Wild South Coast Way

“The creation of the Wild South Coast Way on the Heysen Trail will connect the parks that run along our breathtaking southern coastline and become a beacon for locals and tourists alike, driving sustainable economic growth in the region and promoting accessibility for all.

Upgrade sections of the iconic Heysen Trail from Cape Jervis to Victor Harbor to create a five day, four-night hike and other high-quality trail-based experiences.

The visitor experience at Deep Creek Conservation Park will be enhanced and expanded with a new day visitor facility, a universally accessible walking trail, and upgrades to existing campgrounds and amenities. The project will also support new, and enhance existing, nature-based experiences in the tourism sector.”

CLIENT: National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia, Department of Environment and Water

SHOOT: One day on sections of Wild South Coast Way. heidi who photos organised talent (to be photographed with staff) and photographed.

Rejuvenation after the fires: Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail

SHOOT: Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail, Kangaroo Island

CLIENT: National Parks and Wildlife, Department for Environment and Water

BRIEF: Post-fire experience. Capture the different vegetation, views and feels of the trail: the experience, the landscape, the feeling. Day hikers experience only.

Two day shoot with two talent in December 2020. Images to show different seasons.

Talent organised through 'heidi who street casting' Facebook page.

Images used by the client, and a variety of media, to promote the trail. Images used in editorials of different publications, magazines and web.

CLIENT: Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail, Dept for Environment and Water

This is the second time I've done the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail in July - the middle of frosty winter! But instead of camping out on the trail, this time we stayed in the nearby Cape du Couedic Lighthouse Keepers Cottages, giving us the chance to warm up each night.

When my client asked if I would like to do this shoot - I jumped at the chance. I love KIWT and love working outdoors in a natural environment. A perfect shoot. Except that it was in the middle of winter in one of the most southerly and exposed parts of South Australia. Hmm.

We got very lucky. The first day was overcast with grey clouds and a sprinkle of rain but the following two days were sunny and blue skies. Considering part of the brief was to get multi-season hiking vibes, it worked perfectly.

This year I started a group for street casting - and I was very fortunate to take a group of four amazing people with me (and met some more crazy people over there to join our troupe). Two Clients, someone I had photographed for another client, and his friend met me early Monday morning and caught the Sealink ferry over. Nobody knew each other, which is a gamble when going away for two nights and three days of shooting. But I needn't worry - the group made 'best friends' with each other near instantly.

We photographed everyone in different styles and situations - solo, combos of couples, friends and mother and daughter.

We all had a great time. Many laughs, jokes and new friendships. Plus got lots of great photos.

Here are some of my fave pics.

A day in the Tarkine, North-West Tasmania.

Belle discovering the Tarkine.

Wow, this is an amazing part of the world. And to see the damage the 2016 bushfires made is sad, but it also gives hope with all the new growth colouring the charred trunks.

I attempted this in a day, although, if you are doing lots of walks, I'd recommend two days. I knew I wouldn't be doing too many hikes with the kids so chose carefully and drove a lot. It is a long day of driving, but so entrancing. 

Thin winding roads lead the way to the Tarkine.

The drive there is fun too - thin bitumen roads winding their way through farmland. Bales of hay, cows and random chickens dot the rolling hills. Only the chickens notice the car as they flap away from the sides of the road as I pass. The highway is not much different to the country roads. It is a fraction wider, has a white line painted in the middle, and I can pass another vehicle without pulling off the road. Not that there are many cars on the road.

The Tarkine Dive itself has just over twenty attractions - lookouts, bridges, walks and sink holes. Walks range from easy 15 minute strolls to 5-6 hour coastal hikes. 

Trowutta Arch beauty.

Trowutta Arch is an easy 15-minute stroll on a path through the rainforest. The floor is carpeted with moss, fallen trees and tree roots. At the end of the path is Trowutta Arch, the entrance to a water-filled sinkhole - a collapsed cave. One of the mossy rocks makes the perfect canvas to sketch your name. It entertained my artistic Belle while Ashton threw rocks into the water, measuring the 'plops' as they hit - as boys do. 

Carpark area at Trowutta Arch entrance. 

And the wildlife? Loud talk of leeches, the excitement of finding Cicada shells and 'testing' if the forest carries a coo-ee make sure we don't see any wildlife. Thankfully, we are the only tourists here, so we aren't ruining the quiet serenity for others.

Belle and Ashton finding little bugs and leaves.

Next is a drive through the burnt out area. An area that clashes with the general lush Tarkine elsewhere, where forest kisses each side of the road. These trees are now separated by the sky, little puffs of new green growth smothering the trunks. Burnt, spindly dead sticks stick up in between. Will it ever be the same?

Beautiful Tarkine forest floor.

After a late lunch stop at Julia's River, where we walked another 30 minute round forest track (which probably only took us 20 with after lunch energy) I headed towards the coast. Another contrast. 

Pristine waterways.

Driving the road up to the coast, all I could see was barren farmland with nothing able to be grown. It's not windy today, but I can imagine the wind blasting in off the wild ocean. I mean, there is nothing between here and 15,000km of ocean to Patagonia on the south coast of America. Roaring 40's winds of up to 200km have been recorded here!

The path to discovery.

I'd love to stop and do some of the hike out to the ocean, but it's raining, and the kids are tired. So I don't.

Where did all these logs come from?

But I do stop at Edge of the World in Arthur River. And it looks jut like its name, if not a very pretty version. Waves pound in as far as I can see, huge logs have been tossed on every rocky outcrop of the coastline, and the tumbleweed sits sideways. 

The other side of this rock is a five metre drop. 

It's here that Ashton decides to sprint up to a rocky ledge to see what he and see. I see him running, and my heart stops, I go to scream, then he stops. And sits down. And calmly watches. Heart pounding I go over to him and see what he's looking at. And below him is a drop of over 5 metres. Argh. At least he knew what he was doing. 

I'm calling it a day... back to Stanley for fish and chips. Now I'm tired. 

NOTE:
I saw (somewhere) it's about 135km drive, but when you are twisting and turning, of course, it takes a lot longer. In some sections allow 15 minutes for 15km.