Bobnewnan

I have an opportunity to visit Auckland in January, does anyone have suggestions for any "must go see and photograph locations". Doing a one day photo tour on arrival.

Terrymac Loc: LONDON U.K.

Stay away from White Island, its where the volcano has just erupted. Just saying.

FactMan

Wow, where to start! It's been a while since I was there, but the inner harbor is all about sailing boats - you can also see ferries and other ships (it is a working harbor). I suggest a 'tour' on the harbor, including the upper harbor so that you can photograph the bridge, and other things. Downtown there is lots of architectural beauty... Depending on time, you could go to the nearby suburb of Ponsonby where you can see some of the historical locations, or across the harbor in Devonport where they have quite a lot of history as well. The West Coast beaches were a favorite of mine - dramatic seascapes if the weather was 'right.' If you are there for sunset at one of the West Coast beaches, don't forget to watch for the green flash as the sun dips below the horizon!

You might not have time to take a trip to White Island anyway (it's quite a distance from Auckland), but for perspective, ever since I moved to NZ in 1978 the volcano has been 'erupting'! I would not recommend landing there, but you could get some interesting pictures from a boat that is some distance away! Alternatively, if you have a drone you might get some good aerial shots!

Whatever you do, I am sure you will enjoy it!

Rod

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

Just to Auckland Bob?
And for how long?
What are your interests?
What do you like to shoot?
What is the photo tour going to cover?
I will help if I can but do require a bit more info.

HOHIMER

Do the ocean to ocean walk across One-Tree-Hill.

Wakko12 Loc: New Hampshire

I had some good shots on a harbor cruise. There also is a tall building (forget the name) with an observation deck that gave some great sunset pics.

knelso4

Auckland Domain. An easy walk from the harbor area.

bobnewnan22 Loc: Las Vegas, NV

Tony, sent you a private message. RMJ

azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

Take a harbor cruise on a sailboat. Good photo ops, and they let you pilot the boat sometimes. The feeling of the smoothness of sailing can only be summed up by a Christopher Cross song!!

Base_fiddle

I did a night shoot on the East side of Auckland on a hill overlooking the harbor and the city. Also, traveled out to Hobbiton Movie set - interesting an some good photo shoots. There's a big tower in the middle of Auckland - sky divers jump on a guide rope from it. You can get interesting pictures of people jumping and the fear on their faces.

Photocraig

My Kiwi friends strongly remind visitors to not miss Wellington across teh Harbo(u)r. Obviously exploring the South Island is a very extensive trip, but the taste of Wellington's historical British charm is a universal recommendation.

Enjoy your trip,
C

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

Hi Bob
This is a bit of a hard one. You are coming a long way to see just Auckland.

Auckland is really just another large city. Queen St, the main shopping street runs almost from the waterfront but ends with a pretty steep hill before you get to Ponsonby Rd which is another shopping street. If you were into photographing street people these would be rich pickings.
But it seems you want more landscape, gardens, birds?
Here's a link that might help you plan for the first two: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=auckland+parks+and+gardens
I would add a trip to the top of Sky City Casino where they have a viewing platform that gives you a fantastic 360 degree panorama of Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf (Harbour). The casino is in downtown Auckland.
Birds are pretty boring in Auckland and unless you have a rental car with a gps you wont see much variety as there are no beaches in the city itself, if you get out of the main centre there are some great beaches. You will see the common seagulls, terns perhaps around the harbour tho.
Noting your interest in birds and the zoo, yes the zoo would be a good option. I believe it has the most diverse collection of animal, bird-life in captivity in NZ. World class in my opinion but havent visited for a few years. I would allow a good 4 hours for a visit. There is a Visitors Centre in the Sky City Casino building so you could book transport there to get to the Zoo.
A wander down to the waterfront at the bottom of Queen St is well worth it. Almost the entire area is covered by a walkway now with cafes, restaurants, shops etc. Beautiful on a nice day and you can catch a Ferry over to the North Shore which would give you an opportunity for some good pics perhaps.

My advice though, if you werent so keen on Auckland, with the time you have, is to book a tour. Stay one night (2 days anyway) then head north to the Bay of Islands. Stay perhaps in Russell a very historic town, very popular with overseas tourists and some great photo ops. A day or two in Russell would give you more opportunity for photos, in my opinion anyway, than Auckland.

Forget about Whakaari White Island. As someone mentioned, it had a low level eruption the other day. Among the 50 tourists and guides caught on the island with the death toll rising and the ongoing warnings of another event, it precludes anybody getting within 10 miles of the island for the foreseeable future.

I wish you luck in your travels Bob. We live in Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty and rarely go to Auckland otherwise Id offer to show you around. Have a look at my website in the North Island Gallery. You might change your mind about going to just Auckland

Cheers, Tony

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

Hi Photocraig, not sure where your kiwi friends live, but Wellington is about 400 miles south of Auckland. Also, not sure where they get the British charm for Wellington. I was born there and dont really see any British charm. But maybe Ive missed something

lycaean69

Been there last December with wife and son. Suggest, go to the Sky Tower, with its 360 views of the city and as far as your eyes can see, you can take pictures of everything to your hearts content. Then, after that, take the double-decker tour bus that will drive you to beautiful places. Am sure, you will have a blast taking all the pictures that will interest you. Good luck!

Rae Zimmerman Loc: Pine Island, FL

I think there is an albatross colony near Aukland that was very facinating.