Both Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Queensland are well known for their glorious beaches and the sun-kissed lifestyle that comes along with them.
I’ve been shooting photos here for ten years and have explored every beach and large garden it has to offer.
Here are my Top 5 Photoshoot Locations for South-East Queensland!
Gold Coast:
1. THE SPIT
One of the most iconic locations for photography on the Gold Coast is The Spit, Main Beach. It’s a bit of a local treasure and has fought off many developers in recent years due to how beloved the beach is to the locals. It’s got an open beach front with surf waves and two long walkways, one a huge fishing jetty and the other a nice walk to a small lighthouse. It also has greenery and sand dunes making it one of the most versatile beaches to shoot at.
2. TALLEBUDGERA CREEK
Voted the cleanest beach in all of Australia, Tallebudgera creek is the best of both worlds. From one end it has shallow waters with a tropical backdrop and the other end has a vast beach with surfy waters and heaps of open sand views. It’s just gorgeous, especially around sunset and the water has a beautiful crystal blue colour to it. Definitely one to check out if you have a need for a tropical beach location.
3. LAKE SAMSONVALE
Located just an hour and a half north of the Gold Coast is the charming Lake Samsonvale. This lake is huge and has many points of entry where you’ll find gorgeous scenery and even a picturesque backdrop of the hinterlands. This is a nice change from the coastal beaches and is very peaceful on a weekday. This entrance is Bullocky rest which is a good starting place for exploring.
Brisbane:
4. MT COOT–THA BOTANICAL GARDENS
Perhaps the best botanical gardens in south-east Queensland, this beauty is filled with so much versatility that you could shoot here multiple times and still be finding new areas to shoot in. It features a Japanese garden, greenhouse dome, planetarium and cactus garden with plenty of beautiful areas in between. It’s the perfect place if you’re after a few different backdrops and has all the best ones to offer.
5. FINGAL HEAD
Fingal Head is one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever been to. It has two beaches separated by a small cliff with amazing views and an ocean that stretches beyond the horizon. It features huge rocks and a small lagoon with shrubbery and tropical trees. It’s an amazing backdrop for any creative photoshoot and is worth the short drive south.
Want more inspiration? Check out my Brisbane Photographer Portfolio for more location ideas.
If you use any of the locations on my list, I’d love to see the final photos. Tag me on Instagram @jesslafrankie.
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