New Zealand photo locations advice
Discussion
I'm after a little advice and if anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated. A little explanation, I'm currently in Australia but have to leave for a week to change my Visa's over. Im using this chance to see some of New Zealand and am going there in a few weeks for a Sunday-Saturday camper van trip. I'm picking up a camper van in Christchurch and returning it at Auckland airport a week later.
With such a big country and so many locations to chose from I feel I need to have some must do's to plan the trip. As this is all a little last minute I haven't done extensive location searching. I really enjoy landscape and Astro shots so thats my priority. I'l be travelling on my own so early mornings and late nights are fine.
Once again, any advice is much appreciated.
With such a big country and so many locations to chose from I feel I need to have some must do's to plan the trip. As this is all a little last minute I haven't done extensive location searching. I really enjoy landscape and Astro shots so thats my priority. I'l be travelling on my own so early mornings and late nights are fine.
Once again, any advice is much appreciated.
Only having a week from Chch to Auckland is a little bit limiting, a lot of the best scenery (IMO) is south of Chch.
Definitely head south at least as far as Tekapo and Mt Cook etc before you go north. If you're into astro... well there is an observatory at Tekapo for a reason.
Rob is based in Chch so can probably give some good suggestions on the way north from there, I live a fair bit further south.
Definitely head south at least as far as Tekapo and Mt Cook etc before you go north. If you're into astro... well there is an observatory at Tekapo for a reason.
Rob is based in Chch so can probably give some good suggestions on the way north from there, I live a fair bit further south.
Edited by GravelBen on Friday 23 September 12:03
It looks like from my research that the first stop will be around lake Tekapo, As I'l be in a fully self contained camper van hopefully I can find somewhere quite and free to stop for a night or 2. I'm sure I'll add to the existing photos of the church which name I now can't remember. Hopefully I can get a few decent astro shots there even though it will be a half moon during my time there.
Id like to head to milford sounds after then start the trip up to Auckland. Does anyone have any tips for a free camping site around Tekapo? Ideally I can get there in day time and explore, then head out in the evening for some sunset/night/sunrise shots.
Id like to head to milford sounds after then start the trip up to Auckland. Does anyone have any tips for a free camping site around Tekapo? Ideally I can get there in day time and explore, then head out in the evening for some sunset/night/sunrise shots.
Edited by dave0010 on Saturday 24th September 09:06
Hey!
What dates are you here for?
This is a good spot to free camp tekapo
https://www.google.co.nz/maps/@-43.9331876,170.483...
milford is a long way from anywhere (though we have done mt cook to milford in 3 hrs I wouldnt advice it)! not sure what the rules are overnighting there even in a self contained van.
Chc -> tekapo -> mt cook -> wanaka -> queenstown-> te anau -> milford
then back to QT and up the west coast
wanaka -> haast pass -> glaciers -> greymouth -> arthurs pass -> chc
Do you really have to go to auckland? you dont have time to see 2 islands so one will become a blur of roads..
What dates are you here for?
This is a good spot to free camp tekapo
https://www.google.co.nz/maps/@-43.9331876,170.483...
milford is a long way from anywhere (though we have done mt cook to milford in 3 hrs I wouldnt advice it)! not sure what the rules are overnighting there even in a self contained van.
Chc -> tekapo -> mt cook -> wanaka -> queenstown-> te anau -> milford
then back to QT and up the west coast
wanaka -> haast pass -> glaciers -> greymouth -> arthurs pass -> chc
Do you really have to go to auckland? you dont have time to see 2 islands so one will become a blur of roads..
RobDickinson said:
Hey!
What dates are you here for?
This is a good spot to free camp tekapo
https://www.google.co.nz/maps/@-43.9331876,170.483...
milford is a long way from anywhere (though we have done mt cook to milford in 3 hrs I wouldnt advice it)! not sure what the rules are overnighting there even in a self contained van.
Chc -> tekapo -> mt cook -> wanaka -> queenstown-> te anau -> milford
then back to QT and up the west coast
wanaka -> haast pass -> glaciers -> greymouth -> arthurs pass -> chc
Do you really have to go to auckland? you dont have time to see 2 islands so one will become a blur of roads..
I'm there from the 8th to the 15th. I'm heading up to Auckland as I'm doing a relocation deal on the camper van I'm hiring. Basically 4 days for $4 for and a free tank of fuel to take it up there from Christchurch. I had looked at doing your hero holiday tour but a previous commitment meant I couldn't do the dates. What dates are you here for?
This is a good spot to free camp tekapo
https://www.google.co.nz/maps/@-43.9331876,170.483...
milford is a long way from anywhere (though we have done mt cook to milford in 3 hrs I wouldnt advice it)! not sure what the rules are overnighting there even in a self contained van.
Chc -> tekapo -> mt cook -> wanaka -> queenstown-> te anau -> milford
then back to QT and up the west coast
wanaka -> haast pass -> glaciers -> greymouth -> arthurs pass -> chc
Do you really have to go to auckland? you dont have time to see 2 islands so one will become a blur of roads..
I will note your route guide as I know your a local to the area. I know I'm just going to be blasting some of the roads but as this has been a last minute unforeseen expense I'm trying to keep cost down. I've got a wedding to pay for and a trip to LA so needs must
If the driving time is eating into your photography time too much you could leave Milford Sound for another time, the Queenstown-Milford and back side trip is about 600km. Fiordland is certainly spectacular though.
Rob's suggested route is very good though if you have enough time. Some great driving roads if you weren't in a camper!
Rob's suggested route is very good though if you have enough time. Some great driving roads if you weren't in a camper!
dave0010 said:
the more I look at it Milford may have to wait for another time. Looking at google maps it may just eat to much into my time.
Chch-Tekapo-Mt Cook-Wanaka-West Coast etc still covers a whole lot of interesting country so its not like you'd be missing all the good stuff. Besides, its a good excuse to visit again some day and spend a bit more time here. 
If you want suggestions about Chch-West Coast-Chch have a look at my blog, Oct/Nov 2015. I did a similar loop on a very relaxed daily mileage...
www.loquitohermoso.com
www.loquitohermoso.com
GravelBen said:
Are you sure thats not a typo? That would be an average of about 180km/h...
That's about right.. (was actually the other way. Milford to Mt cook, had a flight to catch) Op - the more miles you do and places you see likely you don't get quality light everywhere so decide between seeing more and getting the shots you really want. Though still not a lot of time.
You can probably do chc to Auckland in a day but it'll be a very very long day..
RobDickinson said:
GravelBen said:
Are you sure thats not a typo? That would be an average of about 180km/h...
That's about right.. (was actually the other way. Milford to Mt cook, had a flight to catchOn topic:
The op's trip is massively compromised by the cheap camper deal and associated Auckland deadline
With that in mind I'd go as far south as the Mckenzie Basin for its archetypal NZ scenery then head north but most of all I'd follow good weather, Mt Cook on a rainy day isn't a mountain at all
Aweomse advice everyone thanks very much. I'm going to have a read of that above blog and see about planning a rough route out. I know the time line isn't ideal but its better then nothing and I will for sure be back there at some time. I will keep this updated with the plans and then hopefully some photos!! its also a great excuse to finally get a good set of filters
From central South Island to Auckland allow 2 days minimum, it's about 850 miles plus the ferry crossing which adds another 5 hours of waiting, boarding, sailing and disembarking
400+ miles a day on two lane roads in campervan is enough for anyone
You'll drive past the front door of my shack on the way south, stop in for a coffee and the obligatory campervan burnout photo
400+ miles a day on two lane roads in campervan is enough for anyone
You'll drive past the front door of my shack on the way south, stop in for a coffee and the obligatory campervan burnout photo
I was faced with this fascinating task 10 years ago and was inspired by books of Andre Apse. So I set out to take some just like it. What I learned - and it seems obvious now - is that Andre, Rob and all other resident togs LIVE there. They can go out to the same spot day after day, at any time they like, and take as long as they need to capture the perfect shot. You are at the mercy of the weather and the light, and the fact that you can only be there from 2.30-3.00pm because then you have to drive to somewhere else. So to hope to recreate any 'classics' is a very slim chance. Milford Sound, Nugget Point etc, great in the books but if it's raining and overcast when you get there you're fairly knackered. These locations are famous BUT they may be wiped out, and if you do get a great photo of Milford Sound, well hooray, join the club. I appreciate you have to do it, but there are already 8,000,000 photos of Milford Sound.
What I ended up using instead was opportunism, looking in all directions at all times, using basic 'naus' to try to find good photos - landscape, close-up, nature, architecture, anything. They came up in all sorts of unexpected places. New Zealand is packed with photo opportunities at every turn, you just have to keep your wits about you, spot them and capture them. For us, Doubtful Sound (like Milford but much less visited) was rained in and so was the Haast Pass. To my surprise I found the greatest proportion of good ones came from the Otago peninsula. Essentially, you just never know where the winners will come from. There is only one on my wall, taken on a footpath near Lake Matheson. The plan was to visit the lake, but the footpath was shut for maintenance!
Happy hunting in the world's most beautiful country!
What I ended up using instead was opportunism, looking in all directions at all times, using basic 'naus' to try to find good photos - landscape, close-up, nature, architecture, anything. They came up in all sorts of unexpected places. New Zealand is packed with photo opportunities at every turn, you just have to keep your wits about you, spot them and capture them. For us, Doubtful Sound (like Milford but much less visited) was rained in and so was the Haast Pass. To my surprise I found the greatest proportion of good ones came from the Otago peninsula. Essentially, you just never know where the winners will come from. There is only one on my wall, taken on a footpath near Lake Matheson. The plan was to visit the lake, but the footpath was shut for maintenance!
Happy hunting in the world's most beautiful country!
So I'm now sat in Auckland airport after my short but sweet trip here. The next stage of my visa has been approved quicker than was first advised so I blasted up though the country to get home 3 days early.
I picked up my camper in Christchurch and set our straight away for Lake Tekapo, wow what a drive that was. It didn't take to long and the views were incredible. I was very fortunate with the weather and beautiful sun and clear blue sky. I watched the sunset over the lake from its shore line in the camper and was hopeful to get some good shots with the clear crisp sky. I wanted to get a nice star trail shot going over the Church of the good shepherd. I had scouted a location in the daytime and was excited to give it a go. But man was I in for a surprise, that place as soon as the sun goes down is crawling with asian tourists ( sorry to stereotype but its true ) I had hoped later in the night may be quite and returned around 2am. Nope still just as busy with little kids running around with flashlights, people taking selfies in the pitch black and just chaos. I understand this is a popular place but It was just crazy. I gave up and headed back to the camper.
The next day I had an email about my Visa, I had to return the camper to Auckland so I just drove straight up the 1 that night to Picton. The south island really is the most beautiful place I've every driven and I loved the drive so much. I crossed on the ferry and drove straight up to Auckland.
Yes I missed so so much of the country but this was always going to happen, I really did love and enjoy just driving through it. I think I took maybe 20 photos because I was just busy enjoying the country. Next time I'l return with my other half and hopefully spend a few weeks touring around the south Island.
all I can say is if anyone has the chance just go, even for a few days just get out and enjoy the beauty of it all. Thanks all for the tips and advice, I've bookmarked them all for next time. Hopefully I may get a chance to jump on one of Robs photo tours and get shown the hidden local spots!!
I picked up my camper in Christchurch and set our straight away for Lake Tekapo, wow what a drive that was. It didn't take to long and the views were incredible. I was very fortunate with the weather and beautiful sun and clear blue sky. I watched the sunset over the lake from its shore line in the camper and was hopeful to get some good shots with the clear crisp sky. I wanted to get a nice star trail shot going over the Church of the good shepherd. I had scouted a location in the daytime and was excited to give it a go. But man was I in for a surprise, that place as soon as the sun goes down is crawling with asian tourists ( sorry to stereotype but its true ) I had hoped later in the night may be quite and returned around 2am. Nope still just as busy with little kids running around with flashlights, people taking selfies in the pitch black and just chaos. I understand this is a popular place but It was just crazy. I gave up and headed back to the camper.
The next day I had an email about my Visa, I had to return the camper to Auckland so I just drove straight up the 1 that night to Picton. The south island really is the most beautiful place I've every driven and I loved the drive so much. I crossed on the ferry and drove straight up to Auckland.
Yes I missed so so much of the country but this was always going to happen, I really did love and enjoy just driving through it. I think I took maybe 20 photos because I was just busy enjoying the country. Next time I'l return with my other half and hopefully spend a few weeks touring around the south Island.
all I can say is if anyone has the chance just go, even for a few days just get out and enjoy the beauty of it all. Thanks all for the tips and advice, I've bookmarked them all for next time. Hopefully I may get a chance to jump on one of Robs photo tours and get shown the hidden local spots!!
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