The Photographer
Megan MacKinnon
Townsville Enterprise Limited
As a photographer, the diversity of landscapes around the North Queensland region is a real treat for Megan MacKinnon.
“I love living in a city full of authentic North Queensland character with Great Barrier Reef islands to our east, World Heritage-listed rainforests to our north, outback charm to our west and beautiful wetlands and farmlands to our south,” Megan says. “There are so many beautiful places to photograph, whether they be vast, scenic views, or mini-scapes hidden away in unexpected places.”
Megan grew up on the Atherton Tablelands, which she credits with instilling her love of nature and the outdoors.
There are so many beautiful places to photograph, whether they be vast, scenic views, or mini-scapes hidden away in unexpected places.
“As a child I can remember going to the Peter Lik photography gallery in Cairns and being inspired,” Megan says. “My personal goal, in terms of my photography, is to establish a distinctive style that’s my point of difference. I think I’m getting there – I regularly have people recognising images as mine because I’ve developed a unique brand through my choice of composition and colours.”
Megan moved to Townsville in 2008 to study at James Cook University, where she completed a Bachelor of New Media Arts with a double major in graphic design and photography. She’s been working full-time as a graphic designer and photographer at Townsville Enterprise since 2011.
“One of the great things about my job is that I’m often out and about exploring our great region,” Megan says. “Our local landscapes are full of colour and charm and, with so much sunshine, North Queensland is always picture-perfect.”
TOP 5 PLACES TO VISIT
01 Castle Hill
This is a great place to get your bearings as a visitor to Townsville and a fantastic vantage point for sunrises and sunsets.
02 The Strand
Family friendly, beautiful views and sunrises, and so many cute dogs.
03 Magnetic Island
Beautiful scenery with giant granite boulders and hoop pines that are quite different to the mainland. The wildlife is also abundant and adorable. Magnetic Island has Northern Australia’s largest colony of wild koalas, which you can see on the many walking tracks. Feeding the rock wallabies at Geoffrey Bay is always fun too. The sunsets at Horseshoe Bay have to be seen to be believed and I’d definitely recommend the Forts Walk.
04 Wallaman Falls
We’re so lucky to have Australia’s highest single-drop waterfall right on our doorstep, up in Hinchinbrook. The views are spectacular from the viewing platform at the top as well as the base of the waterfall.
05 Crystal Creek / Paluma
The Paluma Range National Park is the southern gateway to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Little Crystal Creek and Big Crystal Creek are ideal locations for a picnic, swim, bush walk or barbecue (and a photo or two of course).