gary northrop

We are going to New Zealand for 4 days in late November, looking for the best area(s) for landscape photography. Does anyone have suggestions? (We haven't committed to any particular area yet, such as the North Island or any particular city.

Thanks!

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

That's like trying to do Disney World in 4 hours. If you'll never be back consider giving yourself more time.

Keldon Loc: Yukon, B.C.

You're flying all that way to spend just 4 days there? That's like trying to see the entire 48 states in a month. You can't do it.

Northlander Loc: Waipu, New Zealand

4 days!!!! You may as well stay at the airport.....................you won't have time to go anywhere else to take photographs

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Just ignore their comments - you will have a great time...
Where are you flying into?
I would google "best landscape photo spots in (the city you are flying into) and expand my search from there. You can also look for photos others have posted - google New Zealand and select images and see if there are any pictures that grab your attention and then figure out if that area would fit into your schedule.
Also, check out the visitor sites for the country and the cities you were thinking of going to for ideas on what to see and photograph.
And finally, check to see if there are any photo clubs in the areas you will be visiting - contact them and let them know you are visiting and would like some some info...
Enjoy your trip - will be looking for your pictures when you post them...

Wes97068 Loc: Portland Oregon

Queenstown on the South Island is my favorite, in particular Skipper's Canyon

gary northrop

Thanks, big-guy and Keldon: I'm sure youse are right, but we have time restrictions on this trip, which is preliminary to a 12 day cruise from Sydney to various islands north of Australia. So far, our readings suggest that the Milford Road would be a must-see; we plan to rent a car and not take a commercial tour.

Northlander Loc: Waipu, New Zealand

I think you need to do some re-planning - and look at the map (and that comment is from a New Zealander!!)

MontanaTrace

I'm sure there's a good reason your stay is limited to those few days. Take what you can get. I was hired as a teacher in Australia for three years. One summer, took a 28 day drive yourself tour of both NZ islands and later worked a summer at the uni in Wellington. Weekends = travelling.

Four days, shucks: #1, Milford Sound. Stunning. Much like the fjords of Norway. Take the half day boat tour. Bring plenty of film and flash cubes. Google: Milford Sound.

Backtracking, of course where you fly into and out will make a difference. Auckland and/or Christchurch, most likely. Fun cities to see but not unlike big cities anywhere but..... these are smaller. If you are in either, look around, rent a car and hit the road. Google the city and look for highlights, then leave.

North island has their equivalent to Yellowstone. Dinner at a Maori tourist trap is pretty good entertainment. Food prepared in the thermals tastes of sulfur. Take small portions until you find something you like. Music and dance, traditional Maori. You'll like it. It's touristy but something like what you'd see in Hawaii. Worth it.

South Island is the best. Milford Sound is the star of the trip. Ride the lift at Queeenstown. Eye popping views. Both islands have major mountains. Great views. Best mtns are in the south. "Glow Worm" tour. Do it. Ride the west coast of the South Island. Look for The Pancakes. Great ride. More driftwood than you can carry home. Look for "that one piece."

That's it. You're out of time but it's enough to make you want to come back.

Make sure you bring some NZ Dollars with you. The exchange rate is way in your favor. If banks are closed, liquor store will exchange your Yank Dollars but at par. Not a good exchange.

Drive sober. They are on the wrong side and prefer you join them. Country roads are narrow from small city to city and to the local sights. Any hill or curve may be hiding a thousand sheep.......... on the road. Don't drive fast.

Deer is domesticated. Venison on most menus. Good. Trout comes in sizes with names like Shamu and Orcha. Moby Dick is a form of VD. You don't want that.

If you are there in winter, world class skiing. If nothing else, ride the lifts for mountaintop views. Their Alps are majestic.

You'll be back.

It's a long flight. Hope you are spending some longer time in Australia. Three years let me see a lot but that place is big.

Ta,da.

gary northrop

Thanks to all. Our main interest is to shoot landscapes around various lakes, and it seems that spending our time in the Queensland area would be best, perhaps finding a reputable photo tour outfit to get us acquainted with the region and then renting a car to do our own thing. Any suggestions for a good tour agency would be appreciated.

MontanaTrace

The fjords of Milford Sound will meet most of your "lakes" wants and needs. Ask twenty people that have visited NZ,
"What was most memorable?" 20 out of 20 will say, "#1:Milford Sound, #2: Queenstown." It's not that far. Do both.

http://www.google.com/search?q=milford+sound+new+zealand&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjvt6G97r7NAhUHLSYKHWEzAHQQsAQIKQ&biw=1077&bih=625

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

+1 on Queenstown and Milford areas. Mt Cook is good also.

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

That is a great idea, a tour would just slow you down. Good luck. With 4 days it is a good bet that 1 and 4 are partial days so any site would need to be close at hand. If it were me, I would look for sites that are in close proximity to another to reduce travel time. Then pick 2 locations, 1 for day 2 and 1 for day 3 that would fit into your time line. I'm sure I don't have to tell you but you'll get the best results photographically being there early morning (7 am or earlier) and late afternoon, and will miss most of the traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian. By 9 am the hordes are swelling in numbers and those numbers dissipate by 4 or 5 pm. Looking forward to your shots as the wife and I will probably never make it there. So many places, so little time.

COLANN Loc: Pahiatua Tararua New Zealand

New Zealand in 4 days, as Kiwi it makes me wonder WHY, yea I agree with other comments on the Hog, Queenstown, Milford Sounds are tops , but so are Wanaka, Mt Cook, Queen Charlote Sounds, they are on the South ISland, and what about the North, from the cape to Wellington, there is so much to see, the North Island what with the far North, Rotorua Waitomo glow worms. etc etc, I dont know where I would start with only 4 days,
Think the best thing for you to do, is google NZ and have a real good look at the countryside, decide on a very very small area to visit, and just explore it, if you want the Mountains, go to Queenstown, and stay there all the time, and explore that area, 4 days will fly, but at least you will not waste time with useless time travelling,
my wife and I have just returned fro Australia where we lived for 27yrs, did a lot of caravaning around that Country, and while we were there, met a lot of Japanese who did Aussie in 2 weeks, they flew into Darwin, then flew to Cairns, Brisbane Sydney Melbourne. Adelaide and Ayres Rock, then went home with thousands of photos, and said they had done Australia,,,,, Nutters
Above all enjoy NZ, it takes some beating as we have everything from the rolling hills of the North Island, to the Alps of the South, and dont forget to post photos on your return

Bri Loc: NZ

4 days is not much.
My suggestion would be to fly into Christchurch, grab a car (remember we drive on the left and there are many serious accidents every year with tourists crossing the centre line) head south on Hwy 1 to familiarise yourself with the roads. Turn at Timaru to Tekapo, Mt Cook if the weather is clear, Wanaka, Cardrona, Arrowtown, Queenstown (tourist trap) but good for jet boating, bungy-jumping, Skippers and other heart thumping exercises. Carry on to Glenorchy and the surrounding area IF you have the time. Retrace your steps to Queenstown to Cromwell, Bannockburn, Alexandra, Ophir, St Bathans (lovely) then back to Christchurch.
Realy need a week. Drive safely.