TOP 10 INCREDIBLE PHOTO LOCATIONS TO CAPTURE AUTUMN AND FALL IN NEW ZEALAND
- Rach Stewart
- 6 hours ago
- 11 min read
The New Zealand Autumn and Fall months from late March through early May are some of my favourite times of the year for landscape photography. This is a time when locations not usually known to be super photogenic turn into absolute photography gold for many good reasons. A landscape spot not usually known for colour can turn into a canvas of fiery reds, golden yellows, and deep oranges, and although it can be short lived, its absolutely worth visiting for autumn scenes on the camera roll. For photographers who love these kinds of colours, this season offers a unique chance to capture New Zealand's diverse beauty in a warm, glowing light.
The Autumn and Fall months in New Zealand also happen to be the best for light (in my opinion). The sunrises and sunsets during this period can be absolutely incredible with pink skies, golden coloured clouds and crisp clear twilight hours.
One of the greatest things about the Autumn and Fall in New Zealand is that it falls with the shoulder season where locations tend to be a lot more quiet, accommodation is generally cheaper, there are less visitors and you can have a lot of photography spots all to yourself especially if you are going out for sunrise.
In this guide I highlight the top 10 photo locations to capture during the Autumn and Fall in New Zealand and where you can experience the best spots and some of my true favourites.
For ease of use and exact locations you can download my New Zealand Map and Guide, plus have access to travel itineraries and over 700 epic New Zealand photo locations, activities and places to stay.
WHY AUTUMN IN NEW ZEALAND IS SO BEAUTIFUL TO PHOTOGRAPH
In Autumn or the Fall, both the North and South Island's of New Zealand transform into a breathtaking canvas of colour, with the Southern Alps rising above valleys filled with golden hues, burnt oranges, and deep reds. Tree lined lakes in the Mackenzie basin, country roads lined with trees, and quiet alpine towns like Arrowtown become some of the most stunning autumn New Zealand photography locations.
This seasonal shift gives photographers the chance to capture a softer, more atmospheric side of New Zealand .. with crisp mornings, gentle light, and fewer crowds on the roads, it’s easier to explore and take your time at each location without the rush.
New Zealand’s small size makes it simple to move between diverse landscapes in a single trip, from alpine passes to lakeside forests and rolling countryside, especially in the South Island. During autumn, these landscapes are at their most dynamic, with ever-changing colours and light adding something unique to every scene.
Whether you’re drawn to golden poplar lined lakes, mirror like reflections at sunrise, or quiet towns framed by autumn foliage, New Zealand offers an abundance of inspiring locations to capture the beauty of the season in all its richness.
ESSENTIAL PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR FOR AUTUMN IN NEW ZEALAND
With the onset of winter following not too far behind Autumn and the Fall in New Zealand, Autumn brings colder mornings, changing light, and some unpredictable conditions, so having the right gear can make all the difference in capturing the season at its best. Here are the essentials I take with me when photographing during Autumn and Fall:
ESSENTIAL CAMERA GEAR
The essential camera items I bring with me for Autumn and Fall photography in New Zealand include:
A DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual settings that will enable you to adjust exposure, aperture, and ISO for the best possible outcomes.
A sturdy tripod to ensure stability and reduce camera shake during longer exposures.
A wide angle lens, such as a 16-35mm, is excellent for capturing the vastness of the sky and landscape, while a telephoto lens, like a 70-200mm, can help isolate and emphasise specific elements of the scene.
A set of graduated neutral density (ND) filters to balance the exposure between the bright sky and darker foreground, or extending the shutter speed to create long exposure images.
A remote shutter release (or your camera brands phone app) can help minimise vibrations, or if you're into adding yourself into the scene then this makes things a lot easier and allows you to operate the camera from where you are standing.
At least 3 extra batteries and memory cards.
Lens cloths for those cold mornings and evenings where your lens can fog up.
SOME PERSONAL ESSENTIALS FOR AUTUMN PHOTOGRAPHY
Keeping warm definitely needs to be considered for New Zealand Autumn photography especially when it comes to clothing. Layering is essential, starting with a thermal base layer, followed by an insulating layer such as fleece, and finishing with a waterproof and windproof outer layer.
Warm, Waterproof Boots and socks .. especially when hiking to keep you steady and dry.
Hand warmers and or gloves, plus a warm hat.
Thermos with Hot Drink – optional, but always a morale boost during sunrise shoots!
TOP 10 INCREDIBLE PHOTO LOCATIONS TO CAPTURE AUTUMN AND FALL IN NEW ZEALAND
ARROWTOWN QUEENSTOWN DURING THE AUTUMN AND FALL
I'll start with one that you've probably heard of, and for good reason, it is one of the best spots for Autumn photography in the South Island .. Arrowtown! I have visited Arrowtown during the Autumn months on countless occasions, both as a guide for photography tours and as a tourist/photographer myself. I am never disappointed by this beautiful little town with its access to nearby mountains, beautiful lakes and the walking trails by the Arrow River.
Here are my favourite photography locations for Autumn and the Fall in Arrowtown:
THE HISTORIC POLICE HUT ARROWTOWN
SPEARGRASS FLAT ROAD ARROWTOWN
THURLBY DOMAIN ARROWTOWN
LAKE HAYES ARROWTOWN
ARROWTOWN WAR MEMORIAL PARK
I've written an entire blog just on Arrowtown photo spots during the Autumn months if you'd like to delve deeper into these favourite spots and their locations.
SHOTOVER RIVER GORGE QUEENSTOWN
One of my absolute favourite Autumn and Fall photography spots in New Zealand is the relatively easy to get to Shotover River Gorge from Edith Cavell Bridge in Queenstown South Island.
The Edith Cavell bridge on Arthurs Point Road is approximately a 15 minute drive from the Queenstown city center in the direction of Coronet Peak ski field. Public parking is available just beyond the bridge on the left side.
Please be aware that the bridge is VERY narrow, and you should use the designated footpath and avoid large vehicles while on the bridge.
Photo info: Since the canyon is mostly in shadow, it's advisable to take photos during the day to capture the best light. A wide-angle lens is recommended for this location.
GLENORCHY LAGOON QUEENSTOWN
Just 40 minutes from the bustling cite centre of Queenstown in the South Island and nestled at the head of Lake Wakatipu, Glenorchy is a beautiful small town framed by glorious New Zealand mountains, the Dart River and Lake Wakatipu. Reaching it via the Glenorchy Queenstown Road is one of the best scenic drives in New Zealand (imo) with breathtaking views of rugged landscapes and dramatic mountain ranges at every turn.
The Glenorchy Lagoon features a scenic walking track that winds around the water, with a stunning viewing platform perfect for resting and capturing a magical landscape shot framed with Autumn foliage. On calm days, Mount Earnslaw and the surrounding peaks are beautifully reflected in the lagoon’s still surface.
Photo info: Shoot on your zoom lens (eg. 70-200mm) for compression shots of the mountains, and works best at sunrise and sunset.
Check out my complete Guide to Queenstown Photo Spots for more info on what to shoot in Queenstown.
THE WANAKA TREE AND LAKE WANAKA
Probably the second most famous spot for Autumn and Fall photography behind Arrowtown in this blog is the Wanaka Tree and Lake Wanaka in the South Island of New Zealand.
This iconic lone tree close to the shoreline attracts a lot of attention all throughout the year, with Autumn and Fall being no exception. An added bonus during this season is that the Poplar trees that line the shore elsewhere around the lake also change colour to beautiful golds and yellow, so there are plenty of options when it comes to landscape photography.
Photography info: The Wanaka Tree is an easy 100 metre walk from the Wanaka Rotary Playground. In my opinion the Wanaka Tree is best photographed at sunrise as the sun comes up and creates the most beautiful light on the tree. Sunset is also nice but you lose the sun behind the mountains quickly and there is no light on the tree.
A lot of my images are taken on my 16-35mm lens from various parts of the Wanaka tree shoreline, but my favourite composition is if you head back towards the carpark and set up a 70-200mm lens or similar, you can capture the Wanaka Tree cropped into the frame and compressing the mountains to look even larger than what they appear to the naked eye.
For a complete Guide on photographing the Wanaka Tree head over to my blog.
LAKE TEKAPO AUTUMN TREES
Lake Tekapo in New Zealand’s South Island is a truly breathtaking destination for landscape photography in every season, especially Autumn or Fall. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Southern Alps, its striking turquoise waters, tree lined shores and surrounding alpine landscapes create a scene that is perfect for Autumn photography.
Near The Lake Tekapo NZMCA Park on Thomson Terrace there is a beautiful spot down by the lake that is particularly stunning during the Autumn months when the colours are changing on the trees. With Mount John in the background it makes for gorgeous landscape photo.
Photography info: You can walk along any of the trails that surround the lake at this location and pick a spot to shoot. Take your wide angle lens with you and this part of the lake is beautiful during golden hour at sunset.
Check out my complete Guide to Lake Tekapo Photography Locations for more information what what to shoot in the Tekapo area.
LAKE PUKAKI MOUNT COOK - HAYMAN ROAD
For a slightly different take on the famous Aoraki Mount Cook and Lake Pukaki in the South Island, the tree lined stretches of Hayman Road create a stunning contrast that’s perfect for capturing rich seasonal tones against the backdrop of the Southern Alps and Mount Cook.
Hayman Road is a gravel road that continues down the right hand side of Lake Pukaki. It is well maintained and most cars can travel it no problem. I highly recommend driving the entire road and while doing so looking out for pockets of Autumn and Fall trees changing colour.
If you want a photo of Mount Cook with some of these colours then stop at this point along the Braemar Mount Cook Station Road for a stunning landscape scene.
Photography info: I didn't have the opportunity to travel the road at golden hour but I would highly suggest it especially at sunset for some beautiful pink tones on Aoraki Mount Cook. Take your mid range zoom lens with you as well as a wide angle.
If you'd like some more information on photography locations in the Mount Cook area check out my Complete Guide to Mount Cook Photography Spots.
LAKE RUATANIWHA TWIZEL
Lake Ruataniwha in the small town of Twizel in the Mackenzie Basin of the South Island is a beautiful spot to photograph especially during Autumn and Fall. The foliage on the trees surrounding the lake turns a bright yellow/orange and because Lake Ruataniwha is often reflecting, the photos can be incredible.
Photography info: There are a couple of spots you can take photos from where you will have some good Autumn foliage, and take with you your wide angle and mid range zoom lenses.
Near the Lake Ruataniwha Camp Ground
The roadside pull over near the Salmon Farm.
WAIREPO ARM TWIZEL
Wairepo Arm just outside of Twizel is one of the most underrated Autumn photography locations in the Mackenzie Region, and often goes a miss by a lot of visitors.
During Autumn, the shoreline trees change to beautiful warm tones of gold, orange, and rust, often perfectly reflecting in the lake waters. There is plenty of room to pull over off the highway and park your car on the grass, and the shoreline stretches quite a decent way so you can choose any composition you want.
Photography info: I would suggest heading here for sunrise for the chance of a calm morning and reflection, as well as beautiful light on the surrounding hills. Take your wide angle or mid range zoom lens for this spot.
MCLAREN FALLS PARK TAURANGA
McLaren Falls Park in Tauranga is a 190 hectare stunning parkland situated along Lake McLaren in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.
The park is one of the North Island's most beautiful Autumn photography locations, offering a vibrant display of seasonal colour just a short drive from Tauranga city. Throughout the park, a mix of deciduous trees turn amazing shades of gold, orange, and red, creating stunning reflections in the calm waters of Lake McLaren. Winding pathways, wooden bridges, and quiet pockets of forest provide endless composition opportunities, especially during the soft light of early morning or late afternoon.
Photography info: I would recommend taking your wide angle lens with you to capture the park at golden hour / sunset, and at night you can capture astro here as the sky is so dark.
WAIMARAMA ROAD HAWKES BAY
The Hawke's Bay region of the North Island is a standout destination for Autumn and Fall photography in New Zealand. As the leaves begin to turn, the region comes alive with warm tones of gold, amber, and crimson, especially throughout the vineyard lined roads and rural backdrops.
This section of Waimarama Road in the Hawkes Bay is truly beautiful during the Autumn Season with the tree leaves changing to stunning colours of orange and red.
Please be aware that this is a busy road so you will need a spotter with you to watch for cars.
Photography info: This spot is best during golden hour at sunrise with more chance of some misty fog and the road is also a lot less busy. Take your zoom lens with you (70-200mm or similar) and zoom in so that the trees completely frame the image.
New Zealand’s Autumn and Fall is one of the most rewarding for photographers, where vibrant golden foliage, soft light, and crisp, clear conditions combine to create an incredibly diverse range of landscapes.
Thanks for taking to time to read my My Top 10 Incredible Photo Spots for Autumn and Fall in New Zealand blog. I hope it inspires you to come to New Zealand during this colourful time the year.
If you are interested in prints of any of the New Zealand Landscape Photography seen in this blog, please feel free to head on over to my New Zealand Photography Print Store and have a little look around.
