024 in Maydena, Australia.
MAYDENA, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 24: Ronan Dunne of Ireland celebrates his win being covered in Red Bull drink at Red Bull Hardline Tasmania on February 24, 2024 in Maydena, Australia.
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