Otago Hoodies

One of the things I love most about New Zealand is how quickly the landscape can change. While Mackenzie country is full of golden tussock, the mountains themselves are all rock and snow. In Lindis Pass, which traverses the mountains on the road between Tekapo and Wanaka, the tussock carpeted everything all the way to the peaks of the mountains. It made the whole area feel a bit desolate, yet starkly beautiful at the same time.

It was no coincidence that the location I shot the most in Wanaka was the famous 'Wanaka tree' -- the lone tree that stands in the lake. Its trunk is covered by water for much of the year yet it's somehow survived, making a perfect foreground for the mountains of Mount Aspiring National Park behind.

Mountain bikers know about Coronet Peak in summer, but it seems like not many people in the general public did! After buying a $15 roundtrip chairlift ticket, we rode to the top and walked a short way up to the peak, where we found this view. The mountains were a beautiful mix of blues and golds and stretched as far as we could see. I was happy standing at this spot to take photos of the sweeping views, but I wasn't exactly game to walk out on that little ledge -- do you think you would be?

New Zealand - South Island, Arrowtown gold miners shack, with backlit autumn trees.

Sunrise on Boxing Day lit up the entirely of Lake Wanaka in pink. Definitely worth the early wakeup call on a public holiday!

I was so lucky being able to capture this sunrise. When I woke up around 5.15am to a brilliantly pink room I realised that I was missing a fantastic sunrise over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. Luckily we were staying in a hotel on the lakeshore so I was able to run across the road and capture the amazing colours.

One of the Shotover Jet jetboats powers towards the Shotover Canyon after a quick 360º for the photographers.

Because my family and I didn't have our own mountainbikes, we decided to take the easy way down Coronet Peak once we'd been to its summit -- that is, we went back down the chairlift we came up! I just couldn't believe how stunning the views were -- even this one, which included a man-made pond that really shouldn't have been as beautiful as it was!

A map of the three main islands of New Zealand, with different patterns representing the characteristics of the different provinces.

I didn't plan on getting up to watch the sunrise on our last morning in Queenstown, but when I woke up at 5.15am and my whole hotel room was lit up in pink, I grabbed my camera and ran to the lakeshore, which was luckily just across the road from the hotel. It was definitely worth it!

There's no better time for a stroll along the waterfront on Queenstown's Lake Wakatipu at sunset. Not only do the Remarkables glow in the evening light, but in St Omer Park on the lake's foreshore, the setting sun lights up the trees in amazing patterns.

Clear warm Summer days invite visitors to swim, fish, boat and enjoy the beautiful surrounds of Wanaka, including the iconic Wanaka tree.

Historic Larnach Castle is a mock castle on the ridge of the Otago Peninsula within the limits of the city of Dunedin, New Zealand, close to the small settlement of Pukehiki. A beautiful location to visit and stay, with views of the dazzling Otago Peninsula.

Lupins blooming just above a stream running through the Crown Range near Queenstown.

The old Cardrona Hotel on a beautiful day in the Crown Range outside of Queenstown.

The historic area of Cromwell also has beautiful jetty river location, perfect for fishing, swimming and water sports.

Adolescent yellow-eyed penguins on the Otago peninsula, South Island, New Zealand

The beautiful Allan's beach on the Otago peninsula, South Island, New Zealand

Tranquil Te Anau is a town on the South Island of New Zealand. It’s known as a gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound, stunning and isolated gems.

This section of road, stretching along the eastern shores of Lake Wakatipu, has earned itself the name 'the Devil's Staircase' due to its continuous turns, ascents, and descents. Unlike the Devil's Staircase on the Tongariro Crossing, which really did have me swearing by the end, this one was a lot of fun!

Oyster catcher on Allan's beach, Otago peninsula, South Island, New Zealand

Oyster catcher on Allan's beach, Otago peninsula, South Island, New Zealand

Plein air painting done on a glorious morning on the shores of Lake Wanaka. The lake really low and the trees just starting to show their autumn colours.

A snares penguin on the Otago peninsula, South Island, New Zealand

the sun setting behind mountains

This short (and steep) walk takes you up the hill to the iconic Alexandra clock, a unique illuminated hillside timepiece that has served the town since 1968

Remains of the gold mining era in Central Otago of New Zealand have left behind a man-made lake; renown for its vivid blue color.

New Zealand Road Signage - Invercargill (Southland/Otago)

A must visit in Otago is the historic precinct of Cromwell, where the main street has been restored and fully functioning.

Queenstown ,nz,

The Remarkables are a mountain range and skifield in Otago in the South Island of New Zealand. Located on the southeastern shore of Lake Wakatipu, the range lives up to its name by rising sharply to create an impressive backdrop for the waters. The range is clearly visible from the nearby town of Queenstown. The highest point in the range is Double Cone (2319 metres). The adjacent Hector Mountains southeast of the Remarkables culminate in Mount Tuwhakaroria (2307 metres). Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II Featured in the Group "Cover Shots" !http://ih0.redbubble.net/image.92220656.3513/fp,550x550,black,off_white,box20,l,ffffff.jpg!

The southern Scottish city of the antipodes - Otepoti Dunedin is, among other things, is a university city. Home to the world's only mainland albatross colony breeding ground. Well worth a visit!