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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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8 incredible hikes just outside of Melbourne

    Australian TravellerBy Australian Traveller
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    Just over an hour from Melbourne, spectacular walking and hiking trails encompass ancient landscapes, forested ridgelines and volcanic peaks.

    Just a short drive from the city, the urban sprawl gives way to rolling hills, mineral springs, and lush forests that will have you feeling like you’re in the bucolic countryside of France. Encompassing Daylesford , the Macedon Ranges, Castlemaine and the Central Goldfields, this pocket of Victoria is a region where nature, art, and wellness intertwine. Heritage towns hum with creativity, good food and wine, and welcoming locals. While Daylesford hikes, and those nearby, offer the chance to take a pause and reconnect with nature.

    1. Hanging Rock Summit Walk

    Hanging Rock Summit Walk
    Take in views across the Macedon Ranges.

    Etched into folklore, few places in Australia carry as much mystique as Hanging Rock. Rising dramatically from the plains near Woodend, this volcanic mamelon offers a beautiful nature walk. The walk begins at a gentle pace, weaving through shaded woodland before it gets a little steeper as the path starts to climb and twist to the summit. From here, you’ll have views that stretch across the Macedon Ranges. The walk is roughly 1.8 kilometres return, but the real reward lies in standing among the weathered boulders, feeling the age and energy of the earth beneath your feet.

    2. Macedon Ranges Walking Trail

    Macedon Ranges Walking Trail camel's hump lookout
    Walk to Camel’s Hump. (Image: Clair Derwort)

    The Macedon Ranges Walking Trail traverses around 19 kilometres of forest and mountain landscapes. The full trail is a six-hour circuit, with most of the walk being a grade three; however, you don’t have to tackle it all at once. There are shorter walks that will take you through the tall mountain ash forests, to tranquil picnic areas, and sweeping views from Camels Hump and the Memorial Cross. The best times of year to head out are autumn, when the mountain turns into a tapestry of crimson and gold, and spring, when wildflowers brighten the trail.

    3. Mount Alexander Traverse

    Mount Alexander Traverse
    Take in the serenity.

    Towering above the goldfields near Castlemaine, Mount Alexander is a granite giant that offers some great bushwalking trails. The Mount Alexander Traverse winds along the mountain’s rocky spine through dry eucalypt forest that opens up in sections to reveal beautiful panoramas across Loddon Valley and all the way to the distant Grampians. Once a site of ancient volcanic activity (and later a gathering place for the Dja Dja Wurrung people), the mountain’s granite tors are now quiet and create a beautiful, serene atmosphere for a moment of reflection while walking.

    4. Murmuring Walk

    Murmuring Walk daylesford hikes
    Circle the picturesque Sanatorium Lake.

    Located an easy drive from Daylesford, Murmuring Walk offers something a little different. Circling Sanatorium Lake, this free audio-guided walk aims to immerse you in the rhythms of Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country by blending the sounds of nature with a multi-layered soundtrack. There are two routes to explore while you listen: a shorter loop around the lake itself and a longer circuit that extends deeper into the woodland.

    5. La Gerche Forest Walk

    La Gerche Forest Walk
    Walk into history on the La Gerche Forest trail.

    Located in Creswick, the La Gerche Forest Walk honours the legacy of John La Gerche, a 19th-century forester who championed the regeneration of the then gold-rush-ravaged land. Today, over 100 years later, his replanting efforts have grown into a living cathedral of towering pines, oaks, and native gums. As you meander along the 2.2-kilometre circuit, you’ll find interpretive panels along the way that help tell the story of La Gerche’s vision, so you can learn as you wander.

    6. Sailors Falls Loop

    Sailors Falls Loop
    See these spectacular falls. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Just outside Daylesford, Sailors Falls tumbles through a fern-lined gorge, fed by mineral springs. Thought to be named after the sailors who jumped ship to seek gold in the area during the 1850s gold rush, the loop walk begins at the car park and descends through a cool, shaded gully to the base of the falls. From here, you’ll make the climb back via the mineral springs. It’s a short but enchanting walk – about 1.5 kilometres in total, so make a day of it by packing a picnic to sit by the springs; you’ll feel worlds away from the city.

    7. Paddys Ranges Loop Walk

    Further north, the Paddys Ranges State Park loop reveals a different side of Victoria’s Heartland – dry forest, golden light and hints of a gold-rush past. This protected reserve is a stronghold of box-ironbark woodland, providing vital refuge for endangered species. In spring, the forest floor is awash with the colour of over 230 species of wildflowers, so a springtime walk is a must-do. As you walk the 4.5-kilometre loop trail, keep an eye out for remnants of old mine shafts and rusted relics from the prospectors who once sought their fortunes here.

    8. Mount Franklin Summit Walk

    Mount Franklin Summit Walk
    Take in forests and waterfalls along the way to the top of Mount Franklin.

    An extinct volcano turned picnic ground, Mount Franklin (known as Lalgambook to the Dja Dja Wurrung people) is one of the region’s quiet marvels. The summit walk follows a narrow, winding path through native forest to the crater’s rim, where you’ll get glimpses of farmland and forest below. It’s a moderate climb – just over an hour return, so it can easily be done if you’re camping in the surrounding reserve for a weekend nature retreat.

    The trails of Victoria’s Heartland offer a chance to reconnect with the landscape, local history and yourself. Start planning your next adventure at daylesfordmacedonlife.com.au.