Getting to the tour
This New Zealand photography tour meets and disbands in Dunedin, the second-largest city on New Zealand’s South Island. Participants are responsible for their transportation to and from the Dunedin Airport.
Transportation during the tour
Transportation is provided throughout the tour, from our first hotel until our return to Dunedin. Transportation during the tour will be in a comfortable coach capable of holding the entire group plus our photo gear and luggage.
Lodging
The tour includes 12 nights of high-end hotel lodging throughout the South Island. Single or double occupancy lodging choices are available.
New Zealand Photography Tour Itinerary
Our itinerary is organized to visit some of the most spectacular locations on the South Island. The tour is 13 days total: 11 shooting days book ended by an arrival day and a departure day. We’ll set a relaxed pace on the trip, with emphasis on shoots during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset, with breaks in the middle of day for meals, optional side-trips, or transit between locations. NZ is a small country and most of our locations are only a 3 or 4 hour drive apart. Also note that nothing is mandatory on this tour and if you feel like taking a break from one of our scheduled stops just let us know.
Day 1, Arrival Day
Arrive in Dunedin. Meet at our group’s hotel for orientation and introductions. We will plan to relax in vibrant Dunedin this night to prepare for the upcoming tour.
Days 2 – 12
Our tour follows a rough counterclockwise loop out of Dunedin, first heading up to the iconic Moeraki Boulders for a sunset and sunrise. Next we’ll set off for three nights at Mt. Cook National Park, where rugged mountains and azure-blue lakes dominate the landscape. We’ll enjoy incredible, glacier-sculpted scenery from easy hikes in the park as well as our own, private flight-seeing tour and glacier landing. Next we will venture to Wanaka for two nights to enjoy the incredible scenery and hospitality of Wanaka and the Matukituki Valley. Sheep, wineries, elegant trees, delicious food, and massive lakes are on the itinerary for this stop. Then it’s a short drive to our next stop of Queenstown. This hip city is in one of the most beautiful locations in New Zealand, with towering peaks, glacial valleys, picturesque lakes, and other secret finds within easy access. We will have a planned rest day in Queenstown. After Queenstown we’ll enjoy an epic scenic flight into one of the most incredible parts of New Zealand: Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. There we will spend two nights drinking in the spectacular scenery of New Zealand’s largest national park, both by land and by a cruise through majestic Milford Sound. Then we’ll head to Manapouri for our overnight journey into Doubtful Sound, an experience that will leave you breathless.
Day 13, Last Day and Departure
On our last day we return to Dunedin around 7 pm and get ready for departure. Bid your new friends and fellow photographers goodbye and reminisce about an awesome tour.
Note: all times and dates in this itinerary are given for New Zealand in September, which will be GMT+13. When making flight bookings, please make sure the date you arrive in Dunedin coincides with our itinerary. We reserve the right to revise this itinerary at any time. For detailed trip information please contact me.
Weather
Note: dates and weather may change. September is early spring in NZ and mark the beginning of New Zealand’s transition from winter. Days will be mild and nights may be cold. Kiwis often claim their country can experience all four seasons in a single day, so participants on this tour should be ready for a variety of conditions from rain and snow to warm sun. Average temperatures at this time range between 35°F lows and 65°F highs (2°C – 18°C). Temperatures throughout the South Island will be relatively similar, with perhaps +/- 10°F (+/- 5°C) differences.