Australia from Above competition: Best aerial and drone photos

TAKE a look at the hidden gem destination that’s hit the global spotlight thanks to this incredible snap — plus more award-winning aerial photos.

Kyle Bowman’s image of Wyadup Spa, WA beat more than 5000 others to be named winner of the Australia from Above competition. Picture: Kyle Bowman, Airloft

IS THIS Australia’s best angle?

Judges of the Australia from Above drone photography competition thought so.

Kyle Bowman’s shot of Wyadup Spa in Western Australia’s Margaret River region was considered the “quintessential Australia from Above shot due to the lighting, composition and striking colours”.

The Wyadup rock pools, near Yallingup, are a favourite haunt among locals, with its natural spa ideal for relaxing in a Jacuzzi-like setting — as well as being a drawcard for photographers.

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Run by SkyPixel in partnership with Tourism Australia and DJI, the Australia from Above competition attracted more than 6000 entries from Australian and international photographers.

A photo of Perth’s Secret Harbour by Al Edgar (skysnaps99) took out second spot for its “mesmerising composition, detail and colour”.

“The competition had a lot of top down shots over jettys and ocean but this one stood out above them all,” said judge Tom Rex Jessett.

Al Edgar’s shot of Secret Harbour, WA was named Australia from Above second placegetter. Picture: Al Edgar, Skysnaps99.

Peter Yan’s image of Rigby Island at Lakes Entrance, Victoria rounded out the top three, described by Jessett as “one of the most striking and vivid photographs in the competition”.

“I love not only the composition and the colours but the mesmerising feel of wanting to look closer into the photograph,” he said.

Tourism Australia chief marketing officer Lisa Ronson said the judges were blown away by the quantity and quality of the entries.

About 1200 entries had been expected in the competition — but that was surpassed in the first few days.

“There are some amazingly talented photographers out there who are using drone technology to capture some breathtaking images of Australia,” said Ms Ronson.

“Drone-facilitated photography as well as other new technologies such as VR and 360 are enabling us to tell our story in ways which were just not possible a few years ago.”

Rigby Island, Lake Entrance, Victoria. Picture: Peter Yan, Yantastic

DJI Vice President of Marketing, Danny Zheng echoed Ms Ronson’s remarks.

“The amazing work from participants really shows the growing interest around this new photographic artform and the potential of aerial technology,” said Mr Zheng.

“We were thrilled to see so many quality entries, from local photographers as well as those outside the country who captured Australia’s extraordinary beauty in an entirely new way.”

Among the entries that made it to the judges’ short-list, were Brendan McGrath’s breathtaking shot of Bondi Beach, Scott Portelli’s striking “Mining Red Soil” and Kevin Perrin’s “Red and White Salt Lake” — that resembled a work of abstract art.

While the first place getter scores trips to Lord Howe and Kangaroo islands plus a drone combo package, all the finalists will enjoy exposure on Tourism Australia’s world-leading social media platforms.

“It’s very exciting for our industry and will, I’m sure, provide inspiration to many Australian tourism operators as they look at new and engaging ways to promote their businesses,” Ms Ronson said.

See more of the winners in the gallery below.

See more entries in the Australia from above competition

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