New Zealand is a gorgeous place to visit – there’s no denying that. With 3.2 million international visitors last year alone, you can bet that the most popular tourist attractions will be hugely busy all year round. While December to February are the most popular months for tourists, many visitors and locals will be looking forward to avoiding the crowds and discovering lesser-known hidden gems of this magnificent country.
From natural mountainscapes to man-made attractions that have been preserved for the public eye, New Zealand isn’t without options when it comes to looking for the perfect place to snap a few social media-worthy photos. But where should you begin? To make the most of your time without having to search for hidden beauty, we’ve created the ultimate guide to New Zealand’s top photo spots.
So, what are we waiting for? Let’s start planning the most photogenic adventure possible!
Hidden gem photo spots
- Porari River Track
- Lake Rotomahana
- Te Ara Hura Walkway
- Lake Ōkāreka
- Bennett’s Bluff on the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road
- The Nevis Valley
- Wainui Bay
- Reserve walks, Conifer Grove
- Hooker Glacier Lake
- Mou Waho
Before we get into the specifics of each photo spot you need to visit, you need to know how you’re going to get there! Most of the places we’re going to look at are hidden and therefore quite remote, so one method of transportation that just makes sense is to hire a campervan.
Contact the team at Travellers Autobarn today to learn how we can help you get the best start on the road to adventure!
Porari River Track
Location: Paparoa National Park, Greymouth, South Island
The Porari River Track features a lovely river canyon where you can walk for as long or as short as you like, with plenty of flora and fauna to explore. The wildlife here is unmatched and relatively easy to spot, so it’s the perfect place to bring kids or your photography setup. Thanks to the trails splitting off into new trails, it’s excellent if you want to test yourself with a multi-day hike and fully immerse yourself in the hidden beauty of this river track.
Top photo spots
- The Pororari Hut offers a complete 360-degree view of the suspension bridge
Lake Rotomahana
Location: Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, North Island
Lake Rotomahana is such a beautiful place to explore in New Zealand, it’s a wonder how it’s not more popular! After a moderate walk along the Waimangu Volcanic Valley trail, you’ll reach the scenic lake where you can take a boat ride to immerse yourself in the native wildlife and lovely scenery. The best part is that you’ll be able to see natural wonders including geysers, fumaroles and steaming cliffs. At the end of your boat cruise, the perfect photo op awaits you in the form of the Pink and White Terraces.
Top photo spots
- The eighth wonder of the world, the Pink and White Terraces!
Te Ara Hura Walkway
Location: Waiheke Island, North Island
Te Ara Hura is a 100 km round walkway that takes you along the divine Waiheke Island, with busier and quieter sections to become acquainted with. Thanks to the walkway being so long, there are plenty of photo opportunities for everyone to have their own space to take their pictures! Some of the trails are better suited to experienced hikers, so make sure you do your research before planning your trip. Take the northern coast walk between Oneroa and Palm Beach for a more accessible hidden gem of Waiheke Island.
Top photo spots
- Oneroa to Palm Beach walkway
- Passage Rock to Trig Hill via Awaawaroa
- The coastal Rocky Bay to ‘The Roosters’ walk
- Man O’ War Bay to Passage Rock along the east coast
Lake Ōkāreka
Location: Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, North Island
If you’re looking for a shorter walk that still doesn’t get as crowded as the other, more popular local lakes around New Zealand, then Lake Ōkāreka might be the perfect place for you. It’s ideal for swimming, fishing, and boating, with a delightful backdrop of mountains for miles. Visitors here have said how peaceful and beautiful the scenery is, with possible picture opportunities for days. There’s also plenty of bird-watching to be done, so don’t forget your binoculars if you’re in the mood for taking some time for yourself and relaxing in the most serene way possible.
Top photo spots
- Boyes Beach and Benn Road Dock for scenic shots
- Ōkāreka Walkway for stunning views of the waters and surrounding mountains
Bennett’s Bluff on the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road
Location: Mount Creighton, Otago, South Island
Bennett’s Bluff is best known for being one of the most scenic drives in the entire country, so it’s definitely not one to be missed! With a short trail of just 0.6 km, you won’t need to spend long here to discover the magnificent beauty of New Zealand. Tourists often don’t know about this hidden gem, but there’s no need to miss it if you’re driving along the route between Glenorchy and Queenstown anyway! Add 30 minutes to your journey and make the most of this unique viewpoint and get plenty of pictures to document your trip.
Top photo spots
- The short trail offers unobstructed views of the picturesque Lake Wakatipu, Humboldt Ranges and Mount Earnslaw
The Nevis Valley
Location: Nevis, Southland, South Island
The Nevis Valley is a remote escape from the hustle and bustle of New Zealand, making it the perfect escape for those looking for a few hours of peace and quiet where they can also enjoy picturesque views. Despite its gorgeous scenery, the valley is still largely undiscovered because you might need an appropriate land vehicle to get there safely. Still, it’s well worth the effort if you want to find a truly secluded place where only a handful of tourists visit every month.
Top photo spots
- The valley features dramatic landscapes with gold mining relics to improve your photo ops
Wainui Bay
Location: Tasman District, South Island
You’ll be able to find Wainui Bay in the Abel Tasman National Park, which is a popular tourist attraction that sees plenty of guests every year. Compared to the National Park, Wainui Bay is one of the more serene areas here, so it’s perfect for taking pictures and enjoying some peace and quiet. There are plenty of golden beaches and clear waters to enjoy, as well as coastal lookout points to find and snap pictures of. It’s up to you whether you want to spend the entire day lounging on the warm sand or start exploring for even more photogenic spots.
Top photo spots
- The beach itself
- One of the many coastal lookout points along the turquoise water
Reserve walks, Conifer Grove
Location: Wattle Downs, Auckland, North Island
Conifer Grove isn’t without plenty of options for keen walkers and hikers, offering lots of fantastic views and photo spots within the trails. Each reserve walk comes with its own set of magical views, so make sure you carve out enough time to enjoy as many as you can! Most are also wildlife hotspots, so if you like taking pictures of native animals to document your travels, we can’t recommend Conifer Grove and Wattle Downs enough.
Top photo spots
- The water features like streams and ponds dotted along each of the trails
- Sunset views can be seen through the tall tree canopies and forest paths
Hooker Glacier Lake
Location: Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, South Island
Hooker Glacier Lake is one of the more popular destinations on our list, but if you time your visit right, it’s generally not too overcrowded to ruin your photo opportunities. The lake features real glaciers and floating icebergs to marvel at, making it a truly unique and magical experience to find in New Zealand! If you want to secure the best photos from Hooker Glacier Lake, we highly recommend getting yourself down here either early in the morning or late afternoon to make the most of golden light opportunities.
Top photo spots
- The Hooker Valley Track’s wooden boardwalks and swing bridges
- The turquoise lake itself, with its glaciers and floating icebergs
- Mueller Lake, with its reflections of Mount Cook
- Sealy Tarns Viewpoint for the panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains and glacial rivers
Mou Waho
Location: Wanaka, Otago, South Island
Mou Waho is another more popular attraction in the peak season, but generally speaking, it’s still one of the more tranquil hidden gems of New Zealand that many call the highlight of their trip. It’s not too popular as it can only be accessed by private boat or water taxi, but imagine the pictures you could get on the water before even reaching Mou Waho! Once you’re on the island, there’s a hiking trail to enjoy which leads to the Arethusa Pool, where native wildlife like Buff Weka and Mountain Stone Weta can be spotted.
Top photo spots
- The summit itself, where you’ll find the Arethusa Pool and Lake Wānaka
- The picturesque shoreline
Whether you’re looking for a hidden gem photo opportunity where you can spend 30 minutes or a few days, New Zealand isn’t without its amazing lesser-known tourist attractions. Explore some gorgeous nature walks or enjoy golden beaches and crystal clear waters while making the most of your time in this wonderful country.
Hiring a campervan can help you spend as much time enjoying the views without wasting time travelling back and forth from a hotel. At Travellers Autobarn, our team of experts will help you find a campervan that perfectly suits your needs, no matter how many people in your party or what specific amenities you’re looking for. We’ll get you out on the road, safe and having fun, for as long as you want!
So, don’t delay – contact us today to get your adventure started. Those hidden gems aren’t going to take any photos of themselves!
SEE OUR CAMPERVANSAbout the Author
Bastian Graf
Bastian is the Sales & Marketing Manager here at Travellers Autobarn. He holds a Master of Commerce in Marketing and International Business Management, and 20+ years experience in campervan hire, road trips and travel.
