IN A LAID-BACK WAY, I’VE NICKNAMED MY JOURNEY “A SKY FULL OF STARS.”
My trip to Perth, Australia, was principally planned around experiencing a Coldplay concert. Securing tickets proved challenging due to the band’s immense popularity.
I reached Perth early Saturday morning after some flight delays and rescheduling, with the concert set for Sunday night.
Once my concert ticket was in hand, I pondered how to make the most of my free time in Perth. My search led me to a sunset and stargazing tour available on Viator, which excited me as I was eager to engage in stargazing.
Despite arriving at my hotel much later than anticipated, at around 2:30 AM, the tour’s afternoon start time allowed me a brief rest. I later made my way on foot from the hotel to the tour’s starting point.
The tour included several stops such as the Lancelin Sand Dune, Nilgen Lookout, Hangover Bay, and The Pinnacles. At the entrance of The Pinnacles, I was struck by the contrasting sand colors; yellowish tones on one side and pristine white on the other.
At The Pinnacles, despite the stormy weather pelting us with sand, we were given time to explore. I eagerly awaited the sun setting in the midst of the tempest’s brief respite.
With the sunset giving way to twilight, our tour guide arranged a group dinner accompanied by a selection of red and white wines, all part of the tour experience.
Once dinner was wrapping up, I got busy setting up my camera gear. I had my tripod, camera, and lenses all ready to go. There was a bit of wind that night, so I cleverly used my heavy backpack to keep my tripod steady. It was crucial because even a tiny shake could ruin a photo.
That night was special—it was my first attempt at taking pictures of the Milky Way in a super dark place where light pollution was almost non-existent. No city glows nearby, just the occasional car lights zooming past.
What really excites me is that I caught quite a few shooting stars in the pictures. You can see these cool streaks of light in my time-lapse video right below this story.
Honestly, I just wish we had more time for stargazing. It felt like the tour ended too soon, and I would have loved to spend even more time under the stars.
If you took the time to read through my story from start to finish, you’d understand why I call it “A Sky Full of Stars.” It’s because I got to experience a Coldplay concert in person and then went on to capture the Milky Way, which was incredibly filled with stars.
Check out these photos closely, and you’ll catch some straight lines that suggest something’s traveling across the Milky Way’s horizon. Don’t miss the video, either!
As the night whispers its final notes and I pack away my gear, the memories of a sky ablaze with stars linger in our minds. Each shot is a testament to the majesty that blankets my world after dusk, a canvas of cosmic wonders revealing itself to those who seek its beauty. Though my stargazing chapter has closed, the images and timelapses i’ve collected are vivid invitations to return, reminding me that the night sky, with its infinite mysteries, is just a gaze away. Until my next nocturnal rendezvous, may we all find a moment to look up and get lost in the celestial dance above us.
