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, White Island (one of the world’s most active volcanoes) 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
Boat trip to White Island
4WD trip across private farmland

Auckland - Auckland

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

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 - White Island
The broad expanse of the Bay of Plenty is famed for its harbours, long beaches and prospering towns. The bay boasts several islands, including White Island/Whakaari. Lying 49 km offshore, this island is the tip of a large underwater volcano, with the crater exposed above sea level. A tour around the island offers much of photographic interest, including active steam vents, the brilliant colours of the sulphur, and the surreal textures of this constantly-changing landscape.
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 an 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 accomodation 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 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 centers.

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PRICE INCLUDES

Tuition by Shaun Barnett & Ken Wright
Boat trip and tour of White Island
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
Maximum group size of 8. Groups of 3-4 will be led by only one tutor and groups of 5-8 will be led by two tutors. Limiting class sizes ensures we provide you with the best learning environment possible, including expert guidance, instruction and personal attention, according to your learning style.
Itinerary
Our exact schedule will be determined according to the whole group’s photographic objectives and the weather. We keep a flexible itinerary to accommodate this. We will spend the workshop instructing and shooting, often from before dawn until after dark. At some point during the weekend the tutors will give a lecture on their photographic ability and how you can apply their systems and vision to develop your own unique style.
Transport
We will meet the group at Auckland Airport at the start of the tour and provide transport to the whole workshop and return you to Auckland at the end of the tour.
Physical Difficulty
A minimum level of physical activity is necessary to enjoy the workshop. All locations we shoot will be within an easy walk along the coastline, but sometimes over rocky beaches carrying your own equipment. If fitness or mobility is an issue please let us know - there are often locations which offer great shooting possibilities close to the road or our accommodation, or sometimes we also have the option to split the group.
Equipment & 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 the workshop is to give you more confidence in the creative control of camera settings and shooting in manual mode. We will have a brief session at the start of the workshop, covering camera settings and controls, to be sure everyone is up to speed.
Camera Equipment: Our workshops 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 wear on the workshop 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 30 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 30 days before the workshop.
Booking and Cancellation Policy: Please click here for our booking and cancellation policy.