🍂 The Hood’s Autumn Roadie
Join The Shutter Sisterhood for an autumn photography road trip from Port Macquarie through Sawtell, Bellingen, Waterfall Way and Armidale.
Think golden New England colours, waterfalls, country cafés, cute towns, a sprinkle of shopping, camera adventures and a car full of women who love taking photos and singing badly… yep, Car-ioke is happening... 🎤🚗
Max 6 women plus Kris from Kristen Shaw Photography.
This is NOT a bus tour…
This is a Hood adventure. We’ll have a plan, but we’ll also wing it along the way. If we find a beautiful lookout, a quirky roadside stop, an antique store, a cute café or something catches our eye — we stop because we can.
Day 1 – Friday
Port Macquarie → Urunga → Sawtell
Kick-off at 1pm Friday and let the weekend begin
Meet in Port Macquarie at the little carpark next to Country Comfort Waters Edge and load up the car.
Mid Afternoon
First stop: Urunga Boardwalk
Where the river meets the sea, this is the perfect place to stretch our legs, breathe in the ocean air and start filling those memory cards.
Late afternoon
Arrive in Sawtell.
Settle into accommodation, explore the cute shopping village, wander the beach and capture some golden hour photos.
Evening
Dinner together somewhere that serves awesome photo worthy food then drinks if you fancy after. Margarita's anyone?
Day 2 – Saturday
Sawtell → Bellingen Markets → Waterfall Way → Armidale
Morning
Breakfast and coffee in Sawtell at a cute little cafe before heading to Bellingen Markets. We’ll wander the stalls and shops, take some photos and grab goodies for our very own Hood-style picnic lunch.
Think:
🥖 Fresh bread
🧀 Cheese
🍓 Local produce
🥂 Whatever delicious thing catches your eye
Everyone grabs a little something, then we’ll create a potluck ploughman-style picnic lunch full of beautiful local produce to share at one of our waterfall stops.
Late morning
We hit the spectacular Waterfall Way.
Our route may include:
💧 Dangar Falls
💧 Ebor Falls
📸 The Dorrigo Skywalk (free entry)
📸 Scenic lookouts and hidden photo opportunities
We’ll take our time, explore, photograph and enjoy one of NSW’s most beautiful drives.
Late afternoon
Arrive in Armidale, check in and relax. If anyone still has energy let's go shoot the sunset. Armidale is photography paradise in autumn!
Dinner together at a New England institution. Good food guaranteed!
Day 3 – Sunday
Armidale → Uralla → Port Macquarie
Morning
Wake up ready to chase the autumn colours. 🍂 We’ll explore the New England as it turns golden and orange.
Stops may include:
📍 Gostwyck Chapel, Uralla
Because Church on Sunday! One of Australia’s most photographed little churches, surrounded by incredible autumn trees. She will be covered in beautiful green leaves this time of year. If anyone is game we can do a sunrise shoot here (let's discuss Sat night over a margarita I know I'll be keen). Others can sleep in and meet up for breakfast later.
📍 Armidale autumn streets
Finding those hidden golden tree-lined roads and beautiful photo opportunities.
📍 Uralla township
A beautiful heritage village perfect for coffee, wandering, antiques and photography. There is a cool little brewery here and great pubs for lunch.
Afternoon
Start making our way home with full memory cards, new friendships and plenty of stories.
Stops may include:
📍 Walcha township
A beautiful country town perfect for coffee, wandering and photography.
💧 Apsley Falls
If time allows we can call into Apsley Falls but the plan is to be home before dark on the Sunday ready for work on Monday.
Investment
Your weekend includes:
🍂 Accommodation Friday & Saturday nights at a 4-star property (twin share with another sister or upgrade to single share - $200)
🚗 All transport for the weekend
📸 Photography help and guidance from Kris (professional photographer) throughout the adventure
🎤 Car-ioke memories included free of charge 😂
❤️ A fun cup-filling weekend connecting with women who love photography
Not Included
☕ Food
🍷 Drinks/alcohol
🛍️ Personal shopping
📷 Anything you decide you absolutely need from the markets!
Deposit: A $500 deposit is payable at the time of booking to secure your spot. Your deposit secures your place on this small group adventure and allows us to confirm accommodation and transport. Bookings are refundable up to 60 days prior to departure. Final payment is required 60 days before departure.
After final payment, bookings are non-refundable unless your place can be filled by another participant. Minimum numbers: A minimum of 4 participants is required for the adventure to proceed.
With only 6 seats up for grabs, this is a small and personal Hood adventure designed around connection, creativity, good food (always) and fun.
The Hood philosophy…
This isn’t about ticking off every location. It’s about slowing down, noticing the moments, chasing beautiful light and having a bloody good cup-filling weekend with awesome women and zero stress.
Only 6 spots!
Message Kris if one of them has your name on it.
info@kristenshawphotography.com.au
Other Hood Adventures
Click here to see what other fun Hood adventures, catch-ups, photography classes and workshops we have coming up.