I recently got to stay with my family at my brother-in-law's family holiday home in Portsea. It was such a great weekend, with heaps of beach and play time with my nieces and nephews, and spending time with my Mum and siblings. NATURALLY, I snuck away early in the mornings and and parts of the day to get out and photograph some of the local sights I've wanted to get to for years.
The main spot was Dragon's Head Rock on the Rye back beach. This is one of Melbourne's most popular spots for photographers, and at low tide the rock is revealed on a rock shelf with water streaming down below. Low tide is the ideal time, and when that lines up sunrise or sunset - perfection! This weekend low tide was closer to the middle of the day, so I popped out to grab a few shots. The day was a bit overcast, but I didn't really mind because there's enough action going on in the foreground and mid-ground to compose a great image. The contrasting yellow of the rock in front of a largely monochrome blue background stands out quite well.
Shelly Beach / Collins Bay
Another popular sunrise spot is Shelley Beach. This is a spot on the peninsula with some really interesting jetties, some with buildings and some without. The great thing about this beach is that it looks back towards the rising sun, which can great some great light and great colour in the early hours.
The Quarantine Station
This is where the passengers and crew on incoming ships used to be checked for signs of disease. If found, the ship was placed under quarantine, with extensive accommodation and facilities on site to house people and sanitise luggage and equipment. Visiting is quite fascinating. It's a large site, with a parks victoria information office and maps. You can wander around and learn about the different buildings and what they were used for at your leisure. When I visited the sanitation rooms were closed for upgrades, but we could peer into the windows, and the huge machines looked absolutely fascinating. I'd love to see them up close.