Photography Tour - South Island Icons

Do you only have a short period of time in New Zealand, or maybe wish to combine a photography tour with your independent vacation? Then this 8 day tour taking in the South Island's favourite locations is ideal. Beginning in the lakeside town of Queenstown, our journey takes us into the heart of the Southern Alps, through Otago's Lord of the Rings country and out to the deep fiords of Milford Sound.

Please note this tour starts and finishes in Queenstown.

The route we travel provides many opportunities to capture some of New Zealand's most loved scenery. Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest peak at 3754m (12,316ft) mesmerizes visitors, and the accessibility of the Mt Cook National Park makes it possible for us to photograph from a variety of locations.

At Queenstown, the Remarkables' jagged line of peaks are contrasted beautifully by the deep blue waters of Lake Wakatipu. Nearby are numerous landscape scenes recognisable from the spectacular Lord of the Rings films. An overnight stay at Milford Sound, described as the eighth wonder of the world, ensures we have hours of photographing in the mood-enhancing twilights, and our boat journey through the fiord to the open sea is magical in any weather.

Highlights

The South Island is packed with an incredible range of superb locations and the highlights on this 8-day adventure include:

Tour duration: 8 Days
2012 Tour dates: March 24 - 31, November 16 – 23

Group size: Maximum 8 participants. Small group fee applies when less than 5 guests travelling.

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Day one QUEENSTOWN
Arrive at Queenstown and transfer to our accommodation to freshen up before we unpack our cameras and explore the mountain terrain near the township.

Day two QUEENSTOWN
An early departure for Glenorchy, at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu, gives us an opportunity to capture this region in the best light. Many locations we visit this morning will be recognised from The Lord of the Rings films and make magnificent subjects for us to shoot. In the afternoon we return to the township where there is an opportunity to relax, do a spot of shopping or for a surge of adrenalin there's the bungy jump and jetboating. Later this afternoon we meet again and set up to photograph the Remarkables mountain range.
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Day three QUEENSTOWN - MILFORD SOUND

This morning we leave Queenstown and make our way to Milford Sound. The drive to the fiord is every bit as spectacular as the destination, and visitors are always overwhelmed by the grandeur of the landscape. We stop to photograph dramatic glacial valleys, expansive mountain vistas and forest-fringed lakes. No doubt at one of our stops we will be greeted by the cheeky mountain parrot, the kea. Later in the afternoon we arrive at Milford Sound and shoot the fiord as the sun sets.

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Day four MILFORD SOUND - QUEENSTOWN
After photographing Mitre Peak at sunrise we take a boat journey along the fiord and out to the Tasman Sea. As well as shooting this incredible landscape of sheer mountains, cascading waterfalls and untouched coastline it is possible we will see seals and dolphins. After our cruise we spend the rest of the day photographing at different locations in the Fiordland National Park as we make our way back to Queenstown.
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Day five QUEENSTOWN - AORAKI/MT COOK NATIONAL PARK
We leave early this morning and drive north towards Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest peak. We stop along the way to shoot rural scenes, including the tussocked hills of the Lindis Pass. Arriving at the Mt Cook Village in the late afternoon we take an easy hike in to the National Park to photograph Aoraki/Mt Cook from the Hooker Valley.
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Day six AORAKI/MT COOK NATIONAL PARK
After a sunrise shoot of the Tasman Valley we spend the rest of the day exploring the Park, and later in the afternoon take a hike into the hills to capture the stunning views, and hopefully a glowing alpine sunset.
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Day seven AORAKI/MT COOK NATIONAL PARK - QUEENSTOWN
Another early start to capture sunrise before breakfast. We then start the journey back to Queenstown, photographing along the way. We arrive in Queenstown in the late afternoon.
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Day eight QUEENSTOWN - DEPART
Our last shoot this morning at a high country lake location. After we return to our accommodation there may be time to do some last minute shopping, change your mind about doing the bungy jump or just relax on the lakefront over coffee.
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Your Guide is a New Zealand Landscape Photographer

Phillip Bartlett is a New Zealander and his regional knowledge, friendly, courteous manner and organizational skills will make all the difference to your success and enjoyment on tour. Also, to help you capture great images and improve your photography, he is always willing to share tips and techniques at each location, and his passion for photography is infectious. After travelling with Phillip for a few days we are sure you won't want the tour to end!