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10 iPhone hacks to take travel photos like a pro

Emily MurphyBy Emily Murphy
The new iPhone is almost here, and it could change the way we capture our travels.

I have been hanging out for the iPhone 17 Pro to launch before upgrading my iPhone 14 Pro. Back when I bought the 14 Pro, it was top of the line, but smartphone cameras are advancing at lightning speed. Every generation seems to reinvent what pocket photography can do, and this one has me particularly excited. With three 48MP rear lenses, improved low-light performance and cinematic zoom, it will be like carrying a mini DSLR in my carry-on.

Three women of the Yakel tribe in Tanna, Vanuatu
A photo of three women from the Yakel tribe taken on an iPhone 14 Pro. (Image: Emily Murphy)

Now, before you say that iPhone photos will never quite measure up to a real DLSR, which is true to an extent, iPhone quality isn’t what it used to be. I’ve had multiple images published in our print magazines that I took on my iPhone, including a stunning portrait of three young women from the Yakel tribe in Tanna, Vanuatu, which is the best picture I’ve ever taken.

And because I travel for a living, I have learnt that even the best camera is wasted without the right tricks. Here are the hacks I swear by to take my iPhone travel photos from “holiday snaps" to “wish you were here" moments.

1. Use the grid for symmetry

Josef Chromy Wines in Launceston, Tasmania
The grid is your trusty sidekick. (Image: Emily Murphy)

Head to Settings > Camera > Grid and switch it on. Lining up the horizon on the lower third makes that endless outback road look like it belongs on a movie poster.

2. Shoot in ProRAW

Uluru at sunset
Shoot in ProRAW and edit the image later. (Image: Emily Murphy)

Standing at the base of Uluṟu or floating on a canoe in the Cocos Keeling Islands deserves more than a quick snap. Switch to ProRAW mode to capture all the detail you can, then polish it later without losing sky colour or texture.

3. Master night mode

From street food markets in Melbourne to light shows in Adelaide, night mode on the iPhone 17 Pro captures vibrant colour and sharp detail. Hold steady for a few seconds and watch the magic appear.

4. Use the telephoto lens with confidence

Direction Island in the Cocos Keeling Islands
For the first time ever, all three iPhone lenses are the same quality. (Image: Emily Murphy)

Sometimes you cannot get closer, like when you are peering over a cliff edge or watching wildlife from afar. The 17 Pro’s new 5x telephoto zoom makes it possible to frame details without sacrificing quality.

5. Go ultra-wide for landscapes

Wollongong oceanscape
Use ultra-wide to show scale. (Image: Emily Murphy)

From Tasmania’s Bay of Fires to The Kimberley’s Horizontal Falls, the ultra-wide lens is perfect for showing the scale of a place. Tilt your phone upwards slightly to exaggerate the height of cliffs or mountains.

6. Capture motion with Live Photos

Hold down the shutter to record a few seconds of movement. Crashing waves, lanterns drifting into the sky, or a kookaburra mid-flight will bring your memories to life. Later, you can even turn these into long exposure shots.

7. Edit on the fly

Sunset in Brooklyn, NYC
Edit your pictures as you go. (Image: Emily Murphy)

Travelling light? The built-in editing tools do more than enough. Bring out shadows, soften highlights and use the vibrance slider instead of saturation for natural-looking colour.

8. Clean the lens every time

Hamilton Island
Don’t forget to clean your lens. (Image: Emily Murphy)

It sounds basic, but a quick wipe before shooting makes all the difference. Think of it as part of your pre-photo ritual.

9. Pack a pocket light

Natural light is king, but travel does not always deliver perfect conditions. A small portable light can rescue a dim hotel room, a moody restaurant, or a shadowy temple interior. I always carry one, and it makes a huge difference. This is the one I use .

10. Shoot video with intention

If you haven’t added the Cocos Keeling Islands to your bucket list, now’s your time!

The iPhone 17 Pro is a beast for video, with cinematic mode, stabilisation and Dolby Vision HDR. The trick is to treat it like you are directing a film. Move slowly, only pan with purpose and use both hands for stability. Bonus points if you have a gimbal. Short clips are best for editing later, and always think about capturing sound – a bustling market or crashing waves can bring your travel video to life.

The iPhone 17 Pro is already a powerhouse for travel photography, but the real magic comes when you learn how to use it well. With a few simple hacks, your shots will capture the spirit of your travels so vividly that your friends will feel like they are right there beside you.

Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
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No time to hibernate: experience the best of winter in NSW

    Kate BettesBy Kate Bettes
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    Whales breaching, fires crackling and slow-cooked feasts that make the cold so cosy, one might wish it lasted longer. Winter is no time to stay at home in NSW.

    When the mercury drops, winter in NSW comes into its own. Beaches are quieter, the air is crisper and hearty food tastes even better when there’s ice on the windows.

    Winter here isn’t for hiding away. It’s for long walks, deep baths, deeper reds and the kind of fireside lounging that feels simultaneously indulgent and entirely deserved after a day of exploring. From whale-watching up north to moodily lit bushwalks and pastry pilgrimages, we’ve mapped out your new favourite season.

    a beach winter in nsw
    From coastal walks to tasty delights, winter in NSW is a time to get out and about.

    The Tweed

    In winter, the NSW north coast has a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest migrations. From May to November, humpbacks cruise past the Tweed coast between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef. Spot them from the Cabarita Beach headland or get up closer with a boat cruise.

    Inland, find the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre , which is home to a rotating cast of big-name exhibitions (including Monet).

    Later, grab a table at Bistro Livi , where the modern Spanish menu features whipped salt cod on toast and spanner crab with curry butter and spelt flatbread. Stick around to poke through the artist studios and indie boutiques of M|Arts Precinct .

    visitors at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre
    Browse the art. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The next day, jump aboard the Indigenous Lunch Cruise with Tweed Escapes. You’ll cruise upriver listening to yarns from local Indigenous guides, stop at the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Museum and tuck into lemon myrtle-crusted snapper.

    Next, drive out to Farm & Co to pull apart some juicy smoked lamb shoulder with green olive tapenade while gazing out over the macadamia fields and avocado groves of this working farm.

    End the day at Mantra on Salt Beach where you’ll enjoy beach access, a heated rock spa and a lagoon pool.

    dining room at Bistro Livi
    Taste modern Spanish at Bistro Livi.

    Blue Mountains

    The cold season is hands down the best time to visit the Blue Mountains. Temperatures are perfect – sunny enough for hikes, and crisp enough at night for snuggling up.

    For a trip that equally soothes and stirs, start with a meditative meander through the national park’s eucalypts and Australian wildflowers. Brave the steepest passenger railway in the world, Scenic Railway , then hop the Skyway aerial cable car for unrivalled Three Sisters views.

    Thaw out at the Japanese Bath House in South Bowenfels. Soak in steamy outdoor onsens filled with natural mineral water and mountain views, wander the rose and zen gardens, or sip hot drinks in the tea house.

    group leader at Blue Mountains Stargazing
    Rug up for Blue Mountains Stargazing. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Afterwards, head to Ates in Blackheath, where everything revolves around a 150-year-old ironbark-fuelled oven – like the wood-roasted duck with nectarines and Szechuan spice. Or visit Tempus Katoomba , which leans experimental and sustainable, serving up dishes like braised fennel with cumin, spiced yogurt and Aleppo pepper.

    Rug up and head into the night with Blue Mountains Stargazing . Sessions are guided by astrophysicists, helping you understand what you’re looking at as you look into deep space.

    Wrap it all up at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – MGallery Collection . There’s a whiskey bar in the basement (and crackling fires that make a dram taste even better), indoor and outdoor pools and a day spa. Kids will love the mirror maze and ice rink, too.

    dishes laid out on table at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains
    End the day with delicious meals at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Southern Highlands

    Good food and wine by the fire, experienced between sifting through second-hand treasures, is a winter vibe in Bowral.

    Start with a lap around Dirty Janes , an antique and vintage market. Recover from your shopping frenzy at Bendooley Book Barn , where floor-to-ceiling shelves and a roaring fire set the tone for an afternoon of red wine or hot coffee.

    When it’s time to eat, head to Hickory’s Restaurant & Bar , Peppers Craigieburn Bowral’s onsite restaurant. Try the crispy pork belly with Granny Smith crisps and apple gel, or ocean trout with wakame, lemon gel and pickled radish.

    couple looking through Dirty Janes in bowral
    Wander the antiques at Dirty Janes. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Another option, Onesta Cucina , does Italian with flair. For something more casual (with cocktails), Flour Bar swings between brunch and dinner, with an onsite bakery, over 400 wines and a hidden deli in the old bank vault.

    Later, clamber Mt Gibraltar , where trails wind through eucalypt forest to views over Bowral and Mittagong.

    Stay at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral , a century-old estate with open fires, elegant lounges and a nine-hole golf course.

    woman and her dog winter in nsw at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral
    Stay cosy at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral.

    Penrith

    Shake off winter inertia with an adrenaline boost out in Penrith. Kick things off with a kayak paddle on the Nepean River with Horizon Line, or head to Cables Wake Park , where cold-weather wetsuits take the edge off a wipeout.

    For something a bit more cruisy, opt for the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler for slow-floating views and a hot cuppa.

    kayakers on the nepean river in penrith
    Head out on the Nepean River. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Refuel at Marcel Bar & Bistro , where reimagined European comfort food – like seafood risotto in bisque with little neck clams and Moreton Bay bugs – is king. Then check in at the Pullman Sydney Penrith , the area’s first international five-star hotel, to enjoy your well-earned rest.

    Pullman Penrith
    Set yourself up at Pullman Penrith.

    Start planning your NSW winter getaway at all.com.