If I were to have free time (a couple days) in the area of Brisbane, Australia later this month, what might I want to try shooting? I don't mind renting a car and driving several hours. I'm interested in Landscapes, but will certainly welcome opportunities to shoot birds and animals, too.

What lenses should I bring? Is it worth carrying the 300/2.8? I can bring a 150/2.8 (macro) instead, if I'm not going to need the reach--and it's a lot lighter/smaller. Even the 50-500 is smaller, and has lots of reach, if I don't need IS and 2.8. I'd certainly like to keep the load down for traveling... I'd like to bring only one of the three--each have their individual benefits, but I don't have room for all of them!

On that note, I see that Qantas has a 7 kg carry-on limit. How strictly is that enforced? (Business class) I'll be on Air Canada to Sydney and I'm not worried about carry-on limits there, but I have Qantas flights to/from Sydney/Brisbane.

Thanks,

-Paul

Paul
A few hours to the south (Gold Coast Hinterland) you have Springbrook National Park, it is a rainforest and also has the Natural Bridge (Arch). Also to the south you have O'Reillys which is a bit of a drive up a mountain. Also rainforest and has quite a few birds, reptiles and waterfalls, including Elebana Falls. We have had a lot of rain recently so they all should be flowing well.

Up north there is the Sunshine Coast. Glasshouse Mountains in the hinterland or numerous locations for beach shots. There is a good walk along the shore at Noosa National Park.

In Brisbane there is a Botanic Garden (Mount Coot-tha) in the Western suburbs, near where I live. Has birds, insects, some interesting plants etc. At the top there is a lookout where you can see the city skyline.

Most places require some hiking although not too arduous.

I assume you are bringing wide angles as well. Rainforest for wildlife needs a faster lens although it is problematic if you see much, depends on the day. Given the choice if you like taking macro then the 150. I spoke to one of the guides in the rainforests near the Glasshouse Mountains and he swore by the 300/2.8 (mainly for low lightcapability), however that lens is very specific. A difficult decision.

As regards carryon, sometimes QANTAS weighs bags and sometimes not. Business Class you may be okay. Make sure your bag does not look oversize and carry it as though it weighs a feather. Look innocent.

If you want anymore specific info let me know. If you do a bit of a search on those locations you may get an idea of the type of landscapes. On my website Elebana falls is the only shot within a couple of hours drive of Brisbane, although Byron Bay is not too far away it is not usually a day trip.

Paul,
I have only spent a couple of days in Brisbane so I asked my son, who lived in the area for a year. His reply:
"Glasshouse mountains are very cool for landscape. Good animals in the Conondales forest or on Mt. Glorious. Great animals and scenery at Noosa heads."
When you have more time, check out the Kimberley.
I only had one domestic flight while visiting and my carry on was not weighed although it was over the limit, but was small enough to fit under the seat.
Joe

Hoppy,

I will certainly bring wide angles as well. But they're smaller, so less critical.

If I brought the 300 (and not the 150 or 50-500), I might think about the 28-135, for its versatility. I'd really like to bring the 24 TSE (Mk2), but it's big and heavy. The other option is the 17-40. Would I miss the extra few mm on the wide end (and the AF) if I left the 17-40 at home and brought only the 24?

-Paul

I had a great time at Lamington National Park and O'Relly's camp. Great for birds and marsupials especially the red-necked pademelons... Lot's of them at the campground near O'Reillys.. Nice canopy walk there as well. Warning we were robbed at the parking lot at O'Reillys. Broke into our camper van.... 300mm F2.8 and converters would be great. North of Brisbane is Fraser Island.. Great place, good dingos... Have fun I'd love to get back there some day.

Paul. I tend to use zooms. Except for the rainforest light is usually god so manual focus is not an issue. With the 24 you can always use a 2 shot pano to get the width. Sometimes space can be a issue within the rainforest so zooming with feet is not always an option, I guess a lot depends on how the 28-135 performs at 28mm.

A couple of people have mentioned Lamington, it is near Springbrook.

If you go O'Reilly's there's plenty of relatively tame birds there to shoot so the 300 would come in handy there, same for the Pademelons. In the rainforest don't forget you will need a polariser, you should be able to access cool temperate rainforest up there and that can be interesting to shoot. e.g.:

http://www.aus-natural.com/Scenic/Australian%20Temperate/slides/Antarctic%20Beech.html

This type of forest is more accessible from border range national park in NSW just south of the border and you can do the circuit around the mount Warning caldera from that area. In Lamington NP it's quite a hike from either o'Reilly's or Binna burra. This gives some info on the area:

http://www.ukiguesthouse.com.au/Mt%20Warning%20View%20Circuit_Rainforest%20Way.pdf

and this:

http://www.rainforestway.com.au/indexc5da.html?page=touring

You want to go to the pinnacle lookout listed in the above link either early or late in the day if you get a clear day, view is really spectacular.

I've never seen Qantas weighing stuff on domestic flights, they will stop you on occasion if you have an unusual looking bag. Will you have free time in Sydney?

Oh and with the current El Nina conditions examine the weather forecast closely a day or so beforehand a lot the stuff in the rainforest and the views from the overlooks will disappear into the clouds if the you have an onshore windflow and the heavy rain can cut roads etc. So maybe make a fine weather and a reserve wet weather plan.