Stunning Surf Coast photos win annual calendar

NATURAL Real Estate has revealed the winners of this year’s edition of its annual calendar photo competition.

Noted surf photographer Ed Sloane had the tough task of selecting the 13 winning images from nearly 200 entries, all capturing the beauty of the Surf Coast.

This year, in the competition’s seventh year, the public had their say, with Torquay photographer Courtney Gerdtz taking out the cover with her sensational image of Bells Beach, aptly titled Weekly Board Meeting.

Natural Real Estate director Shaun O’Callaghan said the calendar continues to celebrate the region’s creative talent and coastal lifestyle.

“A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to enter this year,” he said.

“It’s a privilege to call to this incredible place home, and we’re constantly blown away by how you capture its magic through your lens.

“Locals tell us they love sending the calendars overseas as Christmas presents.

“They disappear fast, though, so get in early if you want one.”

The other 2026 calendar competition winners, and their Instagram handles, are:

• Phil Thomson: January (Daybreak) @philthomsonphotography
• Josh Crabtree: February (Bells Beauty) and April (Torquay Point) @joshcrabtreephotography
• Sam Piasente: March (Tragic Paradise) and May (Community Unity) @localbreaks
• Paul Elshaug: June (Sunrise Reflections) and November (BirdRock) @the_simple_still
• Louise Edebone: July (Morning Dip) and December (First Steps) @activeloulou
• Sarah Sillick: August (Serenity South Beach) @bysarahsillick
• Stevie Hendry: September (Layers of Bells) @modernist_graphic_design, and
• Bree McTaggart: October (Coastal Twilight Magic) @breemphotography.

The free calendars are available from Natural Real Estate’s office at 22 Bristol Road, Torquay.