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Queenstown is a beautiful town with stunning surroundings making it the perfect place to take amazing photos! I know this because I actually lived in Queenstown and loved it!
However, knowing exactly where to take the best photos for someone who doesn’t have much time can be difficult. Luckily though I’m going to share with you the 15 best places to enjoy some Queenstown Photography.
It’s going to include some obvious places but also some off-the-beaten-path spots that only a local would know!
15 Best Queenstown Photography Locations
1. Lake Wakatipu
Lake Wakatipu is probably the most popular Queenstown photography location on this list. Queenstown itself sits on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and it’s impossible to miss the lake during a visit to Queenstown.
This is because it’s so easy to access and so large that there are many amazing places for great photography!
With so many stunning mountain peaks in the background, it isn’t hard to see why Lake Wakatipu is so popular and so photographed!
There are a few great spots on Lake Wakatipu that make for the ideal Instagram shot. Some of the best ones include:
- 7 Mile Delta Track Carpark
- On a Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise
- On the Queenstown jetty
- Corner of Wakatipu Heights and Hensmen Road
- From Queenstown Beach
For an even better shot though, doing a little hiking will go a long way. Some of the best hikes in Queenstown for views of Lake Wakatipu include Queenstown Hill Walk, the Ben Lomond Summit Track, the Fernhill Loop and the Mt Crichton Loop Track.
Regardless of what viewpoints you visit or which hikes you do, one thing is for sure, while in Queenstown, you’re bound to get a photo of Lake Wakatipu – it’s essentially Queenstown’s’ backdrop!
Related Read: Be sure to go through our ultimate guide to Queenstown so you don’t miss a thing!
2. Queenstown Hill Walk
Queenstown Hill is the large hill right in Queenstown. Hiking to the top of Queenstown Hill is a popular activity for both locals and tourists alike. The view from the top of Queenstown Hill is just spectacular!
Along this trail, there are many opportunities to get amazing photos of Queenstown. However, the best is at the viewpoint at the top of Queenstown Hill.
From here you can not only photograph Queenstown itself but also Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables, Frankton, Ben Lomond, and many other mountain Peaks.
From the top, you get a 360-degree view of the area and can point and shoot in any direction!
This amazing photography opportunity does come at a price though. The Queenstown Hill Walk takes about an hour and it is straight-up the entire way. By the time you get to the top, you might be too sweaty to actually be in your photo!
3. Moke Lake
Moke Lake is most famous for the mirror-like reflections the lake creates. At Moke Lake on a calm day, the mountains that lie around the lake are reflected perfectly off the water.
If you’re after an even better place to shoot then you’ll need to hike up to the Moke Lake viewpoint. This viewpoint is only known to locals and is not signposted, however, I have a secret Moke Lake viewpoint blog post to help visitors find the trail.
When the sun sets Moke Lake also becomes a very popular spot among astrophotographers. Because of the mountains that surround Moke Lake, the area is blocked from much of the area’s light pollution. This makes the stars really stand out and it’s a very good spot to watch the Aurora in Queenstown.
Moke Lake is about a 30-minute drive from Queenstown town center and you will need access to a vehicle to get there. The majority of the drive is along a gravel road that is 4wd only during winter months (however I drive it all year round with a 2wd Toyota Hiace van with no problems.)
4. The Road Between Queenstown and Glenorchy
The Queenstown to Glenorchy road is said to be one of the most beautiful scenic drives in New Zealand. To be honest, I agree! There are literally hundreds of spots along this road to pull over and take amazing photos.
As you drive out you will pass plenty of small pullover bays and parking lots that offer stunning views. You can head out here at sunset, sunrise, or even at night to get some awesome shots. My favorite place to take Astro shots is along this road at one of the pullover bays at around the halfway mark at Bennett’s Bluff Lookout.
The road between Queenston to Glenorchy is 45km (28mi) long and takes around 1 hour to drive without stopping. If you truly want the freedom to shoot this area you will need your own car to get there.
If you don’t have transport, there are lots of tours that drive this road including this half-day scenic tour and this Lord of the Rings Tour which goes to Glenorchy. I’ve personally done this LOTR tour and loved it!
You can rent a car in Queenstown here for a really reasonable price!
5. The Crown Range
The Crown Range is New Zealand’s highest main highway. It climbs up the mountains around Queenstown and then heads off to Wanaka. Just as you reach the highest point of the Crown Range, there is a pullover bay and it is here that you’ll get the stunning views of Queenstown and the surrounding area.
This was the first place I ever took a photo when I arrived in Queenstown with all my belongings from Auckland. If you have the time and love photography (or just amazing views) make the trip up to the Crown Range and enjoy a sunset up there!
From Queenstown, the top of the Crown Range is around an hour’s drive. In winter you must check weather conditions before leaving as the Crown Range often closes during snowfall.
Related Read: If visiting Queenstown in spring or summer take a quick trip to the Lavender Farm in Wanaka
6. Glenorchy
Glenorchy is nicknamed the “gateway to paradise” and it only takes one trip there to see why. This small town of only 200+ people is located on the doorstep of both Fiordland National Park and Mt Aspiring National Park, arguably two of New Zealand’s most popular national parks.
From the local jetty to the outer attractions such as the Routeburn track there is so much to explore. However, one of my favorite places is the Mirror Lakes.
These small swamp-like lakes are the perfect place to catch the reflection of the impressive Humbolt Mountains. To get to the lakes, head to the Glenorchy Lagoon walkway just outside of town towards the Routeburn track.
Other than the Mirror Lakes there are plenty of other unique spots along the lake’s edge and in the surrounding mountains just waiting to be explored!
As mentioned above, Glenorchy takes around an hour to reach from Queenstown by car. However, this photography mission should be paired with the drive-out and will likely take most of the day if you’re a keen photographer.
Related Read: Hang out with the farm animals at the Glenorchy Animal Expereince
7. Skyline Gondola / Bob’s Peak
This Queenstown photography location is likely the most iconic and it’s plastered over thousands of postcards throughout New Zealand. The famous shot from the Skyline Building at the top of the gondola is a shot that should be on everyone’s Queenstown photography bucket list.
The best time to take photos here is at sunrise, however, the only problem is the gondola doesn’t open that early. Luckily there is another way up but you have to walk.
The Tiki Trail, is the track that winds its way up through the forest towards Bob’s Peak. This hike takes around an hour to complete and the path is reasonably well maintained. With that said, there are a few sections that could be dangerous in the dark so be sure to take a flashlight if you hike up for sunrise.
If hiking up is not your thing then consider going up for a sunrise shoot! You can book your Queenstown Gondola Ticket online in advance.
8. The Remarkables
The Remarkables Mountain Range is famous for being the subject of stunning photos but did you know these mountains also provide the best vantage point? Using the access road to the Remarkables Ski Field you can get yourself high above Queenstown and get a very unique view of the area.
If you’re feeling even more adventurous then park your car and start hiking one of the many trails within the ski field. These hikes include the famous Lake Alta hike.
Of course, during Queenstown’s winter, you will need snowshoes and will have to dodge the thousands of skiers and snowboarders, but in summer, this area is actually very peaceful!
From Queenstown, it takes around 45 minutes to reach the top parking lot of the Remarkables. In winter, it is recommended that you carry snow chains. In summer, NZ Ski (owners of the road) is now charging $10 per car to drive up to the ski field.
9. Ben Lomond
For those who like to hike, Ben Lomond is a treat. It is an incredible hike with 360-degree views you can’t even imagine until you are there for yourself.
The hike to the summit takes around 7 hours from Queenstown however you can shorten that by taking the Gondola up to Bob’s Peak. From Bobs Peak, the summit is only around 5 hours return instead of 7 which makes this rather challenging hike more manageable with lots of camera gear!
If the summit still seems too much then you can always just hike to the saddle. From the top of the gondola, the saddle is only a few hours return and the views are still breathtaking.
This is one of the most beautiful hikes in Queenstown and therefore is common to see on Instagram! In the winter, it isn’t always possible to hike to the summit as it can get very icy and dangerous, but in the summer, this hike is a great way to spend a day.
10. Jacks Point Golf Course Lake
This is a very random spot I found one day while out looking for new places to shoot. I stumbled across it after seeing the golf course had a lake and just had to see what kind of views I could get from it. In the end, what I found was one of the most breathtaking reflections I have ever shot.
To find this place just drive out to the Jacks Point Golf Course and walk around the lake. It won’t be hard to find this exact spot by looking for the pyramid-looking mountain pictured below.
The one problem with this spot is the area is under major development and is changing rapidly. The last time I was there you could still access the lake and I think it will stay that way, but who knows.
I also recommend wearing hiking boots or old shoes as the area seems to be much muddier since construction started nearby!
Related Read: Want to soak up more sights? Here are the most scenic bike tours in Queenstown that you can do!
11. Lake Hayes
Another favorite spot on our Queenstown photography locations list is another stunning lake called Lake Hayes. Lake Hayes is around a 20-minute drive from Queenstown and is a beautiful place to both visit, and photograph.
Around the lake, there is a walkway and from here you can explore all the different parts of the lake looking for the composition you’re after. A hot tip is to find the Lake Hayes Jetty, it is somewhere around the lake but I unfortunately never got time to find or photograph it!
If you don’t have a car then you can get the bus to lake Hayes. You can find out how in this Queenstown bus journey planner.
12. Arthurs Point
Arthurs Point is the famous place where Queenstown’s best jet boating operator the Shotover Jet operates. From Queenstown, it only takes 10 minutes to reach Arthurs Point and there you can park up and explore.
There is a viewpoint (pictured above) that gives you amazing views of the Shotover Canyon and River. Here is a great place to take some photos.
If you get thirsty from all that work then the Canyon Brewery is located only right next to the viewpoint and is considered one of Queenstown’s best breweries!
13. The Wanaka Tree
Ok, so this location isn’t technically in Queenstown but you can reach Wanaka in about an hour from Queenstown. For that reason, I just had to include a few stops in Wanaka.
The Wanaka Tree is arguably the most famous tree in New Zealand. Located on the shores of Lake Wanaka only 5 minutes from town, this lone willow tree should be on every photographer in Queenstown’s bucket list!
The best time to shoot the tree is at sunrise or sunset, however, be warned that at sunset the Wanaka Tree is a busy place to be!
14. Roy’s Peak
Another location in Wanaka every photographer must visit is Roy’s Peak. I know this place gets a bad rep for being super busy but it’s really that beautiful!
If you do want to avoid the crowds then be sure to hike Roy’s Peak at sunrise. During the first hour of light, you’ll likely share the peak with only a handful of people.
Plus, there are lots of other great views than the classic photo spot, like the one above taken a 10-minute walk from the classic photo spot!
15. Bob’s Cove Viewpoint
Last but certainly not least brings us to one of the most underrated viewpoints in Queenstown, Bob’s Cove Viewpoint. Accessed via Bob’s Cove Track this stunning viewpoint is about capturing the color of the lake and the greenery around it.
The trail to the viewpoint is easy and only takes about 30 minutes to reach from the start of Bob’s Cove Track. I have always wanted to get up here for sunrise but have never had the chance to!
Related Read: Find out where the best photo spots in Mount Cook National Park are for after you complete your photography tour in Queenstown.
3 BEST Queenstown Photography Tours
If you aren’t comfortable driving to several of these unfamiliar photography locations, aren’t renting a car, or want the convenience of transport then joining a Queenstown photography tour may just be the option for you. While it will obviously be more structured and eliminate some of the spots I mentioned above they have some of their own perks that going on your own won’t include.
Firstly, not driving will give you the chance to relax, look at the views in between each location, or even switch out your equipment. Second, your guides will be highly skilled in photography and know the area well so they can help give you pointers within each location. Finally, they will teach you camera settings and help answer any photo or camera-related questions you have to help improve the composition of your shot.
Below are my recommendations for photography tours in Queenstown:
Half-Day Queenstown Photography Tour – Top-rated and reviewed Queenstown photography tour on Viator that visits Skippers Canyon. This tour lasts for 5 hours and leaves from Queenstown with the option for pick up.
Half Day Photography Tour of Queenstown, Skippers, and Glenorchy – Cheapest options available that also lasts for around 5 hours. You’ll have the option to customize your itinerary and even the tour start time. Water and snacks are included.
Full Day Queenstown and Southern Lakes Photography Tour – The most expensive tour but it’s also the longest Queenstown photography tour that will take around 9 hours. Everyone will start in the hills around Queenstown. The tour can cover a broad range of terrain, from mountains, waterfalls, lakes, and valleys. You choose which direction you want to be taken in. Light snacks are provided (maybe bring your own lunch) and an option to rent a camera if you don’t have one.
Renting a Car or Campervan in New Zealand
The first step to planning your New Zealand road trip is choosing your set of wheels! Most people rent a campervan or motorhome to get around, but you can also just rent a normal car and stay in hotels (as opposed to camping.)
You can search for rental cars online with Discover Cars in advance to compare car models and prices. We’ve used this website all over the world and if you want more details, read our honest review of Discover Cars for more details!
You can also do this with motorhomes and campervans on a website called Motorhome Republic. It shows all of the available campervans and motorhomes for your specific New Zealand road trip dates. You can compare prices and company reviews here too!
JUCY is our personal favorite campervan rental company in NZ. We love JUCY because they have such a range of both cars and campervans available, so you’re pretty much guaranteed to find something to suit your budget and travel style.
We’ve actually secured an exclusive discount code for our readers with JUCY. Just click here to browse their availability and use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off! What a good deal!
You can check prices, availability and book with JUCY online here.
Star RV is another company we personally recommend but specifically for motorhomes! They offer larger motorhomes (as opposed to budget campervans) at really reasonable rates.
Star RV has actually given us a discount code for our readers too! Use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off your motorhome rental! Click here to browse availability, prices, and book with our discount code!
Note: For both Star RV and JUCY, no discounts or promotions will be applied for pickups from December 16, 2024 to January 19, 2025 for New Zealand and Australia. But for the entire rest of the year, the discount is yours!
Thanks for reading!
If you like taking photos then Queenstown is a great place to visit! With these 15 Queenstown photography locations I have listed above you’re guaranteed to get some awesome shots.
The beautiful places to explore in and around Queenstown are literally endless! The best thing to do is to explore for yourself and make finding the perfect Instagram photo an adventure all on its own!
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this blog. I really hoped you have a great list of Queenstown photography locations to check out!
If you have any questions please leave them below in the comments section and we will get back to you!
If not then be sure to check out all our Queenstown and New Zealand blogs! We have lots of amazing travel guides to help plan your trip. Alternatively, you can check out the related articles below!
Free and cheap activities in Queenstown
Queenstown to Milford Sound road trip itinerary
