Ultimate New Zealand Photo Tour [2025]

Ultimate New Zealand Photo Tour [2025]
から NZD NZ$17,190.00
  • 期間: 18 日 (約)
  • 製品コード: 18-UNZ

We have designed this as the ultimate New Zealand photography tour! Learn from five different New Zealand photographers on a 18-day experience, showcasing the South Island’s iconic highlights and hidden gems. Timed perfectly to capture the best of the autumn colours in Central Otago, then travel through the classic southern landscapes, adorned with golden hues and onwards to Mt Cook and Milford Sound, along with some of the country's exceptional coastal wildlife.

For the first five days of the tour, you will be based in Wanaka and on our Autumn Masterclass with Richard Young & Glen Howey. The workshop has been tailored to offer a rewarding blend of tuition, and post-processing sessions as well as 4WD trips into some remote areas to capture the best autumn colours. You’ll hone your skills and technique whilst shooting stunning autumn landscapes and autumn abstracts.

Following this you’ll explore the untouched wilderness of Fiordland with Ken Wright & Ben Wallbank including the majestic Milford and Doubtful Sounds. Milford, the most northerly of Fiordland’s many sounds, is renowned as one of the world’s most spectacular landscapes. Doubtful Sound is far more remote and scenic than the well-known Milford Sound offering a true wilderness experience with a 2-night stay here on a boat within the tranquil fiords. 

Then you will join Ken Wright & Joel Staveley to explore iconic highlights and hidden gems of the South Island’s stunning coastal and mountain landscapes. We adventure to the high country of Mt Cook National Park where we will photograph some of the amazing alpine scenery around New Zealand’s highest peak. Next is the Otago Peninsula and the Catlins Coast, which is full of surprises, including fossilised forests, curious boulders, and outstanding coastal scenery. We will photograph some of the huge diversity of rare wildlife that this area boasts: penguins, sea lions, fur seals and Royal Albatross in New Zealand’s wildlife capital. 


HIGHLIGHTS

  • Autumn Masterclass Workshop

  • 2 night cruise on Doubtful Sound

  • Photograph penguins, albatross & sea lions

  • 4WD tours and boat trips 

  • Stay at Larnach Castle

  • Experience Mt Cook National park


QUEENSTOWN - QUEENSTOWN 

  • Wanaka & Central Otago

  • Milford Sound

  • Doubtful Sound

  • Aoraki/Mt Cook

  • Moeraki Boulders

  • Otago Peninsula

  • Catlins Coast


ITINERARY

Tour Starts: Queenstown

25 April 2025:  The tour starts in Queenstown at 8 am to travel to Wanaka. We can pick you up at any central location in Queenstown.

Days 1-5: Wānaka 

Your tour starts with the luxury of spending 5 nights in Wanaka on our Autumn Masterclass Workshop. The Autumn Masterclass offers us the time to capture the drama of Autumn Colours and misty mornings in spectacular Central Otago landscapes. Expert tutors Richard Young and Glen Howey will help you expand your creative approach to nature and landscape photography in stunning autumn locations.

With the best local knowledge and 4WDs, you will be immersed in the autumn landscapes around Lake Wanaka, the Clutha River, and Mt Aspiring National Park. We explore the remote Nevis Valley and head into the mountains with expansive views over Lake Wanaka and stunning autumn colours.

Our masterclass blends hands-on fieldwork, expert tuition, and post-processing sessions, with a focus on abstract and intimate compositions inspired by autumn. The experience concludes with two of your best images produced as stunning 16×22″ fine art prints—a lasting showcase of your photographic achievements.

Day 6-7: Milford Sound & Te Anau

We journey out to Milford Sound, the jewel of Fiordland National Park and the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area characterised by dramatic landscapes with towering granite peaks and cascading waterfalls. We have a luxury overnight stay at Milford Lodge and the opportunity to photograph the famous Mitre Peak at sunset and sunrise. Then a further two nights in Te Anau allow us to fully explore the stunning Milford Road with its reflective lakes and moss-covered beech forests clinging to steep mountainsides. Along with capturing the serene beauty of Lake Te Anau, we will also explore the majestic beech forest on the Kepler Track.

For those seeking aerial views, an optional extra helicopter flight offers a spectacular perspective of Fiordland National Park, with an opportunity to photograph the fiords and glacial lakes from above.

Day 8-9: Doubtful Sound

We embark on a two-night cruise through Doubtful Sound, while it may not be as well known as Milford it is arguably more photogenic. With no direct road access, we must first take a boat across Lake Manapouri, then drive through lush rainforest and over the dramatic Wilmot Pass to arrive at Doubtful Sound where we will meet our boat. The peaceful and awe-inspiring environment of Doubtful Sound offers an unforgettable experience, surrounded by natural grandeur. We will photograph waterfalls, jagged peaks, and the pristine waters of this remote wilderness. 

Days 10-11: Queenstown & Glenorchy

We then have two nights in Queenstown to capture changing light across Lake Wakatipu and serene reflections of the surrounding snow-capped mountains. We will travel to the picturesque town of Glenorchy, with its iconic boatshed and jetty. Nestled among native beech forests and towering mountains, Glenorchy offers a taste of Middle Earth where the natural beauty is truly unparalleled. We will also have some free time to explore Queenstown before the next part of our tour.

Days 12-13: Aoraki Mt Cook

We journey inland to the majestic Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Photographic opportunities abound, from the glacial turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki to the alpine lakes and towering peaks surrounding Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand’s tallest peak. 

Here, we'll explore the breathtaking Tasman & Hooker Valleys; walking out along well-graded tracks leading to alpine lakes, sweeping river views, and majestic mountain scenery—ideal for capturing the raw beauty of this alpine environment.

For an added adventure, you can also book an optional extra ski-plane flight, which provides an unparalleled aerial view of the Southern Alps from which to land on Tasman Glacier. This thrilling flight offers unobstructed views of the stunning ice formations and towering peaks, perfect for capturing dramatic views of this extraordinary landscape.

Day 14-15: Otago Peninsula

Next, we travel to the Otago Peninsula to stay in the historic Larnach Castle, one of New Zealand’s most impressive buildings. Here, you’ll experience the acclaimed Trust the Chef dining experience in the castle’s grand dining room—an unforgettable culinary highlight of our tour. The Otago Peninsula's dramatic coastal landscapes offer spectacular sunrise and sunset photo opportunities. It is also known as the wildlife capital of New Zealand with many rare species including penguins, albatrosses, and sea lions.

We will spend our stay here focusing on some exceptional wildlife experiences including a boat trip to take you around the world’s only mainland breeding colony of Northern Royal Albatross to photograph these majestic birds from the sea. We will also visit a private eco-reserve, where you’ll photograph yellow-eyed penguins and blue penguins. And Orokonui Ecosanctuary; home to native birds and rare species like the takahe and tuatara, you’ll have the chance to photograph these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat.

We will make a stop at Moeraki to photograph the striking Moeraki Boulders, an extraordinary collection of large spherical rocks scattered along the beach in a dramatic coastal setting.

Day 16-18: The Catlins

We then head to the wild beauty of The Catlins Coast with sweeping views and abundant wildlife that make it an unforgettable location for photography; its pristine beaches provide the perfect setting for a dramatic sunset over the Southern Ocean. We explore the highlights of the coastline from Nugget Point; one of New Zealand’s most stunning coastal landmarks featuring a historic lighthouse perched above rocky inlets to Waipapa Point Lighthouse with its iconic windswept macrocarpa trees and expansive coastal vistas. Inland we will visit the tranquil waterfalls of the Catlins Coastal Rainforest Park which offer serene scenes surrounded by lush greenery.

Tour Finishes: Queenstown

Sunday, 12 May 2025: After travelling back from the Catlins, the tour finishes in Queenstown. We will arrive at Queenstown airport at 3 pm in time for domestic flights departing from 4 pm. Please only book flights after 4 pm, or you will not make it to the airport on time. For international departures, please ensure you plan your flight departure allowing for the required check-in time requested by the airline.


PRICE INCLUDES