View Finder

Want to put yourself in the perfect picture? New Zealand has all the backdrops you need, whatever view you’re looking for.

By Julie Baxter

If a picture really does say a thousand words then taking a trip to New Zealand guarantees you’ll return with enough for an epic novel.

Few destinations are so scenically stunning and so photographically compelling.  One incredible breathtaking view gives way to another and if you’re driving, you find yourself torn between marvelling at newly-emerging vistas ahead and those you’ve just driven through - now beautifully framed in your rear-vision mirror!

Whatever kind of views you favour, New Zealand has it.  From its crystal clear, glacial lakes to its warm turquoise waters, the dramatic mountains to the verdant vineyards, there are few places as naturally photogenic as New Zealand – and one trip is rarely enough to capture it all.

Turn your lens onto the Marlborough region of New Zealand, for example, and one minute you can stand in awe overlooking the long straight lines of the immaculate vines of the wineries; the next you can be sailing the waterways of the Kenepuru Sound spotting dolphins, fur seals and amazing birdlife. 

Work up an appetite here and the local food and wine is second to none.  Soon you’ll be savouring the wines of those vines you’ve admired and discovering a raft of unexpected gourmet delights. You may feel far from the madding crowds but you’ll still find world-class cuisine and even be able to go behind the scenes to watch Michelin star chefs in action at properties like the Old St Mary’s Convent.

Sharpen your focus on the Nelson region and it will be the fabulous beaches that fill your view-finder and the stunning National Parks such as the Abel Tasman National Park and the Kahurangi National Park. Cruise the coastline or pull on your hiking boots and you can experience first hand the emerald green forests and discover picture postcard photoshoots waiting at every turn.

The lodges of the area offer a classic kiwi welcome and the local knowledge offered by the expert hosts helps visitors get straight to the region’s best bits.  They’ll lead you to the best of fishing grounds or introduce you to their most highly regarded local artists; they’ll show you where to kayak for the best of views or recommend a cruise taking you to the heart of the wildlife habitats.

Alternatively, get a close up of Maori culture with a stay in Hawkes Bay, on the east coast of the North Island. Here picturesque valleys are cut through with glimmering rivers and you can get a unique insight into the landscapes around you by hearing the ancestral stories and learning about the cultural values which link them so intimately with the Maori people.

Or, recharge your camera battery and head to the Coromandel – just a short drive from Auckland but a world away in pace and style.  Here you can paddle in the natural hot springs, create your own sculpture from local volcanic rock or saddle up and ride on a chauffeur driven Harley Davidson touring the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua.

The Bay of Plenty has become one of New Zealand’s most popular holiday destinations and if you flick through the photos of those who have been it is easy to see why. New Zealand’s most unusual and active volcanoes are here and visitors can combine time exploring the craters with gourmet dining, heli-tours or gentle strolls along endless white sand beaches.

Wherever you point your camera in New Zealand, you get great views and incredible pictures. Return home and your album will be an instant coffee table stunner, packed with the unique experiences and magical memories you’ve gathered.