Sunshine Coast for wide-angle shots - my top ten

The Sunshine Coast is tailor-made for wide-angle work if you know where to stand, when to go, and what to look for beyond the obvious. A good wide-angle lens can do more than simply cram everything in; it can sculpt depth, exaggerate space, and lead the viewer into the story. Here’s a rundown of top locations on the Coast that truly reward thoughtful wide-angle photography, with notes on technique and what to watch for.

1. Point Arkwright Rock Shelf (Yaroomba)

When the tide is low, a remarkable rock shelf is exposed here — cracked like the skin of a dried river, with deep texture and leading lines out to sea. In the golden hour or under stormy skies, it’s a playground for wide lenses. Get low, angle slightly upward, and let the lines do the work.

Why it works: Foreground textures meet open horizon. Depth galore.

Best setup: 14–24mm, tripod, soft grad filter.

Extra tip: Stay safe — the tide turns quickly and waves can sneak up.

2. Mount Ngungun Summit (Glass House Mountains)

This short but steep hike ends on a craggy ridge with one of the best views of Tibrogargan. With the right composition, you can shoot the rocky summit, a valley of green, and the moody silhouette of the mountain in one frame.

Why it works: Layers, depth, epic skies.

Best time: Sunrise, especially with mist.

Wide angle approach: Place a human or tree in the lower third to anchor scale.

3. Noosa National Park Coastal Track (Hells Gates & Dolphin Point)

Don’t be fooled by the popularity — this stretch of track rewards patience. Find a composition at the edge, using wide lenses to exaggerate the coastal drop and the curve of the sea. Pandanus, boulders, and sweeping surf all add layers.

Why it works: Curved lines, drama, leading elements.

Time it right: Early morning for cleaner skies and fewer walkers.

Lens tip: Tilt slightly downward to catch both trail and sea. A 16mm prime works magic here.

4. Mary Cairncross Rainforest Walk (Maleny)

Yes, it’s intimate, but go very wide and you’ll catch that cathedral feel of tall forest in soft light. A 14–16mm lens looking straight up — or along a path with vertical trunks either side — gives beautiful symmetry. Just add fog or drizzle.

Why it works: Enclosed space + light = depth.

Lens tip: Focus stack if needed. Keep your sensor clean — you’ll be shooting at f/8 or smaller.

5. Coolum First Bay Rock Pools

At low tide, the volcanic formations here are irresistible. Think alien-looking rocks, green algae, and tiny pools reflecting sky. You’ll want to crouch low, go wide, and create massive foreground interest with the sea in the distance.

Why it works: Texture, repetition, and natural pattern.

Best conditions: Moody skies, post-storm for drama.

Watch: Sea spray, and slippery rock — bring a cloth!

6. Mapleton Falls Lookout

Most people shoot from the railing. Step back, lower your position, and use a wide lens to include a bit of foliage, the cliff edge, and the deep ravine beyond. The wide angle helps convey scale and depth that often disappears in longer shots.

Why it works: Compressed foliage and plunging cliffs.

Best light: Soft overcast for even tones.

Don’t forget: Use a polariser to cut haze in the distance.

7. Wild Horse Mountain Fire Tower

Rare for the region, this 360° view is accessible and surprisingly quiet at dusk. You can shoot the setting sun over the Glass House Mountains and catch the glow in all directions. Wide lenses here let you bend the horizon, giving a sense of enormous space.

Why it works: Endless sky, flat land, symmetrical options.

Watch for: Sunstar opportunities with an f/16 shot and the sun just peeking.

Post-processing: Lift shadows gently and keep horizon level — distortion can creep in.

8. Kenilworth Bluff Tracks

If you get up on the ridgeline near Kenilworth Bluff (off the beaten track), you’ll find classic rolling country, tree silhouettes, and sky that just won’t quit. Perfect for those big cinematic wide shots with a low sun behind you.

Why it works: Layers of hills, open sky, lone elements.

Time: Late arvo. Mist in winter adds magic.

Try: 20mm with gentle curves leading outwards.

9. Mudjimba Beach Rock

That lone offshore rock — Mudjimba Island — is the subject, but it’s the foreground you’re really after. Use the sand ripples, dune grasses or tidal channels with a wide-angle at low tide to create contrast and structure.

Why it works: Negative space, lines, geometry.

Best gear: Polariser, tripod, possibly knee pads!

Mood: Excellent for minimalist black & white work too.

10. Baroon Pocket Dam (Montville side)

There’s a trail on the Montville side with open views across the water and shoreline trees that reach into frame beautifully. Go wide to make the reservoir seem endless, or tuck into the forest edge and shoot outward for a portal effect.

Why it works: Calm water, arching frames, reflections.

Time of day: Evening for still water, morning for mist.

Approach: Embrace subtle tones — this spot is more about calm than spectacle.

Final Thought:

Wide-angle photography on the Sunshine Coast works best when you’re chasing depth, not just width. Look for elements in the foreground, structure in the middle, and something to anchor the eye on the horizon. Wet rocks, lone trees, trail edges, or reflected clouds can all serve beautifully.