The most picturesque destinations in New Zealand provide dramatic landscapes, fantasy escapes and otherworldly terrains
Choosing the most picturesque destination in New Zealand – a land known for its stunning panoramas – can pose a formidable task. Keep reading to find out which New Zealand destinations should be on your bucket list for picture-perfect holidays.
Hobbiton
Hobbiton offers an experience that is truly out of this world with more than 40 Hobbit Holes embedded into its rolling green hills, several of which are open to visitors for exploration. The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies were filmed on site, giving extra importance to this destination for Tolkien fans. Before Peter Jackson and his crew scouted the location in 1998, this plot of land was a sheep farm. Today, it attracts more than half a million visitors annually. Additionally, Hobbiton is about a 45 minute drive from Hamilton, making it an easy day trip choice for tourists in the North Island city.
Milford Sound
Milford Sound, or Piopiotahi, is undoubtedly one of the most photogenic destinations in New Zealand. Located in Fiordland National Park, the sound is known for its Mitre Peak that is distinguished by its steep triangular silhouette. Milford Sound offers an array of activities including diving, snorkelling, cruising and kayaking.
Lake Tekapo
With only 720 residents, Lake Tekapo’s mountain scenery, spring wildflowers and, of course, lake views offer serenity and multiple camera-ready angles. Located in the South Island, Lake Tekapo sits at the southern end of the inland lake of the same name. Travellers to Lake Tekapo should be ready for night pictures – in 2012 an area around the lake was designated a Dark-Sky Reserve, meaning high-quality astronomical observations are possible here.
Mount Cook
Standing as the highest peak in New Zealand at 3,724 metres, Mount Cook or Aoraki boasts picturesque a landscape and beautiful views. Legend has it that Sir Edmund Hillary summited Mount Cook in preparation for his 1953 ascent of Mount Everest alongside Tenzing Norgay – marking the first known summit of the world’s tallest peak. Summiting Aoraki is no small feat, either. Today, climbers must prove climbing proficiency, excellent fitness and recent alpine experience before an attempt. For those looking for a less extreme way to enjoy Mount Cook, activities range from scenic flights and motorboat rides to skiing and base hikes. Mount Cook also lies in the same Dark-Sky Reserve as Lake Tekapo, offering an excellent opportunity to combine two photo-taking journeys in one trip.
Cathedral Cove
The naturally formed archway of Cathedral Cove, or Te Whanganui-A-Hei, offer a scenic vista for selfie backgrounds or stand-alone nature photography. Located on the southern part of Mercury Bay, the destination can be viewed by sea or by land (conditions permitting). Nearby experiences in the Coromandel region include soaking in geothermal waters, viewing waterfalls, hiking, snorkelling and more.
Roy’s Peak
Roy’s Peak in the Wānaka region offers a day-long hiking trail overlooking Glendhu Bay. On the other side of Roy’s Peak sits the nearby town of Wānaka – a ski and summer resort destination. Roy’s Peak offers sweeping views of often snow-capped mountains as well as Lake Wānaka.
Tongariro National Park
Tongariro National Park was the first national park established in New Zealand and the fourth in the world. Three active volcanic mountains are located at the heart of the park, which mark the southern limit of the Pacific’s Ring of Fire. The famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing offers a day’s long hike with photographic views such as vibrant blue crater lakes, steaming vents and lunar-like landscapes. The shorter half-day journey of Taranaki Falls Track offers waterfalls, streams, forests and mountain views for picture-snapping opportunities. Meanwhile, the half-day Taranaki Falls Track offers views of golden and red rapids, waterfalls, streams, mountains, native flora and, perhaps, native fauna.
Wānaka Tree
Nestled at the base of Roy’s Peak is the Wānaka Tree – a willow so popular among photographers that it deserves its own spot on this list. The tree can be viewed from the town of Wānaka, making it one of the more accessible destinations listed here. The solitude of the Wānaka Tree backgrounded by the Southern Alps makes it an awe-inspiring subject for photographers.
Mount Cook National Park
For those wondering if the views near Mount Cook are worth the trip to this towering peak, the resounding answer is yes. Mount Cook National Park offers 707 square kilometres for adventuring and capturing breathtaking images. With 40 per cent of the park covered by glaciers, popular experiences include climbing, walking and glacier skiing. New Zealand’s largest glacier – Haupapa or Tasman Glacier – sits at the centre of Mount Cook National Park and can be explored by boat or by foot.
Doubtful Sound
Returning to Fiordland National Park, which houses the second best photography destination in New Zealand, our top ten list rounds out with Doubtful Sound. The deepest and second longest of New Zealand’s fjords offers deep sea species like black coral due to a light trick caused by fresh water sitting on top of seawater. Multiple waterfalls in the region offer excellent subjects for photographers as are wildlife like fur seals, dolphins and penguins. Cruises – or for the more adventurous, sea kayaks – offer an excellent way to capture the beauty of this area.
New Zealand’s photo-ready scenery doesn’t stop with these ten destinations. For more photo opportunities in the ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’, check out the below:
- Mount Taranaki
- Lake Matheson, West Coast
- Nugget Point, The Caitlins
- Lake Rotoiti, St Arnaud
- Hokitika Gorge, West Coast
- Wharariki Beach
- Mount Aspiring National Park
- Split Apple Rock, Nelson-Tasman
- Whakarewarewa Forest
- Lake Waikaremoana
- Taranaki Falls, Tongariro
- Pouakai Crossing
- Wānaka Lavender Farm
- Tongaporutu
- Omarama Clay Cliffs
