New Zealand Through The Lenses
Take in New Zealand’s Autumn vistas from an eagle’s viewpoint soaring above the snow-capped alpine mountain range of South Island’s Central Otago, from the comfort of a trusted 4x4 along the Arrow River and while gliding at high speeds in a jetboat into the Shotover River.
“Ifislocations were awarded Oscars, New
Zealand would scoop the lot... the strength and power of Otago’s untouched countryside
Lord of the Rings’ real star.” Albeit a few years old, I couldn’t agree more with the UK Sunday Express, as there is something rather special about this part of the world. Something that already deeply touched my heart when I first came to the Queenstown area almost twenty years ago. I would say it is the sheer beauty of the countryside, the amazing outdoor activities combined with the genuine warmth of the people that make this part of New Zealand so unique.
Over the years I’ve jumped out of planes over Lake
Wakatipu and The Remarkables, ridden off-road bikes across the vast mountain ranges of Central Otago called Leaning Rock, Mount Pisa or Old Man Range and played golf with New Zealand’s number one Golf Pro…but this time I came to Otago on a different quest. I’m here with number one Golf Pro…but this time I came to Otago on a different quest. I’m here with ten fellow photography aficionados from Vietnam and it’s all about taking million-dollar-shots. And boy, were we able to get some amazing pics!
We are in the South Island for an entire week and could not have chosen a better place nor a better time for this unforgettable photography tour. Central Otago in autumn is nothing short of overwhelmingly beautiful. The vibrant colours make for a proper Indian Summer down in the Southern Hemisphere and combined with the stunning scenery this is quite the photographer’s dream.
Our home for the first few nights is acclaimed Millbrook
Resort, a luxury retreat twenty minutes out of Queenstown that is often referred to as the country’s most beautiful golf resort. We certainly won’t object. Nestled in the rolling hills between historic Arrowtown and Lake Hayes and surrounded by the snow covered peaks of the Crown Range and Coronet
Peak this 18 hole golf resort easily wins over the hearts of even the most experienced international travellers. Upon arrival we spend hours roaming around the immaculate grounds of Millbrook taking picture after picture of the stunning scenery and the vividly colourful autumn trees.
After a good nights sleep in the cosy warmth of our spacious villas and a hearty breakfast with freshly squeezed appleorange-ginger juice we are ready for the first adventure of this bespoke photography tour. An exciting 4x4 off-road drive up the Arrow River takes us from historic Arrowtown to the ghost settlement of Macetown, the heart of the legendary Otago gold rush. At its peak in 1862, over 1500 gold miners worked in this remote alpine camp and some are said to have found quite some luck. For our group of passionate photographers, over 50 river crossings, steep climbs, deep gorges, glowing