Tag: adventure

Te Hoiere / Pelorus River | New Zealand Travel Photography

Travel photography of a rocky river bank and dark green flowing water, framed by dense forest and a road bridge in New Zealand
A bridge crosses the rocky shores and cool green water of the Pelorus River, on the south island of New Zealand

On the last day of our New Zealand adventures, we had a short drive to the ferry in Picton at the northern end of the South Island, and wanted one last taste of the amazing wilderness we’d encountered across the country during our two week ramble. Perusing the map and a guidebook that pointed us toward lesser-traveled locations, we spotted a scenic gorge at the Pelorus River bridge. This beautiful spot happened to be on our route, and turned out to be a perfect afternoon to capture a final few dozen frames of New Zealand travel photography.

The path to Te Hoiere river winds through lush forest, ferns and colourful berries, and is shaded by tall trees. While most people seemed to choose paths to the bridge itself, we picked a trail that led a little further up the gorge. It was quiet, peaceful, and we hadn’t even reached the water yet.

Emerging from the forest, we discovered a beautiful crystal clear river, tinted green, meandering through smooth boulders and colorful rocky riverbanks. The texture of the stones, and clarity of the water was so inviting, we lingered in the afternoon sun, soaking up the natural beauty.

I hope to return someday, with the time for a swim. This was a special place, unexpected and just far enough off-the-beaten-path to feel removed from the usual scenic destinations in New Zealand. We found it to be a lovely spot to catch our breath after so many busy days of exploring the country, and a perfect ending to a wonderful adventure.

You can find the full set of Pelorus River photos in my archives, and selected New Zealand travel photography prints in my shop.

Wellington, New Zealand

Vibrant, friendly, artsy and laid-back – not words usually associated with a sizeable capital city, but Wellington, New Zealand offers all of this and more. Wellington is set in the forested hills of the southern tip of New Zealand’s North island, and encompasses sandy beaches, a busy waterfront, and a beautiful, windy harbor.

Wellington, New Zealand view from Mt. Victoria
Views of New Zealand’s capital city Wellington from Mt Victoria lookout

A great place to start a day of sightseeing in Wellington is at Mount Victoria Lookout, which provides scenic panoramic views of the city, from downtown to the open ocean. A beautiful Maori landpole statue, or Pouwhenua, provides a cultural contrast against the city skyline. The triangular form of the Richard Byrd memorial points to Antarctica, and commemorates how the famed polar explorer used Wellington as a base of operations for his expeditions over the course of 27 years.

WM_MtVictoria_Wellington_NZ_07
WM_MtVictoria_Wellington_NZ_06

Down along the waterfront, a colorful marketplace full of local arts and crafts, housed in shipping containers, looks out across waterways used for frequent dragonboat races and sailing. During this particular visit, pianos were located throughout the city, and attracted serious and casual musicians alike.

Scenes from along the waterfront of Wellington, New Zealand
Scenes from along the waterfront of Wellington, New Zealand
Scenes from along the waterfront of Wellington, New Zealand
Scenes from along the waterfront of Wellington, New Zealand
Scenes from along the waterfront of Wellington, New Zealand
Scenes from along the waterfront of Wellington, New Zealand
Scenes from along the waterfront of Wellington, New Zealand
Scenes from along the waterfront of Wellington, New Zealand

 

Scenes from along the waterfront of Wellington, New Zealand
Scenes from along the waterfront of Wellington, New Zealand
Scenes from along the waterfront of Wellington, New Zealand
Scenes from along the waterfront of Wellington, New Zealand

The city provides an accessible mix of public spaces and unique neighborhoods, with a wide variety of cafes, shops, and an active local beer scene. It seems that along every avenue, another sculpture or piece of public art is hidden, waiting to be discovered.

Scenes from along the waterfront of Wellington, New Zealand
Scenes from along the waterfront of Wellington, New Zealand
Scenes from along the waterfront of Wellington, New Zealand
Scenes from along the waterfront of Wellington, New Zealand
WM_ForkBrewer_Wellington_NZ_01

WM_BaobobCafe_Wellington_NZ
WM_CubaStreet_Wellington_NZ_04
Scenes from an afternoon walking through downtown Wellington, New Zealand
Scenes from an afternoon walking through downtown Wellington, New Zealand

For a view of the city from another angle, it is an easy walk from the waterfront to the Wellington Cable Car, a funicular railway that ferries passengers from the shopping district of Lambton Quay to the suburb of Kelburn up in the hills. This is a wonderful way to reach the botanical gardens of Wellington, and to see another lovely panorama of the picturesque city.

WM_Wellington_NZ_01
WM_CableCar_Wellington_NZ_04
The funicular, a Wellington Cable Car, provides a scenic journey from the heart of downtown to the Wellington Botanic Garden
The funicular, a Wellington Cable Car, provides a scenic journey from the heart of downtown to the Wellington Botanic Garden
The funicular, a Wellington Cable Car, provides a scenic journey from the heart of downtown to the Wellington Botanic Garden
The funicular, a Wellington Cable Car, provides a scenic journey from the heart of downtown to the Wellington Botanic Garden

The adjacent suburb of Newtown, just south of the Wellington’s downtown, offers a charming neighborhood packed with quaint shops and cafes, and hosts a vibrant street festival. One surprising find was the Monterey Bar; I was visiting from my home in Monterey, California, and this bar featured a large mural of the Bixby Bridge in Big Sur, among other references to my central California home.

WM_Newtown_Wellington_NZ_01
Scenes from an afternoon walking through downtown Wellington, New Zealand
Scenes from an afternoon walking through downtown Wellington, New Zealand
WM_Newtown_Wellington_NZ_05
A bar in Wellington, New Zealand references California
A bar in Wellington, New Zealand references California
A bar in Wellington, New Zealand references California
A bar in Wellington, New Zealand references California

I look forward to visiting Wellington, New Zealand again someday. I found it to be a friendly, accessible city with much more to explore than could be experienced during my short stay. One of the most unique and lovely aspects of  Wellington is how after a long day wandering the bustling streets, one has only to head South to the where the suburbs meet the sea, and suddenly one can feel the rugged, wild beauty for which New Zealand is so well known.

WM_IslandBay_Wellington_NZ
Coastal suburbs tucked in the coastal forest, outside of Wellington, New Zealand

To see more of my travel photography from New Zealand, visit apkphotography.com Prints and rights managed licensing available.

Oakura Beach, New Zealand

Tucked between quiet beach towns on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island, Oakura Beach is a windswept, black sand slice of paradise.

Black sands of Oakura Beach, New Zealand
Black sands of Oakura Beach, New Zealand
WM_Oakura_Beach_NZ_02
WM_Oakura_Beach_NZ_01

The beach access is casual, a short walk through flowering flax, and down into low, soft dunes. My friend chose to cross the creek along a piece of driftwood, while I waded through up to my knees in the cold rushing water. Such an angle paid off, and got us a fun photo with which to remember this bit of our adventure.

Black sands of Oakura Beach, New Zealand
Black sands of Oakura Beach, New Zealand
Black sands of Oakura Beach, New Zealand
Black sands of Oakura Beach, New Zealand

As we wandered the windy shoreline, we found beautiful bits of contrast in shimmering sand, which from various angles offered a glittering black, iridescent purple, and silvery backdrop to shells and driftwood scattered along the high-tide line.

Black sands of Oakura Beach, New Zealand
Black sands of Oakura Beach, New Zealand
Black sands of Oakura Beach, New Zealand
Black sands of Oakura Beach, New Zealand
Black sands of Oakura Beach, New Zealand
Black sands of Oakura Beach, New Zealand

The rocky harbor of New Plymouth was visible through the mist to the North, and even with a bustling urban center so close, Oakura Beach felt like a wild stretch of coast we were glad we’d made the trip to explore.

Some of these images are available as prints, in my Open Edition print gallery.

To view the full set of Oakura Beach, New Zealand photographs, please visit the APK Photography archives.

Monterey Bay Morning

From a recent Saturday morning in Monterey – went whale watching on a particularly windy, bright day. Only two whales were spotted, and due to the pitching rise and fall of the relentless ocean swell, I only managed a few photos of whales. However, sunny moments like this stern sunbathing seagull perched on a rusting fishing boat, were easy to come by in the sheltered harbour.

Once several miles out to the edge of the bay, I did enjoy the shifting textural landscape of the windswept water, and managed a few lucky shots of some rare birds skimming the waves. Here’s the view of the California coastline, as we motored out in search of the whales…

out to sea

As with many things, the rest of the photos from this adventure will have to wait, as I dedicate more time to preparing for some upcoming work.  I think this trip out to sea was much-needed, as I came back to land feeling refreshed and energized by so much fresh air and bracing cold salt spray.