Outback New South Wales calendar

By Darren Stones

Welcome. The Outback New South Wales calendar is a body of my photographic work which encapsulates remote areas of Australia’s most populated state.

These photographs have been taken during photographic journeys around the locations of Bourke, Cobar, Hay, Lightning Ridge, Narrandera, Wanganella and Wentworth.

As an Australian travel photographer, I seek out interesting scenes, photograph them, and then share them with an audience.

I trust you find my new Outback New South Wales calendar to your liking. Thanks for viewing.

To preview and see pricing of this calendar click here:
http://www.redbubble.com/people/dgstones/calendars/3828124-outback-new-south-wales

Cover - Outback New South Wales calendar

Cattle Trough - Hay Plains photograph chosen as ADPOTD Photo Of The Day

By Darren Stones

It's a thrill to have my Cattle Trough - Hay Plains photograph chosen as ADPOTD Photo Of The Day for Tuesday September 22 2009.

Cattle Trough - Hay Plains by Darren Stones
Screen grab of the Australian Digital Photo Of The Day
website home page on Tuesday September 22 2009

Russell Stewart, owner of ADPOTD, selects one photo as the Photo Of Day each weekday - except during December. At the end of the month, a Photo Of The Month (POTM) is selected and that image is published in Camera magazine and its owner receives a prize of a ThumbsPlus 7 - Today's superior graphics management tool. The POTM is then eligible for the Photo Of The Year (POTY).

Check out the Australian Digital Photo Of The Day website today. http://www.potd.com.au/adpotd.shtml

Cattle Trough - Hay Plains can be licensed directly from me or purchased as a card, matted print, laminated print, mounted print, framed print, canvas print or poster via my sales agent RedBubble. See image here and product details.
http://dgstones.redbubble.com/sets/88190/works/3636709-2-cattle-trough-hay-plains

Perry Sandhills, New South Wales, Australia

By Darren Stones

Here's a collection of landscape photographs I took whilst visiting the Perry Sandhills at Wentworth, New South Wales, Australia.

Geologists believe the sandhills originated after an ice age 40,000 years ago and were formed by wind erosion over thousands of years.

The sandhills have appeared as a backdrop in numerous television shows and movies, and are used annually for Music Under the Stars as part of the Mildura Wentworth Arts Festival.

Located 6km northwest from Wentworth which lies on the banks of the Murray River, the Perry Sandhills take on a magnificent red appearance around sunset as seen here in my iconic Australian travel photographs.

These images can be licensed through me direct, or purchased as various products via my sales agent, RedBubble. If you require more details, contact me to discuss your needs.

Images can be viewed and purchased via my Outback, NSW, Australia collection at RedBubble.

The Murrumbidgee River at Hay, NSW, Australia

By Darren Stones

One of Australia's great rivers is the Murrumbidgee River, and during August '09, as part of a journey, I had the pleasure to see first-hand this mighty waterway.

Was great to photograph this iconic river in its glory, with snags showing above the water and trees clinging onto life on the riverbank.

I'd like to share these images with you, and if you're interested in purchasing one or more of them, view my online sales gallery where product options and pricing are displayed. These images are part of my Long Paddock collection. Enjoy.

The Long Paddock collection:
http://dgstones.redbubble.com/sets/88190/works

Murrumbidgee River, Hay, NSW, Australia
Photo: Darren Stones

Murrumbidgee River, Hay, NSW, Australia
Photo: Darren Stones

Murrumbidgee River, Hay, NSW, Australia
Photo: Darren Stones

Photographs published in new Great Ocean Road travel guidebook

By Darren Stones

I've had five of my Australian travel photographs published in The Complete Guide To The Great Ocean Road travel guidebook by Best Shot publications.

The author of the book is Richard Everist, co-founder of Torquay-based BestShot! publications, and a former Co-General Manager and Global Publisher for Lonely Planet from 1995 to 2000.

Richard contacted me in January 2009 seeking a collection of my travel photographs, and I was only too pleased to take part. It's a thrill to be associated with this high-quality and information-packed publication which promotes tourism in south-west Victoria, Australia.

The Complete Guide To The Great Ocean Road is an initiative of Geelong Otway Tourism. It has been funded by the Australian Government through a grant under the Australian Tourism Development Program, as well as funding from Geelong Otway Tourism, Great Ocean Road Marketing, Parks Victoria, Heritage Council of Victoria and BestShot!.

The Complete Guide To The Great Ocean Road
Approx 245mm x 167mm
Soft laminated cover
414 pages RRP $49.95

The book covers walks, beaches, heritage, ecology, towns and sustainable tourism through the south-west region of Victoria. It's a comprehensive publication which provides information on activities and history, is packed with photographs, and contains maps.

The book was launched in Torquay by The Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP on August 31, 2009 as part of the Geelong Otway Tourism’s ‘Creating a Sustainable Tourism Environment Along the Great Ocean Road’ project.

"The Great Ocean Road is a world-class attraction and one of Tourism Australia’s nine National Landscapes. I congratulate Geelong Otway Tourism and applaud their continuing role in promoting the region as a sustainable, world-class destination for visitors," Mr Ferguson said.

“Importantly, this project will encourage sustainable tourism practices by industry and tourists and attract greater numbers of environmentally-conscious visitors to the Great Ocean Road.”

In recognising my involvement with the publication, Richard Everist said: "Thank you very much for your valued contribution to The Complete Guide To The Great Ocean Road".

The book can be purchased from good book stores. For more information, contact BestShot!

BestShot!
PO Box 850
Torquay, VIC 3228
Ph: 1300 66 49 43
www.bestshot.com.au

Tempting Torquay

By Darren Stones

Torquay is famous for surfing and as the starting point of the world-renowned Great Ocean Road. Being only 97kms from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, it’s the ideal daytrip option for those wanting a much-needed taste of the south-west coast. Local, interstate and overseas tourists arrive in droves during holiday times; however quieter times are more conducive to a relaxed atmosphere and ideal for exploring coastal features and attractions.

Strolling along the main beach at Torquay
Photo: Darren Stones

Rocky Point, Torquay
Photo: Darren Stones

Rocky Point, Torquay
Photo: Darren Stones

If you’re a keen walker, there are various tracks catering to different levels of fitness. The cliff top walk at nearby Jan Juc has constructed lookouts offering spectacular panoramic views of the ocean, beach and rocky outcrops. Rocky Point, at the eastern end of Jan Juc beach is a favourite area with a lookout providing a view of the Torquay Surf Club, main beach, and Point Danger. It’s a brilliant vista, so bring your camera.

Steps at Rocky Point leading down to Jan Juc Beach
Photo: Darren Stones

Walking path at Point Danger, Torquay
Photo: Darren Stones

Interested in learning to surf? The main surf beach at Torquay is where qualified surfing instructors provide instruction for a fee. Learn to surf school Go Ride A Wave provides the equipment to get you started and bookings can be made on the phone or online.

Learning to surf at Torquay
Photo: Darren Stones

Lifesavers training at Torquay
Photo: Darren Stones

Surfworld Museum honours the champions of the world’s surfing fraternity, and is also where enthusiasts can purchase the gear needed to ride the waves of Bells Beach. It’s common to see local tradesmen head for the iconic Bells Beach after work to catch a few waves, and it is clear evidence that the beach culture is alive and well amongst locals.

Surfer at Torquay
Photo: Darren Stones

The world-famous Bells Beach
Photo: Darren Stones

Keep an eye out for whales during June-September as numbers are increasing and sightings are becoming more frequent along this stretch of coast. Kite surfing is popular on weekends with the Zeally Bay/Point Danger area being the perfect spot to witness the skill and athleticism on display.

Point Danger is where most tourists travelling by car get their first glimpse of the glorious coastline along the Great Ocean Road. A war memorial dedicated to those brave souls who fought in World War I and II, along with a black granite memorial honouring the Anzacs is located on the point.

War memorial at Point Danger, Torquay
Photo: Darren Stones

Things to do:

Go Ride A Wave
Surfing instruction
Shop 1 15 Bell Street
Torquay, Victoria, Australia 3228
Phone: 1300 132 441
www.gorideawave.com.au/

Surfworld
World’s largest surfing museum
Beach Road
Torquay, Victoria, 3228
Phone: 03 5261 4606
http://www.surfworld.org.au/