Join us for an exclusive photography expedition to the untamed Wild West Coast of Te Wai Pounamu, New Zealand’s South Island. This remote region, framed by the majestic Southern Alps to the east and pristine white beaches pounded by the Southern Ocean to the west, boasts ancient rainforests, serene lakes, and meandering rivers.
Here, the raw power of nature is always on display: colossal glaciers carve their way through the alpine landscape, while braided rivers flow swiftly across lush green plains, eventually merging with the sea. Water is a constant presence, and untouched wetlands provide a sanctuary for a diverse array of bird species.
Our 3-day private photography tour offers a glimpse into this extraordinary environment. Tailored to accommodate weather conditions, lighting, your photography expertise, and the rest of your New Zealand itinerary, our goal is for you to capture images you’ll proudly showcase—whether on social media, in a photobook, on your wall, or even in an art gallery. With our base for 2 nights in comfortable accommodation in Fox Glacier we are well placed to explore the ancient forests, rivers, lakes and the wild coast under the backdrop of the majestic alps.
For those interested, we also offer 3-day tours focusing on the upper West Coast to capture the beauty of the Paparoa and Kahurangi coastline, as well as an extended 5-6 day tour covering the entire West Coast region. Please don't hesitate to contact us for more details.
Our tour commences in Queenstown, winding through the breathtaking Crown Range, past the majestic lakes Wanaka and Hawea, and into the Haast Pass. As we descend from the arid, mountainous tussock terrain, we enter a dense Beech forest, tracing the path of fast-flowing rivers that offer excellent opportunities for capturing a variety of stunning waterfalls.
Upon reaching the coast at Haast, we turn northward, arriving at our accommodations in Fox. Here, you’ll have time to witness either the sun setting over the snow-capped Alps or the dramatic Tasman Coast.
An early start awaits on Day 2 as we aim to capture the sunrise at Lake Matheson. Under the right conditions, Mount Cook and the Southern Alps in the distance are beautifully reflected and framed by the tranquil waters and lush Beech forest. Throughout the day, we’ll explore the Fox Glacier and Franz Josef area, with options to venture into the forest along various walking trails or explore pristine wetlands and lagoons—abodes for numerous migratory bird species.
Weather permitting, there’s also the possibility of a helicopter excursion (at additional cost) to explore the upper reaches. We’ll conclude the day by capturing the forest and snow-capped peaks during sunset.
Our journey continues as we make our way back down the West Coast, immersing ourselves in the magnificent rainforest of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage area. Crossing back over the Haast Pass, we bid farewell to this enchanting region and return to Queenstown.
Along the way, we will have the opportunity to capture the beauty of the areas we missed during our upward journey, ensuring that no moment of this extraordinary adventure is left uncaptured.
