6 Nights / 7 Days : Sun 7 – Sat 13 November 2027
This Central North Island photography tour explores a region shaped by volcanic forces, dramatic terrain, and constantly changing conditions. From active geothermal landscapes to rugged coastlines and alpine volcanoes, this tour is designed to place you in front of some of the most visually striking and varied scenery in the North Island.
We photograph the volcanic peaks of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, and Taranaki, spend time in Tongariro National Park, and work through Rotorua’s geothermal areas, where steam, colour, and texture create unique photographic opportunities. The tour also includes time along the Taranaki coastline and in lesser-known gorges and waterfall locations, giving a balance of iconic landscapes and quieter, off-the-beaten-track scenes.
Days are structured around light and conditions, with time built in to work locations properly rather than rushing between them. You’ll be guided through composition, light, and technique in the field, with opportunities to apply what you learn in a wide range of environments — from volcanic plateaus to forested valleys and coastal cliffs.
This tour is designed for photographers of all levels, from keen enthusiasts through to those with more experience. It suits those who want to refine how they see, compose, and work with light in the field, in some of the most amazing scenery anywhere. Days generally start early and time is spent on location. The emphasis is on thoughtful photography, working scenes as conditions change, and coming away with a strong set of images and a clearer photographic approach.
My photography tours are structured around being in the right place at the right time, which often means working in some truly outstanding locations.
Days start before dawn and often run through until after sunset, taking full advantage of the best light of the day. Locations are not rushed. Time is deliberately built in so we can work a scene properly, refine compositions, and leave knowing you’ve captured the images you came for.
Many of the locations we visit are quiet and remote, and it’s common to be the only people there. During the middle of the day there is time to rest, review images, and plan for the next location.
The tours place a strong emphasis on learning through doing. At each location we work through composition, light, camera settings, and technique, so you develop a clear approach to photographing landscapes.
Post-processing sessions using Lightroom and Photoshop are also included, focusing on a clear, repeatable workflow and showing you how to turn your raw files into strong finished images that reflect the conditions and experience of being there.
This tour begins in Rotorua and finishes in New Plymouth
We meet mid-morning in Rotorua. After introductions, we’ll run through a tour briefing covering equipment, current weather conditions, and what to expect over the coming days, with time to answer any questions.
Over the next two days we explore and photograph some of Rotorua’s most dramatic geothermal parks, known for their colourful mineral deposits and steaming landscapes. We also photograph forested lakes, waterfalls, and the quiet jetties scattered around the region, which offer strong compositional opportunities in changing light.
We spend time at a range of locations, allowing you to work scenes carefully as conditions and light evolve. Days are structured around dawn and dusk to take advantage of the most dramatic natural light, with flexibility built in to respond to weather conditions and photograph the geothermal areas in their strongest conditions.
From Rotorua we travel south to Tongariro National Park, home to some of New Zealand’s most dramatic volcanic landscapes. Over the next two days we photograph the powerful forms of Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Ruapehu from a variety of viewpoints and in differing light conditions.
We also explore the many other photographic opportunities in the region, including dramatic waterfalls, beech forest, and the stark tussock landscapes of the Rangipo Desert. Together, the Tongariro region offers an exceptional variety of landscape photography opportunities.
We continue west to Taranaki, where we base ourselves for the final three nights of the tour. Mount Taranaki dominates the region, rising steeply from farmland and forest, and offers a very different photographic character to the volcanic plateau of Tongariro.
Over these days we photograph Mount Taranaki from a variety of perspectives, as well as waterfalls, the ‘goblin forest’, and the rugged Taranaki coastline. The combination of mountain, sea, and rapidly changing weather provides strong opportunities for landscape photography.
As with the rest of the tour, days are structured around the best available light, with flexibility to revisit locations and adapt plans to suit conditions.
The tour will finish in New Plymouth mid Saturday afternoon in time for regional flights home.