NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURES - ON TOP OF THE WORLD

Our final night in Queenstown was definitely a special one. We took the Skylie Gondala to the top of the Ben Lomand Scenic Reserve and dined at the Skyline Buffet Restaurant. This is a must for anyone visiting Queenstown.
The gondala takes you high above the city to a variety of activities, including luge, mountain biking and I believe bungee jumping. Oh and of course the 5 star buffet dinner. The best we've had!

Godalas, Queenstown NZ © Rachel Pitt

This location also offers you same of the most breathtaking views in the world.
You can make your way up to the viewing platform at any time of the day until late at night. There were what looked to be a number of semi-pro photographers up there at the same time I was. I guess the $20 gondala ride is worth it though, even if you don't part take in any of the other activities.

I snuck a few quick frames in before dinner, as this was something to behold. A great end to great adventure. I will definitely be back there on day sooner rather than later.

The piece of land jutting out from the left of screen is actually Queenstown golf course. I could think of much worse places to swing a club.

Of the frames I captured, I liked this one the best. See what you think.

Catchya.
Josh :)

Atop Queenstown, NZ © Josh Pitt

NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURES - JET BOATING

Jet boating is very much a part of the extreme adventure cuture of Queenstown and on our way to check in to our hotel we spotted the jet boats carving up the Shotover River, which is located about 10 mintues from the centre of Queenstown. These boats take you on a ride through the Shotover River Canyons at up to 85km/h (51mi/h) in, at times, 10cm (4in) of water.

Shotover River Jet Boating © Rachel Pitt

Shotover Jet Boating © Rachel Pitt

 Whilst this was quite interesting to watch. I have to admit the whipering, turquiose coloured waters had originally caught my attention from atop the high river overpass. I knew I just had to get down there and shoot it.

Heading down to get the shot © Rachel Pitt

There were many layers to be had in this frame and I knew that I needed to watch out for oncoming jet boats whilst I was composing it.
Movement in the water was key, not to mention some other foreground subject to add some other interest. Plus I had the forest on other side of the stream demanding attention too. I snapped a number of exposures and I have included my favourite below. At only a 1.6 sec shutted speed, you can see just how quickly the water was moving. The finished image has a much more serene atmosphere than what was true when shooting the image. Especially when dodging the spray of drifting Jet boats.
I hope you like it.

Catchya
Josh :)

Shotover River, NZ © Josh Pitt

NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURES - CORONET PEAK

On the way back to Queenstown we took a detour to a tiny old style town called Arrowtown and had one of the best meals of our whole trip at a little pub called "Jonesy's", not to mention an awesome waffle ice cream. Whilst we were there we had a stroll around the shooping precinct.
Definitely a place we would frequent if we lived near there. So relaxing.

After our lunch we took another detour and went in seach of a well known location, especially if you are a skier/snowboarder - Coronet Peak.
We followed the signs until we came across the base of the road to take us to one of the most breathtaking views of Queenstown. We begun the 5  - 10 minute drive up the hill and were immediately in awe, we couldn't wait to get to the top!
Once there, we took a moment to take it all in and watch to group of paragliders entertaining us launching off the side of the mountain.

Paragliders, Coronet Peak NZ © Rachel Pitt

Dark clouds began to inhabit the sky, which created a better light to shoot.   
With alot of great areas to pull over and shoot, we settled down and I got out my camera to try and translate this amazing sight......
.....and this is what I saw.

Catchya
Josh

Coronet Peak, NZ © Josh Pitt

 

NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURES - MILFORD SOUND

Milford Sound, located on the west coast of New Zealands south island. Apparently our kiwi neighbours made a number of errors when naming this area.
Their first mistake was calling Milford Sound - Milford Sound. It is not actually a "Sound" at all. But rather a fjord. Which means it was formed by glacial activity rather than the ocean.
Now, to make amends for this oversight, our NZ friends decided to fix their error by calling to entire region Fiordland. There in lies their second error. "Fiord" is a Norwegian word, which is actually spelt "Fjord". Oops. Yep. Nevermind.

On this leg of our journey we stayed a couples of nights in a small town about 2-2.5 hours away from Milford Sound, called Te Anau. Which I believe is pronounced Tee-Are-Now. It is such a great small town, not to mention FREE WIFI!

Disappointingly, on this occasion, we couldn't go or stay for a sunrise or sunset. But instead do more the touristy thing and take in a cruise. Which was awesome! We were lucky enough to have a small pod of dolphins start swimming next to us, which apparently isn't too common around there. We also got to see some lazy male sea lions sunbaking on the rocks, learnt some history and interesting facts of the area. Not to mention saw some great scenery as we went. One of which was the Stirling Falls (pictured below), which deceivingly is approximately 155m (511ft) tall.
We were told that this is one of the few remaining waterfalls in Milford Sound, that is fed by melting glaciers. It won't be long until this majectic fall with have to rely on rainfall alone to operate.

It just goes to show that you should cease the day. As what's here today may not be tomorrow.

Stirling Falls, Milford Sound NZ