Sluggish luxurious journey: New Zealand’s pictures locations

New Zealand’s otherworldly terrains have been attracting photographers world wide for many years, and it’s not that tough to see why. New Zealand options in motion pictures corresponding to The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and The Chronicles of Narnia for a purpose: New Zealand affords unimaginable and unparalleled magnificence.

At Aroha New Zealand Excursions, our objective is to create pictures excursions which are extra than simply seeing well-known places or attempting to get Instagram-worthy pictures (although you’ll get these too!). We might be joyful to help you in organising the best journey if a privately led pictures tour seems like the journey you’re on the lookout for. 

North Island

Piha Seaside & KiteKite Falls

Piha Seaside is essentially the most recognised of Auckland’s West Coast seashores. Piha is comprised of black-blue volcanic sand and the famend Lion Rock, which is thought for mimicking the stance of a lion. Piha Seaside’s distinctive surf makes it the best location for taking footage of surfers towards the beautiful surroundings; these pictures could be priceless. 

Kitekite Falls is an attractive waterfall that’s hidden within the native bush behind Piha Seaside. It is just a brief stroll or drive away. The uphill stroll is price it as a result of it’s a good time to take footage of a few of New Zealand’s lovely native vegetation. Once you get to the highest, the tiers of the waterfall make a misty ambiance that’s good for taking footage of issues which are out of this world. 

Tongariro Nationwide Park

Tongariro Alpine Crossing, positioned within the North Island of NZ,  is thought to be one in every of our greatest day walks, however for photographers, it’s an opportunity to {photograph} a wide range of volcanic scenes that evolve with each hour spent within the space. 

Tongariro Nationwide Park affords photographers the chance to seize the acidic and supernatural emerald lakes, historical lava flows and alpine fields. So, for those who resolve to incorporate Tongariro Crossing in your photographic tour, remember that you can be capturing a few of New Zealand’s volcanic coronary heart.

Rotorua

Rotorua, positioned within the North Island of NZ, is yet one more otherworldly place. What makes Rotorua so magical is that it’s sprinkled with geothermal exercise. In Rotorua, the earth and its byproducts themselves grow to be your topic.

The Champagne Pool in Wai-O-Tapu resembles an summary portray, with a rainbow of naturally occurring pigments, providing you the prospect to seize some extremely distinctive images. 

Cape Reinga

Cape Reinga, positioned within the North Island of NZ,  is a degree the place the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet, which creates swirling waters and picture-perfect seascapes. Cape Reinga additionally incorporates a lighthouse inbuilt 1941, and this lighthouse occurs to be one of many first lights seen when coming inland. 

Mt Taranaki

Mt. Taranaki is known as Mount Fuji, or the peerlessly symmetrical volcano of New Zealand. All photographers can get a genuinely distinctive shot of the symmetrical peak as a result of the mountain produces its personal climate methods, which lead to repeatedly shifting photographic situations.

Cathedral Cove (Te Whanganui-A-Hei)

You will have seen the long-lasting Cathedral Cove earlier than. Positioned within the Coromandel, Cathedral Cove is a chunk of pure structure that frames the ocean. The world-famous limestone archway is a surprising photographic alternative by itself, and the addition of the encircling Mercury Bay affords alternatives to {photograph} New Zealand’s pristine seashores.

South Island

Milford Sound/Piopiotahi

Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) is a must-see for any customer to New Zealand’s South Island, and for good purpose…it by no means will get previous! Each change within the climate, such because the mist within the morning, the dramatic storms within the afternoon, and the enchanted rainbows that seem after a rainstorm, alters this discipline. We advise spending a couple of days right here to seize all of her moods as a result of the key to taking footage right here is to be affected person and prepared for no matter nature throws at you.

Aoraki/Mount Cook dinner

For among the most gorgeous mountain views, photographers ought to go to Aoraki/Mount Cook dinner Nationwide Park. There are innumerable alternatives for photographers to take mountain-reflection images within the gorgeous glacial lakes alongside the well-known Hooker Valley Monitor. Think about photographing the Southern Cross towards the backdrop of New Zealand’s highest peaks! This area can be a Darkish Sky Reserve, providing among the world’s clearest evening skies for astrophotography.

Lake Tekapo

Probably the most distinctive locations in New Zealand for pictures is Lake Tekapo, which has a particular color scheme. A whimsical photograph alternative is created by the pink, purple, and white flowers that adorn the lake. 

The Mackenzie Basin location affords incredible evening sky alternatives, and the distinction between day and evening pictures affords a wide range of viewpoints. The small Church of the Good Shepherd additionally makes an ideal foreground ingredient.

Darkish sky challenge at Lake Tekapo

The Darkish Sky Mission at Lake Tekapo affords photographers the right location for astrophotography. You’ll be able to expertise a privately guided stargazing and astrophotography expertise that may aid you perceive optimum taking pictures situations and find out about how Māori navigators used these similar stars for hundreds of years.

New Zealand hosts two of the world’s 22 Darkish Sky Reserves, plus further Darkish Sky Sanctuaries and Parks, so for those who get an opportunity to go to, you’ll be capturing among the most immaculate evening skies on the planet.

The well-known Wanaka tree

I’m certain you’ve got seen the Well-known Wanaka Tree,  sitting within the waters of Lake Wanaka. It’s one in every of New Zealand’s most photographed scenes, typically showing on our Instagram feeds. The lone Wanaka tree has grow to be an icon for vacationers and photographers, particularly throughout golden hour when the sunshine catches each the tree and the encircling mountains.

Whereas it may possibly get crowded, the close by Rob Roy Glacier Monitor affords sensational alpine surroundings, that includes hanging glaciers, waterfalls, and mountain vistas that rival these of anyplace within the Southern Alps.

Queenstown

You will get to some actually wonderful locations for pictures from Queenstown, a city that we’re all accustomed to. One in all them, the Remarkables mountain vary, gives a placing background for the town and lake pictures. On the similar time, among the world’s most filmed landscapes could be present in close by Glenorchy (sure, the situation of The Lord of the Rings).

Glenorchy purple hut

There’s a small Purple Hut in Glenorchy that has gained worldwide recognition. The encompassing mountains and Lake Wakatipu present a picturesque backdrop for this small purple constructing.

Relying on the climate and time of day, this kind of shot shouts “New Zealand” and affords numerous compositional choices. The encompassing space gives a wide range of viewpoints, which makes it supreme for capturing numerous lighting situations and moods all through the day.

Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers

The West Coast glaciers provide one thing you gained’t discover anyplace else. On this location, what makes it particular for photographers is the unbelievable distinction. For an additional particular shot, entry by helicopter permits photographers to seize aerial views of the traditional ice rivers as they etch via the panorama.

Punakaiki Pancake Rocks

Within the South Island of NZ, the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks seem nearly too good to be pure, giving off a supernatural or unearthly look. The superbly layered limestone formations create such distinctive patterns which were etched over time. The Punakaiki  Pancake Rocks are surrounded by sea and a rugged shoreline, which for photographers affords the chance to seize one of the best of the West Coast.

Moeraki Boulders

The Moeraki Boulders are yet one more of nature’s masterpieces, good, naturally occurring spheres scattered alongside the coast like big marbles. The Moeraki boulders are unbelievable foreground components for dawn and sundown footage, which is how they’re most frequently photographed, with the stretching shoreline posing as the right backdrop.

Island Adventures: Off the Crushed Monitor

Stewart Island/Rakiura

Uncovering extra distant places, Stewart Island is New Zealand’s best-kept secret for wildlife pictures. With predator-free environments, native birds thrive right here. With an abundance of distant seashores, historical forests, and bustling birdlife, you’ll be able to remember to {photograph} scenes most guests won’t ever get the prospect to see (even among the locals, too).

Being at New Zealand’s southernmost tip, you’ve additionally received an opportunity to seize the aurora australis in among the clearest skies in New Zealand.

Nice Barrier Island

Nice Barrier Island is only a few hours journey from Auckland, nevertheless it seems as if it’s worlds away from the air pollution of metropolis lights, which suggests Nice Barrier Island is an unbelievable astrophotography location.

To not point out, Nice Barrier Island is dwelling to among the most untouched and exquisite untamed seashores and historical kauri forests, making it an excellent vacation spot for photographers who need to have a good time New Zealand’s surroundings.

Planning your photographic journey

We consider that whenever you take your time and let every location communicate for itself, the true magic occurs. There are many photographic alternatives in every of the locations listed right here, which reward talent and endurance. 

The workers at Aroha Luxurious New Zealand Excursions could be delighted to help you in creating the best itinerary if a leisurely, purposeful photographic tour appeals to your adventurous spirit.