Capture the best of New Zealand’s Lower South Island, a region of breathtaking landscapes and iconic photography locations. From rugged fiords and windswept beaches to glacial lakes and towering alpine peaks, this journey offers an extraordinary variety of scenes perfect for capturing stunning images.
Begin in Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park, and journey out to Milford Sound—the jewel of the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area. Explore its untouched wilderness on a cruise, where towering granite peaks and cascading waterfalls create one of the world’s most spectacular photographic landscapes.
Travel inland to Wanaka and Twizel, where golden tussock landscapes, alpine vistas, and glacial lakes create a dramatic backdrop for both daytime and astrophotography. Conclude your adventure at Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, photographing New Zealand’s highest peaks, pristine glacial lakes, and sweeping alpine scenery.
This Lower South Island adventure combines world-class landscapes, diverse wildlife, and unforgettable photographic experiences, making it a must for photographers seeking to capture the essence of New Zealand’s South Island.
Tour Starts – Queenstown
21st September 2026: We travel to Te Anau, our base for the first two nights of the tour. We can pick you up at any central location in Queenstown or from Queenstown Airport.
Based in Te Anau, the perfect gateway to explore Fiordland National Park and the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area, characterised by dramatic landscapes. We will explore the stunning Milford Road, widely regarded as one of the world’s great drives, stopping to photograph its many highlights: reflective alpine lakes, cascading waterfalls, and moss-covered beech forests clinging to steep mountainsides. We will also capture the serene beauty of Lake Te Anau and 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
We arrive in Wānaka, a photographer’s paradise renowned for its dramatic mountain ranges, mirror-like lake reflections, and the iconic lone tree set in the heart of Central Otago. Our lakefront hotel provides the perfect base to capture the region’s raw beauty, as ever-changing light sweeps across the snow-capped peaks beyond.
From here, we explore the surrounding valleys of Wānaka and venture further toward the West Coast, where dynamic alpine landscapes and cascading waterfalls offer endless photographic opportunities.
In the heart of Mackenzie Country, we’ll stay for three nights in Twizel, the perfect base for exploring and photographing New Zealand’s highest peaks and breathtaking glacial lakes. This charming town provides access to a diverse tapestry of landscapes, from snow-laden mountains to vibrant turquoise lakes and serene, reflective waters.
We’ll venture into the surrounding mountains and remote high-country landscapes, capturing the spectacular winter scenery the region is famous for. We’ll explore the best locations within Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, including the Tasman Valley, the Hooker Valley, and the striking peaks and alpine lakes of the Southern Alps. Photographic opportunities abound—from the glacial turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki to the towering mountains and pristine alpine lakes that define this iconic region.
Tour Finishes: Christchurch
27th September 2026: We will arrive at Christchurch 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 worked as a travel, documentary, and landscape photographer for over 30 years. As an educator at Massey University, The Photo School, and through photography workshops, he’s passionate about helping others discover and develop their own connection to photography.
Accommodation Type: This tour features mainly 4–4.5 star hotel, motel or lodge accommodation.
Sole Occupancy/Twin Room: Please select sole occupancy or twin share room when booking.
Food: The tour includes 6 cooked breakfasts, lunch and dinners are not included. We’ll stop daily at local cafés or supermarkets for lunch, and a dinner reservation will be arranged each evening at a restaurant. We recommend bringing a water bottle and plenty of snacks to keep you energised throughout the day!
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.
Our exact schedule each day will be determined according to the weather to allow for the best shooting, we may choose to swap out locations for others that are better suited to the conditions and we keep a flexible itinerary to accommodate this. We focus on spending as much time as possible out shooting, often from before dawn until sunset. During the tour, we will make time for some image review and processing session, we will fit these around times that are not optimum for shooting.
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 5 may only be led by one tutor.
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.
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