Half Day Skippers Canyon Queenstown Private Photography Adventure

Travel from your accommodation through rural countryside to Skippers Saddle, where the road into Skippers Canyon begins. This 22 km dirt road was cut through the mountains more than 130 years ago to reach the gold deposits of the Shotover River, and the journey still feels closely tied to that history.

The one lane road winds above steep valleys and through backcountry terrain, with the crystal blue Shotover River visible below in a narrow ravine. Along the way you pass named points such as Hell's Gate, Bus Scratch Corner and Pincher's Bluff, as well as distinctive rock formations including Gorilla Rock, the Lighthouse and Castle Rock. Each section of the drive opens up different views of distant ranges and snow capped peaks.

This is a photography focused tour led by a local landscape photographer who knows the road well in changing conditions. It suits both beginners and more experienced photographers, with practical guidance on composition and camera settings throughout the trip. Rather than simply stopping at viewpoints, your guide helps you work with the landscape in front of you, choosing subjects and refining how you frame them.

The tour also includes a take home guide to camera settings and a guide to composing strong photos.