A few weekends ago we were lucky enough to have a long weekend on the Gold Coast! My friend and I decided to make the most of it and head an hour south to Byron Bay to see the sunrise. We got up at 3:30 am and got there at the perfect time. We walked for a few minutes in the pitch black darkness of night and before we knew it the darkness subsided and gradually the landscape was illuminated by cool daylight.

At 5:59am the sun was rising and had shone its brilliant warmth over the lighthouse and the scenery in front of us. The ocean reflected and shimmered with its magnificence, and I felt so at peace.

Whenever I see a sunrise or sunset I feel a rare sense of belonging and tranquility. To see the breaking of dawn on Saturday morning made me feel connected with the world, when I often feel disconnected from the wonder and instead stuck in the mundane, monotonous existence of everyday life.

the dawn is breaking

a light shining through

We had breakfast at a local cafe afterwards and enjoyed the peace and quiet of the empty streets and the early morning.

On our return to the Gold Coast we headed to Springbrook National Park where I shot most of my photos on film (coming soon) and I am so excited to revisit it in summer and swim in the lagoon under the waterfall.

All photos were taken with my Pentax Spotmatic, 28mm lens, and Fuji Pro 400H film.