We have settled in well to our slow tour of NZ, constantly surprised at our discoveries. The South Island really is a great place to live in and be able to photograph. I haven’t quite figured out the disconnect of what I personally find interesting, and what the average tourist here does (or is steered towards by the marketers). A couple of hours in Queenstown, mecca for all visitors, is more than enough to me. Sure it is surrounded by beautiful scenery, but so is most of the island, in a less frenzied way.
What really catches my eye are the unique little buildings and establishments with personality. While heading from Queenstown to Gore we stopped in the little settlement of Athol. An intriguing building promised ‘Bed & Breakfast, coffee, hot chocolate’ as well as artworks. Inside we met the owner, a real character, who was busy working away in his studio out the back. Definitely more interesting to me than the average tourist shop.
Red Barn Studio, Athol