Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Landscape Photography Locations => Topic started by: adam z on February 12, 2011, 09:10:09 pm

Title: New Zealand South Island - Photos Added
Post by: adam z on February 12, 2011, 09:10:09 pm
I am heading to New Zealands South Island next week

I will be travelling around the bottom half of the Island (south of Christchurch, both inland and east, south and west coasts). I will be spending many days fly fishing, but I plan on doing a few landscape shoots in mornings and afternoons.

Can anyone recommend any "must shoot" areas? I am sure I will come across many beautiful places, but it is nice to have at least 1 or 2 planned areas to shoot in. I will not have time to go anywhere too remote requiring hiking or helicopters unfortunately.

Cheers

Adam
Title: Re: New Zealand South Island
Post by: c_soars on February 12, 2011, 09:16:30 pm
Fox and Franz Joseph Glaciers are day hikeable, truly marvelous with blue glacial ice flanked by green valley vegetation on the lower side.

Milford sound, if you can get onto a boat and head out to the Tasman sea and back.  Amazing mountains on the drive there along highway 94.

Lake Tekapo & Burke's pass isn't bad either, and there's some nice views around Queenstown.  On a clear day you can see Mt. Cook from Lake Pukaki.

Haven't been there since 2006, but the Glaciers and Milford sound are what I recall the most from the South Island.
Title: Re: New Zealand South Island
Post by: degrub on February 12, 2011, 09:33:17 pm
Look up the Royal Albatross colony just north from Dunedin  on the coast.

+1 on the glaciers, just watch out for the Skuas  :o

Title: Re: New Zealand South Island
Post by: tom b on February 13, 2011, 12:12:19 am
Whale watching in Kaikoura is very good, I missed the killer whales by a week. Don't forget that the catamaran will be going into open waters for those who get seasick (like the person who sat next to me on my first trip). The scenery is good too, you can see shots of the peninsular here:

http://www.tombrown.id.au/travel2/kaikoura_peninsula/album/index.html

Cape Foulwind and the Grey Coast are a hidden treasure and the coastline at Omau is great if you can get there at low tide. Ask at the pub for directions or use google maps. Greymouth is where they had the recent mine tragedy and I'm sure they would be happy to have tourists visiting the area. Images of the area are here:

http://www.tombrown.id.au/travel2/grey_coast/album/index.html and here:

http://www.tombrown.id.au/travel2/cape_foulwind/album/index.html

The Queenstown area is quite pretty, I've only been there in summer but winter shots look great. It's a real adventure holiday area full of backpackers throwing themselves off and down lots of things.

Cheers,
Title: Re: New Zealand South Island
Post by: petertasker on February 13, 2011, 09:42:58 pm
Perhaps concentrate on photographing the fly fishing environment, as you have limited time for photography.  The Catlins http://www.catlins.org.nz/ is an area I have long wanted to explore, and is where you will be travelling.

Most tourist photographers to New Zealand head straight for the spectacular main attractions of the very diverse South Island. I am from Auckland and have recently changed career from industrial design to photography, with the intention of highlighting the best of the north.  It is many years since I traveled the South Island, and distinctly remember concluding the North Island also has much to offer.  However, I look forward to returning to the south of the south and would probably explore off the beaten track, but this requires time.  -   Peter

http://petertasker.com

http://petertasker.photoshelter.com/gallery-list
Title: Re: New Zealand South Island
Post by: AlastairMoore on February 13, 2011, 10:25:30 pm
Might see you down there. I'm headed down that way tomorrow :)

My route is as follows:

- Christchurch (to pick up the campervan)
- Akaroa
- Lake Tekapo
- Aoraki/Mt Cook
- Queenstown
- Remarkables Mountains
- Lake Wakatipu
- Te Anau
- Doubtful Sound/Lake Manapouri
- Milford Sound
- Gertrude Valley
- Catlins
- Waipapa Point
- Dunedin and then back to Wellington

Should be a mostly complete tour as a south of the south island tour!
Title: Re: New Zealand South Island
Post by: wirehunt on February 15, 2011, 05:52:51 am
Well all the dams around the MacKenzie basin/ Waitaki are spilling, so there's a heap of interesting photos to be had around there.  But it's not so good for the fishing side....
Title: Re: New Zealand South Island
Post by: David Watson on February 15, 2011, 12:28:56 pm
If you have or can borrow a 4x4 drive along the Nevis road.  It is the highest road in New Zealand and offers spectacular views from the high points.  Watch out too for picturesque abandoned (or look like abandoned) huts, the abandoned gold mine, early settlers farm houses and far reaching views along the valley.

Look here

http://www.baggins.co.nz/art/places/nevis.php
Title: Re: New Zealand South Island
Post by: David Sutton on February 16, 2011, 01:58:52 am
If you have a spare day in Christchurch Head over to Little River. On the way stop at the The Blue Duck Cafe in Motukarara for the best lemon tart and coffee. At Little River you can drive over the hill towards Akaroa and try the abstract patterns in the cliffs on the west side of the Onawe Peninsular (just 3 minutes from the carpark, but make sure it's not high tide), or head straight over the hill to Port Levy. Ignore the "4 wheel drive recommended" sign unless it's absolutely pouring with rain or there's been an earthquake. Just over the summit there is a small car park on the left. This is the Port Levy saddle. Follow the Summit Road Walkway east to the graveyard of totara stumps, about a  25 minute walk. Along the way there are lovely views of Banks Peninsula and Port Levy. The track passes  remnants of windblown native forest. Some examples (not mine) at http://www.naturephotography.org.nz/images/past-field-trips/TotaraStumps2011/TotaraStump2011.aspx
Then head on down to Port Levy and follow the road to Governors Bay and stop at She Cafe for coffee and the tastiest chocolates in the South Island. Deal to the after effects by trying some street photography around Lyttelton harbour.
David
Title: Re: New Zealand South Island
Post by: adam z on February 16, 2011, 02:11:54 am
Thanks for all the info in those replies everyone. I will do some research and hopefully get a few great shots.
Title: Re: New Zealand South Island
Post by: DaveCurtis on February 22, 2011, 01:38:20 am
Probably best to avoid Christchurch at the moment. There was a rather large earthquake today with many deaths.

Dave
down in Dunedin NZ
Title: Re: New Zealand South Island
Post by: tom b on February 22, 2011, 03:35:03 am
All sympathy to the people of Christchurch, the earthquake seems devastating. In my two trips there I have had nothing but positive experiences. Good luckā€¦

Cheers,
Title: Re: New Zealand South Island
Post by: Josh-H on February 22, 2011, 03:40:24 am
I was in Queenstown in 2009 when a 6.4 earthquake hit - it was not pleasant.

News of this new Quake has been all over the Australian news today - the fatality toll is unfortunately rising every new news bulletin.

Let us hope this is the end of it and there are no further major quakes.
Title: Re: New Zealand South Island
Post by: David Sutton on February 22, 2011, 09:04:27 pm
Thank you for your thoughts. This was much worse than the Sept quake, but after that one we at least have an idea of what to do. There are water tankers around the city for drinking supplies, we can dig latrines and we'll look after the homeless. Most of us have enough food to look after our neighbours as well, and supplies should start coming in before long.
Roads and bridges are badly damaged. In my place the computer stuff and ceiling has gone and the the house is split, but at least liveable, which is more than I can say for some in my street. All these things can be replaced. Mercifully it looks like the loss of life may be comparatively low, but it's hard to find out what's actually happening.
Do me a small favour please and go out and have a cappuccino and really enjoy it. Normalcy can be a wonderful thing.
David
Title: Re: New Zealand South Island
Post by: Lisa Nikodym on February 24, 2011, 06:41:22 pm
My sympathies to you, David, and others in Christchurch.  I was there on vacation a few years back, and it was a lovely city.  The people of New Zealand were the nicest in the world.  I hope that the worst is over and recovery goes quickly.  My sympathy.

Lisa
Title: Re: New Zealand South Island
Post by: Rob C on February 25, 2011, 04:44:30 am
Thank you for your thoughts. This was much worse than the Sept quake, but after that one we at least have an idea of what to do. There are water tankers around the city for drinking supplies, we can dig latrines and we'll look after the homeless. Most of us have enough food to look after our neighbours as well, and supplies should start coming in before long.
Roads and bridges are badly damaged. In my place the computer stuff and ceiling has gone and the the house is split, but at least liveable, which is more than I can say for some in my street. All these things can be replaced. Mercifully it looks like the loss of life may be comparatively low, but it's hard to find out what's actually happening.
Do me a small favour please and go out and have a cappuccino and really enjoy it. Normalcy can be a wonderful thing.David


Amen!

Rob C
Title: Re: New Zealand South Island
Post by: David Watson on February 25, 2011, 04:59:32 pm
Having spent a great few weeks on the South Island 4 years ago and stayed in Christchurch my heart goes out to all of the nice people I met whilst I was there.
Title: Re: New Zealand South Island
Post by: adam z on March 18, 2011, 10:31:17 pm
Well, I have been back for a few weeks now, and was in Dunedin when the quake hit Christchurch. What a terrible tragedy! Thankfully being so far south, I didn't feel it at all.

Kiwis are great people, and despite the heartache and loss of life, I am sure that with all the support both from within New Zealand and internationally that in time Christchurch will recover.

As far as photography went, I did not get much time to dedicate to it, and I just shot when an opportunity presented itself. My favourite shot is of an old caravan owned by my uncle, which was on my cousins dairy farm. We stayed in this caravan for a number of nights.

Title: Re: New Zealand South Island
Post by: adam z on March 18, 2011, 10:36:47 pm
Here are a few others that I like. A couple of these were taken after midnight on the dairy farm, just outside the caravan.
Title: Re: New Zealand South Island
Post by: adam z on March 18, 2011, 10:45:37 pm
The first one here is a shot of my wife at the Waitaki Dam. She did not want to be there as she was cold and wanted to get back to the car, which shows in her expression.
Title: Re: New Zealand South Island - Photos Added
Post by: adam z on March 18, 2011, 11:01:50 pm
The second (very blue) photo is of Stewart Island.
Title: Re: New Zealand South Island - Photos Added
Post by: adam z on March 18, 2011, 11:07:19 pm
The last shot was taken during our tour of the Speights brewery in Dunedin, of our tour guide Keith. This is a must for beer lovers if visiting the South Island. Speights Distinction is up there in my list of favourite beers from around the world. I just need to try and find out how I can get it in Australia.
Title: Re: New Zealand South Island - Photos Added
Post by: adam z on March 18, 2011, 11:12:40 pm
Please feel free to comment on these pics. I know they are nothing like what I could have achieved with some planning and dedication. Unfortunately, I had to make do as it was supposed to be a holiday that the wife could enjoy as well (which she did!). As for the fishing, didn't get to do much of that either.
Title: Re: New Zealand South Island - Photos Added
Post by: RichardArran on April 02, 2011, 10:53:21 am
Please feel free to comment on these pics. I know they are nothing like what I could have achieved with some planning and dedication. Unfortunately, I had to make do as it was supposed to be a holiday that the wife could enjoy as well (which she did!). As for the fishing, didn't get to do much of that either.

Hi,

It is a wonderful country and I can't wait to get back there.

Pictures and photos of New Zealand (http://www.richardarran.com/photos/country/new-zealand)