Photo Spots in New Zealand

Going to NZ for a business trip in a few weeks. I'm sure I'll be able to carve out an afternoon or three to take photos Definitely want to take advantage of the many fine landscapes and beach shots I've seen posted.

Any recommendations?

First time there, not sure how mobile I'll be, but I don't mind getting lost or dirty. In fact, if any POTNers would like to show a Yank around, I'd gladly reciprocate with some cold beers on me.

Should be operating out of Auckland (CBD area was recommended), and I think I'll be up in the North Shore area at least once or twice. In town from June 23rd to 28th.

Try to make your way to Coromandel or the West Coast if you've got a day to spare. Otherwise there's a ton of coast line around where you will be and if you find yourself further North there's some pretty amazing bush and coast. I'm not totally familiar with the area, but I'm from Tauranga (Bay of Plenty area) about 3 hours south of Auckland.

New Zealand is a very beautiful place but you absolutely have to make sure you get away from the cities. The real pleasure in photographing NZ is getting out to the bush or mountains. Just my opinion.

I'd love to show you around but I'm currently living and studying in Christchurch, South Island. If you do somehow find yourself down here the places you must photograph would include Millford Sounds, Lake Tekapo and Arthur's Pass. My home is the North and I love the North Island but in my opinion the South Island is much more picturesque.

Poke your nose in this thread https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=483700 and you will have no shortage of people to give you ideas, join you for shoots & partaking in the odd cold beer!

thanks for the pointers. Great thread, thanks Mark.

Hey weegee,
if you dont stop barking you`l end up in the time out room.
My dogs nick name is weegee.
I can give you the guided tour.
I dont work, I just play with my toys all day, so
HEY! HO! LETS GO!

woof, woof. All right. Guided tour. I sound like a dignatary.

Oh boy, so close and yet so far. I spent a semester abroad on the South Island back in 1994, and it's hard to fathom going to NZ and getting only the North Island to see.

That said, I thought Rotorua and the volcanoes south of there in Tongariro were beautiful. Huka falls is near Rotorua and very photogenic.

North of Auckland the Bay of Islands was pretty and pleasant, but I didn't find it to be an especially superlative spot.

I was based in Dunedin and I travelled widely throughout the South Island. Hands down the most jaw dropping places were Fiordland and Mount Cook National Parks, with Westland National Park close behind (though it's basically the 'other side' of Mount Cook anyway). For some reason many visitors skip Mount Cook, even though it has jaw dropping scenery. And Fiordland may well be the most spectacular place on the entire planet.

DrPablo wrote in post #5678989
And Fiordland may well be the most spectacular place on the entire planet.

I've lived in New Zealand for all of my 23 years and I've never been there. Been planning a trip in the semester break in a month and I can't wait.

weegee wrote in post #5670656
Going to NZ for a business trip in a few weeks. I'm sure I'll be able to carve out an afternoon or three to take photos Definitely want to take advantage of the many fine landscapes and beach shots I've seen posted.

Any recommendations?

First time there, not sure how mobile I'll be, but I don't mind getting lost or dirty. In fact, if any POTNers would like to show a Yank around, I'd gladly reciprocate with some cold beers on me.

Should be operating out of Auckland (CBD area was recommended), and I think I'll be up in the North Shore area at least once or twice. In town from June 23rd to 28th.

Nothing much compared to south island. Maybe you should extend your stay and travel to scenic south Island which had me spell bound for 2 weeks when I was there 2 years ago.

In Auckland, try the Eric Armishaw Costal Walkway and Meola Reef Reserve.

To the north don't miss the Bay of Islands. Take a boat out to one of the islands for some panoramas.

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

A stop in Auckland should be just long enough to catch the flight to the South Island!!!

I spent about 6 weeks in New Zealand January before last shooting, shooting, shooting... on both Islands, I think we put something like 3100 km on the rental.

One of these days I am going to organize them...

North Island
From Auckland
South (mind the Friday night traffic...)

• Cormandel Pennisula. This is good for a whole day...There are some great old mining ruins and suspension bridges over the river just south of there...
  
• Rte 30 from Otorohanga to Rotorua - The famous Waitomo Glowworm grotto is near Otorohanga- pretty touristy but still interesting. Otorohanga has a pretty good Kiwi house with some hyperactive Kiwis (the bird) that have been day/night shifted...
  
• Rotorua and the hot springs (Lady Knox Geyser is a fun touristy one)
  
• Okere falls (hey- take the rafting trip over the falls!)
  
• Hupa Falls
  
• Lake Taupo
  
• Turangi (Tongario Nat'l Park-Mt Ruapeheu erupted last year)
  

• Whangarei Area some nice waterfalls (Piroa) and (Whangarei falls)
  
• Bay of Islands- need to go by boat out to hole in the rock
  
• Cape Reinga- You can't go any farther north
  
• Spirit Bay-
  
• Any Kauri forest....
  
• 90 mile Beach at Sunset
  
• Hokianga Harbour/Omopere - Beautiful sand dunes across a bay
  

• Sky tower (great 360 degree views of Auckland- plus people pay to jump off it. )
  

fantastic info. Thank you all.

Normally I would extend the trip a couple days, but wife's home pregnant. Only so much I can get away with : )