You will start this spectacular tour by exploring the best of Northland’s scenery, from wild coastlines to waterfalls, and classic jetty shots. Historically, Northland was the central hub for activity in New Zealand—and to date, it retains numerous remarkable landmarks: Russell, the former capital; the Treaty of Waitangi grounds, the home of modern New Zealand; giant sand dunes created by volcanoes; the meeting place of the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea; stunning bays; waterfalls; Kauri forest—Northland has it all! The never-ending summers of Northland make it a beautiful place to relax.
We will then continue on to the awe-inspiring Taranaki Coast to capture lush rainforests, the iconic mountain and the stunning coastline. Staying for 3 nights in the Ahu Ahu Beach Villas, just outside New Plymouth. If any New Zealand volcano has the perfect shape, it is Mt Taranaki—which, at 2518m, is the second-highest peak in the North Island. This volcano forms the centrepiece of Egmont National Park, one of the country’s oldest national parks. We will explore the many contrasting photography opportunities from mountain to sea.
Cape Reinga & Te Paki sand dunes
The Northlands’ white silica sand beaches
Chartered boat around the Bay of Islands
Stay at Carrington Estate & Duke Of Marlborough Hotel
Mt Taranaki
Cape Egmont
Hokianga
Te Paki Sand Dunes
Cape Reinga
Karikari Peninsula
Bay of Islands
Raglan
New Plymouth
Egmont National Park
Arrive in Auckland and make your way to the hotel - this night accommodation is included in the tour.
Day 1 - Auckland - Hokianga
To start the tour we will drive to the beautiful Hokianga Harbour, where we will stay tonight. En route, we stop to explore native Kauri forests, reaching the Harbour for sunset over the West Coast. The scenes we will be photographing today are unlike any you’ll find elsewhere across the country.
Day 2 – Hokianga - Karikari Peninsula
Today we say goodbye to Hokianga and begin to make our way to one of mainland New Zealand’s furthest-north points, Cape Reinga. We will be stopping en route to capture several picturesque jetties—these are well-suited to black and white ‘fine art’ style photographs. As we drive up, we will check into our hotel for the next three nights; the stunning Carrington Estate, before heading to capture sunset along the coast here.
Day 3 – Karikari Peninsula
We will spend the day exploring the stunning Karikari Peninsula, with its white silica sand beaches and serene bays, fringed with the red blossoms of pohutukawa trees.
Day 4 – Cape Reinga (Karikari Peninsula)
Today, we head to Cape Reinga stopping on the way to photograph the Te Paki sand dunes—humongous desert-like dunes created over millions of years through volcanic eruptions. Later in the afternoon we travel up to Cape Reinga, a location of great significance both geographically and culturally. A beautiful lighthouse sits high above the meeting of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean: this is where we shall capture sunset tonight.
Day 5 – Karikari Peninsula - Russell
This morning, we set off toward the picturesque Bay of Islands: the historic Duke of Marlborough Hotel in Russell will be our home for the next two nights. Russell features many historic sites, as it was the first capital of New Zealand during European colonisation. Our day ends with a sunset shoot over the picturesque coastline, on one of many beautiful bays nearby.
Day 6 – Russell
We have an early start for a sunrise shoot this morning, followed by breakfast back at the hotel. On our chartered boat, we spend the day exploring the Bay of Islands by sea, including parts of the coastline not accessible by road. We have some beautiful island stops to look forward to, and we will capture these at our own pace.
Day 7 – Russell - Auckland - Taranaki
Another early-morning sunrise shoot across the Bay of Islands allows you to hone your field technique and capture more stunning beaches. Today, we depart the Bay of Islands and head towards Whangarei and the beautiful Whangarei Falls. This is the last stop on our journey, as we head back to Auckland and then catch a flight to our final destination today Taranaki. (Domestic flight included).
Day 8 – Taranaki
Today you have a free day to explore New Plymouth or catch up on some post-processing.
Day 9 - Taranaki
Today we are traveling to our stunning accommodation for the next three nights; Ahu Ahu Beach Villas which is pitched right on the coast. After assembling, we will run through some tuition sessions covering long exposure photography and tutorials on composition. Later in the afternoon we will head out to the coast, capturing the sun setting over a dramatic coastline—a scene including volcanoes that have eroded into offshore islands.
Day 10 - Taranaki
We will explore Egmont National Park and its wonderfully stunted forest and shapely waterfalls flowing over old lava escarpments offer excellent photographic opportunities. Heading into the national park, you will learn to shoot a diverse range of subjects including classic landscape, mountain, waterfall and forest photography. This afternoon, we can journey further south—to the North Island’s western-most point at Cape Egmont, well known for its iconic lighthouse to capture sunset here.
Day 11 - Taranaki
Today we will journey further north along the wild and dramatic coastline, with so many stunning beaches we are spoilt for choice and spend the day capturing the coastline. Tonight we will shoot sunset on one of the dramatic black sand beaches with views back to Mt Taranaki.
Day 12 - New Plymouth - Auckland
Today we will capture the coastal sunrise, heading out once again to one of the amazing local beaches with a view of the mountain. After this we will spend the rest of the morning reviewing over some of the work from the last 3 days, offering critique and advice on post processing, and after lunch we return back to New Plymouth for late afternoon flights to Auckland (included in tour)
12 days’ photography guiding
12 nights’ hotel accommodation (twin-share, single upgrade available) mostly 4✩
1x return domestic flight between Auckland to New Plymouth
Boat charter in the Bay of Islands
3 nights stay at Ahu Ahu Beach Villas
2 nights stay at Copthorne, Auckland
1 night stay at Copthorne, Hokianga
Three nights’ stay at Carrington Estate
Two nights’ stay at the Duke Of Marlborough Hotel
12 breakfasts
Transport during the tour
Free Online Course Essential Landscape Photography
Use of Benro Filter Kits
DOC (National Park) concession fees
Copy of our Pocket Guide to Landscape & Wildlife Photography
Donation to our Conservation Fund
Native tree planting to Carbon Offset your tour
Thank you for your booking on Northern Landscapes Photography Tour, we know that you’ll want to begin planning your trip, please find below some helpful information and details you will need for your booking with us.
Essential Guide
Here is a link to our Essential Guide, this PDF has lots of useful information for your trip with us, please take the time to read it.
Recommended Flights
You will need to fly into Auckland the day before your Tour starts. This night's accommodation is included in your booking.
Recommended Return Flights
We will be arriving at the Auckland airport at 4pm for domestic flights no earlier than 5pm. Please do not book flights earlier than this or you will not make it to the airport on time. For international flights please check your own flights check in times.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
If you need pre or post tour accommodation, we can help you sort this please email us if you would like us to sort this for you.
Single Room Upgrade
If you would like to have your own room for the duration of the trip you can add the single room upgrade to your booking, if you didn’t do this at the checkout, just send us an email we can add this for you. Please note if we do not hear from you about this we will assume you wish to share a room with another tour participant.
Online Course - Essential Landscape Photography
As a part of this tour you will receive complimentary access to the online course, this will be sent out 30 days prior to departure so that you are camera ready for your trip.
Once you have booked your flights and made your travel plans please let us know what these are and where you would like to be picked up from to join the tour.
Thanks again for booking with us, we will be in touch again closer to your departure date.
We look forward to having you on tour with us soon!