New Zealand Photography Tour (2027)

Tour dates: 5 – 12 April 2027
Tour length: 8 days
Led by: Seng Mah
Minimum 4 guests. Maximum 6 guests.
Pace: Light to Moderate. Some locations will require hiking (along graded tracks, steps and up/down hill trekking) of between 20 minutes to 50 minutes each way.
This tour begins with your pick up at your Airport hotel at Christchurch on Day 1, and concludes with your drop off either at Queenstown or Christchurch on Day 8.

There’s only one way to describe the landscape of New Zealand’s South Island and that is: “awe-inspiring”.

On this photography tour of New Zealand, we will be capturing many of these incredible landscapes — the kinds of scenes and vistas that will make you pinch yourself and wonder if you’re really there! And you are!

Join me in April 2027 for 8 days of discovery and photography of the best landscape locations the South Island of New Zealand has to offer.

We will be in New Zealand during autumn, where the change of season brings brilliant, blazing golden foliage for you to photograph. And you’ll receive photographic guidance and mentoring in your photography, ensuring that you capture the most amazing landscapes and pick up new photography skills and tips on the way!

Sitting at Gate 28 waiting for my flight to Melbourne, and feeling immense gratitude for the past week of seeing so many beautiful vistas in the South Island in the company of a delightful group of people, led by our caring, knowledgeable and organised leader Seng.
Anne Bonser

Tour Highlights

Day 1: Into Mackenzie Country

Your tour begins with your pick-up from your hotel at Christchurch Airport in the morning, for our transfer to Lake Tekapo in Mackenzie Country. Surrounded by mountains, Lake Tekapo is a photographic icon; perhaps it has something to do with a small stone church on its shoreline. But perhaps more because of the amazing country that surrounds it. We’ll be shooting the autumn hues in the late afternoon and at sunset at nearby Lake Alexandrina, and capturing some great early morning light along the shores of the lake and at the very famous Church of the Good Shepherd.

Day 2 – 3: The Southern Alps!

We head to the Southern Alps of New Zealand and one of my favourite photography locations: Mount Cook / Aoraki — the Cloud Piercer Mountain. This is a region of amazing snow-capped peaks and broad river valleys. It’s one of the places in New Zealand that beggars belief, and we have tapped a number of amazing locations from which to shoot the mountains — notably the iconic Mount Cook.

With two days based in Twizel, we’ll have plenty of opportunity to photograph the mountains from various locations in the area, as well as photograph the autumn hues resplendent in and around Twizel. Your camera will be working overtime!

Day 4 – 5: Queenstown

We take the road from Mount Cook to to Queenstown in Central Otago, stopping to capture landscapes en-route, as there are many commanding views to be seen and photographed as we make our way through the ranges. Queenstown, the adventure capital of the South Island, sits on the shores of Lake Wakatipu surrounded by soaring mountains.

With two nights in Queenstown, we will be able to focus on capturing stunning scenes in localities nearby. An early morning trip to Glenorchy features stunning landscapes across the crystalline lake; late afternoon and sunset at Arrowtown fills our lenses with the brilliant blaze of autumn colours; and sunrise at Skipper’s Lookout presents us with incredible vistas looking towards the Remarkables mountain range and Queenstown!

Day 6-7: Te Anau and Milford Sound

We delve deeper into the heart of the South Island with an expedition into Southland and Fiordland, where the stunning Milford Sound awaits! Two nights here lets us explore the picturesque lakeside, and gives us a full day to spend in Milford Sound, where you’ll enjoy a sunrise shoot of the truly iconic Mitre Peak, followed by an immersive cruise of the Sound itself.

Our day in Milford Sounds also gives us the opportunity to explore and photograph the dramatic mountains and waterfalls of this primeval landscape.

Day 8: Return to Queenstown / Christchurch

The final day of our tour dawns with a sunrise shoot on the shore of Lake Te Anau, before we check out of our hotel and return to Queenstown. Guests may choose to continue on to Christchurch if they would prefer to be dropped off there (note that Christchurch from Queenstown is another 4-5 hours drive).

Testimonials

Thank you Seng for a wonderful tour in New Zealand. It was truly EPIC. There were so many amazing places we photographed and you are truly a great teacher of photography.
Diane Foley

My trip to New Zealand with Seng was my first photography tour, so I had a little hesitation in that I didn’t know what to expect. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience! Seng is not only a great photographer and teacher, he is a great person and fun to be around. An added bonus to the trip is that Seng knows what good food is, so a recommendation from him never disappointed. New Zealand is a beautiful country, Seng taught me how to add that bit extra to my photography, so my images captured both the beauty and the feeling you had being there.
Marina Fort

My first visit to the South Island of New Zealand was met with the same excitement level of a kid on Christmas Eve. Will it meet my expectations? Hell bloody yes!! Coming from a city as flat and featureless as Perth we get pretty excited with a cloud in the sky sometimes. Don’t get me wrong I love Perth, but when the grand designer was putting it together he was not thinking about landscape photographers… The size and scope of the scenery can only be described as epic and I knew as my foot stepped onto the chilly tarmac this was going to be a great tour. I had never been to New Zealand before and now I have, I want … no, need more!
Michael Lee

“If you haven’t yet joined a tour or workshop run by Venture Photography I suggest you do so. You will learn all about your camera and how to take your best images with it. Seng always makes all aspects of photography simple and easy to understand and use… I had a wonderful time and learned so much. This was my 5th adVENTURE with Seng and his team and I will be back for more.”
Taryn Johnn

Tour Price

AUD$9399 inclusive of your own room (single occupancy). If you are traveling with a spouse or life-partner who is also a paying participant on this tour, and are able to share a room with a queen/double bed with them, a discount is available for a twin-share. Please contact us if you’d like to discuss this option.

Inclusions

• Land transport and transfers within the tour itinerary.
• All national park fees and concessions.
• All accommodation during the tour.
• All photographic tuition and guidance during the tour.
• Milford Sound cruise.
• Farewell dinner at Te Anau.
• Breakfasts at Te Anau accommodation.

Exclusions

• Return flights to New Zealand.
• Transfers to/from airports.
• Meals and drinks (except the welcome dinner).
• Travel insurance. All participants are required to take comprehensive travel insurance for this tour. You will need to show proof of travel insurance as a condition of participating in this tour.
• Photographic equipment. You will need to bring/supply your own cameras, lenses, tripods, batteries, filters, memory cards and so on.
• Personal expenses, including laundry, medication and incidental meals.
• Any transport or activities outside of the tour itinerary.

Reserve your Place

A deposit of AUD$2000 will secure you a place on this tour. This deposit is refundable if the tour is cancelled by the organiser due to not attaining minimum numbers.

Final payment of the balance is due by 31 December 2026

For details of the Terms and Conditions of our tours, including cancellation charges, please read our Photography Tours Terms and Conditions.

To join this tour or contact us with your questions, please use the form below or email seng [at] venturephotography.com.au or telephone 0417 604 614.