Queenstown Locations Guide

Queenstown gives you more variety within a short drive than almost anywhere else in the world: alpine peaks, still lakes, golden tussock, and quiet forest, often all visible from the same spot. Here's a closer look at some of my favourites, and what makes each one work for a photoshoot.

Moke Lake

Quick take: A bit of a drive out, but that's exactly why it works: quiet, private, and surrounded by mountains.

The detail: The gravel road out to Moke Lake keeps the crowds away, which is exactly the point. Privacy, mountains and mirror reflective water on a still day, this is one of my favourite spots.

A young woman with blonde hair is hugging a tall young man with black hair, standing at a lakeside with mountains in the background. The woman is smiling and has her hand on the man's chest, while the man is looking down at her. They are dressed warmly, indicating cool weather.

Person reaching out towards a mountain and lake landscape with their hand.

A couple dancing and smiling near a lake in a mountainous landscape with grassy terrain.

The REMARKABLES

Quick take: Dramatic alpine backdrop, accessible year-round, minimal hiking required.

The detail: The Remarkables offer a dramatic alpine backdrop year-round, snow-capped tops in winter, golden tussock in summer, with minimal walking required to reach a strong viewpoint. A favourite for couples wanting real mountain scale in their wedding or celebration photos.

A couple dancing in a grassy field during sunset, with mountains, a river, and a lake in the background.

A couple embracing outdoors during sunset with mountains and a river in the background.

A silhouette of a vintage off-road vehicle and a person near a couple of dogs on a grassy hill during sunset, with mountains in the background.

Homestead Bay

Quick take: Tucked into Jack's Point, golden grass and lake frontage with views out toward the Remarkables.

The detail: Set within Jack's Point, Homestead Bay pairs golden tussock grass with lake frontage and views toward the Remarkables. A strong option for couples staying nearby who want an elegant, easy-access location for wedding, celebration or elopement photography.

A pregnant woman with black hair in a white sweater and black skirt standing in a field, looking at a man and a dog in the background with mountains behind them.

A couple and their dog standing in a field, with snow-capped mountains and a body of water in the background, viewed from inside a vehicle.

A pregnant woman with dark hair and light skin standing by a pond in a natural landscape, with a man with light skin and reddish hair looking at her, snow-capped mountains and leafless trees in the background.

Coronet Peak

Quick take: Drive-up mountain views facing straight across to the Remarkables, no 4WD required.

The detail: Coronet Peak is one of the most accessible high-altitude locations near Queenstown; a sealed road takes you most of the way up, with the Remarkables sitting directly opposite across the valley. There is a private lake a short walk up the hill which is one of my favourite spots to take photos at.

A pregnant woman and a man dancing on a dock near a lake with green hills in the background.

A couple is dancing by a small lake in a hilly, grassy landscape with wildflowers in the foreground.

A pregnant woman and a man sit in a grassy field with rolling hills and mountains in the background.

Lake Hayes

Quick take: Still, mirror-like water and a golden sunset.

The detail: Lake Hayes is one of the most photographed spots near Queenstown for good reason; on a calm morning, the water turns to glass, doubling the mountains behind it. A favourite for celebration, elopement and engagement photography when you want that classic, reflective South Island backdrop without a long drive.

A couple holding hands outdoors during sunset, with the focus on their hands and an engagement ring on the woman.

A couple embracing outdoors during sunset with mountains and a lake in the background.

Woman's hand with an engagement ring, facing a sunset over a lake and hills.

Kelvin Heights

Quick take: A short water taxi or drive from town, with views toward Walter Peak and the Remarkables.

The detail: A short water taxi or drive from Queenstown's waterfront brings you to Kelvin Heights, with views back toward Walter Peak and the Remarkables. An easy way to add a genuine sense of arrival to your wedding or celebration day without a long drive.

A couple sitting on a grassy field with a dog, mountain range in the background, cloudy sky.

A pregnant woman standing in a field holding her belly, wearing a sleeveless top and jeans, with mountains in the background.

A couple enjoying a walk in an open field with mountains in the background, smiling and holding hands.

Bayonet Peak

Quick take: An alpine landing near Cecil Peak, with views leaning more toward the Remarkables.

The detail: Bayonet Peak sits close to Cecil Peak on the same short helicopter flight zone. Its exposed ridgeline opens up toward the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu, giving a genuinely different photo from a very similar flight time. Cecil Peak is another popular option nearby, and the two are often paired together or used as alternatives to each other depending on the day and conditions.

Group of six people celebrating on a hilltop overlooking a lake and mountains.

A helicopter parked on a grassy hill overlooking a lake and mountain range, with a group of people near the edge of the hill.

A couple standing on a grassy hill by a lake with mountains in the background, embracing and holding drinks.

Quick take: A historic gorge with dramatic rock formations and vast mountain views, about 30 minutes from town.

The detail: Skippers Canyon is hand-carved history; a narrow gorge road built by gold miners over 140 years ago, opening up into vast, rugged mountain views and striking rock formations. It pairs well with Coronet Peak on the way in or out, and on a clear night it's one of the best spots around for astro photography.

Skippers canyon

Quick take: Historic streets and golden autumn colour, a softer, storybook feel.

The detail: Historic Arrowtown offers a softer, storybook feel, golden autumn colour, old stone buildings, and tree-lined streets that contrast beautifully against the alpine and lakeside locations above. A strong choice for couples wanting a different texture in their celebration or wedding gallery.

Arrowtown

Quick take: A stony beach on Lake Wakatipu along the Glenorchy road, sheltered and easy to access.

The detail: Along the Glenorchy road, Bob's Cove is a sheltered stony beach right on Lake Wakatipu; easy to reach, easy to shoot, with the lake and surrounding hills doing all the work. A reliable choice when you want a beautiful Queenstown wedding or celebration location without complicated logistics.

Bob's Cove

Quick take: Secluded and low-key, tucked away from the main roads.

The detail: Lake Johnson sits close to Queenstown but stays quiet, tucked behind bush-lined tracks most visitors drive straight past. A good choice for an intimate celebration or elopement location that still feels wild, without the drive time of somewhere like Moke Lake.