South Island [2017]

Snow-capped mountains and glacial lakes, New Zealand's South Island is a landscape photographer’s dream. We had a wonderful time driving around the island and taking it all in.

Mar 2017

© Kevin Yao, 2026

Queenstown is a resort town for all seasons. When the weather is warm, people flock to the beaches of Lake Wakatipu.

Queenstown is a resort town for all seasons. When the weather is warm, people flock to the beaches of Lake Wakatipu. (1 of 15)

A pier at Glenorchy. Thick fog enveloped the mountains this morning.

A pier at Glenorchy. Thick fog enveloped the mountains this morning. (2 of 15)

We took a boat cruise that went around Milford Sound. It was a great way to get up-close and personal with the waterfalls in the area.

We took a boat cruise that went around Milford Sound. It was a great way to get up-close and personal with the waterfalls in the area. (3 of 15)

God rays.

God rays. (4 of 15)

Milford Sound is famous for dramatic peaks rising straight out of the water.

Milford Sound is famous for dramatic peaks rising straight out of the water. (5 of 15)

A bunch of ferns at Haast Pass.

A bunch of ferns at Haast Pass. (6 of 15)

Thunder Creek Falls. The name is quite accurate.

Thunder Creek Falls. The name is quite accurate. (7 of 15)

A river clearing. Wonder how much the water fills up here when it rains.

A river clearing. Wonder how much the water fills up here when it rains. (8 of 15)

The lone tree at Wanaka. Perhaps one of the most photographed trees.

The lone tree at Wanaka. Perhaps one of the most photographed trees. (9 of 15)

Within the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, we were able to capture the aurora australis, the less famous sibling of the northern lights. This is a long exposure.

Within the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, we were able to capture the aurora australis, the less famous sibling of the northern lights. This is a long exposure. (10 of 15)

The entrance to Mount Aoraki/Cook. It was like driving into a wall of ice.

The entrance to Mount Aoraki/Cook. It was like driving into a wall of ice. (11 of 15)

Glacial melt seen on the Hooker Valley Track.

Glacial melt seen on the Hooker Valley Track. (12 of 15)

The sun beginning to set on Mount Aoraki/Cook.

The sun beginning to set on Mount Aoraki/Cook. (13 of 15)

All lit up. Glad we decided to stay for sunset, even though if that meant hiking back in the dark.

All lit up. Glad we decided to stay for sunset, even though if that meant hiking back in the dark. (14 of 15)

Peter's Lookout is a somewhat popular viewpoint for photographers. It can be quite stunning with the right weather.

Peter's Lookout is a somewhat popular viewpoint for photographers. It can be quite stunning with the right weather. (15 of 15)

Queenstown is a resort town for all seasons. When the weather is warm, people flock to the beaches of Lake Wakatipu.
A pier at Glenorchy. Thick fog enveloped the mountains this morning.
We took a boat cruise that went around Milford Sound. It was a great way to get up-close and personal with the waterfalls in the area.
God rays.
Milford Sound is famous for dramatic peaks rising straight out of the water.
A bunch of ferns at Haast Pass.
Thunder Creek Falls. The name is quite accurate.
A river clearing. Wonder how much the water fills up here when it rains.
The lone tree at Wanaka. Perhaps one of the most photographed trees.
Within the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, we were able to capture the aurora australis, the less famous sibling of the northern lights. This is a long exposure.
The entrance to Mount Aoraki/Cook. It was like driving into a wall of ice.
Glacial melt seen on the Hooker Valley Track.
The sun beginning to set on Mount Aoraki/Cook.
All lit up. Glad we decided to stay for sunset, even though if that meant hiking back in the dark.
Peter's Lookout is a somewhat popular viewpoint for photographers. It can be quite stunning with the right weather.