The lower South Island doesn't get the same headline treatment as Wanaka or Milford Sound, but for landscape photographers willing to venture a little further south, Otago and Southland hand you some of the most distinctive and rewarding subjects in the whole country. Travelling south from Moeraki through Dunedin and down into the Catlins, within a couple of hours of each other you'll find alien-looking boulders scattered across a beach, a pair of century-old boatsheds sitting quietly on a tidal inlet, a lighthouse perched on one of New Zealand's most dramatic headlands, and a cluster of forest waterfalls tucked into one of the wildest corners of the South Island.
This guide covers everything you need to plan a shoot at each location — how to get there, where to stay, when to go, what gear to pack, and the safety points worth knowing before you head out for sunrise or sunset.
This guide covers everything you need to plan a shoot at each location — how to get there, where to stay, when to go, what gear to pack, and the safety points worth knowing before you head out for sunrise or sunset.
1. Moeraki Boulders, Moeraki Beach
About the location
Scattered across a stretch of Koekohe Beach near the tiny fishing village of Moeraki, these large spherical boulders are one of the most photographed natural curiosities in New Zealand. Geologically they're concretions that formed on the seafloor around 60 million years ago and have since been exposed by coastal erosion, but visually they simply look like giant stone marbles that have washed up on the sand. Their scale (many are over two metres across), their near-perfect roundness, and the way they cluster together in groups make them an endlessly interesting subject, especially with a bit of surf moving around them in golden hour light.
How to get there
Moeraki is just off State Highway 1, about 40 minutes north of Dunedin and 45 minutes south of Oamaru, making it an easy stop if you're travelling the main route between the two. There's a signposted turnoff to the boulders with a small car park and short walk down onto the beach. Access is free at the southern end of the beach; there's also a paid entrance with a café closer to the main boulder cluster if you'd rather walk in from the café carpark.
Best time to visit
Sunrise – arrive early before daybreak but watch out for seals on the shoreline and have a headlight or torch with you – best not to encounter these beautiful creatures as you approach the boulders! Low tide is essential here - at high tide most of the boulders are partially or fully submerged, so check the tide tables before you go and aim to arrive as the tide is dropping. Sunrise is the classic time to shoot: the beach faces roughly east, so you'll get the sun coming up directly over the water and boulders, often with beautiful colour in the sky. Spring and autumn tend to bring calmer seas and clearer skies than the depths of winter, though winter mornings can produce spectacular light.
About the location
Scattered across a stretch of Koekohe Beach near the tiny fishing village of Moeraki, these large spherical boulders are one of the most photographed natural curiosities in New Zealand. Geologically they're concretions that formed on the seafloor around 60 million years ago and have since been exposed by coastal erosion, but visually they simply look like giant stone marbles that have washed up on the sand. Their scale (many are over two metres across), their near-perfect roundness, and the way they cluster together in groups make them an endlessly interesting subject, especially with a bit of surf moving around them in golden hour light.
How to get there
Moeraki is just off State Highway 1, about 40 minutes north of Dunedin and 45 minutes south of Oamaru, making it an easy stop if you're travelling the main route between the two. There's a signposted turnoff to the boulders with a small car park and short walk down onto the beach. Access is free at the southern end of the beach; there's also a paid entrance with a café closer to the main boulder cluster if you'd rather walk in from the café carpark.
Best time to visit
Sunrise – arrive early before daybreak but watch out for seals on the shoreline and have a headlight or torch with you – best not to encounter these beautiful creatures as you approach the boulders! Low tide is essential here - at high tide most of the boulders are partially or fully submerged, so check the tide tables before you go and aim to arrive as the tide is dropping. Sunrise is the classic time to shoot: the beach faces roughly east, so you'll get the sun coming up directly over the water and boulders, often with beautiful colour in the sky. Spring and autumn tend to bring calmer seas and clearer skies than the depths of winter, though winter mornings can produce spectacular light.
Best photography spots
Work the boulder clusters for the most striking compositions. Get low with a wide-angle lens to exaggerate the size of the boulders and use them as foreground, with the horizon and sunrise colour behind. A boulder with water swirling around its base as a wave retreats makes a great long-exposure subject. It's also worth working some tighter, more abstract compositions of the cracked, honeycomb-like surface texture on the larger boulders.
Camera gear
The boulders sit directly in the surf zone, and rogue waves can and do catch photographers off guard, especially in the low light of sunrise when it's harder to judge incoming swell. Keep an eye on the ocean at all times rather than only looking through the viewfinder, and never turn your back on the water for long. The rocks themselves can be slippery with algae, so watch your footing when climbing on or around them. Sunrise here can be genuinely cold, especially in autumn and winter, so dress warmly and bring a torch for the walk down in the dark. And keep clear of any seals.
Accommodation nearby
Moeraki itself has a handful of options right by the water, including Noahs Boutique Accomodation motels and Moeraki Village Holiday Park within walking distance of the boulders, plus a scattering of self-contained cottages and B&Bs around the village — handy if you want to roll out of bed and straight onto the beach for sunrise. If you'd prefer more choice, both Oamaru (45 minutes north) and Dunedin (40 minutes south) have a full range of motels, hotels, and holiday parks, with Oamaru also offering the bonus of its historic Victorian precinct and penguin colonies for an extra day of shooting.
Work the boulder clusters for the most striking compositions. Get low with a wide-angle lens to exaggerate the size of the boulders and use them as foreground, with the horizon and sunrise colour behind. A boulder with water swirling around its base as a wave retreats makes a great long-exposure subject. It's also worth working some tighter, more abstract compositions of the cracked, honeycomb-like surface texture on the larger boulders.
Camera gear
- A wide-angle lens (14–24mm or similar) for the classic low, close-foreground compositions and a 24-70mm to provide composition flexibility.
- A sturdy tripod, essential for long exposures as the tide moves around the boulders
- A set of neutral density and graduated ND filters for smoothing the water and balancing a bright sunrise sky against darker boulders
- A polariser can help cut glare off wet boulder surfaces
- A remote shutter release to avoid camera shake on long exposures
The boulders sit directly in the surf zone, and rogue waves can and do catch photographers off guard, especially in the low light of sunrise when it's harder to judge incoming swell. Keep an eye on the ocean at all times rather than only looking through the viewfinder, and never turn your back on the water for long. The rocks themselves can be slippery with algae, so watch your footing when climbing on or around them. Sunrise here can be genuinely cold, especially in autumn and winter, so dress warmly and bring a torch for the walk down in the dark. And keep clear of any seals.
Accommodation nearby
Moeraki itself has a handful of options right by the water, including Noahs Boutique Accomodation motels and Moeraki Village Holiday Park within walking distance of the boulders, plus a scattering of self-contained cottages and B&Bs around the village — handy if you want to roll out of bed and straight onto the beach for sunrise. If you'd prefer more choice, both Oamaru (45 minutes north) and Dunedin (40 minutes south) have a full range of motels, hotels, and holiday parks, with Oamaru also offering the bonus of its historic Victorian precinct and penguin colonies for an extra day of shooting.
2. The Boatsheds, Hoopers Inlet, Otago Peninsula
About the location
Tucked on the shores of Hooper Inlet on the Otago Peninsula, this small cluster of weathered timber boatsheds is one of Dunedin's best-kept photography secrets. Reflected in the still, shallow waters of the inlet at the right tide, with the peninsula's rolling green hills behind, the boatsheds have a quiet, timeless character that's completely different from the drama of Nugget Point or the Catlin's Falls — a lovely change of pace if you're building a varied portfolio from a South Otago trip.
How to get there
Hoopers Inlet sits on the road out to Otago Peninsula, about 25–30 minutes from central Dunedin. The boatsheds are visible from the roadside, with room to pull over safely, making this one of the easiest locations in this guide to access.
Best time to visit
Tide is everything here - a high or mid tide gives you the still water needed for reflections of the boatsheds, while a full low tide leaves the inlet largely drained of water and photography opportunity. Check tide tables in advance and aim to arrive with the tide in or filling. Both sunrise and sunset can work well depending on cloud cover and wind, since the inlet is sheltered and often holds glassy conditions when the wider coast is choppy - calm, still mornings or evenings are what you're after rather than any particular season.
About the location
Tucked on the shores of Hooper Inlet on the Otago Peninsula, this small cluster of weathered timber boatsheds is one of Dunedin's best-kept photography secrets. Reflected in the still, shallow waters of the inlet at the right tide, with the peninsula's rolling green hills behind, the boatsheds have a quiet, timeless character that's completely different from the drama of Nugget Point or the Catlin's Falls — a lovely change of pace if you're building a varied portfolio from a South Otago trip.
How to get there
Hoopers Inlet sits on the road out to Otago Peninsula, about 25–30 minutes from central Dunedin. The boatsheds are visible from the roadside, with room to pull over safely, making this one of the easiest locations in this guide to access.
Best time to visit
Tide is everything here - a high or mid tide gives you the still water needed for reflections of the boatsheds, while a full low tide leaves the inlet largely drained of water and photography opportunity. Check tide tables in advance and aim to arrive with the tide in or filling. Both sunrise and sunset can work well depending on cloud cover and wind, since the inlet is sheltered and often holds glassy conditions when the wider coast is choppy - calm, still mornings or evenings are what you're after rather than any particular season.
Best photography spots
Work along the roadside edge of the inlet to find the angle that lines up the boatsheds' reflection most cleanly with the hills behind. A longer lens compresses the sheds against the peninsula backdrop nicely, while a wider lens with some foreground grass or shoreline detail can add depth. Early or late light raking across the weathered timber brings out texture in the boatshed walls that flat midday light misses entirely.
Camera gear
This is a low-risk, roadside location, but it's still an active road with limited visibility in places, so pull well off the tarmac and be mindful of traffic when setting up, particularly in the dim light of dawn or dusk. The inlet's edges can be soft and muddy underfoot — stick to firm ground rather than venturing out onto the tidal flats.
Accommodation nearby
The Otago Peninsula itself has a good spread of accommodation, from Portobello's motels such as Hoopers Lodge, Hereweka Garden Retreat, and B&Bs further out toward Taiaroa Head, all putting you close to the inlet for an early start. Central Dunedin, 25–30 minutes away, offers the widest range of accommodation including the Dunedin Holiday Park & Motels and is a practical base if you're combining this location with Moeraki or the Otago Peninsula's other wildlife and coastal spots.
Work along the roadside edge of the inlet to find the angle that lines up the boatsheds' reflection most cleanly with the hills behind. A longer lens compresses the sheds against the peninsula backdrop nicely, while a wider lens with some foreground grass or shoreline detail can add depth. Early or late light raking across the weathered timber brings out texture in the boatshed walls that flat midday light misses entirely.
Camera gear
- A telephoto zoom (24-70mm and 70–200mm) is genuinely useful here for compressing and isolating the boatsheds against the hillside
- A wide-angle lens for foreground-inclusive compositions
- A tripod for stability in low light and for fine-tuning reflection compositions
- A polariser, used carefully, can either enhance or reduce the reflection depending on the shot you're after - worth testing both ways
- A set of neutral density and graduated ND filters for smoothing the water and balancing a bright sunrise sky against darker boulders
- A remote shutter release to avoid camera shake on long exposures
This is a low-risk, roadside location, but it's still an active road with limited visibility in places, so pull well off the tarmac and be mindful of traffic when setting up, particularly in the dim light of dawn or dusk. The inlet's edges can be soft and muddy underfoot — stick to firm ground rather than venturing out onto the tidal flats.
Accommodation nearby
The Otago Peninsula itself has a good spread of accommodation, from Portobello's motels such as Hoopers Lodge, Hereweka Garden Retreat, and B&Bs further out toward Taiaroa Head, all putting you close to the inlet for an early start. Central Dunedin, 25–30 minutes away, offers the widest range of accommodation including the Dunedin Holiday Park & Motels and is a practical base if you're combining this location with Moeraki or the Otago Peninsula's other wildlife and coastal spots.
3. Nugget Point Lighthouse
About the location
Nugget Point is one of the most photographed headlands in the South Island, and it's easy to see why. A narrow, sea-battered ridge leads out to a small white lighthouse perched high above the water, with a scattering of jagged rock stacks - "the Nuggets" - sitting just offshore below.
How to get there
Nugget Point is roughly an hour south of Dunedin near the small settlement of Kaka Point, at the northern gateway to the Catlins. From the car park, it's a well-formed 15-20 minute walk along a narrow ridge track out to the lighthouse - flat and easy, though exposed to wind the whole way.
Best time to visit
Sunrise is the standout time here, since the headland faces east-southeast and the light comes up directly behind the Nuggets and lighthouse, often lighting the rock stacks from behind in a way that creates real drama. Clear or partly cloudy mornings work best for colour in the sky; calm conditions make it easier to hold a composition on the exposed ridge. Any season works, but winter mornings tend to bring the stillest air, while summer gives you a much earlier and more sociable sunrise time.
About the location
Nugget Point is one of the most photographed headlands in the South Island, and it's easy to see why. A narrow, sea-battered ridge leads out to a small white lighthouse perched high above the water, with a scattering of jagged rock stacks - "the Nuggets" - sitting just offshore below.
How to get there
Nugget Point is roughly an hour south of Dunedin near the small settlement of Kaka Point, at the northern gateway to the Catlins. From the car park, it's a well-formed 15-20 minute walk along a narrow ridge track out to the lighthouse - flat and easy, though exposed to wind the whole way.
Best time to visit
Sunrise is the standout time here, since the headland faces east-southeast and the light comes up directly behind the Nuggets and lighthouse, often lighting the rock stacks from behind in a way that creates real drama. Clear or partly cloudy mornings work best for colour in the sky; calm conditions make it easier to hold a composition on the exposed ridge. Any season works, but winter mornings tend to bring the stillest air, while summer gives you a much earlier and more sociable sunrise time.
Best photography spots
The main viewing platform at the end of the track near the Lighthouse path gives you the classic shot looking up to the lighthouse with the Nuggets scattered in the sea beyond - a longer lens (70–200mm) compresses the rock stacks nicely here. For a different angle, work your way partway back along the ridge track to find spots where you can frame the lighthouse itself with the cliffs and grass tussock in the foreground using a wider lens. Keep safety top of mind – especially if you climb to an elevated spot to take your shots. This location is genuinely dangerous and needs to be treat with the greatest respect!
Camera gear
The main viewing platform at the end of the track near the Lighthouse path gives you the classic shot looking up to the lighthouse with the Nuggets scattered in the sea beyond - a longer lens (70–200mm) compresses the rock stacks nicely here. For a different angle, work your way partway back along the ridge track to find spots where you can frame the lighthouse itself with the cliffs and grass tussock in the foreground using a wider lens. Keep safety top of mind – especially if you climb to an elevated spot to take your shots. This location is genuinely dangerous and needs to be treat with the greatest respect!
Camera gear
- A wide-angle lens for ridge and lighthouse compositions
- A telephoto zoom (70–200mm or longer) to compress and isolate the Nuggets, and for any wildlife you spot below
- A sturdy tripod, though be prepared to hand-hold in strong wind where a tripod can actually work against you
- Lens cloths, as sea spray and mist are common on this exposed headland
Safety information
The ridge track has steep drop-offs on both sides and no barriers in most places, so take extra care in the dark before sunrise and in wet or windy conditions, when the path can be genuinely hazardous. Nugget Point is one of the windiest spots in the region - check the forecast and be prepared to abandon a tripod setup if gusts pick up. Stay well back from cliff edges when composing shots, especially in low light when depth perception is trickier.
Accommodation nearby
Kaka Point, right at the base of the headland, has motels including Kaka Point Motel, Kaka Point Camping Ground, and a scattering of self-contained baches, making it the most convenient base for a sunrise shoot. The small town of Owaka, about 15 minutes further south, has additional motel and B&B options such as Catlins Area Motel and doubles as a good base for exploring the northern Catlins waterfalls the next day.
The ridge track has steep drop-offs on both sides and no barriers in most places, so take extra care in the dark before sunrise and in wet or windy conditions, when the path can be genuinely hazardous. Nugget Point is one of the windiest spots in the region - check the forecast and be prepared to abandon a tripod setup if gusts pick up. Stay well back from cliff edges when composing shots, especially in low light when depth perception is trickier.
Accommodation nearby
Kaka Point, right at the base of the headland, has motels including Kaka Point Motel, Kaka Point Camping Ground, and a scattering of self-contained baches, making it the most convenient base for a sunrise shoot. The small town of Owaka, about 15 minutes further south, has additional motel and B&B options such as Catlins Area Motel and doubles as a good base for exploring the northern Catlins waterfalls the next day.
4. The Catlins Waterfalls
The Catlins is one of New Zealand's most rewarding regions for waterfall photography, with a cluster of genuinely different falls all within about an hour's drive of each other - a rare thing anywhere in the country. It's also one of the remotest, quietest parts of the South Island, so the drive between falls is as scenic as the destinations themselves. Below are all five falls worth building into a Catlins waterfall day, with McLean, Purakaunui, and Koropuku the three not to skip if you're short on time.
Purakaunui Falls
A three-tiered cascade and one of the most photographed waterfalls in the country, Purakaunui Falls is reached via a short, easy 10-minute walk from the car park - the most accessible of all the Catlins falls. It sits about 45 minutes south of Nugget Point. The main viewpoint gives a classic full-waterfall composition, while working down and to the left opens up lower, foreground-rich angles closer to the water.
The Catlins is one of New Zealand's most rewarding regions for waterfall photography, with a cluster of genuinely different falls all within about an hour's drive of each other - a rare thing anywhere in the country. It's also one of the remotest, quietest parts of the South Island, so the drive between falls is as scenic as the destinations themselves. Below are all five falls worth building into a Catlins waterfall day, with McLean, Purakaunui, and Koropuku the three not to skip if you're short on time.
Purakaunui Falls
A three-tiered cascade and one of the most photographed waterfalls in the country, Purakaunui Falls is reached via a short, easy 10-minute walk from the car park - the most accessible of all the Catlins falls. It sits about 45 minutes south of Nugget Point. The main viewpoint gives a classic full-waterfall composition, while working down and to the left opens up lower, foreground-rich angles closer to the water.
Matai Falls and Horseshoe Falls
Around 10 minutes further south of Purakaunui, a single walkway leads to two different waterfalls for the effort of one walk. Matai Falls is about 15 minutes in through lush native forest, with a further five minutes up a short, steep set of steps bringing you to Horseshoe Falls. Both are worth building into your itinerary if you're already stopping, and the forest setting along the walk is attractive in its own right.
McLean Falls
Widely regarded as the standout of the region, McLean Falls sits about 45 minutes south of Matai/Horseshoe Falls. It's roughly a 20-minute walk in, mostly flat with a steeper final stretch, opening up onto multiple tiers and viewpoints along the way. Allow a couple of hours here if you can - there's genuinely enough to explore, from the lower falls through to the upper amphitheatre, to justify a longer stop than any of the other Catlins falls.
Koropuku Falls
Around 20 minutes further south of McLean Falls, Koropuku is the wildcard of the group - not DOC-maintained, easy to miss (look for a small signpost and a wide shoulder to park on, no formal car park), and reached via a boggy, boardwalk-and-stream 15–20 minute walk that feels considerably more remote than the other falls. It's a fitting last stop if you're working your way south through the Catlins for a full day of waterfalls.
How to get there (overview)
All five falls are accessed off the Southern Scenic Route running through the Catlins between Owaka and Papatowai/Chaslands. Cellphone coverage is patchy to non-existent through much of this stretch, so it pays to have offline maps downloaded and directions noted before you set off, particularly for Koropuku Falls, which has no signposted parking.
Best time to visit
Waterfalls are a great subject for the hours between sunrise and sunset when the light is too harsh for open landscape work, making them a useful way to fill the middle of the day on a Catlins trip. Overcast or lightly misty conditions are ideal, softening contrast and evening out exposure between the white water and the surrounding forest. Flow tends to be heavier and more dramatic after winter rain, while a summer visit brings gentler flow and often better foliage colour and light filtering through the canopy.
Around 10 minutes further south of Purakaunui, a single walkway leads to two different waterfalls for the effort of one walk. Matai Falls is about 15 minutes in through lush native forest, with a further five minutes up a short, steep set of steps bringing you to Horseshoe Falls. Both are worth building into your itinerary if you're already stopping, and the forest setting along the walk is attractive in its own right.
McLean Falls
Widely regarded as the standout of the region, McLean Falls sits about 45 minutes south of Matai/Horseshoe Falls. It's roughly a 20-minute walk in, mostly flat with a steeper final stretch, opening up onto multiple tiers and viewpoints along the way. Allow a couple of hours here if you can - there's genuinely enough to explore, from the lower falls through to the upper amphitheatre, to justify a longer stop than any of the other Catlins falls.
Koropuku Falls
Around 20 minutes further south of McLean Falls, Koropuku is the wildcard of the group - not DOC-maintained, easy to miss (look for a small signpost and a wide shoulder to park on, no formal car park), and reached via a boggy, boardwalk-and-stream 15–20 minute walk that feels considerably more remote than the other falls. It's a fitting last stop if you're working your way south through the Catlins for a full day of waterfalls.
How to get there (overview)
All five falls are accessed off the Southern Scenic Route running through the Catlins between Owaka and Papatowai/Chaslands. Cellphone coverage is patchy to non-existent through much of this stretch, so it pays to have offline maps downloaded and directions noted before you set off, particularly for Koropuku Falls, which has no signposted parking.
Best time to visit
Waterfalls are a great subject for the hours between sunrise and sunset when the light is too harsh for open landscape work, making them a useful way to fill the middle of the day on a Catlins trip. Overcast or lightly misty conditions are ideal, softening contrast and evening out exposure between the white water and the surrounding forest. Flow tends to be heavier and more dramatic after winter rain, while a summer visit brings gentler flow and often better foliage colour and light filtering through the canopy.
Best photography spots
At each waterfall, look beyond the obvious head-on view - working low to the water with foreground rocks, fallen branches, or leaf litter adds depth, while framing with overhanging forest branches helps anchor the falls within their setting. At McLean Falls in particular, allow time to work both the lower and upper tiers, as the light and mood can shift noticeably between them, especially when sun breaks through the canopy later in the morning.
Camera gear
Tracks can be muddy, root-covered, and slippery year-round, so solid waterproof footwear with good grip is a must. Koropuku Falls in particular involves rock-hopping across a stream and clambering over fallen branches in a genuinely isolated setting - let someone know your plans, and consider carrying a personal locator beacon given the lack of phone coverage. At McLean Falls, some visitors scramble up the rock face beside the falls to reach the upper amphitheatre; this isn't a formed track and should only be attempted if you're confident on wet rock and can manage your gear safely without assistance.
Accommodation nearby
Owaka is the main service town for the northern Catlins and a good base for Purakaunui, Matai, and Horseshoe Falls, with motels such as the Catlins Area Motel with Kaka Point Motel, and Kaka Point Camping Ground closer to the coast, plus B&B options. For McLean and Koropuku Falls, Papatowai and the wider Chaslands/Curio Bay area are closer, with a mix of lodges such as Curio Bay Salthouse and Curio Bay Accommodation, plus cabins at Whistling Frog Resort, that make an early or late session at the southern falls far more manageable than a long drive back from Owaka.
At each waterfall, look beyond the obvious head-on view - working low to the water with foreground rocks, fallen branches, or leaf litter adds depth, while framing with overhanging forest branches helps anchor the falls within their setting. At McLean Falls in particular, allow time to work both the lower and upper tiers, as the light and mood can shift noticeably between them, especially when sun breaks through the canopy later in the morning.
Camera gear
- A tripod is essential for the slow shutter speeds needed to get smooth, silky water
- A set of neutral density filters to extend shutter speed in bright conditions, plus a circular polariser to cut glare and spray off wet rock and foliage
- A wide-angle to short telephoto range covers most compositions; a lens hood or microfibre cloth is essential, as spray builds up fast on the front element at close range
- A dry bag or rain cover for the pack on wetter days, as the Catlins can turn showery with little warning
Tracks can be muddy, root-covered, and slippery year-round, so solid waterproof footwear with good grip is a must. Koropuku Falls in particular involves rock-hopping across a stream and clambering over fallen branches in a genuinely isolated setting - let someone know your plans, and consider carrying a personal locator beacon given the lack of phone coverage. At McLean Falls, some visitors scramble up the rock face beside the falls to reach the upper amphitheatre; this isn't a formed track and should only be attempted if you're confident on wet rock and can manage your gear safely without assistance.
Accommodation nearby
Owaka is the main service town for the northern Catlins and a good base for Purakaunui, Matai, and Horseshoe Falls, with motels such as the Catlins Area Motel with Kaka Point Motel, and Kaka Point Camping Ground closer to the coast, plus B&B options. For McLean and Koropuku Falls, Papatowai and the wider Chaslands/Curio Bay area are closer, with a mix of lodges such as Curio Bay Salthouse and Curio Bay Accommodation, plus cabins at Whistling Frog Resort, that make an early or late session at the southern falls far more manageable than a long drive back from Owaka.
Final Thoughts
Otago and Southland reward photographers who are willing to drive a little further south than the usual South Island highlights. Travelling from north to south, you can move from the surreal boulders of Moeraki, to the quiet stillness of the Hooper Inlet boatsheds just outside Dunedin, on to the windswept drama of Nugget Point, and finish with a full day of forest waterfalls in the Catlins - four completely different photographic experiences within easy reach of each other. Plan around the tides, check the weather for each location before you commit to a sunrise or sunset, and budget more time than you think you'll need, especially in the Catlins, where the roads and the rewards are both slower than they first appear.
Otago and Southland reward photographers who are willing to drive a little further south than the usual South Island highlights. Travelling from north to south, you can move from the surreal boulders of Moeraki, to the quiet stillness of the Hooper Inlet boatsheds just outside Dunedin, on to the windswept drama of Nugget Point, and finish with a full day of forest waterfalls in the Catlins - four completely different photographic experiences within easy reach of each other. Plan around the tides, check the weather for each location before you commit to a sunrise or sunset, and budget more time than you think you'll need, especially in the Catlins, where the roads and the rewards are both slower than they first appear.
Inspired by the experience?
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