The Mackenzie Country has some of the biggest bang for buck when it comes to epic high country scenery. Glorious alpine lakes with the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, and even more beautifully framed during the lupin season when the whole area comes alive with an array of vibrant colour or during autumn when the whole basin is awash in copper and gold.
Lake Tekapo is the jewel of the crown here with the Church of the Good Shepherd always hugely popular with tourists, but for a quieter photography experience Lake Alexandrina and the various canals and lakes around Twizel (Wairepo Arm, Lake Ruataniwha and Kellands Pond) are often more calm and equally as beautiful. During the lupin season (end of November to mid January), fields of brightly coloured flowers pop up in all sorts of unexpected places, so it's worth driving around the whole area to find the best spots as they always change from year to year.
During autumn, the lakes around Twizel and Lake Pukaki are also framed by trees turning brilliant orange and red hues which makes a beautiful contrast to the intense aqua water colour and it can also be one of the calmest times to visit ensuring great reflections in your images. One of the more unusual sights in winter is a period of hoar frost, this can stay for days and turns the area around Twizel into an incredible winter wonderland.
For more Mackenzie Country inspiration, check out these posts:
7 Amazing Autumn Locations in NZ's South Island
To purchase images from this gallery and more, check out my Twizel & Tekapo Gallery at my online print store.
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