In May of 2015, I took a sabbatical to adventure around the South Island of New Zealand. I had made no plans or expectations for this trip, keeping each day and night as a unexpected as the next. In a moth’s time I managed to shot over 6000 photos,  3k of which were of the night sky.


The following is a star filled compilation of photos from the different places I camped and explored during my NZ travels. I shot these with a Nikon D800, with each frame being a 30 second expose. My camera settings varied slightly from night to night, but in general I shot at 14mm, f2.8, with and ISO of ~3200 +/-

Star Trails over that Lone Tree – Wanaka. NZ

That Lone Tree – Wanaka. NZ

That Lone Tree – Wanaka. NZ

Camping at Gunn Lake – Milford Sound. NZ
I met two great French men on this night, Gwenn and Gwendal!

From the Liver Pool Hut, high up over the Matukituki Valley
Mt. Aspiring National Park – Wanaka, NZ

From the Aspiring Hut – Matukituki Valley
Mt. Aspiring National Park – Wanaka, NZ

As a member of the American Alpine Club, I was able to access additional resources that aided my travels while in New Zealand.  The below photo was shot from the Aspiring Hut, in the Matukituki Valley on the banks of Cascade Stream, Mount Aspiring National Park (near Wanaka, NZ)..  The Aspiring Hut is owned and operated by the New Zealand Alpine Club, and their reciprocity with the AAC gave me the same discounts as a NAC member. Not to mention the the piece of mind of the $10k in rescue insurance while attempting to summit Mt. Barff the day before (an odd name for a mountain, I know).  When adventuring on a budget, ever bit of support helps.

Star Trails above Fox Glacier, NZ

Star Trails over Golden Bay from Mt. Arthur Hut, NZ

Star Trails over Mt. Arthur from Mt. Arthur Hut, NZ

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