15-day South Island Photography Tour

Day 1: | Sunday 30th March: Nelson

We meet in the late afternoon in the sunny city of Nelson. Introductions and welcome dinner. New moon was yesterday.

Meals: D

Day 2: | Monday 31st March: Nelson – Golden Bay

We head to Golden Bay via the Riuwaka Resurgence. Hippie spotting in Takaka on our way to Cape Farewell and Wharariki for sunset.

Drive: 4  hours
Kms: 235 km | 146 miles
Hike: 1 hour
Meals: B, D

Day 3: | Tuesday 1st April: Golden Bay – Punakaiki

Other-worldly landscapes of The Grove before heading back over the Takaka Hill through the beautiful Motueka Valley. Scenic stops in the Buller Gorge before arriving at the famous Pancake Rocks for sunset.

Drive: 4 hours 45 minutes
Distance: 328 km | 204 miles
Hikes: The Grove 30 minutes – Cape Foulwind: 1 hour 15 minutes one-way
Meals: B, D

Day 4: | Wednesday 2nd April: Punakaiki – Lake Brunner

Jungly forests and the wild beach of the Truman Track contrast with the limestone cliffs of the nearby Pororari Gorge. A visit to the recreated gold mining settlement of Shanty Town and relics of the Brunner Industrial Site. Time to explore the beautiful grounds of tonight’s accommodation.

Drive: 1 hour 30 minutes
Kms: 113 km | 70 miles
Hike: Truman Track 20 minutes return – Pororari Gorge (30 minutes return) – Brunner Industrial Site (1 hour return)
Meals: B, D

Day 5: | Thursday 3rd April: Lake Brunner – Methven

We traverse the Southern Alps via Otira and Arthurs Pass Village, exploring some side-valleys and waterfalls.  We give the powerful stones of Castle Hill due respect, with a long afternoon exploration of this mystical space.

Drive: 3 hours
Distance: 201 km | 135 miles
Hike: 2 hrs altogether

Meals: B, L

Day 6: | Friday 4th April: Methven – Mount Cook Village

Into the vast scapes of the Mackenzie Country, with stops at Lake Tekapo and some Lake Pukaki lookouts. We’re destined for Aoraki/Mount Cook, and the glaciated valleys around our highest peaks.

Drive: 3 hours
Distance: 261 km | 162 miles
Hike: Mount John summit (30 minutes)
Meals: B, D

Day 7 | Saturday 5th April: Mount Cook Village

We’re in the mountains today with hikes up the Hooker Valley and Tasman Glacier viewpoint. Time for some mountain solitude with your camera.

Drive: 30 minutes
Distance: 32 km | 20 miles
Hike: Hooker Valley (3 hours), Tasman Glacier (45 minutes)
Meals: B, D
Time changes -1 hour overnight to end daylight saving

Day 8 | Sunday 6th April: Mount Cook Village – Dunedin

The ‘hoodoos’ of Clay Cliffs before descending the Waitaki Valley with stops at the power stations and churches. The ornate limestone Victorian architecture of Oamaru is complemented by the resident artists. Details galore. Time for a wander around the quirky center of Dunedin, with its spires and monuments, reminiscent of its Scottish heritage.

Drive: 4 hours
Distance: 317km | 197 miles
Hike: 30 minutes
Meals: B

Day 9 | Monday 7th April: Dunedin – Otago Peninsula – Dunedin

The wild coasts of Otago Peninsula are teeming with sea birds. We may encounter marine mammals on their terms during a 1 hour cruise and at the OPERA, a private eco-reserve dedicated to conservation and penguin rehabilitation.

Drive: 2 hours return
Kms: 50 kms | 31 miles
Hike: Sandy Bay (1 hour return)
Meals: B, D

Day 10 | Tuesday 8th April: Dunedin – Wanaka

Spectacular coastal cliffs of Tunnel Beach, before heading inland to the sublime light of ‘Central’ (Otago). Stops in the character towns of Naseby and Clyde on our way to everyone favourite town – Wanaka. We know the spots for photos round here.

Drive: 3 hours 30 minutes
Distance: 292 km | 181 miles
Hike: Tunnel Beach (1 hour return)
Meals: B

Day 11 | Wednesday 9th April: Wanaka – Te Anau

The Lake Wanaka Lookout Track takes in the vast lake views. Through the Cardrona Valley and over the Crown Range to the AJ Hackett Bungy Bridge, on our way alongside Lake Wakatipu to Fiordland and the lake-side town of Te Anau.

Drive: 3 hours
Kms: 227 km | 141 miles
Hike: Lake Wanaka Lookout Track (2 hours return)
Meals: B, D

Day 12 | Thursday 10th April: Te Anau

A hike along the Kepler Track through the towering beech forests. Free time for your own explorations or some photo editing.

Drive: 30 minutes
Distance: 26 km | 16 miles
Hike: Rainbow Reach to Moturau Hut (3 hours 30 minutes return)
Meals: B, L

Day 13 | Friday 11th April: Te Anau – Milford Sound (Overnight Cruise)

Saving the best till last, we drive the Milford Road. We know this road intimately and will search out the best spots for the best shots given the weather conditions.

Overnight cruise on Milford Sound.

Drive: 1 hour 45 minutes
Distance: 120 km | 75 miles
Hike: Key Summit (3 hours return)
Meals: B, D

Day 14 | Saturday 12th April: Milford Sound – Queenstown

Back to Queenstown for a farewell dinner at the top of the gondola.

Drive: 4 hours
Kms: 288 km | 179 miles
Meals: B, D

Day 15 | Sunday 13th April: Queenstown (Departure)

Transfers to the airport and end of the tour.

Meals: B

Who is this photo trip for?
Calling all nature photography enthusiasts and landscape admirers! Photographers of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced are welcome! This tour is primarily a photographic journey: we take you to exceptional sites at the perfect time to capture the images of your dreams. Even if you know nothing about nature photography, we will teach you the basics and more to make great images in the field.

What means of transportation are used?
Private transport is provided from day 1 when we leave Nelson, to day 13 when we arrive in Queenstown. The last day, a transfer is organised to take you to the airport.
With 8 guests, we travel in a comfortable 17 minibus.

What level of physical fitness is required?
Most of the photography sites are within minutes of walk from the carpark. However, a couple of locations require up to an hour return of walk on undulating terrain. Two hikes take about 3 hour return, but well worth the effort!

What type of camera gear do I need?
Prior to the tour, we send you a detailed list of recommended camera equipment. We can offer advice on what to buy or what to bring.
Here is what we recommend:

• DSLR or mirrorless camera (manual mode option available)
• Zoom lenses for landscapes like 24-70mm or (16-55mm for cropped sensor)
• For landscape details, a small telephoto lens like 70-200mm (55-135mm for cropped sensor)
• For wildlife, a minimum 300mm zoom*
• A sturdy tripod
• Filters for landscape photography (ND’s, CPL etc.)*
• Spare batteries
• Remote shutter release
• Laptop with Lightroom Classic and/or Photoshop installed for review sessions
• Memory Cards and spares
• Hard drive to back up your photo
• Camera backpack

(* optional but highly recommended)

Can I rent equipment on site?
No, we do not offer this service at the moment. It is difficult to rent equipment in New Zealand. Most of the places we take you to have no photo shops, so it’s  better to be ready from day 1!

What themes are covered?
We focus on nature and landscape photography because New Zealand is the perfect location for this! The country is so varied that we cover radically different landscapes in a few days: rugged coasts, deserted beaches, waterfalls, fjords, mountains, lush forests, lakes… There will be opportunities to capture sunsets and sunrises and, if the opportunity arises, to approach astrophotography. Those who wish can try minimalist and abstract landscapes. We also dedicate time to wildlife photography when opportunities arise, always respecting their well-being. Macrophotography is also mentioned but not covered in details! Yoann is also a certified drone pilot and can discuss drone shooting techniques (no practice during this trip).

What technical concepts are covered?
During theoretical lessons and on-field sessions, we cover:
• Framing and composition
• Light management
• Mastering shutter speeds (long exposure, blur, and artistic streaks, very high speeds…)
• Aperture priority
• Shutter priority
• Manual mode
• The magic trio: ISO – Aperture – Shutter speed
• Focusing and the area of sharpness
• Playing with depth of field
• Focus stacking
• Style
• Post-processing with Adobe Lightroom Classic

What weather conditions can we expect?
In New Zealand, you can expect anything anytime of the year! But generally, in March and April, temperatures range between 10°C and 20°C (50°F to 68°F ) with fine weather. On the coast, you might experience short rain showers. However, the Fiordland region is one of the wettest places on the planet! There, you might experience a few hours of heavy rain—Such a great experience, believe us! The wind is frequent on the coast, which is favourable for streak effects in the clouds during long exposures.

Will we take photos if the weather is bad?
A blue sky is nice, but a stormy sky is better! With the mastery of photographic techniques, wind, showers, and dark clouds are important ingredients for a beautiful image. So yes, we go out to take photos when the weather is bad. However, if the safety or well-being of participants is at risk, we find indoor alternatives like post-production.

What clothing do you recommend to bring on the tour?
We can expect all sort of weather and we will be outdoors A LOT, sometimes before sunrise and after sunset. So having warm and waterproof clothing is important. We will send out a list of outdoor clothing post booking. Remember it’s harder to take good photos when the photographer doesn’t feel comfortable.

How are meals organized?
The tour price includes most breakfasts and dinners. Lunches are at your own expense (except two). They will be taken as picnics, but sometimes we stop in cafes or restaurants that serve light meals, to be paid for on-site.

What’s on the menu?
The restaurants serve a variety of food with a choice of meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes. Portions are generally generous. If you have dietary preferences or allergies, please specify them before arrival.

Price includes:

• 2 Highly experienced driver/guide/photographer
• Transport during the tour
• 13 nights accommodation (4* hotel/motel/lodge) quality, comfortable accommodations with private facilities
• 1 overnight cruise on Milford Sound
• 14 Breakfasts
• 2 Lunches
• 10 Dinners
• Visit of Shantytown
• 1h wildlife cruise on the Otago Peninsula
• A 90-minute Yellow-eyed Penguin tour
• Milford Sound cruise
• One A2 Fine-Art Print of your best shot
• Department Of Conservation concession fees
• GST

Price doesn’t include:

• International and domestic flight
• Transfert to your accommodation on the first day
• Personal expenses

NZD 12,290 per person (double/twin share)
Single supplement: On request