Aotearoa is bursting with stunning scenery and ample famous photography spots. Everyone wants to get a shot of that Wanaka Tree and the Church of the Good Shepherd. Whilst these spots make for a cool photo, they are also a little overdone. Everyone, and we mean everyone, takes these photos. The South Island has so much more to offer than the typical tourist hotspots. We want to share our hidden gem photography spots with you, so you can lift your Instagram game or find the perfect print to buy from our store. Either way, you’ll want to check these photos out.
We aren’t going to be too specific with the locations of the photos because we believe part of the fun of finding hidden gems is actually finding them yourself. We love the hunt for a cool photography spot and if we give you the gps coordinates for these places, we will ruin the fun and possibly the spot if too many people flock to it. So take some notes and get out there to really search for the best photos you can take. There’s no point taking the exact photo as us, anyway.
If you love the shots we’ve shared here more than your own or don’t want to go exploring to find them, click on the photos and buy your own copy in our print store! We are pretty proud of these and think they deserve to be enjoyed beyond Instagram and your computer screens.
Be sure to check out our Instagram to see more of our amazing photogaphy!
Cleopatra’s Pool – Abel Tasman National Park
So many photos of Abel Tasman focus on the beaches, and rightly so. If you’ve ever been, you’ll know these are some of the best beaches and lagoons in Aotearoa. However, our favourite spot and favourite photo from the park is the stunning Cleopatra’s pool. Not everyone makes the detour to this pool. It does add on the kms to an already long hike.
Believe us when we say it’s worth it! It’s the perfect oasis for a photo shoot and a swim. Whilst Nathan was busy taking the incredibly lush photo above, Tiff was busy dipping in and out of the icy cold water.
Alexandra & Clutha River
A small town in Central Otago that isn’t high on many NZ travel bucket lists. If it wasn’t for Tiff getting a locum job here, we wouldn’t have done much more than pass through the town and had a quick wander. We are so lucky we got to explore it further! Clutha river is a stunning sight to behold in all seasons. It’s lush and green, then bursting with flowers and turns into the incredible golden sights above in winter.
Alexander is known for its blossoms and has a festival dedicated to the stunning flowering fruit trees of the area. Blossom Fest should be on everyone’s list! Whilst you are in Alex, be sure to check out the neighbouring town Clyde and the many cycle trails in the region.
Crown Range
This is a freedom camping spot with a view money simply can not buy! If you are traveling Aotearoa by van, you cannot miss spending a night at the crown ranges freedom camp. Climb the track behind the campsite for incredible 360 degree views down to Queenstown and across to the crown ranges.
Just be sure to rug up as it gets cold here even in summer! However, the photos you’ll get are well worth the steep climb and the biting wind.
Glenorchy Jetty
Everyone goes to Glenorchy to check out the boat shed. We get it. It’s a cool boat shed, but it’s got nothing on the Perth boat shed and honestly, it’s hard to get a photo here because of all the crowds. Our favourite spot in Glenorchy for a photo is the jetty right next to the boat shed. It’s actually quite funny to sit and watch how many people come here to take a photo of the boat shed and don’t even walk out on the jetty!
Don’t miss this just because it doesn’t have crowds taking its picture. Whilst you’re here, make sure you do the Glenorchy lagoon walk. This too is incredibly free of crowds, but the start is surprisingly close to the boathouse.
Lake Wakatipu – Kingston Campground
Another spot that you probably wouldn’t check out if you aren’t a vanlifer. This is a gorgeous and quiet campsite not far from Queenstown. It’s a great picnic spot during the day, so don’t miss it just because you aren’t staying the night. It gives another vantage point of the impressive lake Wakatipu and is another great spot for a swim. The water is cold, but that didn’t stop Tiff! This is our favourite place to photograph Lake Wakatipu, away from the crowds and the buildings of Queenstown, with impressive mountains on either side.
Elvy Waterfall – Pelorus Bridge
We’ve hiked to this waterfall twice and didn’t spot anyone else either time we were here! Why did we come twice? Well, the first time we didn’t think to bring our bathers. It’s such a pristine spot that you can’t help but want to get in the water, even when that water is very cold! Most people come to Pelorus for the bridges and walk along the Pelorus river, missing out on the small and stunning waterfalls along the Elvy track.
Just make sure you practice leaving no trace when you come to the waterfall, especially if you want to swim in it! That means wearing reef safe sunscreen or better yet, none at all (it’s very shady here just be sure to cover up with long clothes and hats ect for the hike), taking any rubbish or food scraps out with you and ensuring anything that goes into the water is clean and not contaminated with fresh water from other rivers. Do those things and this place with be picture perfect for generations to come!
Monro Beach
We came to this beach in the hopes of spotting a Tawaki (Fiordland crested penguin) but sadly didn’t spot any of these shy birds. However, the beach is so spectacular that we didn’t really feel like we missed out. The rugged west coast beaches are a marvel to watch. If it wasn’t for the sandflies, we happily could have sat here all day watching the waves crash. Nathan took an abundance of photos here as the weather rolled in with the waves. This one was by far our favourite of the day.
Wainui Falls
Popular with locals but not often mentioned in travel guides unless you really look, this waterfall is bigger than it looks! You’ll hear it well before you see it. Wainui Falls are the largest and most accessible waterfall in Mohua (Golden Bay). For that reason alone, you need to make sure you come to experience the beauty of this photo for yourself.
Tiff didn’t actually swim here, but you definitely can! The hike out is relatively short, making it less painful to carry your photography gear with you. At least I think it is. Can’t say I’ve had to carry any of the gear before and I don’t plan on it. Sorry Nathan!
Tasman Lake
When you drive out to Aoraki and Hooker Valley, don’t make the mistake of missing out on Tasman lake. The hike to the viewing platform is steep but short and provides stunning Bird’s-eye views of the glacier and icebergs below. This is still one of Tiff’s favourite photos of all time. If you are adventurous at heart, you can spend a day kayaking on the lake, exploring the ever changing icebergs floating in it.
Hooker Valley
Perhaps this one isn’t a hidden gem, as it is a popular walk. However, the hidden gem part of this photography spot is that you need to be here for sunset! That means preparing yourself for a hike out from the glacial lake during the night. Head torches and warm clothes are required, but trust us when we say it’s worth it, we think the photo speaks for itself. It’s even better to experience it in person. It’s pure magic. For more info on the hike out to Hooker Lake, check out our Hooker Valley blog post.
There are countless Hidden Gem South Island Photography Spots in Aotearoa!
Our favourite prints and hidden gem photography spots on the South Island! We think they are pretty spectacular and have given a few of these prints to friends and family. We sell each and everyone of these photos in our print store, too! If you’d like a copy, click on the photo you love the most above and it will take you to our print store. Otherwise, we hope you have fun trying to find these locations and take your own versions of these photos. The beauty about nature photography in Aotearoa is that you’ll rarely get the same image as someone else. The weather changes too much for that!
Keen for more inspo? Be sure to check out:
- Waterfalls in Waikato That You MUST Visit
- 5 Must Visit Auckland Beaches
- Vanlife in New Zealand: How to Start and What it Costs
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