New Zealand’s South Island is on the wish list of every serious landscape photographer. I have had the pleasure of visiting it twice now and still haven’t scratched the surface. The photography opportunities here are endless. Where else would you find glaciers, fiords, mountains, remote rugged coast, wildlife, and rolling countryside within a hour of each other?
For images from New Zealand’s South Island, click here: New Zealand’s South Island.
Click here for to view images from New Zealand’s North Island, New Zealand landscape photography
Here are my favourite places to visit:
These majestic boulders, oddly spherical have been exhumed by coastal erosion from the surrounding cliffs. I love this place, obviously because of the interesting rock formations, but also because of it’s relatively isolated location. I’ve never been disappointed by the sunset or sunrise here, on my last visit I experienced an awesome fiery red dawn an hour before sunrise.
Moeraki Boulders, Koekohe Beach, Otago Coast, South Island, New Zealand
Moeraki Boulders, Koekohe Beach, Otago Coast, South Island, New Zealand
Milford Sound / Doubtful Sound
Milford Sound is the most visited tourist attraction in New Zealand and rightfully so. The landscape, actually a fiord has been shaped by glacial ice over millennia. For me the best place to view it’s iconic Mitre peak isn’t actually out at sea or by boat on the fiord but rather from the coast. The drive there from Te Anau is worth the trip alone.
Doubtful Sound is not quite as popular due to its relative inaccessibility. There is no access to the fiord by road so you have to travel by boat or walk (not for the faint hearted!). It is no less stunning than Milford and being a bit more remote makes it that extra bit special.
Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, South Island, New Zealand
Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, South Island, New Zealand
Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, South Island, New Zealand
Doubtful Sound, Fiordland National Park, South Island, New Zealand
Doubtful Sound, Fiordland National Park, South Island, New Zealand
Church of The Good Shepherd
Church of The Good Shepherd is another well deserved popular tourist hotspot. Lake Tekapo is a stunning location. The azure lake is surround by an awe inspiring mountainous landscape which is covered by a blanket of snow in the winter. The Church is the main focal point perfectly situated on the lakes edge.
Church of The Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo, South Island, New Zealand
Church of The Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo and surrounding mountains reflect in the Church window