The Genesis of the Odyssey
Girt by Sea: An Aerial Odyssey of Australia’s Coastline
The word “girt” is an old English term, meaning encircled or surrounded. When Peter McCormick chose it in 1878 for the lyrics of Advance Australia Fair, Australia’s national anthem, he doubtlessly envisioned the vast, sweeping coastline of this island continent—a seemingly endless perimeter of over 35,000 kilometres, bounded by three great oceans and three large seas. This single word, girt, evokes a sense of belonging, a natural fortification formed by the meeting of land and water, a defining aspect of Australia’s natural features.
For most Australians, this coastal embrace remains an abstract concept. Few will ever witness its entirety, and even fewer will attempt to capture its grandeur in its full, uninterrupted expanse. To explore it in its totality is an ambitious undertaking—one that requires vision and an insatiable curiosity about the land we call home.
Such was the ambition that gave birth to Girt by Sea, an unparalleled aerial photography expedition undertaken by Australian photographers, Tony Hewitt and Denis Glennon. It was a journey of epic proportions—one that sought to redefine our visual understanding of this nation’s most defining boundary. Flying in a light aircraft, we set out to achieve something never attempted before: a complete circumnavigation of the Australian continent through the lens of fine-art aerial photography.
A Vision Born from Adventure and Curiosity
Every great journey begins with a spark of an idea, rooted in a sense of wonder and a longing for discovery. For us, this idea was fired by our fascination with the coast, the natural world, and the profound impact of imagery in shaping human perception. A desire to capture the raw, unfiltered beauty of Australia’s shorelines from the air led us to embark on an odyssey that would span thousands of kilometres and a year of meticulous planning.
This journey was not simply about photography; it was an act of storytelling—an attempt to translate the ever-changing coastal landscapes into a visual language that we could share with the world. From the ochre-toned cliffs of the Kimberley to the pristine white beaches of the Whitsundays, from the rugged, wave-beaten edges of Tasmania to the vast stretches of remote Western Australia, every segment of this journey held its own unique character, its own story waiting to be revealed and told.
The Coastline: Where the Known Meets the Unknown
Australia’s relationship with its coastline is deeply ingrained in its cultural and historical identity. For over 65,000 years, Indigenous Australians have lived in harmony with the land and sea, drawing sustenance, spirituality, and a sense of belonging from its land and waters. The arrival of European explorers brought a different perspective—one of charting and drafting, of defining boundaries and naming territories.
Today, while Australians may feel a sense of familiarity with the coastline, much of it remains unexplored, uninhabited, and untouched. It is a paradox—at once a symbol of home and security, yet an ever-shifting frontier of mystery. The very nature of the coast defies containment; it is transient, shaped by tides, rains, storms, erosion, and time itself.
Through our aerial lens, we sought to unveil these hidden dimensions—to expose the
textures, forms, and patterns that define this narrow strip where land meets sea. Our images are not just depictions of landscapes; they are portraits of time, of elements in perpetual motion, of a living, breathing edge that continues to shape the Australian identity.
A Journey of Extremes
Flying at altitudes perfect for capturing intricate details yet high enough to appreciate vast compositions, we encountered the full force of Australia’s geographical and meteorological diversity. The journey took us over windswept capes, through unpredictable weather systems, across the unbroken horizon of the Outback meeting the sea.
The logistics of the expedition were complex. Careful flight planning was essential to account for fuel stops, changing light conditions, and the need to position the aircraft at the perfect vantage points for capturing compelling imagery. Every take-off brought with it a new challenge—sometimes the golden light of dawn illuminated the shore with breathtaking clarity; other times, dense cloud cover cast an ethereal mood over the water. The coastline’s remoteness posed its own challenges, with vast sections of uninhabited wilderness stretching for hundreds of kilometres with no sign of human presence.
Yet it was precisely this remoteness that made the expedition so compelling. Australia is a land with more shoreline than souls, a place where the human footprint is minimal in comparison to the enormity of its landscapes. The images captured during Girt by Sea reveal this beautifully—a coastline shaped not by human hands, but by the timeless forces of wind, water, and geological transformation.
The Australian Psyche and the Call of the Wild
Australians have always been drawn to the wildness of their land. The spirit of adventure runs deep in the national consciousness, from the early explorers who braved the unknown to the modern-day wanderers who pack their 4WDs and caravans in search of solitude and adventure. The coast represents both a boundary and an invitation—an edge that is both final and infinite.
To stand at the shore is to face the vastness of the world beyond, to feel the pull of the horizon, to dream of distant lands. It is this same pull that inspired Girt by Sea—a yearning to see what lies beyond the familiar, to push the boundaries of artistic and geographical exploration.
The journey revealed not just the landscape but also something deeper—the way in which the coastline resonates within the Australian soul. It is a connection forged through generations, an intrinsic part of the national identity. Even in an age of rapid urbanisation, Australians remain coastal dwellers at heart, drawn to the sea for recreation, inspiration, and renewal.
Capturing the Essence of a Continent
Advancements in photography have allowed us to document the world in ways never before possible. While the early explorers could only describe their discoveries in words and approximate sketches, today we have the power to capture the subtlest details of a landscape from thousands of feet above. Our aerial perspective unveils the Australian coastline as it has never been seen before - transforming beaches, cliffs, river mouths, and tidal currents and flats into intricate works of art.
The fine-art imagery has translated the language of land and sea into a visual symphony - a testament to the raw, untamed beauty of the continent’s edges. The textures, the interplay of light and shadow, the meeting of deep blue waters with arid desert hues—all are preserved in stunning clarity, offering a perspective that is both intimate and expansive.
A Journey Fulfilled; A Vision Shared
To experience Girt by Sea was to fulfil a lifelong ambition - a rare opportunity to witness and document the vastness of Australia in a way few ever will. It was a privilege not just to embark on this journey, but to share it with the world - to offer a glimpse into the breathtaking, enigmatic beauty of our island home.
This project would not have been possible without the dedication and assistance of others. Deep gratitude is extended to the skilled pilots who navigated the skies with constant precision, to the supporters who believed in the vision, and especially to Canon Australia for its generous sponsorship.
Girt by Sea is more than a photographic expedition - it is an invitation. An invitation to see Australia anew, to appreciate the extraordinary in the seemingly familiar, and to embrace the spirit of exploration that lies within us all.