New Zealand is a place where the imposing natural landscapes rule and sheep outnumber the locals six to one, so it’s no wonder so many independent travellers are so drawn to this pristinely kept country. Arguably the jewel in this country’s crown is the South Island, New Zealand’s wilderness backcountry and a place which has provided the backdrop to many big-budget movies. I spent a dreamy few weeks touring the sublime forests, towering snow-capped alps, unsullied beaches, unearthly blue glacier-fed lakes and unique fiords which have made New Zealand one of the most beautiful, unspoilt travel destinations on earth. Here is my South Island photos in BIG pictures…
Lake Tepako
Queenstown
Lake Wanaka
Moke Lake
Milford Sound
Mirror Lake, Fiordland National Park
Franz Josef, Glacier Country
The West Coast
How to get around
There’s a number of hop-on, hop-off bus operators running in New Zealand both on the North and the South Island. I travelled with Naked Bus which offers low-cost long-distance transport services on a flexible bus pass (but separate one-off journeys are also available). They keep the costs low by offering a low frills service, so don’t expect too many luxuries, but I loved that the drivers always stopped at beauty stops en route to your destination so you can take photos. They also always ran on time, I found the online booking process very easy to navigate and I also got to travel with a friendly bunch of travellers – always a welcome thing when you’re travelling solo! For more information on this type of affordable travel visit Nakedbus.com
All photos taken by Becky Padmore with a Leica V-lux camera.
32 Comments
Kelly Harris
5 November, 2015 at 11:19 pmI love New Zealand. We spent 3 weeks there and it was not enough. Your pictures are gorgeous? What was your favorite part? Favorite thing you did?
Gretel
15 June, 2015 at 3:14 amWhat stunning photos! South Island is such a special place. I feel like having to see those breath-taking views is such a privilege!
Becky Moore
24 August, 2015 at 1:31 pmThank you Gretal!
kelly
4 June, 2015 at 8:52 pmThere is no place like home! After years of travelling the world, I don’t think there is anywhere that takes my breathe away more than New Zealand. Such beautiful photos x
Becky Moore
24 August, 2015 at 1:32 pmThank you! You’re very lucky to call such an incredible place home!
Hira Mahnoor
9 May, 2015 at 6:50 amAmazing! Every pic is perfect! Nice camera work. I also want to visit New Zealand now!
Becky Moore
22 May, 2015 at 1:45 pmThank you Hira! You wouldn’t regret a visit I promise!
April
2 May, 2015 at 6:57 amTruly fantastic shots of New Zealand, keep up the excellent work! 🙂
Becky Moore
4 May, 2015 at 1:35 amThank you April! 🙂
Shikha (whywasteannualleave)
28 April, 2015 at 1:55 pmI don’t know why but for a long time, a visit to New Zealand had never particularly been on my radar or wish list but it’s only since blogging and seeing so many incredible posts and photographs of the wonderful scenery that I finally get it!! And that’s just from photos so I can’t imagine how pretty it must be in real life! It’s also great to hear the bus options for travelling there as so many people talk about needing to hire a car so it’s good to hear how else travellers can see the area. Absolutely breathtaking photos
Becky Moore
29 April, 2015 at 9:55 amThank you Shikha! If and when you do get to visit you’ll instantly realise what all the fuss is about! 🙂
Suze The Luxury Columnist
28 April, 2015 at 11:16 amI love these giant pictures, your photos of the West Coast look amazing, makes me want to visit!
Becky Moore
29 April, 2015 at 10:00 amThank Suze, the West Coast if by far the most underrated destination in NZ 🙂
Nick
27 April, 2015 at 8:49 pmWow! Every picture is perfect. Great camera work. Would love to visit New Zealand
Becky Moore
27 April, 2015 at 11:00 pmThank you Nick 🙂
MySuitcaseDiary
26 April, 2015 at 9:38 amWow such beautiful nature, was visiting Australia couple month ago, sad i haven’t enough time to see New Zealand…
Becky Moore
26 April, 2015 at 1:05 pmShame you’ll have to go back 🙂
Emma
26 April, 2015 at 7:18 amWow, wow, wow they are all really fantastic! Would love to go to New Zealand and see everyone of these places!!
Becky Moore
26 April, 2015 at 1:05 pmThanks Emma, hope you get there one day! 🙂
John hulme
25 April, 2015 at 2:42 pmBeautiful photo’s of a beautiful place Becky, I can see why it is very popular with the film industry..!
Becky Moore
26 April, 2015 at 1:06 pmThanks John, yes incredible scenery! 🙂
Scott
25 April, 2015 at 2:14 pmAmazing photos, brings back happy memories of my Kiwi trip!
Pauline
25 April, 2015 at 9:39 amWow, incredible photos, such a photogenic place. Would love to go there.
Becky Moore
26 April, 2015 at 1:07 pmThanks Pauline, hope you do one day 🙂
marc
25 April, 2015 at 3:56 amBeautiful Images. I have seen some those places. I have lived in NZ for 6 months and it was simply amazing.
Becky Moore
26 April, 2015 at 1:08 pmLucky you, would have loved to have stayed longer! 🙂
Angela
24 April, 2015 at 10:47 pmGreat images and wrap up. The South Island is one of my favorite places!
Becky Moore
26 April, 2015 at 1:09 pmThank you mine too now! 🙂
Katie Featherstone
24 April, 2015 at 7:07 pmGorgeous photos- New Zealand is so beautiful. I’ve never visited Moke Lake but I love that photo. 🙂
Becky Moore
26 April, 2015 at 1:10 pmMoke Lake was one of my favourite places, off the beaten track and hardly any tourists! 🙂
Sand In My Suitcase
24 April, 2015 at 6:54 amAwesome photos! We’ve only visited New Zealand’s North Island – guess we’re going to have to visit the South Island now :-).
Becky Moore
26 April, 2015 at 1:36 pmThank you, it’s definitely worth going back and seeing it!