Volcanic North Island Photo Tour

Duration: 7 days

Location: Bay of Plenty, Tongariro, Taranaki

Price: $4,990 (NZD)

19th - 25th November 2020

Join Ken Wright and Shaun Barnett on this 7-day round trip photography tour from Auckland. Take in many of the most magnificent volcanic landscapes of New Zealand, including the World Heritage Tongariro National Park and Mt Taranaki, arguably the country’s most shapely mountain before looping back around to Auckland.

Taking the extra time to fully explore these wonders can never be underestimated as a necessity, their aura can inspire some amazing photography. Whilst exploring you shall also view stunning lakes, spectacular waterfalls, mysterious boulders and pools of bubbling mud with geysers to boot. An experience one could only have in New Zealand.

HIGHLIGHTS

All the main volcanoes
4WD trip across private farmland

Auckland - Auckland

Rotorua Geothermal Area
Mt Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe
Mt Taranaki and Taranaki coastline

ITINERARY

Day 1 - Auckland / Rotorua
After Airport and city hotel pickups we depart Auckland for Rotorua, passing through the lush rolling farmland of the Waikato en route. Once in Rotorua, we have reached the land of volcanoes, a hub for geothermal activity in New Zealand - with hot springs, waterfalls, bubbling pools of mud and impressive hues from acids boiling beneath the earth - a mysterious photographers dream.
Day 2 - Rotorua
Today we explore the Rotorua area, including capturing a hidden Hot Water Waterfall which is often missed by many. Later today we can travel further afield deep into the forest to experience the Bays’ most majestic waterfall at 65m tall in full flood. This location is simply breathtaking. We have the option to go above the cliff line and photograph another hidden fall. After dinner, we will end our day with a long exposure session at one of the many jetties along Lake Tarawera.
Day 3 - Rotorua / Tongariro
This morning we head out to photograph a geothermal reserve close to Rotorua. South of Rotorua, we head to Taupo, visiting Huka Falls en route. Although not particularly high, these falls are one of the most voluminous in New Zealand, where the entire Waikato River (New Zealand’s longest river) plunges over ignimbrite cliffs. Afterwards, we journey south past Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake, and the site of its greatest ever recorded eruption - in 186AD - an event noted by both the Chinese and Romans. We spend the evening photographing the sunset over Mt Ruapehu, at 2797m the highest mountain in the North Island, and the country’s loftiest volcano.
Day 4 - Tongariro
Mts Tongariro and Ngauruhoe offer striking subjects for a sunrise shoot. Both are active volcanoes, with Ngauruhoe having the distinctive classic volcano shape. We will then head around other various waterfalls and spots along the road before heading back to our accommodation for the night.
Day 5 - Tongariro / Taranaki
We pass through several small towns and pause to capture the landscapes of the Rangitikei Gorge en route to Taranaki. Flowing from the Kaimanawa Ranges, this important river carves its way through pale cliffs made of papa, a type of mudstone that creates impressive features. During the afternoon we take a 4WD trip across private farmland to visit a set of unusual round boulders in a forest. We arrive in Taranaki in time to photograph the sunset over the dramatic coastline, which includes former volcanoes, now eroded into offshore islands.
Day 6 - Taranaki
If any New Zealand volcano has the perfect shape, it is Mt Taranaki, which at 2518 m is the second-highest peak in the North Island. It forms the centrepiece of Egmont National Park, one of the country’s oldest national parks. Wonderfully stunted forest and shapely waterfalls flowing over old lava escarpments offer some excellent photography. Journeying south, we round the North Island’s western-most point at Cape Egmont, well known for its iconic lighthouse with Mt Taranaki rising behind it. This is where we will also shoot sunset this evening.
Day 7 - Taranaki / Auckland
Today we set off back toward Auckland after a sunrise shoot. We shall be heading back from the South of the Waikato, via Raglan, where we shall stop by Bridal Veil Falls - the highest waterfall in the North Island. In the afternoon, we drive back to Auckland to meet connecting flights to main centres.

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PRICE INCLUDES

Tuition by Shaun Barnett & Ken Wright
Entry to Rotorua Geothermal Reserve
4WD trip across private farmland
6 nights hotel accommodation (twin-share, single upgrade available)
6 breakfasts
Transport during the tour
Copy of Pocket Guide to Landscape Photography
DOC concession fees
Donation to our Tongariro Conservation Project

FURTHER INFORMATION

Class Size
This tour runs with a maximum group size of 8 and 2 tutors, offering 1:4 ratio of tutors to guests. Limiting group sizes ensure we provide you with expert guidance, instruction, and personal attention according to your learning style. Smaller groups of up to 4 may only be led by one tutor.
Itinerary
Our exact schedule each day will be determined according to the weather to allow for the best shooting, we may choose to swap out locations for other that are better suited to the conditions and we keep a flexible itinerary to accommodate this. We focus on spending as much time as possible out shooting, often from before dawn until sunset. During the tour, we will make time for some image review and processing session, we will fit these around times that are not optimum for shooting.
Transport
Auckland pick up & drop off: We will pick you up early (approx 7-8 am) from any central hotel in Auckland, or Auckland Airport on the first day and provide transport to the whole tour. The tour will finish at Auckland Airport (or hotel drop off) at 5 pm to meet flights after 6 pm to the main cities.
Physical Difficulty
A minimum level of physical activity is necessary to enjoy this tour. All locations we shoot will be within a short walk along the forest tracks or the coastline. These are sometimes uphill, over uneven ground, or rocky beaches and you will be carrying your own equipment. On this tour, there may be a couple of longer walk options (30-45 min one way) but if these are difficult for the group, we do have the option to split the group at these locations. If your fitness or mobility is an issue please let us know.
Experience
Ideally, you will have a basic knowledge of photography and be comfortable adjusting camera settings such as aperture and shutter speed. An aim of this tour is to get you to the best locations, in the best light. While providing you on-location help from our experienced tutors, to come away with the hero shots of your own personal vision. We will have a brief session at the start of the tour, covering camera settings and controls, to be sure everyone is up to speed.
Equipment
Camera Equipment: Our tours focus on how to use your camera, not your type of camera. A basic list of recommended camera equipment can be found here
Clothing: A list of recommended clothing to bing on the tour can be found here
Booking & Payment
A non-refundable deposit of NZD$700.00 is required to reserve your space for the workshop. The remaining balance is due 45 days prior to the start of the workshop. You may pay in full at time of booking, the balance (minus the deposit) will remain fully refundable until 45 days before the workshop.
Booking and Cancellation Policy: Please click here for our booking and cancellation policy.