A Deep Exploration Journey
The Photographer’s Best Companion – PRO TREK PRT-B50
When people think of Australia, they often picture Sydney Harbour, Melbourne’s architecture, the beaches of the Gold Coast, or the coral of the Great Barrier Reef. Few mention the landscapes of Western Australia. But upon reflection, it makes sense—though Western Australia covers about one-third of Australia’s territory and is the country’s largest state, its vast deserts and salt lakes, coupled with a predominantly arid climate, make it generally unsuitable for human habitation, so it’s often overlooked by travelers. Yet it is precisely because of this that the southwestern deserts of Western Australia hide an unparalleled oasis, as beautiful as paradise.
As seen on the map, Western Australia boasts a long coastline, yet the coastal scenery across its various sites is strikingly different, each with its own unique charm.
Though it’s the same ocean, the presence of reefs, jetties, and sandy beaches adds a special allure. Paired with sand dunes and forests, the scenery is incredibly diverse. Since this trip involved extended outdoor work, I brought along the PRO TREK PRT-B50 to explore a different side of Western Australia.
In Western Australia, there is a place called Perth, known as the world’s most isolated city. It lies over 2,000 kilometers from the nearest major city. Yet, it was in this remote location that our journey began. With limited time, I didn’t have much opportunity to explore the city. I chose to watch the sunrise in the most isolated city and visit one of its finest sights—the waterfront jetties.
At exactly 5:30 a.m., I was awakened by the PRO TREK PRT-B50. Beyond its alarm function, the PRO TREK PRT-B50’s luminescent and lighting features ensure you can always tell the time even in low-light conditions. After a quick wash-up, I set out with the watch toward the small jetty, arriving just in time for sunrise and witnessing the golden sunlight spilling across the water.
After enjoying the sunrise, we headed north to the Nambung National Park, home to the otherworldly Pinnacles Desert. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve visited—it’s my favorite spot for stargazing. Far from city lights and with its unique landscape, the Milky Way is perfectly positioned here, its core centered and stretching across the sky, visible right after sunset. My travel companions had been excitedly briefed on Australia’s starry skies before the trip, so the two-hour drive passed quickly. When we finally saw the star-filled sky, it felt completely worth it.
The magic of Western Australia lies in how, just after marveling at the sunrise and the Milky Way, another breathtaking sight appears. The towering stone pillars in the photo are the Pinnacles. They were formed when this area was once densely vegetated. Over time, sand blown in from the nearby coast gradually covered the land. Plants withered, and through weathering and rain erosion, the softer soil eroded away while the harder earth, anchored by plant roots, gradually petrified into these stone pillars.
Preparations for stargazing need to be done while it’s still light. Using some star map apps and the glow of twilight, I studied the composition with the landscape in mind, noting parameters such as moonset, the Milky Way’s position, and its visibility window. As the sun dipped below the Indian Ocean, the stars gradually became denser, and the Milky Way revealed itself in all its glory.
As the sun rose and the morning breeze brushed our faces, we bid farewell to the desert the next morning and officially began our coastal journey. Traveling south along the coast, the rising terrain revealed completely different coastal landscapes—jagged rocks and crashing waves. One of the most famous spots is Sugarloaf Rock. The path down to the shore wasn’t easy, and our team had quite the adventure getting there.
Sugarloaf Rock isn’t just a uniquely shaped rock in the sea—it’s also a nesting site. Many seabirds choose to breed on its cliffs. Meanwhile, countless shellfish and crabs make their homes within the crevices of the surrounding rocky outcrops, foraging among the waves. It’s truly a remarkable example of nature’s ingenuity, combining ecosystems in a fascinating way.
We spent a long time by the sea, taking plenty of photos. But the weather in Western Australia during late winter and early spring is highly unpredictable. By evening, a sudden downpour caught us off guard. I was completely soaked, but thankfully the PRO TREK PRT-B50’s excellent waterproofing ensured it continued functioning and providing data feedback, allowing our photography work to go on smoothly. I’m already looking forward to next year’s whale-watching season, hoping to wear the PRO TREK PRT-B50 again as I get up close with marine life in Western Australia’s vast ocean.
Aside from Perth, there’s another must-visit town in the southwest called Busselton, located about 220 kilometers south of Perth. Its most iconic attraction is the Busselton Jetty, the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere and the second longest in the world. There’s even a small train that takes visitors to the end of the jetty to enjoy the scenery along the way. Many photography enthusiasts are drawn to this 1,800-meter-long jetty, especially during sunset when it looks particularly serene and picturesque. Unfortunately, we encountered cloudy weather, but it was still beautiful when the lights first came on.
After seeing the jetty and the reefs, we arrived at Albany, Western Australia’s third-largest city. As the southern gateway to the state, Albany boasts stunning and varied scenery, making it a great destination for landscape photographers. One of its most representative sights is the dramatic cliffside views. Walking along the long coastal path and climbing up the cliffs, you’ll be greeted by an indescribably breathtaking scene. The roaring winds, crashing waves, the deep blue sea complementing the overcast sky, and two rocky outcrops extending into the sea like the earth’s tendrils, almost appearing ready to crawl.
The Middleton Beach area lies at the heart of Albany. It attracts visitors not only with its numerous hotels and resorts but also with its beautiful seaside views. At the break of dawn, we joined the steady stream of early morning exercisers, gazing at the soft sandy beach and breathing in the cool sea breeze as a perfect day began.
Albany also has a charming little attraction: an abandoned lighthouse on the seaside cliff. Standing for over a hundred years, it has witnessed the rise of the town and safeguarded passing ships. The old lighthouse is not easy to find—you’ll need to trek through dense jungle to reach it. The PRO TREK PRT-B50’s compass and pedometer functions helped me accurately determine the destination’s location and distance. While admiring Western Australia’s scenery, I couldn’t help but marvel at the PRT-B50’s rich functionality.
After some effort, our team finally found the lighthouse. I found an interesting angle that made the lighthouse look more like a small seaside cottage, its original structure worn down over time. Surrounded by greenery and dotted with lilies, the whole scene became even more picturesque.
During my time using it, the PRT-B50 could transmit real-time data via the PRO TREK app, instantly feeding my activity stats to my smartphone and keeping me updated on my outdoor progress. I really loved this feature.
Additionally, the many functions of the PRO TREK PRT-B50 can be customized through the app, even allowing for personalized adjustments, which is extremely convenient. Calling it a masterpiece of craftsmanship is no exaggeration.
Why did I spend so much time explaining this data synchronization feature? Because it was incredibly helpful during my astrophotography sessions. I often scout locations during the day to prepare for night sky photography. The route data recorded by the PRT-B50 allowed me to accurately find pre-marked spots even in the dark, ensuring I wouldn’t miss any desired shots.
Our final stop in Western Australia was Esperance, the brightest jewel on the state’s expansive coast. Why the brightest jewel? Because to the east of this small town lies Lucky Bay, renowned as one of Australia’s most beautiful beaches. Like other beaches, Lucky Bay has white sands and blue waters, but its flour-like soft sand makes shoes feel unnecessary, and its crystal-clear waters might make you envious of the fish. Even more special is that kangaroos—the most iconic animals of Australia—are fond of this beach, often seen grazing and resting by the shore. Moreover, the wide coastline allows four-wheel drives with proper equipment to drive on the beach. Thus, you’ll see the harmonious coexistence of humans and kangaroos, both enjoying this enchanting scenery.
After admiring Esperance’s beautiful coastline, we began our journey back to where it all started—Perth. Everyone expressed that they weren’t ready to leave and wanted to take a few more photos of the city. So I led the group to South Perth along the Swan River, across from the city center, where we could admire the urban skyline reflected in the water. We stopped by the shore, watching as the sky darkened and neon lights began to glow.
We stayed by the shore until nightfall. Perth’s city at night felt especially tranquil, with the seaside reflections blending seamlessly with the urban architecture to create a unique visual experience.
Under the city’s night lights, our journey through Western Australia came to a perfect end. I’d also like to recommend the PRT-B50. It’s an outdoor watch perfectly suited for adventure and travel photography. Long-term wear doesn’t cause wrist fatigue. Beyond that, its data feedback and convenience far exceeded our expectations, striking a great balance between ease of use and professionalism. In terms of value, the PRT-B50 offers exceptional cost-performance compared to other watches in its class. Considering all these factors, I strongly recommend it to anyone interested in outdoor watches. I also hope to share with you more beautiful scenery, interesting outdoor stories, or high-quality outdoor gear in the future.
PRT-B50 CNY:1,790
PRT-B50 Main Features: *100m Water Resistance *Bezel with Direction Indicators *Dual LED Light *LCD Backlight: High-Brightness Auto LED Light *UV Auto LED Light *Four Sensors (Direction, Temperature, Barometric Pressure/Altitude, Step Counter) *Bluetooth Connectivity *World Time (38 Cities) *Sunrise/Sunset Times *Stopwatch (1/100 sec) *Countdown Timer *Daily Alarms, Hourly Time Signal *Auto Calendar *12/24-Hour Format *Low-Temperature Resistance (-10°C) *Needle Position Control Function