Planning your University of Wollongong graduation photos and wondering where to shoot? After years of photographing UOW graduates, we've learned exactly which corners of campus — and which spots around Wollongong — make graduation photos look incredible.


This guide shares our favourite UOW graduation photo spots, the best Wollongong locations to add to your session, the best time of day to shoot and a sample itinerary for your graduation photoshoot. If you'd rather leave the planning to a professional, our Wollongong graduation photography guide explains how our sessions work.


The Best Graduation Photo Spots on the UOW Wollongong Campus


UOW's Wollongong campus sits at the foot of Mount Keira, with leafy gardens, water features and a mix of brick and modern architecture. Here are the spots our graduates love most.


Graduate in blue gown and cap holding a bouquet while posing in front of the University of Wollongong Australia sign.

1. The University of Wollongong Sign

The classic. A portrait in your gown in front of the "University of Wollongong Australia" sign instantly tells everyone where you earned your degree — it's the photo parents and grandparents always ask for. Arrive early on ceremony days, as queues form quickly.


2. Duck Pond Lawn & McKinnon Lawn

The open lawns, water and shady trees around the Duck Pond and McKinnon Lawn are perfect for relaxed portraits, family groups and that all-important cap toss. The trees soften harsh sunlight, so these spots work well even in the middle of the day.


3. Tree-Lined Walkways & Gardens

UOW's leafy pathways and native gardens create a lush, green backdrop with beautiful depth. They're ideal for candid walking shots with friends and natural, editorial-style portraits.


Two graduates in blue gowns and caps walk and chat along a tree-lined path, celebrating their graduation day on campus.
Two college graduates in blue caps and gowns hold hands and smile back at the camera while standing on a sunny, tree-lined lawn.

4. The UOW Library

Rows of bookshelves make a moody, scholarly backdrop that's perfect for graduation portraits — a nod to all those hours spent studying. Always be respectful of students who are still studying, and check with library staff before taking photos inside.


5. Campus Feature Walls & Ceremony-Day Backdrops

Look out for UOW's colourful feature walls and branded signage, plus the photo backdrops that pop up around University Hall during graduation week. They're fun, bright and great for quick photos with friends between the ceremony and celebrations.


6. Open Lawns for the Cap Toss

Every graduation gallery needs a cap toss. Head to an open lawn with clear sky behind you — we'll time the throw and capture it with a fast shutter so every cap is frozen mid-air.


Two people pose behind large white #ThisIsUOW letters outside a campus building under a bright blue sky.
Graduate in a blue gown and glasses tosses a blue mortarboard into the air on a tree-lined path, celebrating graduation day.
Graduate in a blue academic gown tosses her graduation cap into the air while smiling outdoors beneath tall evergreen trees.
Group of graduates in blue gowns and caps smiling for a photo beside large white letters on a sunny campus lawn.
Five smiling female graduates in blue gowns and caps pose together outdoors at a sunny university graduation ceremony.
Graduate in blue cap and gown with red stole stands beside large white hashtag letters on a grassy lawn at an outdoor commencement ceremony.
Graduate in a blue gown and cap holding a diploma beside large white hashtag letters on a sunny lawn, with graduates and tents behind.
Three smiling graduates in blue gowns and caps hold their diplomas at an outdoor graduation ceremony with guests and tents behind them.
Three smiling female graduates in blue gowns and caps hold their diplomas at an outdoor university graduation ceremony.
Smiling graduate in a blue cap and gown holds flowers and a teddy bear while posing with a man in a gray suit and traditional hat.
Smiling graduates in blue caps and gowns celebrate at an outdoor graduation ceremony while a woman holds a pink flower bouquet.
A graduate in a blue gown and cap poses with two family members in front of a UOW Graduation Ceremony Congratulations banner.
Smiling graduates in blue gowns and caps walk together along a path holding bouquets of flowers and diplomas on a sunny campus.
Three smiling graduates in blue caps and gowns walk outdoors holding bouquets of flowers and a diploma folder on graduation day.
Graduate in a blue cap and gown browses books on tall library shelves filled with academic volumes.
Female graduate in blue gown and cap holds an open book while standing between library shelves at the University of Wollongong.
Three graduates in blue gowns and caps walk away along a brick path through lush tropical greenery on graduation day.
Smiling graduate in a blue gown and cap stands with clasped hands between tall library bookshelves.
Three smiling graduates in blue gowns and caps pose together outdoors, one holding a pink bouquet, surrounded by green tropical plants.
Three smiling female graduates in blue gowns and caps walk hand in hand outside a university building on campus.
Three smiling graduates in blue gowns, caps and red stoles walking arm in arm outside a campus building.
Three female graduates in blue gowns and red stoles walk together holding hands past a campus building surrounded by trees.
Three smiling female graduates in blue gowns and caps hold hands while walking outdoors near a university building on graduation day.
Three joyful female graduates in blue gowns laugh and pose together between tall library bookshelves.
Three female graduates in blue gowns and caps smile and embrace between tall library bookshelves filled with books.
Graduate in a blue cap and gown sits on a stool beside a white table holding two colorful bouquets of pink and purple flowers.
Three graduates in blue gowns and caps hold flowers outside the Michael Bird Library at the University of Wollongong.
Three smiling women in royal blue graduation gowns and caps pose together indoors, two standing and one seated on a stool between them.
Three female graduates in blue gowns and caps sit together chatting and smiling inside a bright university building.
Three female graduates in blue gowns and caps laugh together while seated in a modern university space.
Three smiling graduates in blue gowns and caps hold bouquets of flowers while posing together on a brick path lined with trees.
Three smiling female graduates in blue gowns and caps pose outdoors holding flower bouquets and a teddy bear on a tree-lined path.
Graduate in a blue gown and cap holds a white bouquet beside the University of Wollongong Australia sign during graduation photos.
Smiling graduate in a blue gown and mortarboard holds flowers while posing at the University of Wollongong Australia entrance sign.
Graduate in a blue gown and cap holding a pink bouquet beside the University of Wollongong Australia sign on graduation day.
Joyful graduate in a blue gown poses on a wooden boardwalk, holding a teddy bear in a graduation gown and a pink bouquet.
Smiling graduate in a blue gown and cap holds a teddy bear and pink bouquet while posing on a wooden deck near tall green grass.
Graduate in a blue gown smiles while holding her mortarboard cap with tassel in a green outdoor setting.
Graduate in a blue cap and gown holds a bouquet of pink flowers and a teddy bear in a graduation outfit while standing outdoors by greenery.
Three graduates in blue gowns and caps walk away from the camera along a paved path past lush green trees.
Three graduates in blue gowns toss caps and pose playfully in front of the University of Wollongong Australia sign.
Three female graduates in blue gowns celebrate by raising caps and kicking up heels at the University of Wollongong sign.
Three graduates in blue gowns celebrate and toss caps in the air outside the University of Wollongong Australia sign.
Three University of Wollongong Australia graduates in blue gowns and caps walk arm in arm down brick steps beneath the university sign.
Graduate in blue gown strikes a joyful dance pose with raised arm in front of the University of Wollongong Australia sign.

Graduation Photo Locations Around Wollongong


Want your graduation gallery to show off the Illawarra too? These locations are all a short drive from campus and pair beautifully with a UOW session.


Wollongong Botanic Garden

Right next to the university in Keiraville, the Botanic Garden offers rose beds, ponds, palms and wide lawns — a calm, colourful setting for portraits and family photos. See how it photographs in our Wollongong Botanic Garden session.


Wollongong Head Lighthouse & Flagstaff Hill

The historic lighthouse, grassy headland and ocean views make for an iconic Wollongong graduation photo — especially at golden hour. Bring a light jacket, as it can get windy on the hill.


North Beach & the Blue Mile

Sand, sea and the coastal walkway give a relaxed, summery feel to your graduation photos. Late-afternoon light here is stunning. For more beach inspiration, take a look at our Fairy Meadow & Wollongong Beach shoot.


Mount Keira Lookout

For a dramatic panorama over Wollongong and the coastline, head up to Mount Keira. It's perfect for a final "look how far I've come" shot overlooking the city where you studied.


When Is the Best Time for Graduation Photos in Wollongong?


The softest, most flattering light is in the first two hours after sunrise and the last two hours before sunset. UOW's November ceremonies fall in late spring, when midday sun can be strong — so if your ceremony is in the middle of the day, we'll use shaded spots on campus and add an optional golden-hour session at the beach or lighthouse later.


Sample 2-Hour UOW Graduation Photoshoot Itinerary


  1. Arrive and get gowned – we meet you on campus, fix your gown, hood and stole, and start with a few warm-up portraits.
  2. University of Wollongong sign – solo portraits and photos with family.
  3. Duck Pond & lawns – relaxed portraits, group shots with friends and the cap toss.
  4. Walkways, gardens or the library – editorial-style portraits and candid walking shots.
  5. Optional location finish – drive to the Botanic Garden, North Beach or Wollongong Head Lighthouse for golden-hour portraits.


UOW Graduation Photo FAQs


Do I need a permit to take photos on the UOW campus?

Personal graduation photos around the open areas of campus are common, especially during graduation week. Indoor spaces like the library may have their own rules, so we always check before shooting inside.


Can my family and friends join the photoshoot?

Absolutely! Family and friends are a big part of the day. We'll make sure there are group photos as well as individual portraits.


What if it rains on my graduation day?

We keep an eye on the forecast and have covered and indoor backup spots on campus. We can also reschedule the location portion of your session.


Book Your Wollongong Graduation Photoshoot


Purple Bird Photo & Video is a Wollongong-based photography team that has photographed UOW graduates since 2021. To check availability for your ceremony date, call 0490 011 188, email contact@purplebirdphoto.com.au or send us an enquiry.


Want to know more about our packages and process? Read our complete guide: Graduation Photographer in Wollongong — UOW Graduation Photoshoot Guide.