One line: Three and a half years photographing a 160km trail as it came to life.

Client: Parks Victoria
Years: 2018 to 2022
Role: Photography, talent and logistics
Delivered: Campaign stills for web, print and tourism partners

Parks Victoria's brief was to build anticipation and excitement for the launch of the Grampians Peaks Trail, a 160km, 13-day hike through Gariwerd, under the campaign Six Seasons of Gariwerd.

We shot it section by section, alongside construction, across several shoots between November 2018 and May 2022. The trail had to look like one journey, through changing seasons, different talent and COVID lockdowns. The last shoot, six months after the trail opened, was an overnight in the hike-in huts at Werdug and Gar, at 700m on the edge of winter.

Along with the camera, I cast and looked after the talent on every shoot: travel, accommodation, wardrobe, and making sure everyone was ready for long days on remote, rocky ground.

The images were shared with Visit Victoria, Grampians Tourism and licensed tour operators, and are still in print today.

Credits: Client and producer: Nick Esser, Parks Victoria · Video: Spilt Milk · Campaign partner: Macpac · Photography, talent and logistics: Belinda Van Zanen