Liam Hardy has been documenting the ethereal delight of Bald Rock National Park through his lens for months and he’s finally ready to share what he’s seen. Go on, lose yourself for a minute.

The Lowdown

Bald Rock National Park is located on the New South Wales/Queensland border, 43 kilometres from the small town of Stanthorpe, and it’s home to one of Australia’s geological wonders. I’d remained unaware of its existence until early 2017 when I moved to Brisbane from Coffs Harbour, and boy am I glad I know about it now. Bald Rock is the largest granite monolith in Australia, possibly in the southern hemisphere, and its surrounding areas are of high importance to the local Aboriginal people.

Caught in the clouds.

Settings: 1/800s, f/5, ISO 100 @39mm

The Bare Beauty Of Bald Rock National Park (NSW) // Photo Essay, Liam Hardy, forest, rock formation, boulder, slope, sandstone

Bald Rock is a granite inselberg towering high above the surrounding landscape. Girraween National Park lies to the west, while Boonoo Boonoo National Park is to the east. Settings: 1/125s, f/8, ISO 400 @24mm

 

The Bare Beauty Of Bald Rock National Park (NSW) // Photo Essay, Liam Hardy, forest, trees, dense, Bald Rock campground, treetops, overhead, aerial

The vast Eucalypt canopy in morning light. Bald Rock campground is hidden among the trees, just a short walk from the base of the rock. Settings: 1/13s, f/8, ISO 320 @160mm

Mt Barney (Dooayrdin/Yahndaddan), Mt Maroon (Wahlmoorum) and Mt Lindesay (Jalgumbun) form the horizon to the north-east.

Settings: 1/500s, f/5, ISO 320 @200mm

If you’re lucky you could find yourself surrounded by a sea of cloud at sunrise.

Settings: 1/320s, f/7.1, ISO 400 @24mm

Flora at the summit endure harsh conditions. Powerful wind and sub-zero temperatures are common here with a record low of -10°C.

Settings: 1/80s, f/5.6, ISO 500 @24mm

The Bare Beauty Of Bald Rock National Park (NSW) // Photo Essay, Liam Hardy, kookaburra, bird, wildlife, perched, branch

Some of the local wildlife will happily pinch your breakfast if you turn your back! Settings: 1/400s, f/5.6, ISO 200 @200mm

 

The Bare Beauty Of Bald Rock National Park (NSW) // Photo Essay, Liam Hardy, haze, distance

Bald Rock was once a boundary and neutral trade area for the Jukambal, Bundgalung and Kamilleroi people. The summit reaches an altitude just shy of 1300 metres above sea level. Settings: 1/500s, f/5, ISO 100 @70mm

A bird’s-eye-view above the Summit walking track, which leads directly up the steep rock face.

Settings: 1/25s, f/2.8, ISO 480

 

The Bare Beauty Of Bald Rock National Park (NSW) // Photo Essay, Liam Hardy, streaks, purple, sky, rock

Water streaks on the surface mirroring clouds at dusk. Settings: 6s, f/5.6, ISO 1000 @17mm

 

The Bare Beauty Of Bald Rock National Park (NSW) // Photo Essay, Liam Hardy, astrophotography, starts, silhouette, milky way

Lack of light pollution makes this area perfect for astrophotography and stargazing on clear nights. Settings: 30s, f/4, ISO 3200 @17mm

Sunlight beaming through the trees and fog near the summit.

Settings: 1/100s, f/8, ISO 250 @17mm

Huge boulders rest precariously on the steep incline.

Settings: 1/125s, f/8, ISO 320 @106mm

The Bare Beauty Of Bald Rock National Park (NSW) // Photo Essay, Liam Hardy, boulders, black and white, small, tiny, dwarfed, slot

The ‘Granite Titans’ along the Bungoona walk. This route is a longer but easier way to reach the top than the much steeper Rockface walk. Settings: 1/50s, f/7.1, ISO 640 @17mm