After six years of exploring with drones, I am fascinated by Sydney’s coastline. The rock pools covering the coastline in New South Wales make a great place to swim and shoot drone photography.
I’m constantly seeking the best locations to capture Australia’s beauty from a fresh angle. This article will share my practical tips and secret spots that make Sydney an exciting backdrop for drone photography.
Join me as we uncover some of the best spots for drone photography in Sydney.
Exploring Drone Photography Sydney: The Best Beaches
Exploring Sydney’s best beaches for drone photography unveils amazing coastal landscapes and crystal-clear waters.
I love how there is so much going on surrounding the beaches here in New South Wales like houses, rock pools, bars, restaurants and trees. It gives the viewers a lot of information to take in.
1. Coogee Beach
Coogee Beach with its unique rainbow-painted steps offers a great spot for drone photography. It has beautiful white sand, turquoise waters and rock pools surrounding it on both sides.
There are many angles to take photos from here at Coogee Beach, a great shot to get is flying at the right height to get the beach and some of Sydney skyscrapers in the background.
2. Burning Palm Beach
A one-hour drive south of Sydney will get you to this beautiful location. It requires an easy and picturesque 20-minute walk through the forest to get to the coastline.
I saw whales when I was here last. From the hill, you can fly to Era Beach, Burning Palms Beach and the Figure 8 pools. The views here really are breathtaking and worth the trek for the drone videography.
3. Bondi Beach
One of the most popular beaches in the world, Bondi Beach even has its own TV show! From the bustling promenade lined with bars and restaurants to the panoramic views of the cityscape in the distance, Bondi Beach offers endless opportunities for top drone shots.
Whether you choose to capture the surfers riding the waves or focus on the unique architecture of the surrounding buildings, Bondi Beach should be one of the top listings for any professional photographer.
4. Palm Beach
Palm Beach in New South Wales offers a serene escape with its historic lighthouse, flanked by two inviting beaches. Known for its natural beauty, this coastal spot also serves as the backdrop for the TV show “Home and Away,” adding a touch of fame to its relaxed charm.
Hike to the top of the lighthouse to get the best views of the coast.
5. Bronte Beach
This is a small sandy beach surrounded by cliffs, a grassy area and a rockpool. Located in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, Bronte Beach is a great place for drone photography Sydney.
With its stunning cliffs, pristine sandy beach, and picturesque rockpool, it offers a variety of unique angles to capture from above.
6. Manly Beach
Manly Beach offers a long stretch of golden sand with trees and buildings in the background. This is a great spot to get some drone videos of surfers.
The nearby Shelly Beach is another spot for some exceptional drone photography.
7. Bigola Beach
I’ve saved the best till last… Bigola Beach has beautiful surroundings of cliffs, trees, a rockpool and an amazing picturesque windy road that goes by the rockpool which makes for stunning photography.
Bigola Beach is located about an hour’s drive north of Sydney and is best visited along with Palm Beach lighthouse as well as any other drone photography spots that tickle your fancy.
The Best Rockpools for Drone Photography Sydney
I’m in love with the rockpools in Sydney Australia. They provide a haven from the shakes as well as the crashing waves. I’ve swam in many of them and love to take drone footage of them. Here is a list of the best rockpools for drone photography in Sydney.
8. Mahon Pool
The Mahon rock pool can be found north of Maroubra Beach, at the foot of Jack Vanny Reserve. Its stunning location is enhanced by the rock outcrops and cliffs above.
A top-down shot here whilst recording videos works great with the waves crashing into the pool.
9. Giles Baths
Giles Baths is one of four rockpools at Coogee Beach. This one sits alone on the northern side and has a similar look to Mahon Pool.
You can get stunning shots of Giles Baths with Coogee Beach in the background.
10. Bigola Rockpool
Bigola Rockpool is located about an hour’s drive north of Sydney and is best visited along with Palm Beach lighthouse as well as any other drone photography spots that tickle your fancy.
It’s well worth the drive, this spot has always been quiet when I’ve visited and produces stunning aerial photography.
11. Wylie Baths
One of the oldest baths in Sydney was built in 1907. You can see the old infrastructure which creates a unique shot for drone photography.
I like to take the drone low and orbit the pool to get some excellent video footage.
12. Bronte Baths
Bronte Baths is a cool little spot, located in the east of Sydney. Nestled on the cliffside which has a road with cars driving along it, this creates a great location for a drone photoshoot.
The Art and Technique of Drone Photography
Mastering the craft and skill of drone photography is the key to unlocking exceptional imagery that elevates visual storytelling. Professional photographers offer swift turnaround for outstanding photography, meeting clients’ demands with precision and expertise.
Here are five tips on how to get the best aerial drone photography.
Plan Your Imagery
Plan your shots before flying. Consider composition, key points of interest, movement, and scenery changes from different angles. Have a few shots lined up in your head before taking off.
Always check where the sun is and face the opposite direction to avoid getting the white blur in the sea which will spoil your aerial photographs.
Optimise Camera Settings for Drone Videography
Get to know your drone’s camera settings and modify them according to the lighting. Opt for manual settings to have greater control over exposure, shutter speed, and ISO. Try out various frame rates to create cinematic effects.
I like to shoot videos in 4K 60fps on the DJI Mavic 3.
Be Mindful of Wind and Weather Conditions
Choose the days with the least wind to fly. Ideal conditions are usually in the morning to avoid some of the sun glare on the sea or try to fly during the golden hour at sunset to get those long shadows and golden tint in your aerial imagery.
Use ND Filters
If you bought a DJI drone with the flymore kit then it should have come with some ND filters, if not then it’s worth buying some. Neutral density filters help prevent your shots from being overexposed.
I use an ND16 in the daytime, the higher the ND filter the less light it allows into the lens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Best Place to Take Drone Photos Sydney?
Drone operators who are into landscape photography should head to Bondi, Bronte, Palm Beach or Bigola Beach. These locations showcase the most picturesque spots that Sydney has to offer.
Where are the Best Places to Fly a Drone in Australia?
One of the best places to fly a drone in Australia that all drone videographers should add to their list is Esperance, home to many incredible white sand beaches on which 4×4 cars drive.
The Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast near Brisbane also offer some amazing scenery for drone pilots. Perth Western Australia has some stunning beaches like Scarborough Beach with a unique amphitheatre and pool overlooking the sea.
Which Drone Accessories do I Need?
One of the best accessories to get for your DJI drone is the fly more kit which comes with extra propellers, 2 extra batteries, a carry case, a charging hub and ND filters.
Also, the 65W DJI car charger is essential to charge your batteries whilst on the move.
What’s the Best Software to Edit Drone Footage?
I have used Adobe Lightroom ever since I started flying drones over 6 years ago. It’s a powerful photo editing tool which most professional drone photographers use.
Adobe Premiere Pro is another amazing tool that I use to edit drone videos. It can take a while to wrap your head around it but after watching a few videos you will be able to create some stunning videos to add to your social media accounts.
What are the Best Drones for Photography?
The DJI Mavic 3 is one of the best drones on the market for aerial photography. With its 20MP Hasselblad camera capable of shooting in 5.1K 50fps and 4K up to 120fps.
Second on the list is the DJI Mini 4 Pro coming with a cheaper price tag, this tiny drone packs a punch with a 48MP camera able to shoot in 4K 100fps.
DJI Mavic 3
- 45 minute flight time
- 5.1K video 50fps
- Adjustable aperture(great in low light)
- Hasselblad Camera: 4/3 CMOS, 20MP
- 8GB internal storage
DJI Mini 4 Pro
- Lightweight 249 grams
- 4k 60fps
- Omnidirectional obstacle avoidance
- 45 minute flight time
- 10-bit D log
- 20km (12 miles) range
Wrap Up
Well there you have it, I hope you’ve learnt some new and amazing spots of drone photography Sydney has to offer. From its picturesque beaches and rock pools to its iconic landmarks and breathtaking cityscape, there is no shortage of opportunities to capture awe-inspiring aerial shots.
Always learn new techniques as you never know what will happen, a company may reach out to you for your drone services and ask to make a marketing video.
Remember to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations surrounding drone usage in Sydney, as well as practising safe and responsible flying. Take the time to plan your shoots, experiment with different angles and compositions, and most importantly, let your creativity soar.
I'm Matt, a writer and drone photographer with over 6 years in the field. I specialize in all things drones – from buying guides and editing tips to monetization strategies. My goal is to help enthusiasts and professionals alike navigate the exciting world of aerial photography and videography, sharing insights that turn drone passion into expertise and opportunity.
