Quarry Hill Sunrise: Off the Beaten

TrackChasing Light, Finding Adventure

panorama from a hidden ledge on Quarry Hill

Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones that don’t go to plan.

Recently, I set out for Quarry Hill with dreams of capturing a perfect sunrise. The shoot itself didn’t quite work out how I’d hoped, but instead of heading home, I decided to explore a little further—and what a decision that was.

After a couple of hours wandering through the wild, I stumbled upon an incredible ledge perched above a sheer drop, offering a view too beautiful to pass up. The catch? The spot was way off the beaten path, buried behind thick scrub and impossible to navigate in the dark.

Determined not to let this location slip away, I spent a few hours hauling rocks to set up small markers along the route and rehearsed the trek until I could find my way back—no matter the light. It wasn’t all smooth sailing; at one point, I took a tumble (nothing broken, just pride!).

With a good weather window lined up and my health insurance double-checked (just in case!), I set out at 4am, fuelled by the anticipation of photographing a sunrise from a spot that, as far as I know, has never been shot before.

I captured the journey on video and have included a clip of the final stage, navigating my way to the ledge as the first light crept in.