Location: Canterbury

Kaikoura, Canterbury Plains, Aoraki-Mt Cook National Park, Mackenzie Basin

  • The impressive view from the summit of Mt Hutt ski area (2,080m elevation).
  • A rainstorm arrives just as the sun is about to set.
  • After a day of grey, Lake Tekapo puts on an incredible show for the last few minutes before nightfall.
  • When you're on State Highway 80 and have this view of Lake Pukaki and Aoraki - Mt Cook, you know only good things lie ahead.
  • An aerial view of the Godley River entering Lake Tekapo.
  • A double rainbow and lupins in full bloom makes for a colourful scene at Lake Tekapo.
  • A lone kōwhai tree against the setting sun.
  • State Highway 80 takes you to Aoraki-Mt Cook National Park, which is home to 22 mountains reaching over 3,000m above sea level.
  • New Zealand's highest mountain, Aoraki / Mt Cook (3,724m), looms large over State Highway 80.
  • A hoar frost descends on the trees surrounding Wairepo Arm, near Twizel.
  • When the Tasman Glacier (New Zealand's longest, at 25 km) calves ice into its terminal lake, a winter wonderland is the result.
  • This view up the Hooker River towards Mueller Lake, in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, is obtained around 20 minutes walk in on the Hooker Valley Track.
  • Lake Pukaki takes on this stunning turquoise colour due to the presence of rock flour, which is sourced from the grinding of glaciers against mountains in the headwaters of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park.
  • The Church of the Good Shepherd, surrounded by invasive weeds.  But aren't they pretty! :-)
  • Lupins along the northern approach of State Highway 8 to Lindis Pass
  • The Clay Cliffs near Omarama provide a great backdrop against the Ahuriri River
  • A summer storm over the Waimakariri River coincides with sunset to create a spectacular end to the day
  • Although predominantly seen in purples and pinks, lupins can be found in nearly every colour of the rainbow.
  • In November 2016 the Kaikoura area was hit by a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake; but the place remains as beautiful as ever!
  • A storm on sunset is a recipe for epicness!
  • A super crisp winter's afternoon on the shore of Lake Heron
  • A spectacular display of the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights), viewed west of Christchurch in May 2017
  • The iconic view from Peter’s Lookout across Lake Pukaki to Aoraki / Mt Cook
  • A UFO cloud (altocumulus lenticularis) hovers over Aoraki / Mt Cook
  • An alignment of rocks provides a great leading line to this winter scene at Lake Tekapo
  • A longer shutter speed was used here to capture the swaying of the lupins in the strong breeze (Lake Tekapo)
  • A chilly start to the day (-14 degrees C) on a back country road near Lake Tekapo
  • An aerial view of the Godley River has it descends from the Southern Alps towards Lake Tekapo
  • The protected wildlife refuge of Lake Alexandrina is a serene spot to see out the end of the day
  • The interplay of light and shadow make for a partly abstract take on a classic Mackenzie Basin scene
  • A crazy light show closes out the day at Lake Tekapo
  • Sky and land compete for most colourful at Lake Tekapo
  • A nor'west sky over Lake Tekapo lights up at sunset
  • A long exposure of a rather gloomy evening at Lake Tekapo
  • A long exposure turns this windy and wild shore at Lake Tekapo into a picture of calmness
  • A classic Kiwi scene: baches (sometimes called cribs) beside the water at Lake Alexandrina, with lupins providing a splash of colour
  • Minutes after capturing this image at Lake Tekapo, the heavens opened and I was running for cover!
  • Although mostly purples and pinks, lupins can be found in a diverse range of colours (Lake Tekapo)
  • The wintry view from Sealy Tarns towards Aoraki / Mt Cook
  • The Red Tarns are accessed via an hour and a bit climb from Aoraki / Mt Cook village
  • When the hoar frost descends on the Mackenzie Country it can be so intense that it looks like snow!
  • A beautifully still winter's afternoon at Lake Heron, Canterbury
  • The sprint to get to Tasman Lake at sunrise on this cold winter's morning was well worth the effort!
  • A southerly cold front rapidly approaches across the Canterbury Plains
  • In summer the lupin flowers blooming along the hydro canals of the Mackenzie Basin are a treat for the eye
  • When State Highway 8 comes alongside Lake Pukaki the first sight of its glacial blue water is almost too difficult to believe
  • The last moments of warmth for the day light up the trees lining Lake Camp
  • Aoraki-Mt Cook (3724m) towers above inversion cloud blanketing the Tasman Valley
Go to Top