Photographer's Journey - Britz

Seven nights and 2,355 kilometres in a loop from Christchurch in a campervan, routed for photographs rather than efficiency, which means long driving days and early starts.

Lake Tekapo comes first, where the Church of the Good Shepherd stands alone on the shore above milky turquoise water and the dark sky reserve overhead is among the largest in the world. Lake Pukaki follows, with Peter’s Lookout on the road up the lake giving the clearest view of Aoraki across the water, and Mount Cook at the head of the valley.

Te Anau and Milford Sound come next through the Homer Tunnel, where Mitre Peak rises more than a kilometre and a half straight out of the water and is at its best in the last hour of light. Kaka Point and the Nugget Point lighthouse follow in the Catlins, a light on a narrow headland with rock stacks running out below it that faces east into the sunrise. Wanaka, Franz Josef and Arthur’s Pass close the loop back over the alps.

Britz supply the camper and the day-by-day plan, and the hire is priced live per vehicle rather than per person; campsites, fuel, ferries, park fees and activities are all extra, with a nil-excess insurance pack available at booking. Eight days for 2,355 kilometres is a hard schedule, and the route admits it: the point is to be in the right place at either end of the day rather than to linger. A camper suits this better than hotels, since the best light comes before check-in and after dinner and the parking is usually where the view is. Milford cruises need booking and Arthur’s Pass can close for snow in winter. Autumn gives the lowest light and the best colour across Central Otago.