Best Places In New Zealand To Get Beautiful Pictures

New Zealand consistently ranks in the top 5 most beautiful countries in the world for heaps of great reasons. Some of these include the incredibly unique biodiversity, utterly jaw-dropping natural landscapes, captivating marine and wildlife, and so much more. Given this, New Zealand’s natural beauty is often considered too good to be true to those that have never visited. After all, fantasy movies like Lord of the Rings were filmed here, yet most of those scenes were filmed in REAL natural landscapes around the country. These are the best places in New Zealand to get beautiful pictures!

It’s no wonder it’s become a destination that many want to visit, explore, and capture in amazing photos. Here are our top picks for the best activities to do in NZ to get the most beautiful pictures while exploring the country overland.

Milford Sound

Shrouded in the morning mist, the boat breaks the mirror-like obsidian-coloured water. Waterfalls seemingly pour from the clouds above and flow down the jagged rock walls of the Fiordland. You are standing on the bow, suddenly spotting the shimmering fins of dolphins breaking the water. We know, wow.

This is just a taste of what to expect in Milford Sound, a mystical place – to put it lightly. And whatever time of the year you’re exploring, it holds plenty of magic and wonders to capture. You can expect a moody landscape for photos in the winter months, with much more fog and drizzle and darkened green forest or deep earth colours. The waters gain a turquoise glow in the summer, and trees pop vibrant green.

Queenstown

Not just for the adrenaline junkies, Queenstown is also one of the most picturesque towns in New Zealand and a must-visit for the snap-a-holics. With a backdrop set against the dramatic Southern Alps and flush against the stunning shoreline of Lake Wakatipu, you’ll run clear out of time before running out of photo ideas!

Queenstown is a renowned adventure destination for its outdoor activities and sports. There’ll be no shortage of opportunities here to capture some wild moments. Be it bungy jumping off the Kawarau Bridge, epic selfies while jet-boating the Shotover Canyon, a serene snap sitting beside the lake at golden hour, skiing the slopes of the Remarkables, or a bird’s eye view of this wonderful historic alpine town from atop Queenstown Hill, you will get some picture-perfect memories.

Abel Tasman National Park

Towering prehistoric ferns, a rugged coastline dotted with sea lions sunbathing, and long trails winding through the lush wilds to hidden sand beaches—welcome to Abel Tasman National Park!

Located on the north end of the South Island, this incredible wilderness reserve is a place to kayak, relax, swim, and hike your way around kilometres of scenic coastline. Just be wary; it’s easy to quickly run out of space on the SD card in this stunning place! We recommend packing your action camera and hitting the water while packing your other camera in a waterproof bag (at your own risk!) to capture the fascinating landscapes and wildlife on a hike back to camp.

Franz Josef Glacier

Ever taken a selfie from atop a glacier 3000 meters high? Now THAT sounds like an epic photo opp if we heard one. Located on the South Island, Franz Josef is already renowned for its otherworldly landscapes, with high mountains piercing the sky around you, dense jungle-life forest below, rivers to splash through on quads, and extensive treks.

We recommend the once-in-a-lifetime experience by taking the helicopter tour to the top of the glacier, strapping on the crampons, and getting amongst the fascinating icescape for views that will blow your mind and photos that will blow everyone else’s! If the chopper isn’t for you or you’re on a budget, head on the Franz Josef Glacier Walk for impressive views from below.

Rotorua

The iridescent mineral pools and bubbling mud pits of Rotorua will make you feel like you’ve been transported onto another planet. Colourful steaming lakes of crimson, orange, emerald, and gold and every hue in between—these natural mineral springs and mud pits are a wonder to see. Keep the camera ready to catch geysers shooting water high into the sky or the pits exploding in a dramatic burst of mud. Rotorua is a must-visit for nature lovers and landscape photographers exploring the North Island.

Cathedral Cove

Set along the already captivating Coromandel Peninsula on the North Island, Cathedral Cove is a natural rock arch framing Mercury Bay and the marine reserve surrounding. Head down to the sandy beach to see the remnants of other white rock formations partially claimed by the sea and capture this natural landmark’s astonishing landscapes and seascape. Our tip: Wait for the crowds to clear and snap some awesome silhouettes framed within the cave!

Tongariro Crossing

For this one, you have to put in the work. But trust us, the views are some of the most extraordinary you can ever see in your lifetime. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is just over 19 kilometres, trekking through uncanny landscapes that change from dark rock to red craters, emerald lakes to dense forests. And all the while, you are surrounded by smouldering volcanos and mineral pools as you hike lands sacred to the Māori and areas featured thoroughly in the Lord of the Rings movies. Make sure to stop to catch your breath and capture the magnificence of the Tongariro Crossing in all its glory. The sweat and soreness will be worth the views!

Explore NZ with Wild Kiwi

All we can say is seeing is believing, so plan your New Zealand trip with Wild Kiwi today to truly experience the unbelievable natural beauty of the Land of the Long White Cloud and visit some of the most breathtaking spots in the world for photos!