New Zealand
Overview
AN INTIMATE PHOTO ADVENTURE THROUGH THE MAGNIFICENT LANDSCAPE OF NEW ZEALAND’S SOUTH ISLAND
“The expedition greatly exceeded my expectations. It was no doubt an amazing and awesome experience of a lifetime!” –Susan S., New Zealand expedition participant
“I feel my experience in New Zealand has made me a much better photographer. I had several ‘a-ha’ moments that I will carry with me every time I pick up the camera.” –Marla R., New Zealand expedition participant
Towering mountain ranges, hanging alpine glaciers, crystal blue lakes, pristine turquoise river valleys, wind-swept coastlines, and primordial tree fern rainforests are just some of the scenes we will photograph as we explore the South Island on this intimate 16-day journey led by renowned landscape photographer Michael Frye, and Phillip Bartlett, New Zealand’s leading landscape photographer, acclaimed for his professionalism and intimate knowledge of his homeland’s stunning scenery and diverse ecosystems. It was with good reason that motion picture director Peter Jackson chose New Zealand as the setting for Tolkien’s “Middle Earth”: incredible landscapes flow seamlessly from one to the next with a variety that is astounding in such a compact area.
We sought to design a trip that would take your breath away, including both iconic locations and our special places off the regular tourist path that offer superb opportunities for creative photography. A morning photo cruise by boat at Milford Sound, and an optional helicopter flight to do aerial photography of the spectacular Fox Glacier and Mount Cook provide us access to some truly phenomenal opportunities. All the while, your trip leaders offer generous guidance and instruction to ensure that you make the most of the rich photographic possibilities along the way.
This journey will take you from the garden city of Christchurch south into the heart of the Southern Alps, where we photograph the east side of New Zealand’s glacier-covered mountains, punctuated by Mount Cook reflected in vast glacier-fed lakes. We then continue to Otago’s Moeraki Boulders on the south-east coast.
Nearby, the lakeside town of Te Anau offers incredible mountain vistas, and some of our favorite secret spots off the beaten track. Next up are the glacier-carved valleys of Fiordland and Milford Sound, one of the world’s most evocative landscapes, with hanging waterfalls plummeting into the fjord, soaring mountains rising vertically from the sea, and the possibility of seeing blue penguins. Near our lodge is a very photogenic tree-fern forest that always yields great images.
Then, it’s on to the charming Lakes District town of Wanaka, where we will explore the surrounding hill country and photograph along the shore of Lake Wanaka. From there, we travel over to the rugged West Coast via Haast River Valley, enjoying the opportunities offered by the rainforest, beaches, and coastal wetlands where few have photographed before. Farther north at Fox Glacier, we helicopter over the glacier itself to shoot aerial views of the Mt. Cook massif, ice caves, crevasses, and hanging ice formations. Farther north along the west coast, we visit the Pancake Rock formations of the Punakaiki Area, and the tree fern forests of Paparoa National Park, based out of Greymouth. Finally, we traverse Arthur’s Pass as we head to the seaside town of Kaikoura to photograph dusky dolphins, albatrosses, and the coastal landscape, before returning to Christchurch.
Along the way, we will enjoy the New Zealanders’ typical good-cheer and hospitality, the camaraderie of our small group, and a lot of discussion of photographic topics. This trip is always immensely productive, and a lot of fun. We hope you will join us!
Itinerary
Fly into Christchurch International Airport (CHC) where you will be greeted by a friendly executive cab driver and transferred to our group’s hotel for our introductory meeting and orientation, followed by a group dinner at one of Christchurch’s fine restaurants.
Overnight at Focus Motel and Executive Suites, Christchurch (D)
October 7 – 8: TWIZEL AND AORAKI/MT. COOK NATIONAL PARK
We depart Christchurch in the morning on September 30 and travel south across the pastoral Canterbury Plains toward Mt. Cook National Park and our base for the next two nights in nearby Twizel, which provides an array excellent photographic options and flexibility to respond to changing weather in the mountains. Aoraki/Mt Cook is New Zealand’s highest mountain at 12,218ft. (3724m), the centerpiece of the majestic Southern Alps. Aoraki was given by the indigenous Maori and means ‘cloud-piercer’, an apt description as this mountain backdrop soars 10,000 feet above turquoise Lake Pukaki and the braided Tasman River which offer stunning foreground subject matter. In the early evening we take a short walk to position ourselves to capture the last light on the mountains.
The following morning we are out in the field pre-dawn, and drive to a nearby location to photograph the first light in the Tasman Valley. The setting is once again Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern Alps, with this location offering stunning panoramic perspectives. We then return to Twizel for a late breakfast. After lunch we are out in the field again and spend the rest of the day photographing the Southern Alps from a new perspective.
Overnight in Twizel at The Lakes Motel (B,L,D)
October 9: MOERAKI BOULDERS
We will have another chance to photograph sunrise on the Southern Alps before we depart and travel east out to the coast. We arrive in the afternoon in time to photograph the late light at the Moeraki Boulders. These unusual spherical concretions, which look as though they simply dropped out of the sky, are embedded in the sandy beach and can reach nearly 10 feet in diameter. We will also keep an eye out for yellow-eyed penguins.
Overnight at Moeraki Holiday Park (B,L,D)
October 10 – 11: TE ANAU
The lakeside town of Te Anau offers a wide variety of excellent photographic options, and we will let the prevailing weather conditions be our guide as we choose among them for our sunrise and sunset field sessions. We aim to take you into a seldom-visited area in Fiordland National Park, where a short hike rewards us with breath-taking views of the mountains. Local primeval forest and undeveloped lakes are also options.
Overnight at Anchorage Motel (B,L,D)
October 12: MILFORD SOUND
After photographing sunrise at Lake Te Anau, we make our way to Milford Sound, which is located in the northern part of the Fiordland National Park. The drive to Milford Sound passes through breathtaking glaciated valleys and we make stops to photograph along the way. We arrive at Milford Sound in the afternoon and shortly after set up on the water’s edge to photograph the iconic Mitre Peak and surrounding mountains.
Overnight at Milford Lodge (B,L,D)
October 13 – 14: MILFORD SOUND – WANAKA
In the morning on October 13 we will take a photography cruise through the fiord of Milford Sound and out to the Tasman Sea. In addition to the tremendous landscape of sheer mountains, plummeting waterfalls, and untouched coastline, we may encounter penguins, seals, and dolphins. We then continue on to Wanaka, arriving in the early afternoon. We take a break and meet up again to shoot late light on Lake Wanaka.
From pre-dawn through sunrise on October 14, we will photograph along the shore of Lake Wanaka, where a lone tree provides a wonderful foreground element. Our driver is required by the government to take a rest day today, so we’ll have time for a group image critique, exploring town, shopping, etc. We will meet as a group for lunch and dinner as well.
Overnight at Bella Vista Motel (B,L,D)
October 15: HAAST
After a morning shoot in the lakes district, we travel over to the wild and isolated West Coast to the village of Haast. In the late afternoon we set up at a stunningly beautiful and ancient rainforest wetland which offers everything from expansive forest scenes to excellent macro opportunities. Last light finds us out on a nearby beach, which is covered with twisted and knotted driftwood. We also keep an eye out for Fiordland Crested Penguins.
Overnight at Aspiring Court Motel (B,L,D)
October 16 – 17: FOX GLACIER
We continue north and arrive at the Fox Glacier village in the late morning on October 16. A nearby forest offers wonderful moss-covered trees, ferns, and cascading creeks, and we will spend time exploring this magical location. In the late afternoon we drive to a rural location to photograph Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern Alps from a new perspective.
The following morning those who opt to participate in the helicopter aerial charter will go down to the nearby heli-pad for an exhilarating aerial shoot of Fox Glacier and the Southern Alps. This is aerial photography at its best with the doors removed for unobstructed shooting. We will make a series of flights in a capable Hughes 500 helicopter with two guests per flight in the right-side photo positions, along with one photo leader seated behind the pilot, not photographing, but instead directing the pilot and offering guidance to set up photographic compositions for the guests. Please note that this is weather-dependent for the helicopters to operate, though in the case of inclement weather we have two mornings and two afternoons to find a suitable weather window for these flights. When not flying, we will venture out again to photograph forest, mountain, and glacier scenes. In the afternoon we take break for a bit before re-grouping for our evening of photography with the mountains as the backdrop.
Overnight at Sunset Motel in the town of Fox Glacier (B,L,D)
October 18: GREYMOUTH
We head out pre-dawn to capture stunning mountain reflections of Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman at a nearby lake. After breakfast we depart Fox Glacier and travel north towards the coastal town of Greymouth. We take a short break to refresh before continuing along the coast to the Punakaiki area for our last-light shoot of the unique limestone formations of the Pancake Rocks.
Overnight at Coleraine Suites (B,L,D)
October 19 – 20: KAIKOURA
Today we will travel from coast to coast, with mountain passes along the journey. Our destination is the peaceful seaside town of Kaikoura, on the east coast. Overlooked by majestic mountains, this coastal town was once only known for the rock lobster caught here. Today, Kaikoura is famous for the abundance of marine mammals and pelagic seabirds found in its sheltered bay. We arrive in Kaikoura in the late afternoon and photograph the rocky coastline as the sun sets with the coastal mountains as a backdrop.
After a sunrise shoot close to our accommodations the following morning, we board our private boat charter to photograph dusky dolphins – natural acrobats who can often be seen leaping and flipping. These photogenic animals typically gather in pods of hundreds of individuals in the early morning to socialize and play, so we will be out at sea at the perfect time to capture all the activity. Also, as a special bonus we will photograph resident wandering albatrosses and other pelagic bird species. This is a fantastic opportunity to photograph these enormous seabirds at close range. Once back on shore we will enjoy a relaxed breakfast before visiting a NZ fur seal colony along the coast. After lunch we take a break, and there is an option to join the whale-watch boat trip to photograph the resident Sperm whales for those who are interested. We meet again in the late afternoon for our farewell dinner together to celebrate our incredible journey through the South Island.
Overnight Admiral Court Motel (B,L,D)
October 21: DEPARTURE DAY
We enjoy our last sunrise shoot together this morning, before we travel south to Christchurch to where our adventure began two weeks earlier. For those departing this afternoon we say farewell and safe travels. Accommodation for tonight can be arranged for guests who are leaving the following day (not included in the trip package). (B)
Instructors
Michael Frye
- Michael Frye is a professional photographer specializing in landscapes and nature. His photographs and articles about art and technique of photography have appeared in publications around the world, including ...
Phillip Bartlett
- "The great thing about photographing in the digital age is instant feedback. Having the ability to assess each capture, while teaching out in the field, makes it so much ...
Gallery
Pricing
PRICING AND OCCUPANCY
All prices are per person.
This workshop is priced for single-occupancy, with pro-rated double occupancy rates for couples or participants who have made arrangements to share a room with another participant. We are not pairing individuals who are not traveling together in the same room until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic. If you are an individual traveler, please select single occupancy registration. Should this change we will update this page.
If you are interested in adding the helicopter flight, please let us know when you register. The additional cost of US$500 will be added to your final payment.
REVISED PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Given current uncertainties around international travel, we are offering a temporary revised payment schedule for this expedition. A 5% initial deposit is required to register. This deposit is non-refundable unless the expedition is cancelled by Visionary Wild. The following payment schedule will then apply:
- 45% deposit due April 6, 2022
- 50% final payment due June 6, 2022
This payment schedule may be extended if necessary depending on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic at the time of payment due dates.
We reserve the right to revert to the standard 30% deposit at any time, which would apply to all new bookings from the date the policy was reverted.
All other terms and conditions apply. Please review our terms and conditions even if you have participated in previous Visionary Wild trips so that you are aware of current policies
INCLUDED:
- Accommodation for fifteen nights
- All meals and beverages (including wine or beer with dinners)
- All in-tour photographic instruction
- Airport transfers and guide services by leader team of two photo pros plus one group field support
- Photo cruise on Milford Sound
- Private dolphin boat excursion on Kaikoura Bay
- Option to participate in helicopter flight over Fox Glacier (at additional fee of $500 per person)
- Department of Conservation concession and permit fees, all local taxes
EXCLUDED:
- All international air travel and domestic transportation within your home country, any other travel services required to arrive at the tour commencement location along with all associated taxes, levies and insurances.
- Immigration, duty, passport and visa fees where applicable.
- Personal items including gifts or other purchases, any paid communications, hotel room service or minibar charges, travel insurance, etc.
- Optional activities not explicitly listed as included in the itinerary, e.g. helicopter flight(s), additional whale watching excursion, etc.
- Gratuities for the driver
Highlights
- Landscapes that have to be seen to be believed: Alpine peaks and glaciers, tree fern rainforests, moody fjords, pristine lakes and blue glacial rivers, dramatic coastlines
- Wildlife: Little blue penguins, dusky dolphins, albatrosses
- Boat excursion on Milford Sound
- Luxurious group transport for group of seven participants in a spacious and comfortable Mercedes Sprinter Van (seats for 12-13 passengers).
- Small group – ideal for superior field photography experience, ample one-on-one instruction, and enhanced camaraderie
- Professional photographic instruction throughout by Michael Frye and Phillip Bartlett, with first-rate local support
- Creativity and visualization: learn to find new and unexpected compositions
- Advanced field techniques for landscape and wildlife photography
- Breaking through creative block and making great photographs in challenging situations
- Constructive critiques of participant photographs
- Optional helicopter aerials: private, doors-off photography session over Fox Glacier (additional cost)
- All-inclusive from Christchurch
Travel
