HIGHLIGHTS

LOCATION: CHRISTCHURCH - QUEENSTOWN

• Ashburton Lakes

• Arthur’s Pass

• Punakaiki 

• Fox Glacier 

• Haast

• Wanaka

ITINERARY

Day 1-4 - Ashburton Lakes
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking Ashburton Lakes region during a four-day Muster Photography Workshop, capturing the thrilling spectacle of a traditional merino sheep muster on a remote high country station.

Surrounded by serene glacial lakes, majestic peaks, and pristine alpine beauty, you'll refine your skills in capturing sweeping vistas, emphasizing the texture and depth of rugged terrain, and working with the shifting light of this dramatic environment. Guided by professional photographers, this workshop provides an exceptional opportunity to refine your craft in one of New Zealand’s most inspiring settings. Visit to the spectacular and mysterious limestone landscapes of Castle Hill on route to Christchurch. 

Day 5 - Christchurch
Today you will have a free day to explore Christchurch or catch up on some processing before the start of the next leg of the tour. 

Day 6 - Christchurch - Punakaiki
This morning we depart Christchurch and head across the Canterbury Plains and up into the Southern Alps. Driving through the famous Arthur’s Pass we will stop to photograph the waterfalls and forests of this area as we make our way to the West Coast. We will reach Punakaiki and its famous Punakaiki rock formations in time for sunset photography.

Day 7 - Punakaiki
The day begins with an exploration of the exquisite limestone and river landscapes of Paparoa National Park. We will spend the rest of the day exploring the exceptional coastline and sunset sees us heading out onto stunning beaches to capture the last light hitting the coastline and huge breaking waves.

Day 8 - Punakaiki - Fox Glacier
This morning, we drive down the coast stopping in at the Hokitika Gorge to capture the beautiful turquoise waters and then heading further down to Whataroa for a guided White Heron Sanctuary Tour up the Whataroa river; this is the only way to access the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve. Here, we will photograph the country's only nesting site for the beautiful White Herons (Kotuku), along with the Royal Spoonbill. We finish the day at sunset, we visit a remote west coast beach offering panoramic views of the snow-covered peaks of the Southern Alps.

Day 9 - Fox Glacier
This morning, we will photograph the sunrise at Lake Matheson, capturing the often-perfect reflections of Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman—New Zealand’s highest mountains. If the weather is right, you have the option (at additional cost) to take a helicopter flight onto the vast upper neve of the Fox Glacier for some unparalleled photo opportunities. Sunset tonight will see us heading out to Okarito Lagoon, with panoramic views of the Southern Alps rising beyond a sweeping extent of rainforest.

Day 10 - Fox Glacier - Hasst
We travel along the coast, exploring the magnificent rainforest of the Te Wāhipounamu (a UNESCO World Heritage area). At sunset, we visit a remote West Coast beach for another west coast sunset.

Day 11 - Haast - Wanaka
After a coastal sunrise this morning we drive through Haast’s Pass, the gateway back inland to Wanaka. Along the way, we photograph a number of extraordinary waterfalls, including a beautiful 30-metre cascade in stately beech forest. Tonight we capture the sunset over Lake Wanaka. 

Day 12 – Wanaka - Queenstown

This morning we will head out on a 4WD drive trip to capture the changing light over mighty peaks and mountain valleys. The rest of the day we will explore the hills around Wanaka before heading back over to Queenstown for late afternoon flights.

PRICE INCLUDES

• 12 days’ photography guiding 

• 11 nights’ hotel accommodation (twin-share, single upgrade available) mostly 4✩ 

• 11 breakfasts

• Wanaka 4WD Trip 

• White Heron Sanctuary Tour 

• Transport during the tour

• Christchurch pickup / Queenstown drop off

• DOC (National Park) concession fees

• Copy of our Pocket Guide to Landscape & Wildlife Photography 

• Donation to our Conservation Fund

• Native tree planting to Carbon Offset your tour