Fabulous New Zealand – a collation of images from our two visits. We saw every kind of weather including just about getting blown off the highway at one point. Food as amazing as you will find anywhere. Friendly people, nothing was ever too much trouble.
Equipment used on the North Island, 2 A700 bodies, Sigma 8-16, Sony 16-50/2.8 and Minolta 80-200/2.8 G. Weird setup, mostly to deal with low light and it worked. On the South Island, Sigma 8-16, Sony 16-105, Sony 100-300 G the classic lineup – and Sony RX100M2. Minolta travel tripod in both cases.
Sadly the 16-105 stripped a gear when leaving the Omaka Aviation Centre which left a hole in the lineup. That lens had been a proper workhorse since 2008 when it was purchased new in Banff and had taken countless photos since then. Luckily the RX100 stepped in and covered the gap admirably. The 16-105 was sent back to New Zealand for repair after we returned home and in the fullness of time was returned good as new again, possibly better actually. On the A700, its just delivers.
On the North Island I spent the day by myself on the viewing carriage between Christchurch and Hamilton with the 80-200. Light was muted, the lens delivered some amazing shots as the train rolled on all the same. Great scenery everywhere you look.
This is the old Auckland railway station now budget accommodation and mainly inhabited by students. Its quirky and some of the best accommodation we have had anywhere. The area behind the glass is a giant communal kitchen and dining area. Its not a hostel and it has tons of character.
Heading north from Christchurch to Kaikora.
Detail of tiles on the wall. Station was built in 1930, a time when it seems no expense was spared on the stations. Now of course they have been retired across New Zealand relegated to other purposes.I resisted a massive urge to clean those tiles. They deserve to be pristine.
Heading north from Christchurch to Kaikora.
Detail of the station lobby. Huge terrazzo floor and incredible detail and workmanship everywhere.
Glenmark. Heading north from Christchurch to Kaikora.
A view from out the front. Garden is suffering in the heat.
Heading north from Christchurch to Kaikora.
Downtown Auckland somewhere. Using A700 and 16-50 /2.8 hand held.
Heading north from Christchurch to Kaikora.
Downtown Auckland.
Heading north from Christchurch to Kaikora.
Downtown Auckland.
Heading north from Christchurch to Kaikora. Different terrain to the north, there the rivers are slower and wider.
Burger joint downtown Auckland.
Heading north from Christchurch to Kaikora.
Burger joint downtown Auckland.
Heading north from Christchurch to Kaikora.
Waipu view.
South of Kaikora the train follows the coastline and is almost on the beach.
The Waipu vet where old trees have been carved into statues. Plus the museum. you wouldn't want to miss that.Waipu has a fascinating living history that shapes the town’s character. Here, the people are part of the story, with many locals descended from the original 940 or more early settlers. The phone book is full of names that begin with Mc and street names reflect distant places in the highland homelands.After travelling on an extended journey from Scotland, Nova Scotia, Australia and then New Zealand, the Gaelic speaking ‘Normanites’ from the Scottish Highlands found Waipu. In all, the settlers represented 19 Scottish clans, and their descendants have many stories to share. Check out the migration map and story of these brave pioneers to understand the magnitude of the journey.
Heading north from Christchurch to Kaikora. The train runs along the coast for about 20km and this is the view from the carriage.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
Heading north from Christchurch to Kaikora. The train runs along the coast for about 20km and this is the view from the carriage. To shoot dolphins through the tinted window of a moving train with a long lens in poor light is a neat trick.
Ohaeawai on the road to kerikeri
North of Kaikora is a colony of seals.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
North of Kaikora is a colony of seals.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
North of Kaikora is a colony of seals.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
North of Kaikora is a colony of seals. This is not a seal.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
North of Kaikora is a colony of seals.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
Leaving Kaikora for Blenheim.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
Leaving Kaikora for Blenheim.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
Beach life in New Zealand.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
Leaving Kaikora for Blenheim.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
Omaka Air Museum is a wondrous thing. Add it to your bucket list. Images inside the museum 1ith the Sigma 8-16 HSM. Remarkable lens.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
The last image shot with the 16-105 before it gave up the ghost. By now this lens has traveled the world a few times and taken hundreds of thousands of wonderful images. The repairer is in New Zealand, lens was sent back once we got home. The repair delayed owing to parts availability and covid and I got the lens back maybe 12 months later and now its as good as it ever was. A true workhorse.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
Omaka Air Museum is a wondrous thing. Add it to your bucket list.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
Omaka Air Museum is a wondrous thing. Add it to your bucket list.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
Omaka Air Museum is a wondrous thing. Add it to your bucket list.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
Omaka Air Museum is a wondrous thing. Add it to your bucket list.
Bay of Islands, Waitangi.
Omaka Air Museum is a wondrous thing. Add it to your bucket list.
Waitangi Treaty House, a place of great historic significance.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_House.
Omaka Air Museum is a wondrous thing. Add it to your bucket list.
Waitangi Treaty House.
Omaka Air Museum is a wondrous thing. Add it to your bucket list.
Waitangi Treaty House.
Omaka Air Museum is a wondrous thing. Add it to your bucket list.
Waitangi Treaty House.
Omaka Air Museum is a wondrous thing. Add it to your bucket list.
Waitangi Treaty House.
This is the wine station, said to be Marlborough’s Leading Wine and Food Experience. Enjoy a tasting, half or full glass of wine with a gourmet platter to complement the wine tasting experience. The Wine Station is centrally located at Blenheim Station, next to The Chocolate Station. Barista coffee, gin and craft beers are also available. Genius.
Waitangi Treaty House.
Queen Charlotte Sound, Picon I expect. We took the scenic route to Havelock.
Waitangi Treaty House.
Queen Charlotte Drive, possibly Momorangi Bay.
Waitangi Treaty House.
Queen Charlotte Drive, another little bay along the way.
Waitangi Treaty House.
Queen Charlotte Drive, another little bay along the way.
Garage at Ohaeawai near Kerikeri.
Nelson. Whistle stop tour, had a fine meal here at an Italian restaurant.
Kerikeri down by the stone store.Kerikeri Mission Station, established in 1819, at Kororipo, is one of the first places in New Zealand where Māori invited Pakeha to live among them. Built under the protection of local Māori chiefs who were keen to harness the trade and technology of Europe, Kerikeri Mission Station grew amidst a backdrop of tribal warfare and ever-increasing visits from foreign ships.
Nelson.
Kerikeri down by the stone store.
From Nelson to Greymouth via Westport and Cape Foulwind. One wonders about that name one does. This will be the Buller River I expect.
Waiekakoura River near the Stone Store.
Buller Gorge.
Haruru Falls near Waitangi. There are waterfalls all along the river there.
As we head south west, the scenery starts getting a bit like this.
New Zealand public toilets have character. There is even a bus tour. These are the Paihia Wee Toilets, true story.
More scenery.
The Bay of Islands
Finally we pop out on the coast. This part of the country is famous for foul weather but on this day it was vet pleasant indeed.
Our accommodation at Ohaeawai outside Keri Keri.
More awesome coastal scenes.
Wilderness somewhere.
This is a famous rock formation, the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes.https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/west-coast/places/paparoa-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/pancake-rocks-and-blowholes-walk/
On the road to Dargaville we encountered the sensitive sustainable logging that occurs about the place.
Greymouth is a staging point for all sorts of things. Other than this and maybe the brewery, nothing noteworthy to report. We are here for train as it happens like about a bazillion others.
Dargaville famous to us at least for the sweet potato and mussel chowder. Superb.
More exciting Greymouth.
Dargaville. Outstanding example of a small country town.
Scenes from the train.
Somewhere between Dargaville and Waipoua. Stunning views along the coast in these parts.
Scenes from the train.
Omapere weather was wild when we were there.
Scenes from the train.
Tane Mahatu possibly one of the oldest living things on the planet. Waipoua forest.
Scenes from the train.
Tane Mahatu possibly one of the oldest living things on the planet. Waipoua forest.
Scenes from the train. This is why people go to Greymouth on the train, the scenery is amazing. I would definitely do this again.
Omapere the most northern point on the west coast for us. Weather was wild when we were there.
Scenes from the train.
The roads were wonderful and the scenery endless.
More amazing scenes from the train.
Hows the serenity?
More amazing scenes from the train.
Waipoua River.
More amazing scenes from the train.
More excellent roads.
More amazing scenes from the train.
Waipoua River near the Waipoua campground turnoff.
More amazing scenes from the train.
The Waipoua campground turnoff.
More amazing scenes from the train.
Bridge across the Waipoua River.
Right. We have escaped the train, picked up a car in Christchurch, made our way to Te Anau and are on a bus to Milford sound. The bus driver knows the good spots so we pull over for pics along the way.
Kaiaua, Waikato.
On the way to Milford Sound.
Kaiaua, Waikato.
On the way to Milford Sound.
Almost certainly Manaia Road Saddle and Lookout, maybe. Plenty of views like this up there.
Mirror lake, on the way to Milford Sound. The reliable lens had failed, I improvised.
Manaia Road Saddle and Lookout.
On the way to Milford Sound.
I wish I could remember where exactly this was. Near Pūkorokoro / Miranda, Waikato.
On the way to Milford Sound.
More firth of Thames, Pūkorokoro / Miranda, Waikato.
On the way to Milford Sound.
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On the way to Milford Sound.
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On the way to Milford Sound.
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Milford Sound. Its a mission to get here. After the road in was damaged by earthquakes, only busses are allowed in. There is a tunnel and traffic queues and goes one way and then the other. Its an experience.By the way take a close look at the cruise ship to get a sense of scale.https://www.milford-sound.co.nz/travel-info/highlights/homer-tunnel/
Cathedral Cove.
Milford Sound. I am doing unnatural things with the wrong lens to make this image possible.
Cathedral Cove. This was a bit of a mission walking in with a significant amount of camera equipment. Took a while, got it done. Light was terrible.
Milford Sound.
Cathedral Cove.
Milford Sound.
Cathedral Cove.
On the way back from Milford Sound a game of cricket breaks out at the side of the road while we wait for access to the tunnel.
Cathedral Cove.
Milford Sound.
Cathedral Cove.
On the way back from Milford Sound.
Cathedral Cove.
Towards Queenstown now. This is the lower reaches of Lake Wakatipu at the lookout near Kingstown.
Cathedral Cove.
Another view of Lake Wakatipu.
Cathedral Cove.
Lake Wakatipu.
Cathedral Cove, To Hoho rock.
View from the Crown Range lookout.
Cathedral Cove.
Wānaka is awesome. I could visit there again no problem.
Cathedral Cove.
Wānaka
Cathedral Cove.
Wānaka
Hobbiton, Hinuera, Matamata. THe film set that spawned a tourist attraction. Destroyed after the first LOTR movies and then rebuilt with a longer term plan. Its a must see.
Wānaka
Hobbiton, Matamata.
Wanaka, one of the places around the world I have celebrated with a haircut.
Hobbiton, Matamata.
The famous Wanaka bush there in the lake. Some have said this image does not do it justice...
Hobbiton, Matamata.
The Cromwell Heritage Precinct is a place saved from the construction of a dam long ago which would have submerged the town. So they relocated it and turned it into a tourist attraction.
Hobbiton, Matamata.
The Cromwell printers workshop frozen in time.
Hobbiton, Matamata.
Arrowtown, a gold rush town outside Queenstown.
Hobbiton, Matamata.
View from Queenstown Skyline. Queenstown is a party town which is full of tourists and backpackers. It reminds me a bit of Surfers Paradise or Banff. No doubt there are locals but they probably have the good sense to stay away from the downtown area. Its is however a regional hub for lots of excellent outdoor experiences all year round and it is very picturesque.
Hobbiton, Matamata.
Queenstown Skyline.
Hobbiton, Matamata.
Queenstown.
Rotorua, home of overt geothermal activity. Place stinks of sulphur but you stop noticing it after a few days. There's a lot to see here.
Queenstown.
Rotorua, steam from the warm water of the lake on a cold day.
Mudpool, Rotorua.
Warning, danger! Hot mud is hot.Rotorua.
The gardens in Rotorua were spectacular.
The gardens in Rotorua were spectacular.
There was some trolling of the the selfie obsessions of certain tourists. They can get pretty intense about their snapshots.
The gardens in Rotorua were spectacular.
Gardens Rotorua.
Gardens Rotorua.
Hot springs Rotorua.
Trolling the selfie takers, Rotorua.
Trolling the selfie takers, Rotorua.
Trolling the selfie takers, Rotorua.
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Redwood forest, Rotorua.
Redwood forest, Rotorua.
Early stage coal. Redwood forest, Rotorua.
Lake Rotorua which is the caldera of a volcano.
View over where the eruption of Mt Tarawera occurred in 1886 near Rotorua.
Blue Spring (Te Waihou Walkway)
Blue Spring (Te Waihou Walkway)
Blue Spring (Te Waihou Walkway)
Blue Spring (Te Waihou Walkway)
Blue Spring (Te Waihou Walkway)
Blue Spring (Te Waihou Walkway)
Taupo
Taupo
Taupo
Huka Falls, Taupo
Huka Falls, Taupo
Huka Falls, Taupo
Napier is a cool and laid back place. In 1931 a massive earthquake rocked Hawke's Bay for more than three minutes, killing nearly 260 and destroying the commercial centre of Napier. Rebuilt in the style of the day it is an art deco time capsule by the sea.
Napier.
Napier.
Napier.
Napier. The Kiwi man cave is a sad place.
Napier.
Not Noosa but Napier, New Zealand.
Napier.
Napier. Shed2, the place of at least one fine meal. The old wharf district is now lots of bars and restaurants done right.
Napier. Streetart, everywhere also done right.
Streetart, Napier.
Streetart, Napier.
The view down by the water. Napier.
The view down by the water on sunset. Napier.
Napier.
Napier.
Napier.
Napier.
Napier.
Napier.
Napier.
Napier.
Napier.
Waipukarau. On the way now to Martinborough.
Waipukarau. On the way now to Martinborough.
Dannevirke. On the way a gale so violent we were just about blown off the road. We paused here in the Maccas car park until it was safe to proceed.
Paused to take a shot of the wind turbines. It was so windy it just about took the door off the car.
On the traino now from Wellington to Hamilton. I spent the day on the observation carriage by myself, shooting everything in sight. Light was poor but I had a blast. Did I mention it was cold?
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton. This, the earliest known signature train shot.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton. The Raurimu Spiral is a single-track railway spiral, starting with a horseshoe curve, overcoming a 139-metre (456 ft) height difference, in the central North Island of New Zealand, on the North Island Main Trunk railway (NIMT) between Wellington and Auckland.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.C
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Tawarau Forest tramping tracks, the fence of boots.https://www.natureandnosh.co.nz/blog/post/48652/The-boot-fence-story-World-famous-in-New-Zealand/
Tawarau Forest tramping tracks, the fence of boots.
Tawarau Forest.
Tawarau Forest.
Marokopa Falls, Tawarau Forest.
Marokopa Falls, Tawarau Forest.
Hamilton Gardens is a public garden park in the south of Hamilton owned and managed by Hamilton City Council in Hamilton gardens .The 54-hectare park is based on the banks of the Waikato River and includes enclosed gardens, open lawns, a lake, a nursery, a convention centre and the Hamilton East Cemetery. Strangely it has portraits off the International Rescue team on the cafeteria wall.
Hamilton Gardens.
Hamilton Gardens.
Hamilton Gardens.
Hamilton Gardens.
Hamilton Gardens.
Hamilton Gardens.
Hamilton Gardens.
Hamilton Gardens.