Join us for an unforgettable adventure to the West Coast!
One of the highlights for our region, will be our planned trip to the West Coast. We have a number of members on the Coast that we want to support, and they have promised to make this an epic weekend for us. We hope to make this trip part photographic, part social, part adventure.
We will base ourselves at Punakaiki, and currently have several cabins reserved at the motor camp.
We have also booked an optional half day trip on the Nile River in Charleston, with Underworld Adventures. This is a truly magical journey through pristine West Coast bush, partly by narrow gauge railway before venturing into the biggest glow worm cavern system you will have ever seen, followed by river rafting back to base. If you think that Shotover jet or Bungy jumping represents NZ tourism, you will seriously blown away with this trip.
After earlier queries, it may pay to point out – this is NOT white water rafting. Rather, it has in part, a tube journey through the later part of the cave system. You’ll get your own tyre to lie back on, to wonder at the glow worm spectacle above. Often the tour will hook you altogether for this part, and let you slowly drift in unison. After that, you’ll pop out of the cave system, before tubing down river to the pick up point. Wet suits, helmets, lights etc are all provided. It is quite safe, and not at all a white knuckle trip! Suitable for GoPro’s, Insta360’s and other waterproof cameras.
We have also asked the crew about their walking tour – that doesn’t do the tubing. For those a little less likely to get wet, or are not quite as confident, this may still provide an option.
(To be honest, an absolute highlight I assure you, will be floating through the glowworm cavern – I totally promise you!)
BUT that isn’t all!! We have Stewart, Lydia, Jules and Jase planning some magical ‘local’s only’ photo locations. You know those wee gems of places you may not see from the main road, but are truly stunning?! Rachel Roberts, fresh back from aurora hunting in Iceland, is on board, and hopes to assist us with some astro shooting.
Proposed Itinerary
Fri night 17th April Welcome drinks / nibbles at the Nimmo studio hosted by Lydia and Stewart Nimmo, Greymouth
Sat am 18th April Choose either
Underworld Adventures trip, Charleston, for those keen.
or
Location Shoot A – TBC, to be led by one of our esteemed local guides somewhere magical!
Sat late pm Location Shoot B – TBC, but most likely at Motukiekie at low tide / sunset, carefully led by our local insiders!
Sat Dinner Punakaiki Tavern
Sat night Astro shoot hosted / guided by the talented Rachel Roberts
Sun am 19th April Location Shoot C – TBC, somewhere remarkable by our local guides!
(should numbers exceed the Underworld Adventures tour capacity on Sat, we will duplicate this on Sunday, and repeat the first location shoot)
Sun mid afternoon Return to home
Estimated Trip Cost
$100.00 Shared cabin accomodation two nights, Punakaiki Motor Camp.
$ 50-80 Shared fuel / RUC, from CHCH return. Carpool TBC once numbers known, paid to driver direct.
At this stage leave Fri late afternoon / early evening
Return Sunday afternoon.
$ O.T.Y. Own food / drinks
Optional Extra
$ 220.00 Full Tube and Canyon experience, Nile River, Underworld Adventures, Charleston (note, we have a group discount)
Or
$150 Walking ‘Dry Tour’ only, Nile River, Underworld Adventures, Charleston (Also with a group discount)
We apologise that the timing of our request prior to Christmas was not ideal. GivenChristmas costs, and the call for tickets to our National Conference.
We are happy to say we will keep spots open until our Feb meeting. We have ~18 already coming, including interest from other regions.
Yet events like this don’t happen by magic – we will need to book well in advance.
Please indicate too, if you would like to do the caving (wet or dry) option.
$100 Trip Deposit Members
$150 Trip Deposit Non members / Partners
Canterbury/Westland regional bank account:
NZ INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY INC
02-0256-0262039-005
Note, the deposit is not refundable. This will be used to cover your cabin accomodation, and most probably Fri night nibbles.
We need this to ensure your commitment, so we can plan with certainty, to secure enough beds / caving spots in advance.
Remaining balance to be paid late February, incl. Underworld Adventures.
Any questions, please sing out!
West Coast graphic photo credits : Jase Blair, John Foster, Tony Stewart, Lydia Nimmo, Underworld Adventures
