2025 - New Zealand Icons Photography Tour

2025 - New Zealand Icons Photography Tour
Da NZD NZ$ 11.690,00
  • Durata: 13 Giorni (circa)
  • Codice prodotto: 13-ICON

EXPERIENCE

This 13-day photography tour showcases some of the South Island’s most iconic landscapes, including Milford Sound, Mt Cook and the Catlins, along with some of the country's exceptional coastal wildlife. Timing is planned to make the most of New Zealand’s most settled season in autumn. The whole tour will feature the stunning golden colours of the southern landscapes.

You’ll explore the untouched wilderness of Fiordland with Ken Wright & Ben Wallbank including the majestic Milford and Doubtful Sounds. Milford, the most northerly of Fiordland’s many sounds, is renowned as one of the world’s most spectacular landscapes. Doubtful Sound is far more remote and scenic than the well-known Milford Sound offering a true wilderness experience with a 2-night stay here on a boat within the tranquil fiords. 

Then you will join Ken Wright & Joel Staveley to explore iconic highlights and hidden gems of the South Island’s stunning coastal and mountain landscapes. We adventure to the high country of Mt Cook National Park where we will photograph some of the amazing alpine scenery around New Zealand’s highest peak. Next is the Otago Peninsula and the Catlins Coast, which is full of surprises, including fossilised forests, curious boulders, and outstanding coastal scenery. We will photograph some of the huge diversity of rare wildlife that this area boasts: penguins, sea lions, fur seals and Royal Albatross in New Zealand’s wildlife capital.


HIGHLIGHTS

  • 2x nights cruise on Doubtful Sound

  • Photograph penguins, albatross & sea lions

  • Boat trip on the Otago Peninsula

  • Stay at Larnach Castle 


QUEENSTOWN - QUEENSTOWN

  • The Catlins Coast

  • Aoraki/ Mt Cook 

  • Moeraki Boulders 

  • Otago Peninsula

  • Milford & Doubtful Sound


ITINERARY

Day 0 - Queenstown 

Arrive in Queenstown and make your way to the hotel - this nights accommodation is included in the tour.

Day 1-2: Milford Sound & Te Anau

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 and cascading waterfalls. We have a luxury overnight stay at Milford Lodge and the opportunity to photograph the famous Mitre Peak at sunset and sunrise. Then a further two nights in Te Anau allow us to fully explore the stunning Milford Road with its reflective lakes and moss-covered beech forests clinging to steep mountainsides. Along with capturing the serene beauty of Lake Te Anau, we will also 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.

Day 3-4: Doubtful Sound

We embark on a two-night cruise through Doubtful Sound, while it may not be as well known as Milford it is arguably more photogenic. With no direct road access, we must first take a boat across Lake Manapouri, then drive through lush rainforest and over the dramatic Wilmot Pass to arrive at Doubtful Sound where we will meet our boat. The peaceful and awe-inspiring environment of Doubtful Sound offers an unforgettable experience, surrounded by natural grandeur. We will photograph waterfalls, jagged peaks, and the pristine waters of this remote wilderness. 

Days 5-6: Queenstown & Glenorchy

We then have two nights in Queenstown to capture changing light across Lake Wakatipu and serene reflections of the surrounding snow-capped mountains. We will travel to the picturesque town of Glenorchy, with its iconic boatshed and jetty. Nestled among native beech forests and towering mountains, Glenorchy offers a taste of Middle Earth where the natural beauty is truly unparalleled. We will also have some free time to explore Queenstown before the next part of our tour.

Days 7-8: Aoraki Mt Cook

We journey inland to the majestic Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Photographic opportunities abound, from the glacial turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki to the alpine lakes and towering peaks surrounding Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand’s tallest peak. 

Here, we'll explore the breathtaking Tasman & Hooker Valleys; walking out along well-graded tracks leading to alpine lakes, sweeping river views, and majestic mountain scenery—ideal for capturing the raw beauty of this alpine environment.

For an added adventure, you can also book an optional extra ski-plane flight, which provides an unparalleled aerial view of the Southern Alps from which to land on Tasman Glacier. This thrilling flight offers unobstructed views of the stunning ice formations and towering peaks, perfect for capturing dramatic views of this extraordinary landscape.

Day 9-10: Otago Peninsula

Next, we travel to the Otago Peninsula to stay in the historic Larnach Castle, one of New Zealand’s most impressive buildings. Here, you’ll experience the acclaimed Trust the Chef dining experience in the castle’s grand dining room—an unforgettable culinary highlight of our tour. The Otago Peninsula's dramatic coastal landscapes offer spectacular sunrise and sunset photo opportunities. It is also known as the wildlife capital of New Zealand with many rare species including penguins, albatrosses, and sea lions.

We will spend our stay here focusing on some exceptional wildlife experiences including a boat trip to take you around the world’s only mainland breeding colony of Northern Royal Albatross to photograph these majestic birds from the sea. We will also visit a private eco-reserve, where you’ll photograph yellow-eyed penguins and blue penguins. And Orokonui Ecosanctuary; home to native birds and rare species like the takahe and tuatara, you’ll have the chance to photograph these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat.

We will make a stop at Moeraki to photograph the striking Moeraki Boulders, an extraordinary collection of large spherical rocks scattered along the beach in a dramatic coastal setting.

Day 11-13: The Catlins

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 to Waipapa Point Lighthouse with its iconic windswept macrocarpa trees and expansive coastal vistas. Inland we will visit the tranquil waterfalls of the Catlins Coastal Rainforest Park which offer serene scenes surrounded by lush greenery.

Tour Finishes: Queenstown


PRICE INCLUDES