After a long hiatus due to searching for a house, I’m finally back doing what I love. Here’s a few shots from a short break in Queenstown, New Zealand to bring in the new year.
This first photo is from Queenstown Hill. You can access it by either taking the cable car or walking up (which takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour). If you like the photo you should try going in person – it is even better in real life. We were lucky enough to be in Queenstown in summer, when the lupine flowers were in full bloom. An interesting fact is that they are actually a weed so can be seen growing just about everywhere at the right time of year.
Another shot of Queenstown Hill, this time minus the human presence.
The next photo is a panorama taken on the spectacular Queenstown to Glenorchy Drive. I understand they filmed parts of The Hobbit in the area and having now been there it is not hard to see why.
Taken on the stunning Queenstown to Glenorchy road
At the end of the road you will find a picturesque little town called Glenorchy. Well worth a stop to refuel for some coffee and to drink in the views. It is also the jumping off point for some of the most spectacular walks in the South Island.
Another scene from Glenorchy.
One of the walking trails I spoke of earlier. It isn’t hard to imagine Bilbo and his friends walking that ridgeline on their way to find Smaug.
The following photo is taken around Arrowtown, a historical village about 20 minutes drive from Queenstown. There are some nice gentle walks you can do around the Arrow River.
Another day trip you can do is up the Crown Range Road (amazing views!) to Lake Wanaka, another popular lakeside town.
Descending from the Crown Range Road into Wanaka. I don’t have any shots of Wanaka itself unfortunately as the place was swarming with people. It was that busy that it made Queenstown look sleepy. I will definitely have to go back at a more quiet time and explore the area, which looked stunning, with snow-capped peaks as the backdrop for a crystal clear lake.
Here’s one I took on a chopper ride from Queenstown to Milford Sound. It was definitely a challenge shooting from the chopper as they really jammed us in there (6 people + a pilot in a cabin similar to the size of that found in a small hatchback). That and the reflection from the perspex made it hard to get useable shots but here is one of them.
The final shot is taken from the Esplanade in Queenstown. In the background you can see the sunset on the the Remarkables.
