Who is Scott?
Want to know more about me before joining the workshop? Watch this short video where I share a bit about my journey, my passion for photography, and what drives my creative process.
South Island Aerial Workshop – May 2026 (Now Live)
Meet in Christchurch, New Zealand
Over the past decade, I’ve spent countless hours exploring New Zealand’s South Island, both from the air and on the ground. It’s a place that never stops surprising me, and now I’m putting together a workshop to share some of these incredible locations with you.
Joining me is my good friend, colleague, and fellow professional landscape photographer Paul Hoelen, who will be co-leading this adventure. Paul is originally from New Zealand, and his deep local knowledge, paired with his fun yet professional approach, will make this an extra special workshop experience in 2026
One of the biggest highlights will be an aerial flight out of Fox Glacier, Glenorchy and or Tekapo, offering a unique perspective of the Southern Alps — a chance to see and capture this landscape in a way few ever do.
We’re also working closely with local operators, ensuring we follow New Zealand’s strict regulations for exploring these beautiful lands. This means peace of mind when navigating this mesmerizing environment, knowing everything is done safely, responsibly, and with the utmost respect for the landscape.
South Island Aerial and Landscape Photography Workshop — Itinerary Overview
This itinerary is a rough guide to where we’ll be heading and that’s by design. Paul and I run our workshops in a dynamic, flexible fashion so we can dodge bad weather when it’s time to fly (and sometimes chase it when we want moody light on the ground). We’ve secured takeoff locations throughout the South Island, giving us the freedom to adapt and get you in the air snapping like mad when the conditions line up.
This workshop includes 1.5 hours of flight time per person, using a mix of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft across across different locations, weather depending. These flights have been handpicked to offer the best possible access to the South Island’s incredible alpine terrain.
While the aerial component is a major focus and a huge drawcard of this workshop, it’s important to know that this trip is about so much more than just being in the air. Unlike our purely aerial workshops in Western Australia, the South Island offers a richness and variety on the ground that rivals what we’ll see from above. Towering peaks, moody forests, glacial rivers, and winding alpine passes — there’s photographic gold around every corner.
We’ll be spending plenty of time working from the ground as well as the air, and when airspace allows, we’ll make use of drones. While a drone isn’t essential for this trip, if you own one, we highly recommend bringing it. This isn’t a drone-focused workshop, but Paul, myself, and our guide will find you places to fly when we can in our downtime, and some of the private properties we’re staying on will be absolutely ideal — quiet, remote, and wide open. So while drones aren’t central to this experience, there will definitely be opportunities to put yours to good use if you bring one along.
We’ve also lined up optional extra flight time in Fox Glacier, Glenorchy, and Tekapo for those who want to take it further, depending on budget and conditions.
Please note: Flights to and from Christchurch are not included.
Accommodation and Travel Style
We’ll be cruising around in a Mercedes Sprinter van, with plenty of room for all our gear but still compact enough to get us into remote areas and up tight roads. Our driver and guide has over 15 years of experience navigating the South Island, and combined with Paul and I’s knowledge of the region, you’ll be in good hands to just sit back, enjoy the ride, and focus on shooting.
Accommodation is a mix of large-style Airbnbs and a few nights in regular motel or hotel rooms where needed. The bulk of the trip will be spent staying on some of the South Island’s most stunning private properties, where we’ll have spacious houses all to ourselves. Each participant gets their own private bedroom, and the shared spaces allow for a relaxed, communal atmosphere that really adds to the experience.
Think big homes set on acres of land, often with sweeping views, private access, and peaceful surroundings. These aren’t your typical tour lodgings. This is your own slice of New Zealand for the time we’re there, and it makes a massive difference to the overall vibe of the workshop.
Meals and Group Vibe
While meals aren’t included in the price, we’ll be eating as a group most nights, either at local pubs, restaurants, or cooking at our shared houses depending on the location. Breakfasts will generally be grab-and-go style since we’ll be chasing early light, and lunches will be a mix of roadside stops, bakery runs, and the occasional proper café or pub meal.
It’s a road trip adventure at heart, and the flexibility keeps things exciting and photogenic. If you’re someone who enjoys good company, epic locations, and the freedom to follow the light wherever it leads, this trip is built for you.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass
We kick off the adventure by heading west from Christchurch into the Southern Alps. First stop is Castle Hill, a surreal landscape of massive limestone boulders that looks like something straight out of a fantasy film. It’s a favourite for moody, wide-angle landscapes. Then it’s on to Punchbowl Falls, one of the most dramatic waterfalls in Arthur’s Pass National Park. Expect misty forest vibes, long exposures, and maybe some drone work if the conditions are kind.
Day 2 – Down to Franz Josef and Fox Glacier
We make our way down the wild West Coast into the lush, rainforest-wrapped glacier country. These two glaciers are iconic for a reason and if the weather plays nice, we’ll take to the skies for some jaw-dropping aerials. The region also has epic ground-based options with moody alpine forests, reflective lakes, and snow-capped peaks peeking through the clouds.
Day 3 – More glacier goodness
Depending on conditions, we may stay grounded or head back up for a second flight. Lake Matheson is a stunner at sunrise and often gives those perfect mirror reflections of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. It’s a great day to balance air and ground work or take it a bit slower and focus on stronger compositions.
Day 4 – The Haast Pass drive
This is one of the most underrated photo drives in New Zealand. Waterfalls spill right onto the roadside, mossy forests glow green in the shadows, and winding rivers snake through dramatic gorges. We’ll stop at spots like Fantail Falls, Thunder Creek Falls, and the Blue Pools. Every corner has something worth shooting.
Day 5 – Wanaka
We’ll base ourselves near Wanaka and, because it’s basically written into New Zealand law, we’ll shoot the iconic Wanaka tree. The lake is beautiful especially at dawn and the surrounding area has everything from rolling farmland to mountain ridges. If the conditions are right we may see a dusting of snow on the peaks to really bring the drama.
Day 6 – Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
We head up to the big peaks. The base of Mount Cook is nothing short of epic. There are multiple flight options here from scenic loops over Tasman Glacier to sweeping arcs around the Southern Alps. On the ground, it’s all about glacial lakes, rocky trails, and the most dramatic terrain in the country.
Day 7 – Lake Tekapo
The turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo are almost otherworldly, especially with the possibility of snow on the hills. The Church of the Good Shepherd sits right on the lake and makes for an incredible foreground. If the skies clear, this is astro heaven. We’ll also make use of the daytime with drone work and lakeside compositions.
Day 8 – Final shoot and return to Christchurch
We wrap up the trip with a relaxed morning session either around Tekapo or somewhere along the way back. It’s the perfect chance to grab those final portfolio pieces before returning to Christchurch and calling it a wrap.
If you’d like to book your spot, just click BOOK NOW above. An email will be sent to us and we’ll get in touch to provide more detailed information and organise your booking confirmation and deposit.
We currently have two pre-bookings on this epic adventure, so spots are already starting to go. If you’re keen to be part of it, now’s the time to lock it in.
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