The country depicted in these photos is now recovering after one of the worst droughts on record which combined not only record low rainfalls, but the three-year period from 2017 - 2020 was also the hottest.

The amazing colours and the resilience of the outback as water flows through the Murrumbidgee and Lachlan River floodplains is breathtaking and one of the very few silver linings of the pandemic is that more Australians are taking holiday breaks in their own country. If you've never been west of Lithgow you really are missing out on some of the best of what Australia has to offer.

Tom grew up on a farm in far western NSW and knew at a young age his shooting was best done with a camera. With a journalism, media adviser, CEO and now  with his new job working on a plan to release the carp herpes virus into Australia's waterways, photography is part of Tom's everyday work. Outside Australia's capital cities is where Tom does most of his shooting and wandering around regional and rural Australia is home to his 'happy place'. Tom usually has a camera on him and can be followed via Twitter @tomchesson01