Photoninny Loc: Monterey Bay Area

We are headed for New Zealand mid February. I have noticed a few members are located there (I'm sure others have visited). We have planned a 10 day road trip around the South Island. Any suggestions on "just gotta see" photo ops?

greymule Loc: Colorado

Christchurch, Mount Cook, Kiakora (sp?) Abel Tasman National Park, Northwest Coast- check out "Blackwater Rafting" in Westport, Glaciers on West Coast, Penguins in the South, Milford sound. Watch for totally spectacular sunsets on the west coast with great geological features in the water foreground.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I'm surprised none of the kiwis here have responded.
Maybe they're trying to protect their sheep from the tourists?

Photoninny Loc: Monterey Bay Area

Thanks greymule. Most of those are already on our list, but Tasman NP & Westport would be good additions - if time permits. We will already be visiting Milford sound by cruise ship, and were wondering if the roundtrip drive from Queenstown would be worth the time.

Photoninny Loc: Monterey Bay Area

I've seen their sheep - and I fear them!
:-D

greymule Loc: Colorado

Please don't miss the Blackwater rafting.

Milford Sound can be spectacular. How, keep in mind that it rains almost constantly down there. When we took the cruise, we saw very little besides clouds and fog and rain. Very disappointing.

By the way, in Queenstown hike up the near by mountain, name of which I can't remember and take the lift to the restaurant for dinner to watch bungy jumping and the sunset.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

If it is a photography trip and you like low light dawn/dusk long exposure shots of moving water.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moeraki_Boulders

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=moeraki+boulders+nz&qs=AS&sk=AS1&FORM=QBIR&pq=moeraki%20boulders&sc=2-16&sp=2&qs=AS&sk=AS1

Onquest Loc: Just Wandering

Picton and Nelson, top end of the South Island are amazingly beautiful. Think kayaking, hiking, cycling etc and of course sunbathing. Blenheim on down through to Waipara on the east coast are renown for vineyards and the delicious product there of. That will take you through Kaikoura where you get fresh fish straight of the boats and can go swimming with the dolphins.

Christchurch is very interesting if only because of the massive earthquakes they've had over the last 2 years (and are still having!!!). It used to be an historical city, however the old part has fallen down. I believe there is still wreckage to be seen but you probably won't be allowed too close for obvious reasons.

Further south on the east coast the Moeraki boulders are worth a look as someone mentioned. Continuing on to Dunedin which is quite a photogenic little city and a good place to spend a night, you can visit Larnach castle (cute but not large) on your way to the Giant Albatross Colony on the end of the Otago Penninsula. Its the only easily accessable Giant Albatross Colony in the world. You can get some great shots there if your cards aren't filled with castle shots ;)

http://www.larnachcastle.co.nz/
http://www.albatross.org.nz/

Here's a start for you. Have to warn you that there really isn't any areas that aren't worth the visit although the weather can mess with that.

vinnya Loc: connecticut

went there in 1990, its been awhile but Queenstown is nice and the ride out to milford sound was worth it, had good weather also, and close to queenstown is old arrowtown, some good adventure things to do but have to have someone else take the pics, christchurch, mt cook. the fjords. should be a great trip.

Photoninny Loc: Monterey Bay Area

Thanks Onquest. There is so much I didn't even know about! Now I have to figure out how we can squeeze some of this new info into our itinerary or start revamping reservations! Luckily distances are not too great.

Photoninny Loc: Monterey Bay Area

Thanks vinnya. We will be spending a few days in Queenstown, so this helps fill our time.

FilmFanatic Loc: Waikato, New Zealand

Hi

If you are going to Queenstown, you might want to see if you can head over to Paradise and Glenorchy, they are meant to be awesome. There are lots of places to do amazing landscape photography in the area, but remember February is our summer so you won't be getting much in the way of snowy mountains

Photoninny Loc: Monterey Bay Area

Thanks. We have enough snowy mountains right here. That's why we are heading south! :-D We should have time to get out to those areas. Haven't seen them mentioned in the tourist brochures.

FilmFanatic Loc: Waikato, New Zealand

This might help

http://www.flickriver.com/places/New+Zealand/Otago/Rees+Valley/

Photoninny Loc: Monterey Bay Area

Gorgeous! Hope I am not burned out by travel by the time I get there so it can all be appreciated.