By Alesha Capone
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect international travel, photographer Justin Sloan is urging Victorians to visit the spectacular sites and scenery in their own backyard.
Mr Sloan, a Manor Lakes resident, is a landscape photographer who specialises in taking shots along the iconic Great Ocean Road.
Recently, he wrote a photography guide to locations along the Great Ocean Road for his website’s blog.
The post also serves a guide for people wanting to travel within the area, including to its lesser-known spots.
“Everyone has heard of the 12 Apostles and Hopetoun Falls, they’re the main ones,” Mr Sloan said.
“But as you go down the Great Ocean Road there are 10, 15 other amazing destinations that aren’t as well-known, such as Beauchamp Falls, Teddy’s Lookout and Clifton Springs.”
Mr Sloan said some of Great Ocean Road’s attractions could be found within a 30-minute drive of Geelong, and a 45-minute drive from Werribee.
“Especially when you can barely travel internationally at the moment, it’s great to remember we have these amazing places to visit,” he said.
Mr Sloan said it was also important to support local businesses along the Great Ocean Road, many of which have been impacted by a loss of trade from international and interstate tourists due to the pandemic.
“Even if you just take a day trip, people need coffee and need lunches – supporting local business, it all helps,” he said.
Mr Sloan said that he enjoyed taking landscape photos because it gave him a reason to get outdoors, much like his BMX bike did when he was a child.
“Now my camera is my excuse to get outside,” he said.
Since completing his blog post about the Great Ocean Road photo locations, he has been contacted by the Wanderlust Travel & Photos website, which has used some of his images in its articles.
“I’ve also had a bunch of people call, mostly other photographers, asking for personalised tips and things like that, which led to me doing some one-on-one workshops with extra tips and coaching,” Mr Sloan said.
Mr Sloan, who also sells prints of his pictures, said his favourite spot to visit along the Great Ocean Road was Hopetoun Falls
“Mostly because it feels like you’re in a bit of a different world, because of the dense forests with a waterfall in the middle,” he said.
Details: justinsloan.com.au/great-ocean-road-photography-locations/
