Slow luxury travel: New Zealand’s photography destinations

New Zealand’s otherworldly terrains have been attracting photographers around the world for decades, and it’s not that hard to see why. New Zealand features in movies such as The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and The Chronicles of Narnia for a reason: New Zealand offers unimaginable and unparalleled beauty.

At Aroha New Zealand Tours, our goal is to create photography tours that are more than just seeing well-known locations or trying to get Instagram-worthy photos (though you will get those too!). We would be happy to assist you in organising the ideal trip if a privately led photography tour sounds like the adventure you’re looking for.

Piha Beach is the most recognised of Auckland’s West Coast beaches. Piha is comprised of black-blue volcanic sand and the renowned Lion Rock, which is known for mimicking the stance of a lion. Piha Beach’s exceptional surf makes it the ideal location for taking pictures of surfers against the gorgeous scenery; these shots would be priceless.

Kitekite Falls is a beautiful waterfall that is hidden in the native bush behind Piha Beach. It is only a short walk or drive away. The uphill walk is worth it because it’s a great time to take pictures of some of New Zealand’s beautiful native plants. When you get to the top, the tiers of the waterfall make a misty atmosphere that is perfect for taking pictures of things that are out of this world.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing, located in the North Island of NZ, is known to be one of our best day walks, but for photographers, it’s a chance to photograph a variety of volcanic scenes that evolve with every hour spent in the area.

Tongariro National Park offers photographers the opportunity to capture the acidic and supernatural emerald lakes, ancient lava flows and alpine fields. So, if you decide to include Tongariro Crossing in your photographic tour, keep in mind that you will be capturing some of New Zealand’s volcanic heart.

Rotorua, located in the North Island of NZ, is yet another otherworldly place. What makes Rotorua so magical is that it is sprinkled with geothermal activity. In Rotorua, the earth and its byproducts themselves become your subject.

The Champagne Pool in Wai-O-Tapu resembles an abstract painting, with a rainbow of naturally occurring pigments, offering you the chance to capture some incredibly unique photographs.

Cape Reinga, located in the North Island of NZ, is a point where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet, which creates swirling waters and picture-perfect seascapes. Cape Reinga also features a lighthouse built in 1941, and this lighthouse happens to be one of the first lights seen when coming inland.

Mt. Taranaki is referred to as Mount Fuji, or the perfectly symmetrical volcano of New Zealand. All photographers can get a genuinely unique shot of the symmetrical peak because the mountain produces its own weather systems, which result in continuously shifting photographic conditions.

You may have seen the iconic Cathedral Cove before. Located in the Coromandel, Cathedral Cove is a piece of natural architecture that frames the ocean. The world-famous limestone archway is a stunning photographic opportunity on its own, and the addition of the surrounding Mercury Bay offers opportunities to photograph New Zealand’s pristine beaches.

Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) is a must-see for any visitor to New Zealand’s South Island, and for good reason…it never gets old! Every change in the weather, such as the mist in the morning, the dramatic storms in the afternoon, and the enchanted rainbows that appear after a rainstorm, alters this field. We advise spending a few days here to capture all of her moods because the secret to taking pictures here is to be patient and ready for whatever nature throws at you.

For some of the most stunning mountain views, photographers should visit Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. There are innumerable opportunities for photographers to take mountain-reflection photographs in the stunning glacial lakes along the well-known Hooker Valley Track. Imagine photographing the Southern Cross against the backdrop of New Zealand’s highest peaks! This region is also a Dark Sky Reserve, offering some of the world’s clearest night skies for astrophotography.

One of the most unique places in New Zealand for photography is Lake Tekapo, which has a distinctive colour scheme. A whimsical photo opportunity is created by the pink, purple, and white flowers that adorn the lake.

The Mackenzie Basin location offers fantastic night sky opportunities, and the contrast between day and night photography offers a variety of viewpoints. The small Church of the Good Shepherd also makes a perfect foreground element.

The Dark Sky Project at Lake Tekapo offers photographers the perfect location for astrophotography. You can experience a privately guided stargazing and astrophotography experience that will help you understand optimal shooting conditions and learn about how Māori navigators used these same stars for centuries.

New Zealand hosts two of the world’s 22 Dark Sky Reserves, plus additional Dark Sky Sanctuaries and Parks, so if you get a chance to visit, you’ll be capturing some of the most immaculate night skies on the planet.

I am sure you have seen the Famous Wanaka Tree, sitting in the waters of Lake Wanaka. It is one of New Zealand’s most photographed scenes, often appearing on our Instagram feeds. The lone Wanaka tree has become an icon for tourists and photographers, especially during golden hour when the light catches both the tree and the surrounding mountains.

While it can get crowded, the nearby Rob Roy Glacier Track offers sensational alpine scenery, featuring hanging glaciers, waterfalls, and mountain vistas that rival those of anywhere in the Southern Alps.

You can get to some truly amazing places for photography from Queenstown, a town that we are all familiar with. One of them, the Remarkables mountain range, provides a striking background for the city and lake shots. At the same time, some of the world’s most filmed landscapes can be found in nearby Glenorchy (yes, the location of The Lord of the Rings).

There is a small Red Hut in Glenorchy that has gained international recognition. The surrounding mountains and Lake Wakatipu provide a picturesque backdrop for this small red building.

Depending on the weather and time of day, this type of shot shouts “New Zealand” and offers countless compositional options. The surrounding area provides a variety of viewpoints, which makes it ideal for capturing various lighting conditions and moods throughout the day.

The West Coast glaciers offer something you won’t find anywhere else. In this location, what makes it special for photographers is the incredible contrast. For an extra special shot, access by helicopter allows photographers to capture aerial perspectives of the ancient ice rivers as they etch through the landscape.

In the South Island of NZ, the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks appear almost too perfect to be natural, giving off a supernatural or unearthly look. The beautifully layered limestone formations create such unique patterns that have been etched over time. The Punakaiki Pancake Rocks are surrounded by sea and a rugged coastline, which for photographers offers the opportunity to capture the best of the West Coast.

The Moeraki Boulders are yet another of nature’s masterpieces, perfect, naturally occurring spheres scattered along the coast like giant marbles. The Moeraki boulders are incredible foreground elements for sunrise and sunset pictures, which is how they are most often photographed, with the stretching coastline posing as the perfect backdrop.

Uncovering more remote locations, Stewart Island is New Zealand’s best-kept secret for wildlife photography. With predator-free environments, native birds thrive here. With an abundance of remote beaches, ancient forests, and bustling birdlife, you can be sure to photograph scenes most visitors will never get the chance to see (even some of the locals, too).

Being at New Zealand’s southernmost tip, you’ve also got a chance to capture the aurora australis in some of the clearest skies in New Zealand.

Great Barrier Island is just a few hours travel from Auckland, but it appears as though it is worlds away from the pollution of city lights, which means Great Barrier Island is an incredible astrophotography location.

Not to mention, Great Barrier Island is home to some of the most untouched and beautiful untamed beaches and ancient kauri forests, making it an ideal destination for photographers who want to celebrate New Zealand’s environment.

We believe that when you take your time and let each location speak for itself, the real magic happens. There are plenty of photographic opportunities in each of the places listed here, which reward skill and patience.

The staff at Aroha Luxury New Zealand Tours would be delighted to assist you in creating the ideal itinerary if a leisurely, purposeful photographic tour appeals to your adventurous spirit.