New Zealand


We just got back from a trip to New Zealand! Instead of waiting to edit all the photos before posting, I tried my best to edit during the trip and preview some of the spectacular landscapes I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing and photographing. Unlike other travels, our main focus was hiking as many tracks as possible without totally burning out. In the future, I'll be making more detailed posts (with more photographs!) about the various locations and hikes we got to explore. Enjoy!

Highlights


01.


Itinerary


Flew into Auckland, transferred to Christchurch, picked up the rental car (recommend getting a 4x4 if you can!).


Trip as follows:

Christchurch > Lake Tekapo > Mt. Cook/Aoraki NP > Wanaka > Doubtful Sound > Te Anau / Milford Sound > Queenstown > Christchurch > Auckland.



02.


Top 5 Equipment Picks


1) Ultra lightweight and warm puffer jackets! They are from Mountain Hardwear and we love them. Weighed nearly nothing but also super warm when worn, perfect for hiking


2) Meta Ray-Ban smartglasses. Suprisingly, they also won Linda over! Music w/o being sealed off, ability to ask/learn about things w/o pulling out our phones, and take lots of videos that was far easier than a phone/keeping my hands free







3) Altra Lone Peaks. Some guy at Sports Basement said he hiked the Appalachian Trail with them so we were convinced. The wide toe box is key


4) Insect repellant. Insects in New Zealand, especially the sandflies, were something else


5) Camera (Dan only). Reasons are shown below



03.


Statistics


  • 65 miles hiked
  • 20k feet elevation climbed
  • 1465 miles driven
  • 13k photos snapped




Lake Tekapo

Serene lake view with snow-capped mountains and pink wildflowers in the foreground.
Winding paved pathway through golden tussock grass with hills and lake in the distance.
Stone church building stands alone on grassy hillside with tussock grass and mountains in background.
Forest-covered mountain peak illuminated by golden sunlight against clear blue sky.

Aoraki National Park / Mt. Cook

Snow-capped mountains rise behind barren valley under cloudy sky in New Zealand landscape.
Snow-capped mountains tower over a winding path through rugged alpine terrain.
Small white wildflowers bloom in soft focus against a dark natural background.
A dirt road curves through arid grassland towards dramatic mountain peaks.
Aerial view of a deep valley with a winding river and snow-capped peaks in New Zealand.
A majestic snow-covered mountain peak rises against a cloudy blue sky.
Snow-capped mountain range overlooking a vast plain with meandering river systems.

Wanaka

Lone tree stands in Lake Wanaka with snow-capped mountains forming dramatic backdrop.
Winding dirt road cutting through golden grassland on a mountainside.
Rolling green hills with a lighthouse perched atop the summit against a blue sky.
Dramatic mountain ridge overlooking a blue alpine lake surrounded by rugged peaks.

Fjordlands

Doubtful & Milford Sound

Misty mountain silhouette rises above dark waters under overcast sky.
Misty mountains rise dramatically from a dark fjord under moody storm clouds.
Multiple waterfalls cascade down a steep mountainside shrouded in mist.
Cascading waterfalls flowing down a rocky mountain face.
Tall waterfall streaming down a forested mountain cliff into dark waters below.
Two dramatic waterfalls cascade down a steep moss-covered cliff face in a misty forest landscape.
Misty lake surrounded by dense forest creating a moody and atmospheric scene.

Te Anau

A scenic mountain road winding through green hills and forest under a blue sky.
Snow-capped mountain peaks rise majestically at the end of a vast green valley.
Dramatic mountain peak emerging through misty clouds against a blue sky.
Sunlit forest trail winding through tall mossy trees and lush green vegetation.
Close-up of tiny plants growing on mossy forest ground with blurred bokeh background.
Misty mountains and forests reflect in still lake waters under cloudy skies.

Queenstown

Aerial view of rugged mountain ranges with clouds drifting through valleys below.
Winding coastal road along a forested mountainside overlooking a serene lake.
Aerial view of a turquoise coastline with dense forest covering the mountainous shoreline.
Snow-covered alpine lake surrounded by rocky terrain and patches of melting snow.
Snow-capped mountain peaks reflect perfectly in a calm alpine lake creating a mirror-like symmetry.
Aerial view of a sprawling town nestled among green mountains with lakes in the distance.

In Transit

A winding mountain road with yellow arrow warning signs against a backdrop of green hills.
Towering limestone cliffs rise above green vegetation against a cloudy sky.
Rolling hills covered in golden tussock grass stretch across a mountainous landscape.
Sheep grazing in a green pasture with mountains and lakes in the background.
Silhouette standing on rocky outcrop overlooking vast blue lake and mountain range.
Silver SUV parked on road with mountains in background under clear sky.

Auckland

Auckland cityscape with iconic Sky Tower rising above the harbor on a cloudy day.
Classic white Victorian two-story house with bay windows and ornate trim details.
Perfectly cooked steak with garnish and sauce plated elegantly on white dish.
Abstract pattern of diagonal light streaks against dark background.
Minimalist interior with bentwood chairs and exposed brick wall in warm light.
Clothing rack with hangers under a pendant lamp in a minimalist retail space.

Fin