Day one CHRISTCHURCH - PUNAKAIKI
We left Christchurch on an overcast morning and started driving towards the West Coast. At our first photo stop there was a very special welcome to New Zealand - it started to rain! As we continued travelling the rain eased and we stopped at the Arthurís Pass lookout for some photography of the Otira Gorge. The local Keas (mountain parrots) swooped in to be photographed, but quickly lost interest in us and started trying to rip the rubber lining off one of the doors with their beaks! Later in the afternoon we arrived at the Pancake Rocks in Punakaiki - it was still cloudy so unfortunately there was no warm evening light. Making the best of the situation we got some interesting images of the unusual stacks and tidal surge pool.

Day two PUNAKAIKI - FOX GLACIER
Sunrise at the Pancake Rocks proved profitable with some beautiful early morning light on the rocks. It was a very clear morning and we could see the Southern Alps and Aoraki/Mt Cook away in the distance, so we hoped the weather would hold for an afternoon shoot of reflections at Lake Matheson. After breakfast we started driving south along the coast, making short stops along to way to photograph as we went. The clouds started to build up during the day and by the time we got to Fox Glacier the mountains were well hidden. It was a lovely calm evening so an impromptu helicopter ride was taken up and around Aoraki/Mt Cook right on sunset. Once above the clouds the light on the mountains was superb and many stunning aerial shots were captured!

Day three FOX GLACIER
We were out the door before 6am to get down to Lake Matheson for our dawn shoot and hopefully some stunning reflections of Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman. There was not a ripple on the lake and the surrounding bush was perfectly mirrored in the dark waters, but still the cloud thwarted our view of the mountains. We shot some lovely forest reflections as we enjoyed the stillness and peace of the lake. In the afternoon we took a guided hike on to Fox Glacier. There were many steps to climb (bit of huffing and puffing done) before getting on to the ice, but the unique formations and thrill of walking on a glacier made it well worthwhile. Dinner couldnít come soon enough once back in the village and we all slept very soundly!

Day four FOX GLACIER - QUEENSTOWN
Another cloudy morning and I thought we would not get to see the mountains at all during our stay at Fox, but after breakfast the clouds suddenly started to break and so we rushed down to Lake Matheson for one last try to photograph the famous mountain reflections. As we walked along the forest path to the lookout point we could see glimpses of the mountains through the trees. Once at the viewing platform we quickly set up and started shooting. After about fifteen minutes the clouds started to roll in again and the window of opportunity closed - but we had our shots! We continued our travels south and stopped at a forest swamp for our last shoot on the West Coast. In good olí West Coast fashion a sudden downpour of rain interrupted us while we were still in the forest. The good news is that our raincoats were safe and dry back in the vehicle! Driving up through the Haast Valley the weather slowly started to clear and once over the Pass glimpses of sunlight appeared. We photographed Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea before continuing on to the lakeside town of Wanaka. Taking the Crown Range road we stopped at the top and fought the wind to shoot the panoramic views of the Kawarau Gorge and Wakatipu Basin. We drove further down the road and found a spot out of the wind where we continued shooting from our elevated viewpoint. The light-play on the hills added drama to the rugged landscape and we got some great photos. Once in Queenstown we went out for dinner and the addiction to lamb shanks began!

Day five QUEENSTOWN
And the rain came down! It was absolutely pouring in the morning and so we decided to take a break - a chance to revive after four busy days. In the afternoon the weather started to clear and we drove along Lake Wakatipu towards Glenorchy for our evening shoot. The squally weather offered some wonderfully moody scenes as the mountains caught the afternoon light while rain showers passed by intermittently on the other side of the lake.

Day six QUEENSTOWN
It was still dark when we set out for our dawn shoot, but thankfully the weather was clear and there was only a slight breeze, which we were grateful for because it was quite chilly. We set up high above Lake Wakatipu looking towards Glenorchy and waited for the light. After sunrise we continued on to Glenorchy for a cooked breakfast to warm us up again.
It had been snowing in the mountains overnight and further up the road we got some beautiful photos of the mountains reflecting in a pond surrounded by trees with autumn colour. We spent the rest of the morning in a Lord of the Rings-like forest practising our macro skills shooting ferns, mosses and weathered trees. The afternoon started to cloud in again as we headed up to a lookout of the Remarkables mountains, but breaks in the clouds gave us some interestingly lit scenes.

Day seven QUEENSTOWN - MILFORD SOUND
Our morning shoot found us in one of the more rugged areas of Queenstown with the cloud in the way again and it was snowing lightly! Patience paid off and the clouds broke, the sun streamed through and we got some dramatic images that really showed the wildness of the landscape. The weather forecast for our dayís travels was snow and strong southerly winds! As we drove beside Lake Wakatipu the snow started to fall and soon we were travelling in blizzard conditions. After about an hour we drove out of the storm to more settled conditions at Lake Te Anau. We made short photo stops as we drove along the Milford Road. Incredibly, when we got to Milford Sound it was calm and we photographed some beautiful reflections of Mitre Peak and the surrounding mountains.

Day eight MILFORD SOUND - TE ANAU
We woke to a calm, clear morning and photographed more stunning images of Mitre Peak reflected in the waters. After breakfast we took a cruise through the fiord - an amazing experience with great views of the mountains on this fine morning. While busily shooting the dramatic scenery a pod of dolphins swam around us so our cameras were going in all directions trying to capture the multitude of photo opportunities! Back on dry land we slowly drove back to Te Anau with longer stops for more considered photography. One of the best shots of the day was a reflection of mountains and forest in a large puddle that we stumbled upon when wandering off the beaten track.

Day nine DOUBTFUL SOUND
Another beautiful, calm morning! We drove to Lake Manapouri for a dawn shoot and after breakfast boarded our boat for the cruise across the lake as we headed for Doubtful Sound. A bus ride from the head of the lake took us through lush rainforest, up and over Wilmot Pass (with timely stops to get shots of waterfalls, forest and the panoramic view of Doubtful Sound) and down to Deep Cove where our vessel was waiting for us. The boat journey through the fiord was sensational! The weather was brilliant (calm, blue skies, with interesting clouds floating over the mountains) and we couldnít put our cameras down. Once again we met up with a pod of dolphins and also got up close to photograph a fur seal colony. It truly was a day in the wild!

Day ten TE ANAU - CATLINS
After so many days surrounded by the mountains it was a bit strange to be on the coast. The Catlins coastline is on the exposed south-eastern corner of the South Island and today there was plenty of action with good swells bringing waves crashing against the rugged shores. We stopped to photograph the pounding surf before carrying on to one of New Zealandís prettiest waterfalls. The light was just right and we captured enchanting images of the scene. Later in the afternoon we arrived at the Nugget Point lighthouse. The weather was mixed but right on sunset the clouds caught the last light and turned a rich golden colour - a good reward for our patience!

Day eleven CATLINS - DUNEDIN
We returned to the lighthouse for a dawn shoot and then started the drive up to Dunedin. Once in Dunedin we had some free time to look around the city before meeting again in the afternoon to go to the Albatross colony on the Otago Peninsula. There was a fierce wind blowing so we were hoping to see some albatross on the wing. At the Albatross Centre we walked up to the lookout point where we were fortunate enough to get photos of young albatross on the nest - a real treat! Surprisingly, we didnít see any adults at all despite good flying condtions.

Day twelve DUNEDIN - AORAKI/MT COOK NATIONAL PARK
We left Dunedin before 6am to be at the Moeraki Boulders in time for sunrise. After our shoot of these strange formations we continued north to Oamaru where we photographed the beautiful whitestone buildings. Our road then took us inland and we made many stops along the way to photograph the rich autumn colours. We had lunch in a lovely spot by a pond, but had to abandon the picnic table as a local horse decided that he wanted a share as well and put his head over our shoulders trying to get to the food! Arriving at the Aoraki/Mt Cook village in the late afternoon we took a short walk to a viewpoint of New Zealandís highest peak. Aoraki/Mt Cook was cloud-free giving us great views of the mountain and we captured some majestic last-light images.

Day thirteen AORAKI/MT COOK NATIONAL PARK
After some early cloud the skies cleared and we spent the day at different locations photographing Aoraki/Mt Cook and the surrounding alps. It really was stunning weather: striking blue skies, not a breath of wind and clear views of the mountains. The day culminated in a shoot of Aoraki/Mt Cook painted in pastel hues by the last rays of light.

Day fourteen AORAKI/MT COOK NATIONAL PARK - CHRISTCHURCH
Another calm, clear morning with the mountains in full view - we were certainly spoilt getting such great weather! We left the village around 6am for our morning shoot of Aoraki/Mt Cook and the early light lit the scene beautifully. Our next stop was Lake Tekapo and the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd. Then it was time to make the drive back to Christchurch with short stops to photograph along the way. It felt odd to be back in a city again after being in the countryside for two weeks and we all felt a tinge of sadness that our expedition had come to an end. We enjoyed a delicious dinner together for the last time, laughing at all the funny things that had happened on tour, and recounted the top shots we had captured.

Day fifteen DEPARTURE
We met in the morning to say our goodbyes. It was an incredible two weeks on the road and the friendships we enjoyed together made our adventure a perfect combination of photography and fun!