New Zealand: South Island Photography Locations

  • Coordinates:
    -44.6955, 169.1350

    Directions:
    Drive to Roys Bay / Wanaka Foreshore via Ardmore Street. Walk along the lake edge for a few minutes.

    Access:
    Very easy — flat 2–5 minute walk.

    Travel Notes:
    Located in central Wānaka. No hiking required.

    Best Time to Shoot:
    Sunrise (best for reflections), sunset for colour.

    Best Season:
    Year-round. Winter adds snow to mountains, autumn adds colour.

    Description:
    An iconic minimalist composition featuring a lone tree in shallow water. Works beautifully in calm conditions with reflections.

    Blog Link:

  • Coordinates:
    -44.0046, 170.4773

    Directions:
    Located on Pioneer Drive, Lake Tekapo township.

    Access:
    Very easy — short walk from car park.

    Travel Notes:
    Extremely popular — arrive early or late.

    Best Time to Shoot:
    Sunrise, sunset, and Milky Way photography.

    Best Season:
    Spring (lupins), winter (snow + astro), year-round landscape.

    Description:
    A classic New Zealand composition with turquoise water, historic stone church, and mountain backdrop.

    Blog Link:

  • Coordinates:

    -44.0097, 170.4650

    Directions:
    Access via Mount John Summit Road (toll) or walking track from Tekapo.

    Access:
    Easy to moderate — drive up or 30–60 minute uphill walk.

    Travel Notes:
    One of NZ’s best astro locations.

    Best Time to Shoot:
    Night (Milky Way), sunset.

    Best Season:
    Winter for clear skies, year-round astro.

    Description:
    Elevated 360° views over Lake Tekapo, ideal for astrophotography and sunset landscapes.

    Blog Link:

  • Item descriptionCoordinates:
    -44.6718, 167.9250

    Directions:
    Drive Milford Road (SH94) from Te Anau (~2 hours).

    Access:
    Easy — roadside viewpoints and short walks.

    Travel Notes:
    Allow a full day. Road conditions can vary.

    Best Time to Shoot:
    Sunrise, overcast, and rainy conditions.

    Best Season:
    Year-round. Rain creates waterfalls and atmosphere.

    Description:
    Dramatic fjord landscapes with towering peaks, mist, and waterfalls — especially powerful in moody weather.

    Blog Link:

  • Coordinates:
    -45.0312, 168.6626

    Directions:
    Multiple lakefront access points throughout Queenstown.

    Access:
    Very easy — no hiking required.

    Travel Notes:
    Explore multiple viewpoints around the lake.

    Best Time to Shoot:
    Sunrise, sunset, and blue hour.

    Best Season:
    Autumn (colour), winter (snow), year-round.

    Description:
    A versatile alpine location with strong compositions across lake and mountain landscapes.

    Blog Link:

  • Coordinates:
    -44.9384, 168.8314

    Directions:
    Access via Arrowtown-Lake Hayes Road into township.

    Access:
    Easy walking tracks and streets.

    Travel Notes:
    Very busy during peak autumn.

    Best Time to Shoot:
    Morning light.

    Best Season:
    Autumn (peak colours).

    Description:
    Historic township with vibrant autumn foliage and charming streetscapes.

    Blog Link:

  • Coordinates:
    -45.3473, 170.8282

    Directions:
    Moeraki Boulders Road on Otago coast.

    Access:
    Easy — short walk to beach.

    Travel Notes:
    Check tide times (essential).

    Best Time to Shoot:
    Sunrise, low tide.

    Best Season:
    Year-round.

    Description:
    Unique spherical rock formations ideal for long exposure and seascape compositions.

    Blog Link:

  • Coordinates:
    -43.5950, 170.1418

    Directions:
    Drive State Highway 80 to Mount Cook Village.

    Access:
    Easy to moderate — Hooker Valley Track recommended.

    Travel Notes:
    ~1 hour from Twizel.

    Best Time to Shoot:
    Sunrise, sunset, and night sky.

    Best Season:
    Winter (snow), summer (hiking access).

    Description:
    New Zealand’s highest peak surrounded by alpine landscapes, glacial lakes, and dramatic light.

    Blog Link:

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Large rounded stones in the ocean, with pink and purple cloudy sky, at sunset or sunrise, gentle waves surrounding the rocks.
Snow-capped mountains behind a body of water, with golden autumn trees near the shoreline and partly cloudy sky.
Scenic landscape with snow-capped mountains under a pastel pink and blue sky, a small stone church and a tree in the foreground.
A serene lake reflecting surrounding green trees, hills with sparse vegetation, and a colorful pink and purple sky at sunset.
A stone church under a starry night sky with the Milky Way galaxy visible.
A black and white photo of a vast body of water with mountains in the background, and dramatic clouds in the sky.
A landscape showing a snow-capped mountain range under a pink and purple sky, with clouds hovering around the mountains. In the foreground, a tree with yellow leaves grows partly submerged in a calm blue lake, and a cluster of trees with orange and g
Moss-covered rock on beach with ocean and large rounded rocks in the background at sunset
Scenic landscape with snow-capped mountains at sunset, pink and purple clouds in the sky, a small stone church, and a tree in the foreground
Snow-covered mountain valley with a wooden pathway leading towards distant snow-capped peaks under cloudy sky.
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