A new photography book is shining a light on the striking natural beauty of Sydney Harbour. Here’s how you can win a copy.
Sydney Harbour is the city’s crown jewel, famous for its green and yellow ferries, iconic bridge and sparkling white Opera House. But beyond these well-known landmarks lies another world of natural beauty, one that many Sydneysiders don’t get to see.
That’s the focus of Sydney Harbour Natural Wonder: Above Below & Beyond, a new photography book by local photographer, documentarian, diver and boat captain Zane Kamat.
For more than 15 years, Zane has explored and photographed Sydney’s waterways, cliffs, bushland and marine environments, building an extraordinary personal archive shaped by patience, specialist local knowledge and a genuine love of the harbour.
That personal archive, which goes far beyond the usual postcard views, will be available to purchase from November. Priced at $90, it’s the perfect coffee table book for lovers of Sydney, regardless of whether you’re a local or a visitor.
The 52-year-old Randwick local shared his insights into Sydney Harbour’s natural beauty, revealed his favourite spots around the city and explained how we can help protect this precious ecosystem for generations to come.
Protecting Sydney Harbour
For Zane, Sydney Harbour doesn’t get its flowers as a natural wonder, with too much focus put on its skyline and surrounding infrastructure.
“It’s under-recognised as one of Australia’s greatest natural treasures. The world’s largest natural harbour with hugely diverse plant, animal and marine life right in the heart of Australia’s biggest city,” he says.
“Sydney Harbour’s profile needs to be elevated to the same iconic level as the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, to ensure its conservation and protection are guaranteed for generations.”
Zane hopes that his book “will help play a role in working towards this”, by capturing rare wildlife encounters and the wealth of species that dwell beneath (and above) the water.
One of his favourite photographs in the book features a weedy seadragon, an extraordinary marine creature known for its psychedelic colours and distinctive appearance. Found only in southern Australia, including around Sydney Harbour Heads, it’s a perfect example of the underwater wonders hiding in plain sight.
“It shows what is truly unique about underwater Sydney,” Zane says of the photograph.
The photographer is also passionate about protecting the foreshore of Sydney Harbour. He tells us that his next project will be focused on working with causes campaigning to keep harbourfront land in public hands rather than selling it to developers.
He’d also like to see the harbour’s neglected wharves expanded and upgraded, making its hidden corners more accessible to locals, boaters and tourists.
Zane also reveals his favourite Sydney spots beyond the Harbour. Bronte Ocean Pool is his go-to for a morning swim, while Taylors Bay is his favourite beach as it offers “the sounds of the forest, native birdlife, wildflowers and the calm, clear water on a good day”.
If he’s going out for lunch, it will be at RANSA Sailing Club, which “feels like you could be on the south coast of NSW on the water, but it’s inner-city Sydney. Best nourish bowl around as well!”
Through his photography, Zane hopes to encourage readers to look beyond the famous landmarks and discover the extraordinary living ecosystem right on their doorstep.
How to win a copy
Want to see Sydney Harbour through Zane’s lens? We’re giving readers the chance to win a copy of Sydney Harbour Natural Wonder: Above Below & Beyond, valued at $90.
