02/08/2026
‘The Gatekeeper’ (2025) Uralla, NSW ❄️
Exactly a year ago today, we were treated to a 1 in 40 year snow event across the Northern Tablelands of NSW. We had spent most of the day driving around capturing scenes just like this before the roads became too treacherous and were closed by mid-afternoon. We spent the night in sub-zero temperatures, sleeping with our dog in the car on the main street of Uralla. Whilst at the time it was quite stressful being stranded without electricity or phone service, we now look back on that experience with great fondness.
This is an image from that day I hadn’t shared – an image of the railway gatekeeper’s cottage just north of Uralla shrouded in snow. Built in 1882, this cottage was constructed at the same time as Uralla railway station. The cottage was originally 1 of 200 constructed on the line, however it is now only one of 20 still standing. Back before gates were controlled automatically, it was the gatekeeper’s responsibility to hang the warning lights as a train approached.
As we drove around that day searching for subjects in the snow, I spotted the red brick contrasting against the white landscape and couldn’t resist stopping to grab a shot.
On a personal note, photography has been on the backfoot for me lately as we have been knee deep restoring and repainting the old timber windows on our house, however in around a month we will be heading back to Tasmania for some much-needed time in nature!
Hope you’ve all been well.
📷✨
1/160 Sec / F7.1 / ISO 100
Canon 6D MkII + 16-35
