Reuthers
Highlights / New Zealand
Guided Photo Tour

Kia Ora and Welcome to Auckland, the City of Sails. Join us in the evening for a traditional welcome drink followed by dinner. Getting to know one another is especially important today, and your tour guide will provide detailed information about your upcoming New Zealand photography adventure.

Our highlight for the day is the Tiritiri Matangi Island north of Auckland. The 'Eldorado' for photographers lies in the Hauraki Gulf and is an open nature reserve, noted for its bird life including Kiwi and Takahé. There the oldest lighthouse in New Zealand is still in operation and worth a visit on this island.

We travel along the Pacific Coast Highway through the stunning Coromandel region and spend the night in the town of Coromandel.

During the day, we take a scenic train ride through kauri plantations, learning more about the Coromandel region. Our destination is Whitianga, where we stay close to the beach where Captain Cook once raised the British flag.

After a leisurely breakfast, we visit Hot Water Beach, then continue to Rotorua. Even before reaching the city, the smell of sulfur announces the bubbling and roaring Geysers. In the evening, we experience authentic New Zealand culture at Te Puia, featuring Maori dances and songs, followed by a Hangi dinner, Haka, and the Pohutu Geyser.

Inspired by these natural wonders, we continue to Taupo, stopping at Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest inland lake, with magnificent views of Mount Ruapehu (2,797 m). Our destination is Napier, a city rebuilt in Art Deco style after the great earthquake of 1931. Overnight stay in an original Art Deco hotel on the Marine Parade beachfront.

Today we travel at a relaxed pace to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. A photo stop at New Zealand's Stonehenge (Stonehenge Aotearoa) is planned along the way.

Explore Wellington on your own. This day is at leisure, and we are happy to recommend optional activities.

Before leaving the North Island, we visit Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum. In the early afternoon, we board the Interislander ferry for the scenic crossing to Picton. From there, we follow the Tasman Bay to Nelson, the first city in New Zealand and the region with the highest number of sunshine hours in the country.

Today’s day tour takes us to Abel Tasman National Park. By water taxi, we are dropped off at a secluded beach and, after a walk through pristine wilderness, picked up again.

Our photography adventure continues southwest along the famous Buller Gorge Road to Cape Foulwind, then further south to the spectacular Pancake Rocks, where we observe the sea-driven blowholes up close. Overnight stay in the coastal town of Greymouth, once an important Maori settlement.

After breakfast in Hokitika, we pass the former gold-mining town of Ross and enjoy the dramatic landscape of towering mountains, lush rainforest, and the Tasman Sea to our right. We settle into our accommodation below the Franz Josef Glacier.
Optional: Depending on weather conditions, a helicopter flight with glacier landing, or alternatively, an exciting quad bike tour through the rainforest.

Explore the Franz Josef Glacier or join an optional guided hike. This day is at leisure.

Passing the Fox Glacier, we leave the Tasman Sea behind, cross the Haast Pass, and reach Wanaka. A remote mountain road then leads us to Queenstown, New Zealand's true adventure capital. After a scenic cruise on Lake Wakatipu, we enjoy dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant at Walter Peak High Country Sheep Farm, including a farm tour. The historic TSS Earnslaw, the oldest coal-fired steamship in New Zealand, returns us to Queenstown.

Adventure and sightseeing await: from iconic bungy jumping at the Kawarau Bridge to parasailing and jet boat rides. Alternatively, enjoy shopping or relaxation. The day is at leisure.

Enjoy a beautiful morning in Queenstown before continuing in the early afternoon to Te Anau.

A true world wonder awaits: Milford Sound, one of New Zealand's most famous landmarks, located in the country’s wettest region. We take a cruise along the 16 km long fjord to the Tasman Sea, capturing breathtaking photos of penguins, seals, dolphins, occasionally whales, and New Zealand's most spectacular waterfalls.

Later in the morning, our photography tour continues to Invercargill, the southernmost city in New Zealand and the heart of Southland.

On Stewart Island, we explore untouched nature, observe rare bird species, and enjoy a boat tour through a spectacular underwater world.

Many may know the cult film “The World’s Fastest Indian” starring Anthony Hopkins. Today, we view Burt Munro’s original motorcycle. We then travel through The Catlins to Dunedin, with numerous photo stops along the way, including the famous Nugget Point Lighthouse.

Today’s highlight is the Royal Albatross Colony on the Otago Peninsula, featuring albatrosses and penguins, along with a historic tour to Taiaroa Head. Prepare your cameras for unforgettable photos and videos!

Our destination today is Mount Cook, over 3,800 m high and New Zealand's tallest mountain. We take part in a photography tour and, if possible, stay overnight at the legendary Hermitage Hotel at the foot of the mountain.

The inland route to Christchurch leads us to the Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo. This is undoubtedly the most photographed church in New Zealand, with an altar window framing breathtaking views of the lake and mountains.

On a day trip, we learn more about the French influence in New Zealand in the village of Akaroa, set in a sheltered harbor and surrounded by rugged volcanic hills. Alternatively, explore Christchurch on your own.

Depending on weather conditions we can take part in a whale-watching tour. Our destination is Kaikoura, New Zealand's most famous location for whale observation.

On our journey back north, we stay overnight in Blenheim, the center of New Zealand's wine industry, located in the Marlborough region. Naturally, we enjoy a wine tasting.

Welcome back to the North Island. We take the famous Interislander ferry crossing through the Queen Charlotte Sound, passing through the Cook Strait between the islands. The rest of the day in Wellington is at leisure.

Traveling north from Wellington, we visit Tongariro National Park, the oldest national park in New Zealand. Look forward to stunning photos of Mount Tongariro and the historic Château Tongariro Hotel at its base. Overnight stay in Taupo, near Lake Taupo.

On our final day, we visit the Waitomo Glowworm Caves and enjoy a boat tour beneath thousands of glowing worms. After this spectacular highlight, we return to Auckland for our traditional farewell dinner, reflecting together on our unforgettable photography tour through New Zealand.