Melbourne’s biggest regular photo walk is a pretty bold claim, but is it wrong?!
The Dandenong Ranges have a way of slowing you down. Not in the lazy sense, but in the kind that makes you look twice.
This month’s edition of Melbourne’s biggest regular photo walk took us to Emerald Lake Park, one of those places that manages to keep even the most regular visitor amazed.
Families arrive for picnics, joggers loop the paths, and photographers, well, we linger. The path wound around the lake, over the little bridge, and up toward the top lake where we paused to chat exposures and trade camera stories.
Watch the photo walk video
Melbourne’s Weather
The weather was near perfect: soft cloud cover diffusing the light, with occasional bursts of sun reminding us why we chase it in the first place.
Puffing Billy
Somewhere between a chat about aperture and a debate over whether film still has the magic, the familiar whistle of Puffing Billy echoed through the trees. Right on cue, the century-old steam train rolled into the station, the kind of scene that could make even the most seasoned local stop and grin. Cameras lifted in unison.
A few of us stayed as the engine turned around, preparing for its return to Belgrave, a moment that feels staged for photographers, yet entirely authentic.
Afterward, some wandered off for a coffee at the visitors centre, while others made the short drive back to Loop Art & Photo Space in Olinda.
There, the day lingered a little longer & Loop member Leah jumped straight into the darkroom to print a portrait of her parents and a stellar beach shot she’d been holding onto.
Things to do in Melbourne – Free photo walk
If you’re looking for things to do in the Dandenong Ranges, our photo walks are an easy place to start.
You don’t need to be an expert — just ready to explore, and maybe keen to learn a thing or two about light along the way.
Keep an eye out for our Summer Photography Loop kicking off soon. It’s a mix of hands-on workshops, creative shoots, and more walks like this one.
The beauty of these mornings isn’t just in the photographs we make, but in how they remind us to look again. And that’s exactly what the Dandenongs do best.
Will we see you at the next photo walk?