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Central West Coast 
5 Night Tour

 Landscape and Astro

When:         24th -29th May 2025
Where:        Central West Coast
Group Size: Minimum 2, maximum 3
Skill level:    Any
Cost:           $4450.00 | 20% deposit required

Highlights

  • Helicopter flight and landing, over either the Southern Alps and alpine wilderness hidden behind Hokitika OR wild southern beaches, estuaries, ancient rain forests and hidden river valleys, along our stunning Coastline. Weather will determine the route we take. 

  • Scenic sunset eco boat tour along the ancient and meandering Mahinapua waterway
     

  • Motukiekie Beach, with its stunning sea stacks and starfish dotted tidal reef

  • Astrophotography tuition with one of NZ's leading landscape astrophotographers under a bortle class 1 night sky 

Overview

On this 5 night adventure we'll be visiting some of the West Coast's most iconic scenes and hidden gems both day and night, all within a 90 minute drive from our base at Riverstone House, which is situated on the banks of the Taramakau River halfway  between Greymouth and Hokitika, owned and operated Rachel.

You'll have your own private king or queen bedroom with access to a full kitchen stocked with all the essentials, including continental breakfast provisions that you can help yourself to.

The tour commences at 3pm Saturday 24th of May and concludes Thursday 29th of May at 11am.


Included in this tour is an epic helicopter flight and landing, which will be determined on the day according to the weather. We may fly over the Southern Alps or along rugged coastline and ancient river valley's. A maximum of 3 participants on the workshop ensures you'll get a window seat.


We'll also take a sunset eco boat cruise along the stunning Mahinapua Creek where we will enjoy the tranquility of birdsong, ancient Rimu and Kamahi trees mirrored in the waterways, the snow-capped Southern Alps in the distance and outstanding West Coast flora, fauna and native rain forest 

The exact schedule will be determined according to the whole group’s photographic objectives, but the weather will be the main deciding factor, therefore I keep a flexible itinerary to accommodate this. Being based at the same accommodation for the duration of the tour means less time travelling and packing up our gear, and more time exploring the amazing locations this specific area has to offer. 

Places we may explore include the many bays and beaches of The Great Coast Road consistently rated among the top 10 drives in the world, including Motukiekie Beach, the Pancake Rocks and Blow Holes in Punakaiki, Woodpecker Bay and Seal Island, Tauranga Bay and Seal Colony, Charleston's Nile River, Constant and Joyce Bay along with the Pororari River and lagoon.

The bays of Lake Brunner, Lake Kaniere and Lake Mahinapua are also a photographers dream, as are our beautiful waterfalls such as Coal Creek Falls, Dorothy Falls and Carew Creek Falls.

Let's also not forget the world famous Hokitika Gorge with its white granite cliffs,  pristine mature podocarp forest and glacial blue waters.

       What you can learn

  • How to plan your compositions and timing to find the best light using apps such as Photopills

  • Wide-field Astrophotography

  • Settings and methods specific to your gear and skill level

  • Single frame exposure techniques 

  • Blended exposure techniques 

  • Long exposure techniques using filters if you have them

  • Milky Way and landscape panoramas (mosaics) and how to stitch them 

  • Post processing using Photoshop, Lightroom, plugins and PTGui, 


 

What to bring

  • Mirrorless or DSLR camera

  • Ideal lenses: 
    -A wide zoom lens for day landscapes such as, but not limited to, a 16-35mm 
    -A telephoto lens for day landscapes such as, but not limited to, a 70-200mm or 100-400mm
    -A fast and
    wide prime lens for astro; f/1.4 through to f/2.8 or 16mm through to 24mm for the best results, although up to f/4 is fine if your camera has high ISO capabilities. 

  • A tracker if you have one

  • Spare camera batteries and SD cards

  • Sturdy tripod (essential)

  • Filters if you have them

  • Waterproof camera sleeve

  • Travel umbrella

  • Lens heater (not essential but very helpful if you have a bulbous lens that is prone to fogging up at night)

  • Remote shutter or intervalometer if not in-built in your camera body

  • Laptop or desktop with Lightroom Classic and/or Photoshop installed.

  • Thermal base layers

  • Warm jacket*

  • Waterproof jacket

  • Gloves

  • Sturdy and warm footwear

  • Hat, hood or beanie

  • Head torch with a red light 

  • 2-3 lens cloths*

  • Water bottle

  • Snacks

  • Sunscreen

  • Insect repellent

    We can experience 4 seasons in 1 day on the Coast so please come prepared for anything​


    *The high humidity on the Coast causes dew. If bringing a puffer jacket, please bring a waterproof jacket to go over top. This also is why we need plenty of lens cloths in case your lens starts fogging up at night.

Physical Difficulty

A reasonable level of fitness is necessary to enjoy this workshop as we will be standing for long periods at night, in the cold. All locations we shoot will be within a short walk along bush tracks or the coastline. These are sometimes uphill, over uneven, icy ground, or rocky beaches and you will be responsible for carrying your own equipment. There may be a couple of longer walks (30-45 min one way) depending on the whole group fitness level. If your fitness or mobility is an issue please let me know in your application form.

Whats Included

  • 5 nights and 4 days of photography tuition in the field 

  • Accommodation at Riverstone House with your own private king or queen bedroom

  • 2 post processing sessions to make your images pop

  • Travel during the workshop in a comfortable 4WD Landcruiser

  • Daily continental breakfast provisions to help yourself to, including freshly baked bread, milk of your choice, yoghurt, seasonal fruit, cereals, fresh free range eggs, butter, spreads, plunger coffee and tea.

  • Full kitchen with all the essentials to cook and prepare your own meals should you wish to dine in

  • DOC concession fees

  • Comprehensive Safety Management Plan

  • Pick up/drop off at Hokitika airport

  • Digital workflow sheet spilling all my secrets on how I plan, shoot and edit an image from start to finish.

Whats not Included

  • Flights

  • Visas

  • Personal, travel and equipment insurance

  • Lunch, dinner and snacks

  • Alcohol

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