Join Ken Wright & Glen Howey to experience some of New Zealand’s iconic landscapes and build a stunning portfolio of the wild southern landscapes. Based in the lower South Island, you will get to shoot a diverse range of landscapes including; rugged mountains, lakes, rivers, waterfalls and dramatic fiords.
We explore some of New Zealand’s most epic landscapes, from the mighty mountains of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, the untouched wilderness Milford Sound to the beautiful beaches of the catlins coast. This trip is an unrivalled photographic opportunity; journey through the Te Waipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Site is an awe-inspiring experience.
The tour includes the highlight of an overnight cruise on Milford Sound—a must visit location for any photographer—imersered in a landscape amassed with waterfalls cascading directly into the sea from mountains coated with Jurassic rainforest, there is never a time – rain, snow or shine – where the area doesn’t look at its pristine best. As well as the landscape we have the opportunity to see some amazing wildlife in the Catlins Coastal Rainforest Park where hopefully we will see sea lions hauling themselves out on the wild beaches along the coastline.
Tour Starts – Queenstown
30th September 2025: The tours start with a late afternoon pickup (3pm) from Queenstown We will then drive over the Crown Range to the charming mountain town of Wanaka.
We arrive in Wanaka in time to settle into our hotel and then head out for a sunset shoot around picturesque Lake Wanaka. Wanaka is a photographer’s paradise famed for its dramatic surrounding mountain ranges, stunning lake reflections and iconic lone tree.
We’ll explore Twizel and the Mackenzie Country’s surrounding mountains and lakes. We will stay in Twizel for two nights as it’s the perfect base from which to take advantage of the spectacular surrounding locations of Aoraki National Park and the remote Mackenzie Country, which offer some amazing photography opportunities. We will venture deep within the mountains at Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park to visit locations including alpine lakes, sweeping river vistas, and views of New Zealand’s highest peaks.
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, cascading waterfalls, brooding lakes and mossy beech forests. We arrive at Milford Sound to board our overnight boat and take to the water to capture the amazing landscapes from unique, alternative perspectives. After waking up on the boat for sunrise, we spend the day exploring some more locations along the Milford Road that we missed on the way in, arriving in Te Anau to finish the day with a walk along the tranquil shores of Lake Te Anau, the South Island’s largest lake, at the start of 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
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. Inland we will visit the tranquil waterfalls of the Catlins Coastal Rainforest Park which offer serene scenes surrounded by lush greenery.
Tour Finishes: Queenstown
Tuesday, 7th October 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.
Ken Wright’s seascapes speak for themselves, outstanding moments in time that capture sunrise and sunset. With 40 years experience in creative industries, Ken is highly skilled in design, illustration and photography.
Glen has been a travel, documentary and landscape photographer for more than 30 years. As an educator at Massey University, The Photo School and through workshops, really enjoying helping others discover their affinity for photography.
Accommodation Type: This includes 6 nights of hotel accommodation and one night on the Milford Overnight Boat Cruise.
Single Room Upgrades: Please select sole occupancy or twin share room when booking.
Food: The price tour includes breakfast each morning, this is normally at the hotel but sometimes a local cafe. Lunch and dinner (apart from any listed as being included) are at your own expense. We will stop at a cafe/shop for lunch and book a table for the group for dinner each day at a local restaurant. Sometimes evening meal times might be early/late to fit around the time of sunset. New Zealand has great food and caters well for any preferences like allergies, vegetarian etc. For the Milford Overnight Cruise, dinner is included.
A 15% deposit is required to reserve your space (deposit is non-refundable). The remaining balance is due 90 days prior to the start of the workshop.
Booking and Cancellation Policy: Please click here for our booking and cancellation policy.
This tour runs with a maximum group size of 8 and 2 tutors, offering 1:4 ratio of tutors to guests. Limiting group sizes ensure we provide you with expert guidance, instruction, and personal attention according to your learning style. Smaller groups of up to 4 may only be led by one tutor.
Camera Equipment: Our tours focus on how to use your camera, not your type of camera. A basic list of recommended camera equipment can be found here
Clothing: A list of recommended clothing to bring on the tour can be found here
A minimum level of physical activity is necessary to enjoy this tour. A lot of locations we shoot require a short walk (10-20mins one way) along the forest tracks or the coastline. These are sometimes uphill, over uneven ground, or rocky beaches and you will be carrying your own equipment. On this tour, there may be a couple of longer walk options (30-45 min one way) but if these are difficult for the group, we do have the option to split the group at these locations. If your fitness or mobility is an issue please let us know.
The tour to Milford Sound and Catlins was out of this world. Remarkable locations, guiding and the variety of locations made this a fantastic tour. The helicopter trip was a highlight and the passion of the guides was addictive. Would highly recommend it and I’ll be booking another one.
The best and most comprehensive photography tour on the South Island. This tour led by Richard Young totally exceeded my expectations. Richard is a very accomplished photographer who generously shared his expertise in the field and in editing sessions. I would recommend this tour to anyone who has a passion for the natural landscape and wildlife. Beginners and seasoned photographers will find this tour to be a fulfilling experience that will long be remembered.