Photographing from Boroka Lookout
About Boroka Lookout
The Grampians are a chain of hills that run roughly north-south through western victoria. Halls Gap is one of the major towns in this area, and it is named due to the gap in the hills that lets you cross east-west. Above Halls Gap though are two great lookouts across the flat plains of western victoria. Boroka Lookout to the North of Halls Gap and the Pinnacles to the South.
Viewpoints
The lookout looks east over Halls Gap and the surrounding country side. While a photographer can seek different light, and different weather, they really can only photograph all of the view, or some of it.
Other Things to Look Out For
How I photographed the view from Boroka
What I took - what was in my kit
I took my LowePro Backpack loaded with Canon 5DSR body, Canon 24-105mm zoom, Manfrotto 190 Tripod, and of course a range of lens wipes, spare batteries, sunscreen and bug repellant. I tended to shoot 28-55mm
Techniques
The view here is expansive. You need a 10mm or so lens to be able to take it all in. My Linhof has a 90mm lens, which is the equivalent of about 20mm for full frame DSLR. The Linhof is not wide enough. So I shot a panograph - an image stitched together from multiple photos.
Nearby Locations
The Grampians are a wonderful holiday destination, because there are so many sites to see and photograph here. There are other waterfalls (Fish Falls, Splitter Falls and my favourite Silverband Falls) and there are several great lookouts: the Pinnacle, teh Balconies, Reeds Lookout, Boroka Lookout. Other photographic highlights include Mount Wiliam and the Grand Canyon (a slit in the rock, not a 'grand' canyon by any means, but still pretty.)
Nearby Auspano pages
- Broken Falls — approximately 8 km in a straight line; road distance may be considerably longer.
- Horsham Silo Art — approximately 54 km in a straight line; road distance may be considerably longer.
- Murtoa Stick Shed and Silo — approximately 56 km in a straight line; road distance may be considerably longer.
- Little Desert National Park — approximately 82 km in a straight line; road distance may be considerably longer.
- Dimboola Street Art — approximately 86 km in a straight line; road distance may be considerably longer.
Nearby Auspano pages
- Broken Falls — approximately 8 km in a straight line; road distance may be considerably longer.
- Horsham Silo Art — approximately 54 km in a straight line; road distance may be considerably longer.
- Murtoa Stick Shed and Silo — approximately 56 km in a straight line; road distance may be considerably longer.
- Little Desert National Park — approximately 82 km in a straight line; road distance may be considerably longer.
- Dimboola Street Art — approximately 86 km in a straight line; road distance may be considerably longer.
Location
Mt Difficult Rd, Halls Gap VIC 3381 (-37.12276, 142.5026)
Apple Map – Photographic Locations
This Apple Map identifies Boroka Lookout and 5 nearby Auspano locations. Select a numbered marker or linked page for more detail.
Photographic locations
How to Get There
I beleive that it is possible to get to Halls Gap by bus, but virtually everyone goes here by car. From Halls Gap, it is only 10k or so to drive to the McKenzie Falls car park.
Driving from the State Capital
Melbourne is used as a consistent reference point. Apple Maps calculates the current driving route to the Duckboard Place entrance; the actual journey varies with the traveller's starting point, traffic and roadworks.
Melbourne to Duckboard Place
Calculating the driving route with Apple Maps…
Distance and time are estimates and may change with conditions.
Current Access / Conditions
There are no known issues with getting to this location.
Best Time to Visit
The road to Boroka is certainly not a freeway, but it is a small paved road. I can understand that some people would not like the drive in the wet, or with lots of oncoming traffice. Apart from getting there, the issue is when to photograph and this depends on the light, and the amount of tourists. The lookout faces east, so into the morning sun. In the evening, the sun is behind your back (and the other hills). I prefer the golden hour, and in particular, the golden hour with troubled skies. A storm just pre-dawn would be my ideal.
Accessibility
The lookout is right beside the road and carpark. It is wheelchair compatible and a simple, flat walk of less than 10m. The Lookout is not that large though, so I would avoid the lookout if you see a tourist bus there. It would handle 10 or so people fine, but not 30.
Where to Stay
As a holiday destination, Halls Gap, and other areas in the Grampians have lots of accomodation options. Camping is by far the most popular option. We have stayed here in tents, the Breeze Holiday Park, (what is now) the Halls Gap Tavern, and two of the local motels. All worked for us. There is plenty of shopping in town, and just out of town is the Halls Gap Hotel Resturant, which is definitely our favourite place to eat.
Photography Recommendations
recommendations XX
Suggested Photographic Sequence
Work through the location in an order that makes the best use of changing light and conditions.
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.