We decided to take advantage of some cheap flights to the South Island and have a wee roadie. Just four days. This is the sort of thing you can see on a short road trip in New Zealand.
Four easy days driving in the Central South Island. Christchurch, over Arthurs Pass to the West Coast. Night near Hokitika. South via Franz Josef and Fox Glacier, night at Fox for the Lake Matheson early morning shot. South to Haast Pass drive through Mackenzie Country for a night at Twizel. Aoraki/Mt Cook national park is only a short drive from Twizel. On to Geraldine for a night then easy drive to Christchurch and home. Basically this is a reasonably low cost long weekend away. Thursday through to Monday. We are very lucky to live here in New Zealand. Lucky As!
Heading for Arthurs PassArthurs Pass
Lake MathesonProbably the best morning conditions ever at Lake Matheson.Okarito LagoonLake MoerakiHaast PassLake WanakaLake WanakaLake HaweaLake HaweaLake HaweaMackenzie CountryAoraki/Mt CookRoad works!Aoraki/Mt CookBlue and GoldDementorsBridgeGlacial ValleyDistinct lack of GlacierGlacial ValleyMirrorLake Pukaki
Seriously, the weather though!
Costs? About $200 for two return flights, Palmerston North to Christchurch. Rental car was about $250, Plus about $125 per night on average, motels and AirBnB. Basically about NZD $1000 plus food and drink, Pretty good I reckon.
This is where we live now. A small beach community in Manawatu, New Zealand. Himi as I call it has a wonderful eclectic variety of proper beach baches and more conventional homes, and the largest sand dune in the Southern Hemisphere apparently.
The phrase, ‘a picture paints a thousand words’ is best applied here. Here is a collage of Himatangi Beach images. I love it here.
This is the road to my place, ok, it’s not the only road, but it is a road.
I was looking at my photography blog and realised I hadn’t put a post up for a while. I was also considering the rubbish weather we have had over the past few weeks. I seem to remember the sun coming out, and staying out all day one Saturday.
For no good reason I decided to create a new post about one of our most iconic mountains. I titled this ‘The Lonely Mountain’ because Mt Taranaki occupies a place all by itself, far from other mountains. There is a Maori legend you might like to look up about how Mt Taranaki got all the way over to where it is, so far from the other large Volcanoes in the North Island. Mt Taranaki is actually a live volcano but it’s last activity was in 1860. It’s a pleasingly symmetrical mountain.
A nice photo of some Geese and Ducks in Lake Mangamahoe, with extra Mountain for effect.The Te Rewa Rewa Bridge is quite famous for looking like a Whale’s skeleton or something.On a clear night you can see for miles. About 200 kilometres in this instance as this image of Mt Taranaki was taken from the Central Plateau.Sheep, relaxing.Road trip, the road less travelled.Like the earlier photo of Mt Taranaki really far away, this is farther. About 230 kilometres from Himatangi Beach.They don’t make that anymore.Cardiff. True story, not the Welsh Cardiff though.Cloudy coolness.That’s also really far away. I just can’t remember where from.Tree weirdness.Pastoral, volcanic.Looks like Kilimanjaro.I like a nice barn in my photos.Hey, Hay!Hydrangeas but not in anyones garden. Opunake side.Red barns are best.
So there you go. Epic Symmetrical live volcano, all by itself in Taranaki. Mt ‘Naki, as I like to call it, which is probably frowned upon by those who value pronouncing things properly, is mostly covered in cloud, so this lot took a while to accumulate. The mountain actually makes it’s own clouds. You’ll see that happening while you are driving around looking for a good place to take it’s picture.
I’ve lived in Wellington for about 6 months now, it’s not the first time I’ve lived here. Last time I lived in Wellington in 1990, was for about 6 months. That’s not to suggest it’s time to leave though. Not a bit of it. Not yet anyway. A selection of random shots from around Wellington, not so much in Wellington, as around it.
Erskine College, Island Bay. Derelict old convent school, probably haunted.Winter in Island Bay. I live in Island Bay so you may experience a bias in these photosSunset in Island Bay, see? Bias.That Island is called Tapu te Tanga. It’s in Island Bay.That’s the way in to Wellington Harbour. If you come by boat that is.Surfer dudes at Titahi Bay.Wellington from Wrights Hill, long exposure to get that cool line of light thing on the motorway from the Hutt Valley.Oh look, it’s Island Bay again. Actually this is Houghton Bay, the next bay along.Cool clouds above Owhiro Bay. The Kaikoura Ranges in the distance, 200 kilometres distant.Pauatahanui, Porirua Harbour, Not many Paua in there though I reckon.Pencarrow Lighthouses at the Wellington Harbour Entrance, for when one Lighthouse isn’t enough.Pilot boat escorting a container ship out of Wellington.Cool Sunset clouds above Makara, making the huge wind turbines look puny.Sea thing. Karaka BayBoat shed thing in Lowry Bay. Hasn’t stored any boats for a while. Not sure what it’s for now.Chopper dude, Lyall Bay. Probably reading ‘Zen And The Art Of Bicycle Maintenance’.Tararua Ranges above the Hutt Valley. Taken from Oriental Bay.Those rocks are really big. This was the day after the ‘Great Storm’. I call all good storms, the ‘Great Storm’. It amuses me.The Interislander ferry heading for the South Island. I take this boat every month. There and back, obviously. Otherwise I’d live in the South Island now.Wavey.Kite Surfer in Lyall Bay. Good and windy.Two things, Air New Zealand didn’t crash into the hill and the sea is full of Dolphins, Lyall Bay.Colourful, in Lyall Bay.He survived, so did his cell phone. He actually ran away. I also have a photo of that.I believe those shed are empty and the land soon to be used for something more modern. Flash apartments would be best. Wait and see.OK, so this could be anywhere of course, but this cool surf shot was taken by me in Wellington. Houghton Bay to be precise. That’s a Nor’Wester blowing above Wrights Hill at Sunset. Windy Welly.Miramar Peninsula, in the mid-ground.Oriental Bay, people walk along the waterfront there, or run in colour co-ordinated lycra wearing headphones carrying an unnecessary water bottle.The Road to nowhere, one of those ‘there and back’ sort of roads.Like everyone, I love a brightly coloured boat shedSpring, Princess Bay. Pretty.Boat shed in Ivey Bay, Paremata.  Actually many boat sheds. Just that one is more obvious.The Classic Cable Car shot, you can buy a postcard just like this one.
So there you go. There’s much more to Wellington of course. But I’ve had enough of thinking up things to write in captions now. You could always visit and see for your self.
I spent a couple of days in Queenstown, for work. Lucky me. Much of the trip was inside but I was able to get out for a wander about. Fortunately you don’t have to walk far in Queenstown and surrounds to see the awesomeness. Herewith, a couple of snaps while I had a moment to take them. This can be a travel blog thing. For people who like to travel and read about travelling. I think it qualifies as a travel blog because I took photos of a tourist destination.
The obligatory wing shot on the way into Queenstown.The mountain range is called ‘The Remarkables’. Can’t imagine why.Same mountains, different day. Those awesome clouds go by the name of ‘Lenticular’.Sunset over Lake Wakatipu. Looking South if you are interested in that sort of thingSame view, slightly different spot, different time of day.On the hills above Arrowtown. I thought the colours and textures of the trees were cool enough to Photograph. It’s my camera, I get to choose that sort of thing.That’s a New Zealand Falcon, not the Swamp Harrier. The Falcon is pretty rare and even harder to photograph. This was a good day.Because who doesn’t like a photo of an old derelict cottage?Chinese Gold Miners huts in Arrowtown. Small.I liked the juxtaposition of Spring blossoms and snowy peaks. Arty and all that.There’s a famous tree in Lake Wanaka which everyone with a camera feels compelled to photograph. This isn’t it. This is a small Willow tree beside Lake Wakatipu which I’ve decided can be ‘That Queenstown Tree’. It looks striking early in the morning with the sun on it. Which is superfluous explanation really.
Queenstown, probably New Zealand’s most famous tourist destination. It’s nice there.
One of the great things about New Zealand is all the awesomeness, everywhere. In many countries you have to travel to see cool stuff. Get in a vehicle and make a special trip. We have that awesomeness everywhere. Right there beside the road. Part of my photographic ‘thing’, is that none of the photographs I take require any special equipment or even robust footwear. All the photos on this blog were taken near the side of the road except the one where I went for a bit of a walk. Theoretically you could take any of these photos with your phone camera while wearing a pair of jandals. All I did for each one of these shots, is pull over as I was driving past. We see this stuff on the way to the shop.
Charolais Cattle first thing in the morning. I do like a nice cow. You may have more photos of cows to follow. Manawatu.Old cottage and Macrocarpa trees, we have a lot of derelict cottages about the place. Horowhenua.Clean green New Zealand, get’s a bit dry in the summer sometimes. This is Hawkes Bay. Looking South from Te Mata Peak. You can drive up there.Almost good enough to eat, but I think they make beer with this lot. Manawatu.The Clydesdale War Memorial Hall, Manawatu. I don’t think it sees too many parties anymore. Manawatu.Sheep know a shady spot when they see one. Well most of them do. Manawatu.Rail bridge over the Ohau River looking towards the Tararua Ranges. This is a common sight in NZ. Rail bridges of this type that is. The Tararua Ranges aren’t a common sight unless you are in the vicinity. Horowhenua.That’s where Hawkes Bay starts. Looking North from a prominent view spot.Misty Mountains, that’s not their name though, they just are sometimes. Manawatu.Whanganui River Valley. One of the best drives in New Zealand. Almost nobody goes up there.Bit of driftwood in the Foxton Estuary. Looks a bit moody. Horowhenua.I like an old corrugated iron shack as well. This is at the end of Heights Road. Nobody goes up here either. You can walk into the Tararua Ranges from the end of this road. Horowhenua.Remember I mentioned being on the way to the shop? This was on the way to the shop. Horowhenua.Cows and mountains. Perfect photographic combination. Well one mountain. That’s Mt Ruapehu. Manawatu.Down on the beach, Himatangi Beach. This is about 200 metres from my front door. It can be quite scenic in the evening. Manawatu.This was a while ago, bit of snow there on the Ruahines. Manawatu.This scene appealed to me. That’s the main New Zealand rail line. Just there. Manawatu.Pastoral, this is also on the way to the shop. Clothes shop rather than food shop, but a shop nonetheless. Horowhenua.Taken a couple of paddocks down a few days earlier than the last photo. The one below. I like a fetching paddock scene. Manawatu.Dairy cows in Manawatu. Making milk. Looks a bit like a painting this one. It isn’t though.
Most New Zealanders simply pass by this stuff everyday, taking it for granted. I am constantly amazed at the natural beauty, wilderness and amazing pastoral imagery all around me. Maybe you have to go away for a while to appreciate it here. I know I view New Zealand differently since I’ve been back after so long away.
My happy place is in my car, on the road. I love driving around New Zealand as often as possible. If things are a bit dull around the house, I’ll go for a drive. I don’t have to go far to see epic things as luck would have it because I live in New Zealand. Epic is just around the corner. Last week I went for a slightly longer drive. Down to Christchurch, over Arthurs Pass to Franz Josef, down to Lake Matheson, up to Westport and back to Picton via the Buller Gorge and the Marlborough Sounds. This was my delayed Christmas holiday. I took a few photos along the way.
Sinclair Heads from Cook Strait. That’s the last bit of the North Island you see as you cross to the South Island.
Looks like someone’s in trouble. Seals in Kaikoura.
The Road into Arthurs Pass.
Arthurs Pass Highway. It’s a bit barren up there. A lot of tourists though. There are only 3 roads that cross the South Island. This is the middle one.
Awesome clouds above Arthurs Pass
The amazing Waimakariri River Valley at Arthurs Pass. Mid summer. Bit of rain must be due?
Glacial Water in the Whataroa River. It’s very cold.
That’s where the White Herons nest in New Zealand. Just there. Only that little bit of forest, nowhere else. It’s quite amazing really. When I say that bit of forest. Just that little bit there. That’s all of it, their entire nesting area.
Young pair of White Herons.
Lake Matheson in the pre dawn light. The clouds rolled in and covered up the mountains quite quickly. So you only get a shot in the dark on this particularly day.
Lake Matheson with Mt Cook visible in the gap in the clouds. Mt Cook is Aoraki, the cloud piercer. True story, see?
Morning dawning near Fox Glacier
In that gap in the mountains is Fox Glacier. There’s probably less of it than there used to be
Punakaiki Rocks. Like stacks of pancakes
That’s the ‘West Coast’. Near Punakaiki Rocks. The entire West Coast of New Zealand is the West Coast, but this bit is called the West Coast.
Looking north up the West Coast. It’s rugged and remote. I like it here.
Buller Gorge. You can probably fish in that.
The Buller Gorge. Better than the Manawatu Gorge if anyones asking.
Buller River.
This is Te Mahia Bay in the Marlborough Sounds. It’s nice here.
Crossing through the Tory Channel from Queen Charlotte Sound into Cook Strait.
So that’s just the top half of the South Island. I didn’t take any photos of the Kaikoura Coast on the way down apart from the seals as I have a load from the last time I was there and the sky was pretty gloomy on this trip. Bonus seals though.
Happy travels…Just watch out for tourists paying more attention to the scenery than the road.
There were two things that weren’t going to happen today, but both did. I wasn’t going to go for a walk in the rainforest and I wasn’t going to create this blog post. One thing pretty much lead to the other. I’m putting this post up though, because it is kind of amazing and I’m quite pleased with how some very hard photos to take turned out.
First things first. How did I end up in the rainforest? Well it’s not really a rainforest, this is simply a decent sized piece of New Zealand native forest, or ‘bush’ as we call it. The bush is a stand of coastal swamp forest not far from where I live by the sea.
The thing here is that I was simply on my way to the shops, a small supermarket in the next town on a Saturday morning and thought I’d go for short walk beforehand. This is one of the many reasons I love New Zealand. The distance from my house to the shops is just 10 minutes by car. I parked up at the Omarupapako Scenic Reserve which I hadn’t even noticed before despite driving past the signs several times a week.
Then I walked in….It was like walking into Jurassic Park. It’s very hard to take photos of the forest when you are inside it. The darkness means having to have the ISO setting up to as high as 800 at times with a shutter speed as low as 60 and the aperture down at 5.6 or lower. I spent about 2 hours walking through this extraordinary forest. Only a few hundred metres from the sea. I live by the sea remember?
The bird in the photos is a Fantail. A fast moving, small and characterful New Zealand native species which rarely sits still. Almost impossible to photograph in the deep forest on the settings required to cast any light into the camera. So I was thrilled with how these turned out. Enough words.
There is a path through, easy to follow
The way is clear, and easy to follow….
Well when I say easy to follow….
It’s a bit of a Jurassic path
Light does get in, sometimes
Very young Fantail, about to fly off
See, they do occasionally sit still, but not for long, moments only. You can also make out a strand of spider web behind the young Fantail
Fantail, fanned and singing a little Fantail song
If you live in New Zealand, go for a walk in the ‘bush’. If you are going to visit New Zealand, make sure you do. It’s like a spiritual place, a land time forgot, like walking in the footsteps of dinosaurs which is actually what you are doing, without the dinosaurs. Except we had one and it’s still here, living in our remote forests and offshore Islands. The Tuatara, look it up. We actually have the oldest forests in the world. They look like something from Jurassic times, or older
Like a lot of people, I like to take photos of the moon. Not just the moon though, the moon with other stuff in the photo. Otherwise it’s just a  photo of the moon. I don’t have the high powered telephoto lens to get the close up shots, nor am I an Astronaut. I also don’t do astrophotography. I just like to try to get a nice snap of the moon when it’s showing off a bit. No point giving too much explanation with these photos as is my usual thing. Each one is a photo of the moon, with some other stuff in the frame. I’ll just tell you where I was when I took the photo. Oh, and it’s harder than you think to photograph the moon. None of these were taken using a tripod. So there.
The moon, way up there, I know. But it’s a big sky. Foxton Beach. Mt Ruapehu 230 kilometres away on the horizon. The moon is farther.
Full Moon at Muriwai Beach
The Moon setting in the Rangitikei
Power lines, moon, etc. Near Halcombe in the Manawatu
I got out of my car to take this beside the road. The road being State Highway One in the Rangitikei.
Half moon in leafy Surrey, England
Not a blue moon. Early evening moon rising. Hunterville.
Same moon, a bit earlier.
Misty moon. Ok I’m stretching the other stuff in the frame here as the other stuff is just mist. Hunterville.
The moon and a balloon. Surrey, England
Dawn, early moon in Rangitikei. With a derelict cottage
Amazing clouds and full moon. Kawau Bay.
Moon sinking into the clouds, Rangitikei at dawn.
Yachting by moonlight. Kawau Bay at Dusk.
Moon rising over State Highway One. Near the Vinegar Hill SH54 turn off.
Let’s face it, this looks like the end of the world. Amazing clouds with accompanying moon over Whangaparaoa Peninsula.
So, the next time I post anything on here. I will have upgraded my camera gear. I’m not sure when that will be. Keep an eye out. I hope you enjoyed the moons
One of the best things about New Zealand is how easy it is to hop in a car and go. Driving from A to B in New Zealand is generally a pleasure rather than  a mission as it can be in so many countries overseas. I say generally because while the roads outside Auckland are mostly empty, the roads in Auckland are not. Still, this is about the wide open spaces beside the road in the central bit of the North Island. Time to hit the road….
The Roadhouse, perfect Roadhouse blues setting. Middle of nowhere Manawatu
That’s a road, there’s a speed limit, see?
A bit of driftwood beside the road at Himatangi, the beach is a road remember?
I call this ‘Angel’. You’ll never guess why
Manawatu, from the road, old hay barn. Tararua Ranges. nothing to see here…
From beside the Manwatu River Estuary. It’s Whitebaiting season. There’s one. A Whitebaiter that is. Don’t think it’s Beaver.
You know what that is? That’s an unremarkable view from the side of the road in New Zealand. I bet nobody has ever taken this photo before.
Old barn, farm paddocks and the Ruahine Ranges. Stark light, morning tea time.
The light was rubbish, photographers would say don’t take photos in this sort of light. I don’t care.
One for the DIY enthusiast, after a heavy rainfall, in the King Country
Looking south down the Waikato River from the Glen Murray Bridge. I have no idea if that’s the name of the bridge, but that’s roughly where it is.
Road trip south, Eastern side of of Lake Taupo, SH32. 1st sighting of the Volcanoes of the central plateau.
Lake Taupo is actually a giant volcanic crater, still, looks peaceful enough today.
Boating on the crater of a super volcano sounds more dangerous than it looks, Southern end of Lake Taupo seen from SH32
Classic Kiwi Road Trip shot, from beside the Te Ponanga Saddle Road. Which is a cool name for the road from Turangi to National Park, SH47.
Lake Rotoaira, looks beautiful, it is.
Looking up a Mountain Stream towards Mt Ruapehu. Near National Park
Mt Ngauruhoe is about to disappear under the clouds.
Finally, this is also a photo I’m confident nobody else has ever taken. A paddock and some trees beside the road half way between Palmerston North and Himatangi Beach. I think it’s the sky that carries it though, to be fair.
See? That’s just a short there and back trip. Come to New Zealand, go for a drive
Sandy's Views - Photography 