Photographing Coward Springs

About Coward Springs

Coward Springs is one of the many old railway stations that were on the Ghan Railway line. Once the line was shut down, these springs fell into disuse. Now however, they have been purchased by a couple who are slowly restoring the area and running a eco-camp. Coward Springs is both a caravan park / campground, a small shop, a outback spa, and a museum rolled into one. It is a must-see destination on the Oodnadatta Track.

Planning the photographic story

A varied set of photographs connects coward springs palms, railway heritage and artesian wetland with the wider setting. Begin with a broad view, then a tighter study and one distinctive detail.

Viewpoints

The springs have several key features:

1. The little shop. Considering that this is the only shop for a 100km or so, and its style, this is definitely a feature.

The park itself, consists of tracks, date palms, wooden toilets and wooden showers. Many photographic opportuniteis exist here.

The railway museum and railway. This is one of a few such buildings, but each of them is photogenic - an aging old building set against the desert.

The spa and springs. The spa is a welcome relief in the desert heat and luxurious even though rustic. The springs provide water and water plants against the desert backdrop.

Working the viewpoints

Frame the palms and old railway structures against the open desert, then make separate studies of wetland reflections and the historic buildings.

Other Things to Look Out For

How I photographed Coward Springs

What I took - what was in my kit

I took my LowePro Backpack loaded with Canon 5DSR body, Canon 24-70mm zoom, Manfrotto 190 Tripod, and of course a range of lens wipes, spare batteries, sunscreen and bug repellant. Given that the springs are only a few hundred metres square, I left most of my kit in the car and just walked with the camera hand held.

Techniques

The desert light is very strong. It is either full sun or full shade. There are no clouds or awnings or buildings to break up the light. I therefore simply shot ISO 100 (for fidelity) and f10 (for diffration). Exposure was to-the-right and set by shutter speed.

Nearby Locations

Nearby photographic locations

1. Oodnadatta Track
2. William Creek
3. Oodnadatta

Location

Coward Springs, Far North, South Australia

Approximate coordinates: -29.40080, 136.81440

Markers identify photographic objectives rather than guaranteed parking spaces or open access.

Apple Map – Location and Nearby Photographic Locations

This Apple Map shows the principal subject and nearby photographic locations. Verify signs, road status and track conditions before relying on a marker for access.

How to Get There

From Adelaide

Use the mapped Apple Maps route as a planning reference, then confirm road type, closures, fuel availability and final access with the relevant park or road authority. Allow extra time for photographic stops and changing conditions.

Driving from the State Capital

The state capital is used as a consistent reference point. Apple Maps calculates the automobile route to this location; your actual route may vary with your starting point, traffic, roadworks and temporary closures.

Current Access / Conditions

Carry water, fuel reserve, two sound spare tyres, communications and recovery equipment appropriate to the route. Do not rely on continuous mobile coverage or on every remote service being open.

Best Time to Visit

Best season and light

Choose a season that supports the defining subject, then favour the edges of the day for directional light. Overcast conditions are valuable for forest, moving water and detail; clear evenings suit silhouettes and night work.

Light in the field

Late side light gives the palms and timber texture; softer light balances bright desert and shaded vegetation.

Accessibility

See Oodnadatta Track. The town - like the rest of the track - is essentially flat. No problems with access for anyone with wheel chairs or limited mobility. The town is not large, and it is pet freindly.

Field access and safety

Respect campground guests and wetland habitat; check booking and Oodnadatta Track road status before departure.

Where to Stay

We stayed in the Coward Springs Campground. Apart from these campgrounds, there are some free-camps within the next few hours, but that is it. The campground seperates people via windy tracks and date palms, so that you appear to be alone. Thge campgrounds has toilets, showers (but you must light the heater first), and a shop that provides drinks and locally made date chutney.

Photography Recommendations

Photography recommendations

• Begin with a clear environmental composition before concentrating on details.
• Use a tripod only where it will not obstruct a path, platform, jetty or working area.
• Bracket high-contrast scenes and protect important highlights.
• Use a telephoto to simplify distant layers and avoid approaching wildlife or fragile features.
• Revisit the principal viewpoint as weather, tide or light changes.

Suggested photographic sequence

1. Arrive early enough to inspect access and choose safe viewpoints.
2. Make the broad establishing photographs while the location is quiet.
3. Work through secondary markers and detail subjects.
4. Return to the main composition for golden hour or softer late light.
5. Finish with blue hour only where the route back is straightforward and safe.

How long should a photographer stay?

1–2 nights is a practical minimum. Add time when weather, water flow, tides or remote-road conditions are central to the planned photographs.

My priority photographs

1. A defining environmental view of Coward Springs
2. A tighter composition showing the location’s characteristic texture or structure
3. A photograph using a person, vehicle, building or vegetation to communicate scale
4. A low-light or weather-driven image that differs from the standard visitor view

Composition and exposure

Frame the palms and old railway structures against the open desert, then make separate studies of wetland reflections and the historic buildings. Late side light gives the palms and timber texture; softer light balances bright desert and shaded vegetation. Review highlights and make a second deliberate framing rather than repeating the same viewpoint.

Suggested Photographic Sequence

Work through the location in an order that makes the best use of changing light and conditions.

Suggested field sequence

Begin with coward springs palms, railway heritage and artesian wetland. Follow with a tighter detail and a context photograph; return to the strongest composition if the light changes.

How Long Should a Photographer Stay?

Allow enough time to photograph the location in more than one light or weather condition where practical.

My Priority Photographs

Use this section for the practical photographic shot list for the location.

Priority frames

Secure an establishing photograph of coward springs palms, railway heritage and artesian wetland, a selective detail and one image that explains the surrounding setting.