Where the Coast Speaks Aerial Photography in WA’s South West

A Continuation of a South West Aerial Journey

Part 1 – Read the First Chapter Here

Listening to the Land and Sea

The second half of Sky Perth’s South West aerial photography trip brought new challenges, deeper contrasts, and coastal moments that felt wild and alive.

Where the first journey introduced the calm beauty of Busselton Jetty, Castle Bay, and Eagle Bay, this part took a more rugged turn. With early mornings, long night drives, and shifting winds, the team covered even more of Western Australia’s South West, capturing landscapes that required flexibility, patience, and respect.

Travelling Before Sunrise

Each day began in the dark.

To reach the best locations before sunrise, the team drove through remote coastal roads long before first light.

The dangers of travelling in regional WA at night are well-known. Kangaroos can leap across the road without warning, making every journey tense and careful.

But the reward? Stepping out of the car just as the first glow hits the horizon. Unpacking gear while the world wakes up. Launching drones into the air still carries the chill of the night.

From Meelup Beach to Injidup, Redgate, and Hamelin Bay, the South West offered a coastline ready to be captured, but only for those who showed up early.

When the Wind Takes Over

While the team was lucky with most of the weather, the wind became a defining factor in the second leg of the journey.

Some afternoons, planned golden hour flights had to be cancelled. The DJI Avata 2, known for its agility and FPV experience, became too risky to fly in strong gusts. Even the heavier drones like the DJI Inspire 3 required adjustments and caution.

But the landscape offered choices.

When Margaret River’s coastal cliffs were too exposed, Dunsborough offered shelter.

When Redgate Beach was too wild, Meelup was calm.

Using WA’s geography as part of the strategy, this flexibility was key.

Different Coastlines, Different Stories

The second part of the journey included eight incredible coastal locations, each with its own story, mood, and rhythm.

• Hamelin Bay – Famous for its stingrays, this spot came to life from above. The team captured shallow water and marine shadows gliding between sandbars. The colour range from light blue to deep green was pure magic.
• Injidup Beach – One of WA’s most iconic surf spots, Injidup brought raw movement and power. The drone precisely tracked wave patterns and whitewater explosions, showing off the dramatic coastline at its best.
• Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse – The drone revealed sweeping views of cliffs, walking trails, and ocean meeting sky above the headland. Low-hanging clouds drifted through the trees on a windy morning, breaking just long enough to catch the lighthouse glowing in soft light.
• Meelup Beach – Here, soft tones and gentle waves defined the frame. Meelup is about colour, pastel blues, golden sands, and the deep green of nearby bushland. It’s calm, steady, and inviting.
• Redgate Beach – Usually wild with swell and sea spray, Redgate surprised the crew. One morning, they arrived to find perfect stillness. The water was glassy, the light soft. It was a rare mood and one they captured in detail.
• Surfers Point – This place lives up to its name. Surfers dotted the lineup, chasing long waves while cliffs loomed behind them. The energy of this location is unmatched. Even from the air, you can feel the rhythm.
• Wyadup Rocks – This is a team favourite. Every visit offers something new. On this trip, they flew during high tide, capturing waves surging through natural pools, carving through the stone, and reflecting golden light as the sun dipped lower.
• Yallingup Beach – It was a perfect mix of surf, sunlight, and serenity. Yallingup gave the team sweeping aerial views of headlands, crystal water, and surfers below.

Moments That Stayed

The trip wasn’t just about images. It was about the feeling each place left behind.

After the shooting, a team member climbed one of the large stone formations at Wyadup Rocks. There was no camera in hand. It’s time to breathe, pause, and let the sea and sky speak.

It was quiet. Powerful. A moment that didn’t need to be captured to be remembered.

Drone Gear and Planning

To cover so many unique landscapes, the team relied on four different drones:

• DJI Inspire 3 – Best for large cinematic shots and high-resolution tracking
• DJI Mavic 3 Pro Cine – Reliable and rich in colour detail
• DJI Mavic 3 Pro – Quick launch, perfect for changing light
• DJI Avata 2 – FPV motion, immersive perspective, but limited by wind

Flight paths had to be planned around conditions. Safety came first. The winds weren’t just a challenge. They shaped the trip.

Conclusion: One Journey, Two Stories

Together, these two parts make up a full story of aerial photography in WA’s South West.

• The first part brought structure, balance, and quiet elegance—from Busselton Jetty to Eagle Bay.
• The second half brought wild beauty, power, and surprise—from Hamelin Bay to Surfers Point.

What connected both? The commitment to chase light, to adapt to nature, and to find stories from above that only a drone can tell.

This journey wasn’t just about covering locations. It was about understanding them, listening to them, and translating what they had to say.

Now, that story is available for you to explore, frame by frame. 

We hope you enjoy it ;)

Explore the Full Panorama Collection Here