We discovered Tasmanian photographer Matt Lawes' beauitful film shots on Instagram and asked him to share with us five of his favourite Tassie moments.
A journey to the summit of Cradle Mountain, one scorching summer’s day, lead me to this highland lake. At a great elevation, this lake sits inside of a vast and ancient crater, with sides stretching like walls straight up around it. This place, which is a stunning destination, made the perfect scenic spot to catch our breath along the trail.
One cold and foggy winters morning, when the blanket of winter had well and truly set in Tassie’s northern midlands, I came across a group of elderly volunteers, trudging through a muddy and waterlogged field, planting trees. On speaking with the organiser, I was informed that the group was comprised of members of a local garden club, who had banded together despite the elements, to undertake the planting of over a thousand trees and shrubs, to beautify the entrance into their town. I was privileged to capture this shot, as another tree was being laid, ready to ground its roots deep in the local community.
Mt Murchison is, in my opinion, one of Tasmania’s most underrated day hikes. Being a grade 4 in difficulty, bush walking experience is recommended. But you will be treated to incredible views over the many lakes and valleys of the state’s west coast. Climbing along rocky ridges, you will be filled with wonder, while gazing upwards towards giant rock stacks and crater walls, as you witness some of the best scenery the west coast has on offer.
Sitting amongst a great rainforest of overhanging trees, on the edge of the Pieman River sits Lovers falls. A location made accessible only through a river crossing, on a bright yellow barge dubbed the ‘Fatman’ when traveling from the south. We entered the small town of Corrina on Tasmania’s rugged west coast and hired our kayaks. After a still and current-less paddle beneath ancient trees and pristine rainforest, a strange wooden staircase marks the location of the falls.
Tasmania’s rugged southern coast is home to some of the most dramatic sea cliffs in the world. These steep and jagged cliffs rise high above the Tasman Sea, in dark pillars of dolerite, reaching up to 300m. I had been itching for some time to visit, in a hope of capturing their raw beauty on black and white 35mm film. After receiving a phone call from the boating company on my way down, informing me of a 3m swell that day, I knew I would be in for a ride as epic as the location. With my trip coinciding with the humpback whale migration, I was left in a state of awe, as I witnessed these colossal yet majestic creatures, breaching clean out of the water. As the waves began to settle, we bought the boat in closer to the rocks, to watch Australian fur seals sunning themselves and wrestling beneath the cliffs.
You can see more of Matt's photographs on his Instagram: @matttlawes
Cover portrait by Amaya Ruby
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