Dunedin’s Smails Beach

Dunedin’s Smails BeachBuy

Taking photos in the water is really fun but really challenging at the same time. I have so much respect for those photographers who capture the amazing surfing shots you see on social media. Not only do they have great camera knowledge but they are also fit enough to last for hours in the water. Add to that they need to be able to read the surf conditions and it becomes even more difficult.

#dailypic

#blue #beachlife

Paraparaumu Beach on the Kapiti Coast

Paraparaumu Beach on the Kapiti CoastBuy

Paraparaumu Beach on the Kapiti Coast is an awesome place to get some wicked sunsets. The fact that Kapiti Island is directly off shore means that there is a different element to play with in the composition if nothing is very interesting on the beach. However, don’t you love these tyre tracks!

If photography isn’t your thing, it’s also a great walking beach and goes on for miles meaning you can have an evening stroll while watching the sunset and the sand between your toes.

#dailypic

#peak_directions #surfing

Osteria Epoca In Brisbane

Osteria Epoca In BrisbaneBuy

Osteria Epoca can be found on Orontes Road, Yeronga in Brisbane. They are an amazing Cafe, Bar & Restaurant that does serious good Italian food. When I was there they let me set my camera up to take a few shots, the one I like best is this one of the front window. It’s definitely worth visit if your in Brisbane or the area . Oh, and the Porchetta, Crab linguni or Gamberi come highly recommended.

#dailypic

#wintergardenglasshouse

Skyline Bungy In Queenstown

Skyline Bungy In QueenstownBuy

Bungy jumping is so much fun, I’ve done it twice. Once in Skippers Canyon and once off the Kawarau Bridge. When I jumped off the Kawarau bridge I went backwards which involved leaning back and being suspended there until they they let you go. It was actually rather comfortable until they said “bye” and let me go.  I knew it was coming yet it was still a surprise! This photo was taken from the Skyline Bungy or Ledge Bungy located in Queenstown at the top of the Gondola at Bob’s Peak. Queenstown, the perfect place to fling yourself off perfectly good platforms. It sounds slightly crazy, but then AJ Hackett does crazy very well.

#dailypic

#moteloncarroll

Hut On Tobins Track

Hut On Tobins TrackBuy

The walk up (and up and up) Tobins Track in Arrowtown is an extremely worthwhile walk that rewards you with outstanding views of the Wakatipu Basin.  I did it with friends one hot, January evening in summer but half way up we got a little side tracked with a path leading to the crumbling remains of this hidden hut deep in the bush.

#dailypic

#secondbeach

Bradrona

BradronaBuy

It seems typically kiwi that a fence with bra’s on it can become iconic. This fence, which is found in Cardona near Wanaka was actually renamed ‘Bradrona’ some years ago and is now a spot where people can make donations towards the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation. The original story goes that It began around 1999, when four bras mysteriously appeared overnight on a fence along the Cardrona Valley Road.

#dailypic

#by_russell_moses

Shag Point Sunrise

Shag Point SunriseBuy

This a one of many wonderful East Otago sunrises I’ve caught over the years however I don’t always get to this location in the morning. It’s called Shag Point and it’s home to a large Fur Seal colony and also penguins if you’re lucky enough to spot them. Once you finish at Shag Point you can then call into the Moeraki Boulders which is just up the road.

#dailypic

#blossoms

Morning On Lake Wakatipu

Morning on Lake WakatipuBuy

It really is a stunning part of the world around Lake Wakatipu and if you can survive the early morning sting of an alarm clock then you’ll be treated to some spectacular sights at sunrise. I took this from the Glenorchy Pier looking back towards Queenstown. Don’t you just love that light!

#dailypic

#_for_conscientious_objectors

Wanaka Colours & Silhouettes

Wanaka Colours & SilhouettesBuy

There are so many places, spots and locations to visit to enjoy the landscapes around Wanaka. Of course there are the usual spots of Roys Peak and ‘That Wanaka Tree’ however there are so many other spots and scenes around the area it’s sometimes hard to know where to start when choosing a location to shoot from. The thing I like about this photo is that there was a good twelve to fifteen people around me and every single person was focused on photographing ‘That Wanaka Tree’ while no-one noticed how wonderful the lake or the surrounding hills had been light in colours and silhouettes.

#dailypic

#botanicalgardens

Sugerloaf Stream In Mount Aspiring National Park.

Sugerloaf StreamBuy

This is the Sugerloaf Stream that flows through the Routeburn Track in Mount Aspiring National Park. The park was established in 1964 and covers 3,562 square kilometres. Not only is the Routeburn Track part of the National Park but there’s also tramping and hiking options that include the Rees-Dart circuit, Gillespie Pass circuit and The Mātukituki Valley.

Rakiura National Park

Sculpture by artist Russell Beck Buy

Here’s another sculpture, this one’s by artist Russell Beck and was made in 2002. It marks the entrance to Rakiura National Park on Stewart Island. This chain link sculpture symbolises the mythological link between the waka (canoe) of Maui and the anchor stone. According to the legend, Maui fished up Te Wai Pounamu (the South Island) and anchored it with Rakiura (Stewart Island). I also believe they’ve made a matching chain link sculpture on the mainland at Bluff.

The Vulcan In St Bathans

Inside The Vulcan – Buy

I stayed here one night and almost had the place to myself. I’m not sure what I would have done if it was busy. It was the perfect spot to process a few photos over a pint or two of Speight’s. Apart from a Grandfather and Grandson at the end of the bar happily sharing tales about fish and a lady in the dinning room, it was a very quiet night. They certainly didn’t might me setting up my camera for a photo before the landlady told us about the local ghost.