This isn’t just a workshop, it’s a fully immersive adventure into one of the most biodiverse environments on Earth. Photograph tiny rainforest wonders by day, then watch the forest come alive after dark. Designed for like-minded macro photographers, this experience blends expert guidance, incredible locations, and unforgettable encounters.
Step into the hidden world of the tropics with this immersive 3-day (4 night) macro photography experience in Cairns. Created for passionate photographers, this all-inclusive adventure takes you into lush natural environments where the smallest subjects steal the show. With expert guidance from Bridgette Gower, creator of Let’s Go Buggin Tours, you’ll explore hand-picked macro hotspots by day and uncover a completely different world on guided night walks. From capturing images in the field to expanding theoretical knowledge in a classroom workshop, this experience invites you to slow down, look closer, and connect with the tropics in a way most people never will.
4th to 7th, 2027
5th to 8th, 2027
3 Days, 4 Nights
Maximum 8 Participants
Includes Tours, Hotel (4 Nights) and Transfers. See list of Inclusions and exclusions in Itinerary
Double / Twin Sharing
Per Person $1950 (someone to share room)
Single
Per Person $2300
Booking Fees may apply depending on payment method. See T&Cs
All Prices in Australian Dollars and include GST
BOOK NOW, OR Register Interest for future sessions.
Complete OM SYSTEM Macro Camera Kits for Rental
EM5 III
Intermediate • $300 for the entire 3 days.
EM1 III
Professional • $450 for the entire 3 days.
Book and pay as part of your ticket, OR, later send an email to reserve and pay later (pending availability).
Bridgette Gower, founder of Aussie Macro Photos and Let’s Go Buggin, brings a wealth of real-world experience and local knowledge to every tour. After launching the business during COVID, following her time with Mike Ball Dive Expeditions, Bridgette has grown Let’s Go Buggin into one of Cairns’ most unique nature experiences. Over the past six years, she has guided more than 300 morning walks and 700 night walks through the Cairns Botanic Gardens alone. This extensive time in the field has given her an exceptional understanding of local macro “hotspots,” species behaviour, and seasonal patterns—allowing guests to maximise their chances of encountering a diverse range of subjects. With additional experience across multiple Cairns locations, Bridgette carefully selects each site to suit conditions, seasonality, and guest interests, ensuring every tour is both productive and unforgettable.
As an OM System Ambassador since 2023, Bridgette represents the brand through her fieldwork and education, showcasing the power of lightweight, weather-sealed camera gear in extreme environments while inspiring photographers to push creative boundaries in macro and wildlife photography.
Recently reaching 5000 Observations on iNaturalist, Bridgette is a self-proclaimed ‘Nature Nerd’. She’s had many careers, including wildlife conservation, including a number of campaigns with Sea Shepherd.
Let’s Go Buggin Tours run in a growing list of locations: Sydney, Singapore, Sumatra and India.
Bridgette has written numerous Blogs ‘Buggin with Bridgey’ which highlights many of the critters found as part of her Tour Guiding sessions over the years.
This immersive 3-day macro photography experience is personally guided by Bridgette Gower, giving you direct access to her deep local knowledge and passion for the tiny world of the tropics. In a relaxed, small-group setting of like-minded photographers, Bridgette takes you to some of Cairns’ best macro “hotspots,” helping you find, photograph, and truly understand the incredible diversity of subjects around you. With hands-on guidance in real natural environments, you’ll build your skills while capturing everything from intricate daytime details to the fascinating creatures that emerge after dark. The experience is all-inclusive, with return hotel transfers throughout, three nights’ accommodation with breakfast, classroom workshop, and optional macro camera rental for those who need it.
Your journey begins in the lush surrounds of the Cairns Botanic Gardens, where Bridgette introduces you to her “Buggin” style of macro photography—teaching you how to spot subjects, approach them, and capture them creatively. After a relaxed café break, you’ll sit down together for a classroom workshop, a relaxing afternoon before heading back out in the evening for a guided night walk. This is when Bridgette’s experience really shines, as she reveals a completely different world of nocturnal wildlife.
Over the following days, Bridgette leads you to a variety of carefully selected locations across the Cairns region, chosen to suit the season, conditions, and the group’s interests. Each morning session builds your confidence and expands your portfolio, while afternoons give you time to rest or explore at your own pace. As night falls, you’ll head back into the field for new night walk experiences, with fresh species, behaviours, and photographic opportunities each evening.
By the final day, you won’t just be taking better photos—you’ll be seeing the natural world differently. With Bridgette guiding you every step of the way, you’ll finish with a final macro session and one last unforgettable night walk, wrapping up a truly personal and immersive tropical photography experience.
Arrive in Cairns, Make your way to Hotel – Hotel Not Include
Dinner – Not Included
7:30 pm Welcome Mocktails & Trivia Night with Cairns Top Buggers (Annual Members) – Included
Pickup from Hotel 8 am – Included
Morning Buggin Macro Session in Cairns Botanic Gardens 8:30 to 11 am – Included
Coffee / Lunch at Tank 43 Cafe – Included
Classroom Workshop 11:30 to 2pm – Included
Transfer to Hotel – Included
Free Time / Dinner – Not Included
Pickup from Hotel 6:30 pm – Included
Night Walk in Cairns Botanic Gardens – Included
Transfer Back to Hotel 9:30 pm – Included
Pickup from Hotel 8 am – Included
Morning Buggin Macro Session in New Location TBA 8:30 to 11 am – Included
Transfer to Hotel – Included
Free Time / Dinner – Not Included
Pickup from Hotel 4pm OR 6:30 pm TBA* – Included
*Picnic Dinner (if departing at 4pm) – Included
Night Walk in New Location TBA – Included
Transfer Back to Hotel 9:30 pm – Included
Pickup from Hotel 8 am – Included
Morning Buggin Macro Session in New Location TBA 8:30 to 11 am – Included
Transfer to Hotel – Included
Free Time / Dinner – Not Included
Pickup from Hotel 4pm OR 6:30 pm TBA* – Included
*Picnic Dinner (if departing at 4pm) – Included
Night Walk in New Location TBA – Included
Transfer Back to Hotel 9:30 pm – Included
* On one of the afternoons we will pickup 4pm and drive to a location a little further away, arrive, short afternoon walk, picnic dinner, then Night Walk.
Items listed with ‘Not Included’ in above Itinerary
Flights to and/or from Cairns
Pickup/Drop offs to Cairns Airport
Camera Rental is available (pending availability) book online as part of your ticket or contact us with enquiry
