The Most Photographed Places in New Zealand
- Publish Date
- Tuesday, 2 August 2016, 7:25AM
Shaun Jeffers - a photographer from England moved to New Zealand three years ago and set out to find out most iconic spots.
He'd seen all the most popular pictures - mountain ranges, lakes, churches and of course That Wanaka Tree and wanted his own versions.
"When I first arrived, I could go down to the tree and it was just me shooting," Jeffers said.
"Now, it's chaos."
The world is photo mad. Everyone has pictures of everything. Humanity now takes more photos in two minutes than it took throughout the entire 19th century, according to a 2012 analysis by photo storage website 1000 Memories!!!
And as we know, New Zealand is insanely beautiful so we're just sitting here waiting for people to take our photo!
Here's where you can find New Zealand's most photographed places.
BUILDING
Dunedin's Railway Station is not only the most photographed building in the country, but also said to be the second-most photographed building in the Southern Hemisphere (after the Sydney Opera House). Opened in 1906, it earned architect George Troup the nickname "Gingerbread George".
CHURCH
The Church of the Good Shepherd attracts more than 100,000 visitors a year. Located on the shores of Lake Tekapo, it looks stunning from all angles. It became so popular that the parish had to ban photography inside the church, due to disrespectful behaviour.
PUB
Established in 1863, Cardrona Hotel, on the Crown Range Road between Wanaka and Queenstown, is one of New Zealand's oldest and most recognisable pubs. It's best known for providing the backdrop to the Speight's Southern Man beer adverts.
ROCK
Just look at the stunner that is Cathedral Cove on the Coromandel Peninsula. Accessible only by foot or kayak, the sheltered cove is a popular spot for marriage proposals. It also featured in the film The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.
WATERFALL
This one is a battle between Whangarei Falls, Huka Falls in Taupo, and Purakaunui Falls in the Catlins. Whangarei Falls is a classic curtain waterfall, while Huka Falls is a thundering display of nature's might. At Purakaunui, you'll find a cascading, three-tiered beauty.
TOILETS
Yep, toilets! Kawakawa attracts visitors from all around the world because of their dunnys! The Hundertwasser Toilets were designed by Austrian-born artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who came to New Zealand in the 1970s and fell in love with the Northland town. They opened in 1999, and have the dubious honour of being the country's most photographed loos.
TREE
The twisted willow in the shallows of Roys Bay, Lake Wanaka - fondly known as That Wanaka Tree - is an Instagram superstar.