Cradle Mountain Winter Workshop 2027
Location: Cradle Mountain, Tasmania
Dates: June 18th-22nd, 2027 (5 days)
Instructors: Benjamin Maze & Paul Hoelen
Physical Activity: Low-Moderate
Group Size: 6
Price: $6450
Join me and Paul Hoelen for 5 immersive days exploring the iconic beauty of Cradle Mountain in the heart of winter!
Cradle Mountain is iconic for good reason; yet, in winter, even more of its unique character comes to life. Snow can transform the mountain and surrounding peaks overnight, frost settles across the button grass and tarns, mist drifts through rich, ancient rainforest, and occasionally snow reaches right down into the forest itself. Alongside the more celebrated scenes, we’ll explore many quieter, lesser known landscapes that make Cradle Mountain such a richly diverse place to photograph. From sweeping mountain vistas and reflections, to intimate rainforest scenes, waterfalls, twisted pandani, ice, texture and abstraction, there is an extraordinary variety of subject matter to discover - and that’s before we even get to the wildlife. Wombats in particular are regularly encountered throughout the landscape, and we’ve also included a dedicated feeding-time tour at Devils @ Cradle, giving us the opportunity to experience and photograph more of Tasmania’s remarkable endemic fauna.
Experience Overview
One of the defining features of this workshop is its size and guest-to-leader ratio. With a maximum of just six guests, two professional photography leaders and two 4WD vehicles, we have an exceptional 3:1 guest-to-instructor ratio. This means plenty of individual attention, but also something equally valuable - flexibility. Paul and I can adapt each day and outing to best suit the group, allowing us to pursue different conditions/locations, accommodate different fitness levels and delve into more specialised photographic interests.
Throughout the workshop, we’ll work closely with you on finding compelling compositions and developing your own creative vision across both grand and intimate landscapes. We’ll help you simplify complex forest scenes, recognise smaller details and abstractions, and respond creatively to changing light and weather. Our aim is to help you create more considered and refined images, aided by personal instruction and feedback throughout the experience. Technical tuition can be tailored to your current level, from basic manual camera settings to focus stacking, exposure blending, managing dynamic range and working effectively in challenging conditions.
Back at our nearby spacious accommodation at Cradle Mountain Hotel, we’ll be spending time in educational sessions to maximise your learning. This will entail presentations on theory and technique, covering everything from the beautiful mountains to chaotic forest scenes and the smaller details of nature. When time allows, we’ll also go through some 1-1 post-processing sessions to help you make the most of your files.
Time spent in the field is the priority, however, which is why every guest is entitled to a complimentary post-workshop 1.5-hour online session with Ben. These can be used to go through start-to-finish edits on images captured during the workshop, critique & feedback, or whatever else would be most beneficial to your learning experience. In these sessions, you’ll be able to learn the proper editing application of the in-field processes you were taught, from focus stacking to exposure blending, as well as creative techniques and workflow tips that will result in natural yet striking images that stand out amongst the crowd.
For those wanting to experience Cradle from an entirely different point of view, we’re also offering an optional helicopter photography flight over Dove Lake and the surrounding mountains for an additional fee. From the air, the landscape reveals patterns, textures and relationships hidden from the ground, opening up fresh creative possibilities within this iconic Tasmanian landscape. Flights will, of course, be subject to weather and helicopter availability.
Above all, you’ll get to enjoy a fun and dynamic five days immersed in nature photography, led by two deeply passionate landscape photographers who have both created internationally recognised imagery from the area and genuinely love helping others move further along their own creative journey.
If you’re unsure about the benefits of joining a workshop or want to learn more about my approach as a leader, you can read more about my workshop philosophy here.
Booking
Single Room: $6450
Your single room booking provides a spacious Wilderness View Room to yourself for the duration of the workshop. This includes a king bed, modern private ensuite, private balcony, complimentary wifi, television, in-room heater, tea & coffee making facilities and more.
By booking you acknowledge and accept our Terms and Conditions
Got questions? Read on for more info!
Your Instructors
Benjamin Maze
Benjamin Maze is a professional photographer based in Sydney, Australia. He loves drawing inspiration from a wide range of sources, capturing everything from expansive and awe-inspiring grand scenes through to the intimate and abstract details found within nature.
Ben is passionate about capturing the unique landscapes of Australia and beyond, with a current focus on the wilderness areas of Tasmania and his home state of New South Wales. The human element rarely appears in Ben’s work, preferring instead to show the beauty of nature in its unaltered, wild state.
With nearly 15 years of experience at his young age - including a range of accolades, creative brand commissioning and contributions to various publications - Ben shares his landscape photography expertise through national & international multi-day workshops and online tuition services, helping other photographers gain confidence in their individual creativity and technique.
Paul Hoelen
Paul Hoelen is a full-time professional photographer based on the beautiful, wild island of Tasmania. Best known for his evocative landscape imagery, particularly from an aerial perspective, he also uses his photography to support a wide range of conservation, documentary and Indigenous cultural heritage projects.
Acknowledged as a Grand Master of Photography (NZIPP) and seven-time Tasmanian Professional Landscape Photographer of the Year, Paul leads photography workshops worldwide, judges regularly at a national and international level and contributes to various photography magazines and publications.
With over 25 years of experience as a guide and outdoor leader in Tasmania, he brings an intimate knowledge of the island’s wild landscapes and a deep personal connection to the land. An avid storyteller, educator and presenter, Paul is passionate about sharing his knowledge, inspiring a deeper appreciation of the natural world and nurturing the creative development of others.
Accommodation
We’ll be staying at the comfortable and convenient Cradle Mountain Hotel for the duration of the workshop, providing us with a comfortable and convenient base for our 5 days. Each guest will have their own Wilderness View Room, which includes a king bed, modern private ensuite, private balcony, complimentary wifi, television, tea & coffee making facilities and more. The hotel is also home to our private board room from which we’ll run presentations and editing sessions, as well as a permanent Peter Dombrovskis gallery for those looking for inspiration during down time. We’ll primarily be eating dinner at the hotel’s own restaurant, while in the mornings a buffet breakfast is included. Lunches will be sorted on a day-today basis depending on conditions and whether we plan to be in the field during this time.
Activity Levels
The workshop requires a low-to-moderate level of fitness. Participants should be comfortable with short walks before sunrise and after dark using a head torch, including on slippery rainforest trails and in cold, wet or snowy conditions where safe. Some inclines, unsealed paths and steps will be encountered. Comfortable walking or hiking shoes with good grip, along with warm clothing and waterproof layers, are essential.
Our two 4WD vehicles also give us greater flexibility in winter conditions and allow us to maintain access when snow may restrict non-4WD vehicles.
Some longer walks will be available for guests who are capable and keen. Examples include Crater Falls from Waldheim Huts (5km return, 185m elevation) and the Ballroom Forest (5km return, 100m elevation). One of the great benefits of our two-leader format, however, is that everyone doesn’t need to do the same thing. Those wanting to opt out of a longer walk can instead photograph at easier-to-access locations or spend time on editing and image feedback back at the lodge.
Further information, including a detailed packing list, will be provided after booking. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns so we can make sure the workshop is a great fit for you.
Inclusions
✓ 4 nights of single supplement accommodation
✓ Devils @ Cradle Day Feeding Tour
✓ Buffet-style breakfast at accommodation
✓ On-location coaching from two award-winning photographers
✓ Educational sessions
✓ Post-workshop 1-1 online session with Ben
✓ Private vehicle transfer to & from Launceston
✓ Private transport throughout the workshop
✓ All park passes & associated costs
✓ Special private access to National Park during bus hours
Exclusions
✖ Flights/Travel costs
✖ Lunches, Dinners, Snacks & Beverages
✖ Insurance
✖ Equipment
For questions & enquiries, get in touch below
Testimonials
“Ben delivers on his offer with a blend of care, clarity, technical skill and artistic sensitivity. His process is client‑centred, thoughtful, organised and genuinely collaborative. He listens closely and works to understand what you're hoping to achieve, shaping the experience around your needs while remaining mindful of other workshop participants. Ben is an attentive and flexible workshop facilitator who brings both warmth and professionalism to his practice.” - Kelvin K; Cradle Mountain Winter Workshop 2026
“Ben has a superb photographic eye and an expert knowledge of post-processing, and shares his insights and experience in ways which are constructive and sensitive to the needs of individual group members. If you're looking for expert photographic tuition with a dash of outdoor adventure, Ben's workshops come highly recommended.” - Don O; Cradle Mountain Winter Workshop 2026
“Ben is a superb teacher who is always willing to provide help when needed. He provided an excellent mix of theory in his presentations with practice out in the field. He was patient and understanding, and was able to answer any questions asked of him. I would have no hesitation at doing another of his workshops, or recommending his workshops to others.” - Anne W
“Ben is a great teacher and creates an atmosphere where you can ask anything, and ask again if you need. The field tuition was great; learning how to create compositions, getting real time feedback; learning additional technical features of my equipment and so much more.” - Jenny H
“Ben's workshop is highly recommended. He is generous, knowledgeable and patient. We had a wonderful time being taken to amazing locations while staying in lovely accommodations.” - Kamal R
“Ben's … workshop was the best I've done. He is an incredibly talented photographer, but also a gifted teacher: patient, intuitive, encouraging and enthusiastic. He went above and beyond to ensure everyone got the help they needed; the schedule was flexible to made best use of weather and tides; he was well-organised and great company. Highly recommended and hope to do another workshop in the future.” - Kerry L
“This is the second workshop I have done with Ben. He is a passionate and focussed professional photographer. He is continually pushing participants the “raise” the bar with their photography. A great person." - Jim I
“Ben is so knowledgeable and is willing to share ideas on composition and processing … Ben’s help in the field gave me new composition options and things to consider: shapes, spacing and balance. And his help in processing gave me confidence to explore new techniques. Ben is very generous with his time and knowledge. I would recommend his workshops to anyone at any stage of their photography journey.” - Kate M
“Ben … carefully planned our excursions to take advantages of the tides and the morning or afternoon light and he provided one-on-one instruction to all the participants in a caring, thoughtful and skilled way. The editing part of the workshop was also very informative and provided opportunities for participants to develop their skills in either Lightroom or Photoshop. I would highly recommend attending one of Ben's workshops.” - Karen S
