Ultimate New Zealand Photo Workshop & Photo Tour                
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Ultimate New Zealand

Lodge-Based Photo Workshop
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Ultimate New Zealand

Lodge-Based Photo Workshop
Upcoming Departures
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Trip Leader(s)
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Starting From [Block//Current Price]

Single Supplement: +$1,500.00
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  Deposit: $5,000.00  
Start/End

Queenstown, New Zealand / Queenstown, New Zealand

Length

11 Days/10 Nights

Fitness Level

Level 1 - What's This?

Group Size

Up To 7 Guests

Highlights
  • Queenstown and Arrowtown: Capture golden hour over Lake Wakatipu with its Māori legends, then explore Arrowtown’s historic charm and vivid autumn foliage reflected along the Arrow River.

  • Mount Aspiring National Park’s Misty Rainforests: Photograph lush mossy forests, waterfalls, and delicate spider webs, with native birds like the fantail and kārearea adding life to close-up nature shots.

  • Mackenzie Basin’s Glacial Lakes: Shoot the turquoise lakes Pukaki and Tekapo reflecting Aoraki / Mount Cook

  • Te Anau and Fiordland’s Wild Wilderness: Explore ancient forests and calm rivers around Te Anau, finishing at Milford Sound’s dramatic waterfalls and misty cliffs—nature’s stunning show in any weather.

If you have any questions about a trip, itinerary, or gear, our Photo Experience Coordinators are available for a personalized one-on-one consultation to provide all the details you need.
Trip Description:

From snow-capped peaks and turquoise lakes to rainforests draped in moss and coastlines that catch fire at sunset, this photography adventure takes you deep into the heart of New Zealand’s South Island. Over ten immersive days, we journey through some of the country’s most dramatic and diverse landscapes, capturing scenes that look almost unreal—because in New Zealand, the “postcard version” of a place is often just the starting point.

We begin in Queenstown, often called the adventure capital of the world. Sitting on the edge of Lake Wakatipu and flanked by the Remarkables mountain range, Queenstown gives us early access to alpine light, mirror-like reflections, and golden hour over a lake with its own Māori legends. This region also sets the tone for the trip: a mix of big landscapes and quiet details, all layered with stories. According to Māori beliefs, Lake Wakatipu’s rise and fall every 27 minutes is the heartbeat of Mata-au, a giant water spirit sleeping beneath the lake. Another tale tells of the warrior Matakauri, whose battle with a fearsome taniwha shaped the lake and surrounding mountains, leaving the landscape marked by the creature’s tail. As you'll discover throughout this trip, New Zealand's unique landscapes are steeped in folklore and cultural traditions, and this region is only the starting point for our journey!

Nearby Arrowtown offers a completely different atmosphere. This small historic village boomed in the 1860s during the Otago gold rush, and today it's famous for its blazing autumn color. Japanese maples, poplars, and willows turn the valley into a painter’s palette every fall. We spend time here capturing light through the trees, reflections along the Arrow River, and the quiet charm of a town that feels like it’s stepped out of another era. It’s also a place where serendipity thrives—some of our best shots come from just slowing down and looking around.

From there, the scenery shifts again as we wind into the dense, misty rainforests of Mount Aspiring National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this region holds deep green canopies, roadside waterfalls, and air so full of moisture it turns every spider web and fern into a light-catching subject. New Zealand’s native birds often make an appearance here too, like the curious fantail (pīwakawaka) or the elusive kārearea, New Zealand’s only native falcon. These forests feel ancient and alive, and they offer a totally different pace—one that’s less about wide angles and more about textures, movement, and mood.

We then travel into the Mackenzie Basin, home to Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo, and the towering presence of Aoraki / Mount Cook. These glacial lakes glow with an otherworldly blue thanks to suspended rock flour, and on calm mornings, they reflect the Southern Alps in near-perfect symmetry. Aoraki itself—New Zealand’s highest mountain—is sacred to the Ngāi Tahu people, considered both ancestor and protector. The area is also part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, offering some of the clearest skies on Earth. When the stars come out here, they don’t just twinkle—they blaze!

Our final stretch takes us into Fiordland, one of the wildest and most visually powerful regions in New Zealand. We base ourselves in Te Anau, a peaceful lakeside town and gateway to Fiordland National Park. From here, we explore ancient beech forests and the towering cliffs of the Eglinton Valley, capturing rain-slicked leaves, mirror-calm rivers, and low morning light that feels straight out of a movie set. The trip builds to its dramatic finale in Milford Sound, where waterfalls plunge from sheer rock faces and clouds drift across the fiord like slow-moving smoke. Rain or shine, Milford never fails to impress—some of our most striking images come from shooting in less-than-perfect weather. It’s a place where nature doesn't pose; it performs. And it leaves you standing behind your tripod, quietly grateful to witness it.

Don’t miss your chance to experience New Zealand like never before—through the lens of your camera and the eyes of a passionate guide. Spaces are limited and this adventure fills fast, so secure your spot today and get ready to capture the wild beauty, rich history, and unforgettable stories that only New Zealand can offer. Your next great photo awaits—let’s make it together!


What's Included
  • All listed meals and non-alcoholic beverages during the workshop

  • All transportation during the workshop

  • All lodging during the workshop

  • All New Zealand permits and park fees

  • Milford Sound cruise and Mount Cook Museum entry

  • Professional photography guiding and instruction

What's Not Included
  • Flights to and from Queenstown, New Zealand (ZQN)

  • Airport transfer to arrival hotel

  • Meals not listed as included on the itinerary

  • Lodging outside workshop dates

  • Alcoholic beverages

  • Souvenirs and personal items

  • Optional helicopter flights for aerial photography (not guaranteed due to conditions)

  • Gratuity for photography guide(s). Please refer to our FAQ section for more details about gratuities

  • Trip Insurance & Medical Evacuation Insurance (recommended) - see plans here.

 Trip Itinerary 

Most meals included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 1 (Travel Day)
Arrive to Queenstown, New Zealand at any time and transfer to our arrival hotel.

Day 2 (L, D)
Our journey begins in the picturesque lakeside town of Queenstown. We'll have an orientation at 10:00 am and then head out to explore our first locations. We'll photograph the tree-lined hills of Arrowtown and visit some other great spots in the Queenstown area. We'll cap off our first full day with a majestic sunset by one of Queenstown's mountain-framed lakefronts.

Days 3 - 4 (B, L, D)
Following a sunrise outing at one of our great locations near Queenstown, we'll venture to the West Coast. Crossing from east to west, the landscape transforms into a lush temperate rainforest. During the following days, we'll capture the rainforest and waterfalls before enjoying dramatic sunsets along a rugged section of coastline.

Days 5 - 7 (B, L, D)
We'll head back inland to focus on the Southern Alps for Days 5-7. Our focus will be glacial lakes, rivers, and the tallest mountains in all of New Zealand. We'll photograph Mount Cook, Lake Ōhau, Tasman Lake, Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, and more. On Days 6 and 7, there may be an opportunity for an optional doors-off helicopter flight if conditions allow (not included).

Days 8 - 10 (B,L,D)
After a final sunrise in the Twizel area, we'll head south to the iconic Fiordland wilderness of the South Island. These next few days, we'll spend our time in the forests, valleys, and mountains of Fiordland, witnessing some of the best landscape scenes on the planet. We'll also enjoy a 2-hour cruise into the depths of the Milford Sound.

Day 11 (B)
We'll conclude an inspiring and productive trip with a final sunrise shoot near Te Anau. After some processing and breakfast, we'll take in the sights and scenery during our return drive to Queenstown. We'll arrive back in the early afternoon for flights back home. 

Please note that the exact sequence of the itineraries on all photography trips will be based on weather and lighting conditions. The goal on these trips is to make sure we are at the right place at the right time for the perfect light on our subjects. Also, itineraries can change for a variety of other circumstances including floods, forest fires, national park closures, road closures, and more. Due to the nature of wildlife and landscape photography, we do not guarantee any specific sightings or specific compositions.
Why Choose Backcountry Journeys?
UNPARALELLED
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Explore over 100 worldwide photo tours and workshops tailored to photographers of all skill levels, from iconic U.S. National Parks to Africa's untamed savannahs.


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We're proud to offer unmatched photography trips led by exceptional instructors who not only excel in photography but also serve as expert guides.


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Join the Backcountry Journeys Tribe, where shared adventures in breathtaking locations foster lasting connections with fellow photographers in a warm, inclusive atmosphere.
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Worry Free Travel Guarantee!

HERE’S THE DEAL

We offer one of the most rock solid guarantees in the travel industry - our worry free travel, peace of mind guarantee to you!

We’re so confident that the Photography Trips we offer will not only meet but exceed the lofty expectations set forth on our website – if your trip experience does not 100% match the promises laid forth on our website we will gladly give you a credit toward a future trip.

Natural events such as wildlife & weather are certainly out of our control but every aspect of the trip including logistics, accommodations, vehicles, itinerary & your expert trip leaders will match the lofty promises we’ve
made on the site – we guarantee it!

BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS

"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2024

CONTACT US

Monday-Friday
8am to 4pm Mountain Time
928-478-1521
adventure@backcountryjourneys.com

TRIP CATALOG

Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.

BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS

"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.

- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director

CONTACT US

Monday-Friday
8am to 4pm Mountain Time
928-478-1521
adventure@backcountryjourneys.com

TRIP CATALOG

Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.

All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLCs - Copyright 2024
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