1. Lake Wakatipu
New Zealand's longest lake
Accessibility: Easy
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Sunrise / Sunset
Duration: 30 min | 60 min
Entry: Free
Ideal for: Couples / Mountains
About 80 km long and shaped like a lightning bolt, Lake Wakatipu is New Zealand's longest lake, and Queenstown sits on its northern shore. The water is a clear blue-green, with The Remarkables and Cecil and Walter Peaks rising straight out of it. The lake even 'breathes': a natural seiche raises and lowers the water in Queenstown Bay every 27 minutes or so.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: We usually start on the waterfront path between the town beach and the Queenstown Gardens, where the vintage TSS Earnslaw steamer often sits at the wharf. At sunrise the lake is calmest and the Remarkables turn pink. In the evening the town beach gets busy, so we walk a few minutes along the Frankton Track for quieter shoreline. Wind picks up in the afternoon, so mornings give the best reflections.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: We usually start on the waterfront path between the town beach and the Queenstown Gardens, where the vintage TSS Earnslaw steamer often sits at the wharf. At sunrise the lake is calmest and the Remarkables turn pink. In the evening the town beach gets busy, so we walk a few minutes along the Frankton Track for quieter shoreline. Wind picks up in the afternoon, so mornings give the best reflections.
2. Queenstown Hill
Summit walk above the town
Accessibility: Challenging
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Sunrise / Sunset
Duration: 60 min | 2 hours | 3 hours
Entry: Free
Ideal for: Adventure couples / Views
The Queenstown Hill Time Walk climbs steeply from the edge of town through pine forest to open tussock with a full view over the lake, the town and the mountains. Halfway up, the Basket of Dreams sculpture, a woven steel loop, frames the lake perfectly. It is one of the most rewarding views around, and you earn it with your own legs.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The climb is steady and steep, so plan on a good hour or more up and wear proper shoes; we carry spare layers because it's colder and windier on top. The Basket of Dreams is the signature frame, best with the sun low behind the Remarkables. For proposals we go a little higher to the summit, where it's quieter. Bring a headlamp if we're staying for sunset.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The climb is steady and steep, so plan on a good hour or more up and wear proper shoes; we carry spare layers because it's colder and windier on top. The Basket of Dreams is the signature frame, best with the sun low behind the Remarkables. For proposals we go a little higher to the summit, where it's quieter. Bring a headlamp if we're staying for sunset.
3. Glenorchy
Lakeside village at the head
Accessibility: Moderate
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Morning / Sunset
Duration: 60 min | 2 hours | 3 hours
Entry: Free
Ideal for: Couples / Mountains
Glenorchy is a tiny village at the northern head of Lake Wakatipu, about 45 km from Queenstown along one of the country's most scenic lake roads. Snowy peaks, the braided Dart River and wide valleys surround it, and the nearby Paradise area appeared in The Lord of the Rings. Its little red wharf shed has become a favorite photo stop.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The drive takes about 45 minutes, and we stop at lookouts along the way, especially Bennetts Bluff, for the lake view. In Glenorchy we start at the red wharf shed, then walk the lagoon boardwalk for reeds, water and mountain reflections. Morning is usually calmest. There are few shops or services here, so bring snacks, water and warm layers for the whole session.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The drive takes about 45 minutes, and we stop at lookouts along the way, especially Bennetts Bluff, for the lake view. In Glenorchy we start at the red wharf shed, then walk the lagoon boardwalk for reeds, water and mountain reflections. Morning is usually calmest. There are few shops or services here, so bring snacks, water and warm layers for the whole session.
4. Bob's Peak / Skyline Gondola
Gondola to a lookout over town
Accessibility: Easy
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Sunset / Dusk
Duration: 30 min | 60 min
Entry: Paid
Ideal for: Couples / City views
Since 1967 the Skyline gondola has carried visitors about 450 meters above the lake to Bob's Peak. From the top the whole of Queenstown spreads below, with the lake curving toward The Remarkables, Cecil Peak and Walter Peak. Up there you'll also find a restaurant, a bar and the luge, so it's easy to make an evening of it.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: We like going up about an hour before sunset: golden light on the lake first, then town lights flickering on. The viewing areas get crowded at peak times, so we move along the paths below the main deck for clearer space. It's cooler at the top, so bring a jacket. If you're fit, walking up the Tiki Trail through the forest is a free alternative.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: We like going up about an hour before sunset: golden light on the lake first, then town lights flickering on. The viewing areas get crowded at peak times, so we move along the paths below the main deck for clearer space. It's cooler at the top, so bring a jacket. If you're fit, walking up the Tiki Trail through the forest is a free alternative.
5. The Remarkables
Jagged mountain range
Accessibility: Challenging
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Sunrise / Sunset
Duration: 60 min | 2 hours | 3 hours
Entry: Free
Ideal for: Adventure / Elopements
Because the range runs roughly north to south, morning sun lights one side of the ridges and evening sun the other. Named in the 1850s for their saw-tooth ridges, they climb to around 2,300 meters at Double Cone. A ski area sits high on the range, and in summer you can walk from it to Lake Alta, a small glacial lake under the peaks.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The ski field road is steep and unsealed in places, and in winter it often needs chains or a 4WD, so we plan the drive with care. The summer walk to Lake Alta is short but rough, rewarding you with a high alpine lake. For an easier option we shoot the range from below, from Jacks Point or Kelvin Heights, where it glows pink at dawn. Bring sturdy shoes and warm layers.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The ski field road is steep and unsealed in places, and in winter it often needs chains or a 4WD, so we plan the drive with care. The summer walk to Lake Alta is short but rough, rewarding you with a high alpine lake. For an easier option we shoot the range from below, from Jacks Point or Kelvin Heights, where it glows pink at dawn. Bring sturdy shoes and warm layers.
6. Moke Lake
Quiet mountain lake
Accessibility: Moderate
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Sunrise
Duration: 60 min | 2 hours
Entry: Free
Ideal for: Couples / Reflections
Moke Lake is a small, quiet lake surrounded by tussock hills and mountains, a short drive from Queenstown off the Glenorchy road. On a still morning its surface turns into a mirror, doubling the peaks above it. A Department of Conservation campsite sits at one end, and a walking track loops around the whole lake.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The final approach is a narrow gravel road, so we drive it slowly and avoid it after heavy snow. The lake is calmest at dawn, when the reflections are cleanest, and mornings in autumn often bring a soft mist. We walk a little way along the loop track for a frame with only water and mountains behind you. Respect the campers nearby and keep voices low early in the day.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The final approach is a narrow gravel road, so we drive it slowly and avoid it after heavy snow. The lake is calmest at dawn, when the reflections are cleanest, and mornings in autumn often bring a soft mist. We walk a little way along the loop track for a frame with only water and mountains behind you. Respect the campers nearby and keep voices low early in the day.
7. Arrowtown
Gold rush heritage village
Accessibility: Easy
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Morning / Sunset
Duration: 60 min | 2 hours
Entry: Free
Ideal for: Couples / Families
Arrowtown grew up after gold was found in the Arrow River in 1862, and its main street still has wooden cottages and stone buildings from that era. In autumn its avenues of trees turn bright gold and red, and the town holds an Autumn Festival each April. The restored Chinese settlement on Bush Creek tells the story of early miners.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: Buckingham Street is our starting point, with the historic cottages and the avenue of trees. We then walk down to the Arrow River for gravel banks, willows and soft light. In late April the poplars along Buckingham Street turn gold, and the town gets busy once the coaches arrive, so we start around breakfast time. Warm earthy outfits like rust, mustard or cream look lovely with the golden leaves.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: Buckingham Street is our starting point, with the historic cottages and the avenue of trees. We then walk down to the Arrow River for gravel banks, willows and soft light. In late April the poplars along Buckingham Street turn gold, and the town gets busy once the coaches arrive, so we start around breakfast time. Warm earthy outfits like rust, mustard or cream look lovely with the golden leaves.
8. Shotover River
Gold-bearing river canyon
Accessibility: Moderate
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Daytime
Duration: 60 min | 2 hours
Entry: Free
Ideal for: Adventure / Couples
The Shotover River cuts deep, narrow canyons through schist rock and was once called one of the richest gold-bearing rivers in the world. Today it's known for jet boats racing between canyon walls. At Arthurs Point the Edith Cavell Bridge spans the gorge, and a track runs alongside the water through rocky, wild scenery.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: We start at the Edith Cavell Bridge at Arthurs Point, where the canyon walls and turquoise water make a dramatic frame, then follow the riverside track for more private spots. If you're booking a jet boat ride, we can shoot from the bank as you speed by. Skippers Canyon road is narrow and unsealed, and many rental car contracts exclude it, so we only go there with a suitable vehicle or tour.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: We start at the Edith Cavell Bridge at Arthurs Point, where the canyon walls and turquoise water make a dramatic frame, then follow the riverside track for more private spots. If you're booking a jet boat ride, we can shoot from the bank as you speed by. Skippers Canyon road is narrow and unsealed, and many rental car contracts exclude it, so we only go there with a suitable vehicle or tour.
9. Queenstown Gardens
Lakeside peninsula gardens
Accessibility: Easy
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Morning / Sunset
Duration: 30 min | 60 min
Entry: Free
Ideal for: Families / Couples
On a small peninsula a few minutes' walk from the town center, Queenstown Gardens mixes old trees, rose beds, ponds and lakeside paths. The shoreline wraps around three sides, so wherever you stand there is water and mountains in view. It's flat, free and easy, which makes it ideal for families with kids or a relaxed first session.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: We follow the shoreline path around the tip of the peninsula, where the lake opens up with The Remarkables on one side and town on the other. The rose garden blooms in summer and makes a soft, colorful background. In autumn the big trees turn gold. Sunset is beautiful from the eastern side, looking toward the mountains as they change color.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: We follow the shoreline path around the tip of the peninsula, where the lake opens up with The Remarkables on one side and town on the other. The rose garden blooms in summer and makes a soft, colorful background. In autumn the big trees turn gold. Sunset is beautiful from the eastern side, looking toward the mountains as they change color.
10. Lake Hayes
Small glacial lake
Accessibility: Easy
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Sunrise
Duration: 60 min | 2 hours
Entry: Free
Ideal for: Couples / Reflections
Lake Hayes is a small glacial lake between Queenstown and Arrowtown. Its Maori name, Waiwhakaata, is linked to reflections, and on a still morning the mountains and trees mirror perfectly in its surface. A walking and cycling track circles the whole lake, past willows, poplars and reeds that turn gold in autumn.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: Calm mornings are everything here, so we watch the wind forecast and come at sunrise. The open shore by the main lakeside reserve gives the classic mirror view of the hills. In autumn we follow the track to the poplar groves for golden backgrounds. It's popular with runners and cyclists, so we keep to the side of the path and avoid blocking the boardwalk sections.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: Calm mornings are everything here, so we watch the wind forecast and come at sunrise. The open shore by the main lakeside reserve gives the classic mirror view of the hills. In autumn we follow the track to the poplar groves for golden backgrounds. It's popular with runners and cyclists, so we keep to the side of the path and avoid blocking the boardwalk sections.
11. Coronet Peak
Ski field above the basin
Accessibility: Moderate
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Sunset / Snowfall
Duration: 60 min | 2 hours
Entry: Free / Paid areas
Ideal for: Snow / Adventure / Couples
Coronet Peak opened in 1947 as New Zealand's first commercial ski field, and it sits about 25 minutes from Queenstown. From its slopes you look down over the Wakatipu Basin to Lake Hayes and the lake beyond. In winter it's all snow, chairlifts and night skiing; in the warmer months the open tussock slopes turn gold.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The access road climbs to a car park with wide views, so even without a lift pass we can shoot there. In winter the road can need chains, and conditions change fast, so we check the road report first. Snowy shoots are fun but cold, so dress in layers and bring gloves. At sunset the light spreads across the basin, giving a warm, soft glow.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The access road climbs to a car park with wide views, so even without a lift pass we can shoot there. In winter the road can need chains, and conditions change fast, so we check the road report first. Snowy shoots are fun but cold, so dress in layers and bring gloves. At sunset the light spreads across the basin, giving a warm, soft glow.
12. Jacks Point
Lakeside estate under the peaks
Accessibility: Moderate
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Sunrise / Sunset
Duration: 60 min | 2 hours
Entry: Free
Ideal for: Couples / Mountains
Jacks Point is a lakeside estate about 6 km south of Queenstown, set right at the foot of The Remarkables on the shore of Lake Wakatipu. Its golf course runs along a ridge above the water, and walking trails wind through rocky outcrops and golden tussock. The open landscape feels wild even though town is minutes away.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: We use the public walking trails over the tussock and rocks, where the Remarkables rise directly behind you and the lake stretches out in front. The golf course is private, so shooting on the fairways needs permission. Sunrise lights up the Remarkables in pink and orange, perfect for elopement-style portraits. It's exposed and windy, so long dresses look dramatic but bring a warm layer.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: We use the public walking trails over the tussock and rocks, where the Remarkables rise directly behind you and the lake stretches out in front. The golf course is private, so shooting on the fairways needs permission. Sunrise lights up the Remarkables in pink and orange, perfect for elopement-style portraits. It's exposed and windy, so long dresses look dramatic but bring a warm layer.