Explore the backcountry roads by four-wheel drive as we take you to photograph spectacular vistas few tourists ever see. This truly unique 15-day tour also includes iconic New Zealand locations, so you will enjoy the best of both the known and unknown.

Our adventure begins in the garden city of Christchurch and we head south towards the Canterbury mountains. Leaving the main road we travel west to our first location deep in the high-country. We then continue south towards New Zealand's tallest mountain: Aoraki/Mt Cook. From our base under the shadow of the mighty Southern Alps we explore this inspiring alpine environment and photograph Aoraki/Mt Cook from different locations.

Continuing south through the rugged Otago hills, we travel along old trails that linked the goldfields, before arriving in the small town of Alexandra. This area is rich in pioneering history and the remoteness of the route we follow offers unique photo opportunities.

The valleys deepen as we continue on through Fiordland to Milford Sound, which has been described as the eighth wonder of the world. While most visitors make this a day trip, we stay overnight to photograph the iconic Mitre Peak, not forgetting The Lion and The Elephant, in the evening and dawn lights. We enjoy a boat cruise through the fiord which provides stunning photography in any weather.

We then travel north through the Otago lakes district, a region characterised by rugged mountain ranges and brilliant blue lakes to our base at Queenstown. As we explore this area we find ourselves inside landscapes used in the Lord of the Rings films, evoking a sense of the surreal.

The road then takes us west as we drive through the mountains to the untamed West Coast. Beneath lofty mountains, dense rainforest thrives from the doorstep of glaciers to the ocean's edge. We take a heli-hike on to Fox Glacier to photograph the spectacular ice patterns up close. Continuing north along the West Coast we travel up to Punakaiki, a dramatic coastal location famous for the intriguing Pancake Rocks found here.

We leave the West Coast and travel east to the seaside settlement of Kaikoura. In the waters off Kaikoura a complex marine system provides an abundantly rich habitat for marine mammals and seabirds. We take a boat trip to photograph the playful and acrobatic Dusky dolphins, which are residents in this area.

Our journey is almost at an end as we drive back to Christchurch for our last evening together. This unique adventure is limited to only three participants so be in quick if you would like to join us!

Tour duration: 15 Days
2012 Tour dates: April 3 - 17
Group size: 3 participants

Get off the beaten track and experience New Zealand's back country, with highlights including:

Day one CHRISTCHURCH - AORAKI/MT COOK NATIONAL PARK
We begin our journey by travelling south before heading west to our first location of the day - a high country scene that was used in the Lord of the Rings films. We then continue along the inland scenic route past turquoise lakes towards the heart of the Southern Alps and the home of New Zealand's highest mountain: Aoraki/Mt Cook. We arrive at the Mt Cook Village later in the afternoon in time for a twilight shoot of Aoraki/Mt Cook. 

Day two AORAKI/MT COOK NATIONAL PARK
After photographing sunrise in the Tasman Valley we take a four-wheel drive track which leads us to a spectacular viewpoint of the valley. We then spend the rest of the day exploring the park, and take a hike up the Hooker Valley to capture the stunning views. 
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Day three AORAKI/MT COOK NATIONAL PARK - ALEXANDRA
Today we travel deep into Central Otago and will follow old gold trails that pass along the backbone of this rocky landscape. This area is rich in pioneering history and the remoteness of the route we follow offers unique photo opportunities. 
(B) 

Day four ALEXANDRA - TE ANAU
An early start today to drive out to another special location in the Central Otago countryside. After breakfast we depart for the gateway to Fiordland National Park: Te Anau. We arrive in the afternoon and there will be time to rest before we meet in the early evening for some twilight photography. 
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Day five TE ANAU - MILFORD SOUND
We leave Te Anau this morning and make our way to Milford Sound. The drive to the fiord is every bit as spectacular as the destination, and visitors are always overwhelmed by the grandeur of the landscape. We stop to photograph dramatic glacial valleys, expansive mountain vistas and forest-fringed lakes. No doubt at one of our stops we will be greeted by the cheeky mountain parrot, the kea. Later in the afternoon we arrive at Milford Sound and photograph the fiord as the sun sets. 
(B) 

Day six MILFORD SOUND - QUEENSTOWN
This morning we take a boat journey along the fiord and out to the Tasman Sea. As well as shooting this incredible landscape of sheer mountains, cascading waterfalls and untouched coastline it is possible we will see seals and dolphins. Once back ashore we spend the rest of the day photographing at different locations in the Fiordland National Park as we make our way to Queenstown. 
(B) 

Day seven QUEENSTOWN
An early start as we set out to capture the sunrise on Lake Wakatipu. We then continue on into the Mt Aspiring National Park. Moss-laden forests, crystal clear rivers and deep valleys provide us with exciting photographic opportunities from detailed macro to sweeping panoramas. In the early afternoon we return to the township where there is an opportunity to relax, do a spot of shopping or for a surge of adrenalin there's the bungy jump and jetboating. We meet again in the late afternoon to photograph the Remarkables mountain range. 
(B) 

Day eight QUEENSTOWN - FOX GLACIER
We take the road west this morning as we head for the West Coast. Travelling along the Haast Pass road we stop along the way to shoot waterfall, forest and river scenes. We arrive at the Fox Glacier Village in the afternoon and hike around Lake Matheson where, on a still day, New Zealand's two highest peaks, Mts Aoraki/Cook and Tasman, are reflected in the dark waters. 
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Day nine FOX GLACIER
Today we take a heli-hike onto the glacier - a great opportunity to shoot the ice patterns up close. After returning from the glacier there is time to relax in the village before we meet again in the afternoon to photograph the mountain surrounds as the sun sets. 
(B) 

Day ten FOX GLACIER - PUNAKAIKI
After a sunrise shoot we leave Fox Glacier and head north to the coastal village of Punakaiki. Not far from Fox Glacier we stop to photograph Franz Josef Glacier, where an easy walk leads us to a magnificent viewpoint. We then take a diversion along the back roads for a look at some of the lesser-known gems of this area. We arrive at Punakaiki in the afternoon in time to photograph the famous Pancake Rocks. 
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Day eleven PUNAKAIKI
Today we explore the Punakaiki area which is renowned for its wild coastline, lush rainforest, with an abundance of nikau palms and tree ferns, and dramatic limestone landscapes. We will be kept busy all day photographing around this superb location. 
(B) 

Day twelve PUNAKAIKI - KAIKOURA
We leave the West Coast this morning, and drive east through the mountains to the seaside settlement of Kaikoura. Overlooked by majestic mountains, which are snow-capped for many months of the year, this coastal town was once only known for the rock lobster caught here. Now, Kaikoura is famous for the abundance of marine mammals and seabirds found offshore. 
(B) 

Day thirteen KAIKOURA
This morning we join a sea cruise to look for Dusky dolphins - natural acrobats who seem to enjoy showing off their skills for spectators. We take a break in the afternoon, and meet again for an evening shoot of the coast and mountains.
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Day fourteen KAIKOURA - CHRISTCHURCH
After a sunrise shoot along the coast we head inland to a remote location in the mountains. This rugged area gives us a chance to photograph landscapes that even many New Zealanders have not seen! We then join the main south highway for the drive back to Christchurch. As tonight is our last night we enjoy a special farewell dinner together; a great time to reflect on the roads travelled, the friendships made and, of course, the sensational photographs captured! 
(BD) 

Day fifteen CHRISTCHURCH - DEPART
As you prepare for your flight home, or onward to another destination, there will be time for some last minute shopping, a visit to the arts centre, or maybe just a relaxing coffee overlooking the Avon River. We say farewell, trusting that your experience with us will enrich your lives for many years to come. 
(B) 

Tour fee:
NZ$9550.00 per person twin share
NZ$1430.00 single supplement

Deposit:
NZ$500.00 per person

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