Serpentine Falls

Serpentine Falls lies south of the city of Perth, Western Australia. It is a small, narrow valley with a pool surrounded by rocky valley walls, trees, and a small little water fall that typically always flows (Serpentine Dam upstream usual keeps up a bit of a flow). It is a popular swimming hole by day, with a good size parking area for visitors. Entry into the falls requires payment.

At night they close the gates (at 5pm), and therefore there is no car access. However, talking to the ranger, access by foot is still permitted after hours if one is happy leaving their car outside the gates. From the gate to the falls is a ten minute walk - which can be quite tiring if carrying a fair bit of camera equipment.

The falls itself is not large, little more than a trickle but large enough to appear in photos. I found that due to narrow confines, it is very, very dark. If there is no moon then there is little ambient light to light up the foreground, and this can only be done with artificial means, or timing it such that the moon is up and providing some illumination.

Another consideration is that from the stone platform that is at the pool, the only view of the falls is to the east. Everywhere else you'll be standing in the pool of water. Otherwise, it may be possible to do other compositions if the Milkyway is close to zenith (and might even be a great shot with the narrow valley walls surrounding the core of the galaxy above in a wide angle shot). I haven't tried, and haven't been back to give it a go - maybe someone could do it and show me the results.