Australia’s rugged landscapes, unique wildlife, and dynamic urban centers have long captured the imagination of photographers from around the globe. In 2024, the country’s best photojournalists turned their lenses on every corner of the vast continent, from the remote outback to the bustling streets of Sydney and Melbourne. The resulting images offer a breathtaking visual journey through the heart of Australia, showcasing its natural wonders, cultural riches, and irrepressible spirit.
Majestic Mountains and Pristine Coasts
Australia’s diverse geography takes center stage in many of the year’s most striking photographs. In one unforgettable shot, a flock of cockatoos joins the fray as colorful hot air balloons ascend over Canberra, their feathers and the balloons’ bright patterns standing out against the mist-shrouded mountains in the background. Other images capture the raw power and beauty of Australia’s coastlines, from the wind-whipped surfing hotspot of Winkipop in Victoria to the serene waters of Queensland’s Whitehaven Beach, with its swirls of white silica sand and turquoise sea.
Exploring Australia’s Extremes
Some of the most powerful photos of 2024 document Australia’s weather extremes and the resilience of those who call its rugged landscapes home. An aerial shot of the flooded township of Rochester conveys the scale of the catastrophic flooding that hit the region in January, while images of firefighters battling massive bushfires and farmers toiling under the harsh outback sun serve as poignant reminders of the challenges and triumphs that shape life on the continent.
“There’s a raw beauty to the Australian landscape that draws photographers in, but there’s also a deep respect for the power and unpredictability of nature here. Capturing that balance between beauty and danger, fragility and resilience, is what great Australian photojournalism is all about.”
– David Blaxey, Australian Photography Awards Judge
Wildlife Wonders
No visual exploration of Australia would be complete without a nod to its iconic wildlife. This year’s standout animal shots include an action-packed scene from the Laura Rodeo in Queensland, with a competitor clinging desperately to a bucking bronco; a tender portrait of a koala joey peeking out from its mother’s pouch after the family was rescued from a bushfire zone; and an underwater glimpse of a great white shark cruising the cage-diving waters off South Australia’s Neptune Islands.
- Kangaroos bounding across the Outback
- Koalas munching eucalyptus in the treetops
- Colorful tropical fish in the Great Barrier Reef
Urban Expressions
Australia’s cities pulsate with a vibrant creative energy that comes through in many of 2024’s most memorable urban shots. Splashy scenes from the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras capture the glitz, glam, and inclusivity of the iconic event, while gritty black and white images document the raw emotion of protests and political rallies across the country. In Melbourne, a dazzling shot of pedestrians crossing the rainbow-painted intersection of X and Y Streets embodies the quirky, artsy spirit that sets the cultural capital apart.
Faces and Places
Great photojournalism has the power to connect us to people and stories we might otherwise never encounter, and Australia’s best photographers delivered on that promise in spades throughout 2024. In one heartwarming series, Sudanese refugee Angyer Kon Akot and her young children are seen joyfully splashing in the shallows on their first-ever visit to the beach. In another poignant shot, an Indigenous elder performs a smoking ceremony at dawn on Australia Day, the lines of his face telling a story of resilience, pride, and survival.
| Connecting with Community | Capturing candid moments of laughter, tears, anger, and celebration |
| Showcasing Diversity | Reflecting the many faces and voices that make up modern Australia |
| Exploring Identity | Delving into issues of race, culture, history, and what it means to be Australian |
Visions of the Future
Even as they document Australia’s present, the country’s photojournalists have an eye on the future. Shots of massive wind turbines rising from the rural landscape, sun-drenched solar panels powering remote Indigenous communities, and scientists conducting cutting-edge reef restoration projects all speak to the imperative of building a more sustainable tomorrow. So too do images of young climate activists marching through city streets, their hands raised and voices united in a call for change.
In a world that often feels fractured and uncertain, Australia’s best photojournalism of 2024 offers a unifying vision of a nation defined by its natural grandeur, indomitable spirit, and diverse, dynamic people. By turns provocative and poetic, harrowing and hopeful, these images invite us to see Australia through fresh eyes — and to appreciate anew the power of photography to inspire, educate, and transform.
