Top 8 Photography Tours In Queenstown, New Zealand - Updated 2024

Catherine
Catherine 
Updated
| 4 min read

Whether a pro or just a hobbyist, photographers are always on the hunt for the ultimate shot. Set against the impressive Southern Alps, Queenstown may provide that once-in-a-lifetime cinematic experience. New Zealand’s intense natural beauty is otherworldly. So much so it posed as the mythical Middle Earth in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ film franchise. Sit at Lake Wakatipu and enjoy the hypnotic play of light on The Remarkables, a mountain range that rises sharply to create a compelling backdrop for the water. Packed with dramatic vistas, it’s hard to resist Queenstown’s allure. If you want to snap breathtaking scenes of Queenstown and its surrounding comeliness then read on to see the best photography tours that will make your adventure in New Zealand unforgettable!

1. Private tour: half-day Queenstown and beyond photography tour (from USD 153.0)

Receive top-notch photography tips while getting awesome shots with this private tour of Queenstown and the Southern Lakes. This tour is only for a half day so it’s great for those who aren’t looking to invest a huge amount of time. This tour begins at a stellar vantage point above Queenstown where you’ll enjoy spectacular bird’s-eye views. You can customize your tour, as participants have a myriad of options: heritage sites or fantastic natural landscapes. The guide has an expert knowledge in photography, as well as the lay of the land. He can safely maneuver his way through some of the most treacherous terrains.

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Private Tour Half Day Queenstown and Beyond Photography Tour

Duration: 5 hours

5 reviews

2. Private tour: full-day Queenstown and Southern Lakes photography tour (from USD 247.0)

This private tour is the ultimate when it comes to covering a lot of beautiful and intriguing territory. This photography tour affords drop-dead gorgeous views of New Zealand’s top natural wonders like Skippers Canyon, Lake Wakatipu, and The Remarkables Range. For ‘Lord of the Rings’ fans you will completely geek out at the movie’s great filming locales. Historic gold mines and heritage sites are also alluring items to photograph on this splendid tour. No experience is needed, and you’ll definitely learn so much from the friendly and professional photography guide who may even take you to his favorite spots, not on the tourist map.

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Queenstown and Southern Lakes Private Photography Day Tour

Duration: 9 hours

19 reviews

3. Half-day Skippers Canyon photography tour from Queenstown (from USD 118.0)

If you want to focus on one particular area the half-day Skippers Canyon photography tour from Queenstown is ideal. Get truly lost in the back roads of Skippers Canyon, accessed only by a four-wheel-drive vehicle, and listen to interesting stories about the historic gold mining area while taking fabulous pictures. You’ll get incredible shots to add to your collection: the glaciated waters of the sparkling Shotover River with Mount Aurum as a backdrop! This inviting tour is also focused on the participant’s comfort, offering several stops along the way, and even a time-out for an afternoon tea break.

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Half-Day Skippers Canyon Photography Tour from Queenstown

Duration: 4 hours

1 review

4. Customised photography tour in the Queenstown Region (from USD 449.0)

Planning a tour that fits the participant’s specifications is key to this private photography excursion. Customizable photography tour in Queenstown Region offers a tour of all the wondrous beauty Queenstown and the surrounding area has on display: snowy mountain ranges, rushing river currents, sparkling lakes, and ultra-green rainforests. The guide is an award-winning professional photographer from the local area who has access to lands that are off-the-beaten-track, so you’re guaranteed to receive not only expert advice on photo techniques but some Queenstown insider information as well.

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Photography Tour in Queenstown or Wanaka

Duration: 3 hours

5. Full-day Nevis Valley photography tour from Queenstown (from USD 234.0)

This photography excursion is a truly a worry-free experience. Full-Day Nevis Valley Photography Tour from Queenstown allows participants to borrow equipment if needed and a hearty lunch is supplied. With your expert guide behind the wheel of an efficient four-wheel drive vehicle, you can reach rural areas not easily accessible. Outstanding scenic perspectives are the key ingredients to this photography tour from Queenstown. This photography package doesn’t disappoint, with stops that include Lake Wakatipu, Nevis Valley views, Gibbston Valley, and terrific gold mining huts from a past era.

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Nevis Valley Private Tour from Queenstown

Duration: 5 to 6 hours

6. Seven-day South Island photography tour from Queenstown to Nelson (from USD 3.0)

If you really want to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Queenstown surroundings then this week-long adventure is perfect. A one-of-a-kind experience, this tour covers a lot of territories, taking participants from the serenity of Lake Wakatipu to the high mountains of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman to New Zealand’s expansive Kahurangi wilderness. Two of New Zealand’s best professional photographers lead this exciting expedition that offers such standouts as lovely coastal sunsets, a beautiful sunrise at Lake Masterson, and an exhilarating jet boat ride into the Waitangiroto Reserve and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage area! Included in this package are nightly hotel stays and daily breakfasts.

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7-Day South Island Photography Tour from Queenstown to Nelson

Duration: 7 days

7. Private Wanaka photography tour - one day (from USD 337.0)

private wanaka photography tour - one day
Source: www.viator.com

Part of the fun of the private Wanaka photography tour is that the guide whisks participants away in a sturdy four-wheel drive vehicle and navigates over rugged terrain that will get your blood pumping. The guide keeps this adventure flexible so there’s no telling what fabulous sights you may encounter along the way. One thing is certain, you’ll have access to the stunning beauty of Wanaka, offering some of the most captivating scenery in New Zealand. An early start is available if participants want to get awesome sunrise pictures. The Private Wanaka Photography Tour - 1 Day provides a tasty lunch, hot coffee, and use of equipment such as a tripod and lens filters.

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Private Wanaka Photography Tour - 1 Day

8. Glenorchy-Paradise Valley photography tour

With a maximum of three participants, Glenorchy-Paradise Valley Photography Tour is a very intimate photo tour offering guests the option of a morning or an afternoon trip. This tight-knit group ensures personal attention from the professional guide. Get a multitude of chances to snap all the photos you want of lovely Lake Wakatipu, beautiful Bennetts Bluff, the picturesque settlement of Glenorchy, and the breathtaking landscape of Paradise Valley. Light refreshments, along with round-trip transport, are included in this wonderful package. Be aware this excursion may be modified if the weather and environmental conditions are unfavorable.

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Glenorchy-Paradise Valley Photography Private Tour

Duration: 4 to 5 hours

Queenstown's best angle is in every direction

The urge to take non-stop snapshots of Queenstown is overwhelming. Nestled in an ideal locale, Queenstown is a mix of Mother Nature’s best: scenic rivers, lakes, waterfalls, snow-capped mountains, as well as heritage and historic sites. Queenstown is a no-brainer when it comes to a picture-perfect travel destination. For photographers it is bliss. And the exceptional photography tours led by expert guides, without a doubt, kick it up several notches. If taking stellar pictures is what you live for, this list of Queenstown’s first-rate photography tours will not disappoint.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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Catherine has written professionally for over 10 years, and a sizable amount has been travel writing. Her desire to see the world was sparked at a very young age. Growing up, there were many family...Read more

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