Exploring Tauranga and Historic Waihi
*** SOLD OUT ***
Come and join Jo and Lesley; on this adventure, you’ll be left with lasting memories of the stunning natural landscapes, the warmth of the local people we meet, places we visit and of course, the amazingly tasty food that we eat – welcome to Te Moananui ā Toi (the Coastal Bay of Plenty). This is an extra special weekend as the locals we meet and who host us are long-time friends.
Friday 13 November
Arrive in Tauranga in the morning, then we are off to meet the first of our home-hosts (Tonia) for lunch overlooking the golf-course. Along the way Lesley will work with you on your camera settings, giving you tips and advice plus answer any of your photography questions.
After lunch, we drive to Mt Maunganui (fondly known as the Mount), with an opportunity for landscape photography capturing photos surfers in action, then exploring Mt Maunganui followed by some time at one of the Mount’s locals.
Before we head out to walk around the evening market, Lesley will take you through the art of street photography.
Tonight for dinner we are spoilt for choice with the abundance of local restaurants. After dinner, we meet our second host Noelene for post dinner drinks.
Overnight accommodation at Anchorage Apartments – pack something to swim in as there is a pool to swim in.
Saturday 14 November
Before breakfast, an early morning start as we head to Salisbury Wharf to capture the sunrising over the Mount along with photographing the city lights of Tauranga during blue hour.
Today we meet some amazing ladies who demonstrate their felting skills, with an opportunity to ask more questions as we lunch with them.
On our way back to the Mount, we head to the Matapihi Rail Bridge for some architectural photography.
Time for a spot of shopping around Mt Maunganui this afternoon or spend time with Lesley for a street photography workshop.
Tonight, Jo will prepare a beautiful meal for us, served with local wines. Lesley will provide you with tips on the art of food photography.
After dinner, as our accommodation is nestled in the hills with no city lights for distraction, if anyone is up for it this makes for excellent long exposure photography fun with finger lights and glow-sticks.
Overnight accommodation at Anchorage Apartments.
Sunday 15 November
The second early morning start, this time capturing the sunrise at Papamoa Beach peeping through the sand spinifex.
After breakfast, we are off to Waihi for an almighty tasty 3-course lunch where we are hosted by Kate. Lesley’s parents were second generation poultry farmers and she spent her first 19 years on a poultry farm so looking forward to meeting this host as Kate’s home is a refurbished chook house.
We stop off for coffee at Karangahake Gorge and what a place for some amazing photos of the water rushing over the rocks; try your hand a landscape long exposure. Then off we head to Mills Reef Winery which was established in 1989 by the Preston family and is located just south of Katikati nestled in a rural setting.
What weekend is complete without visiting a family owned and operated orchard, so we are stopping off and meeting the family who run Bay Tropics; growers of passion fruit, tamarillos, avocados and feijoas.
Our last night together, so let’s celebrate over dinner and raise our glass to our new found #foodie and #photography buddies.
Overnight accommodation at Anchorage Apartments.
Monday 16 November
After breakfast you have an opportunity to shop and look around Mt Maunganui or Tauranga or for those who are interested, Lesley will be running a photography workshop on photo processing and tuition on Lightroom selective colour.
Afternoon transfer to the airport.
Tell me about the photography?
All levels of photography expertise are catered for (digital and smart phones) and beginners are VERY welcome. Lesley offers a great learning environment with expert guidance, instruction and personal attention. You will leave with increased confidence, motivation, inspiration and having met some new photography BFFs.
Lesley will help you make the most of the wonderful photographic opportunities on this tour – DSLR, mirrorless or smartphone.
- Architectural – Matapihi Rail Bridge
- Sunrise and blue hour – Salisbury Wharf, Mt Maunganui
- Long exposure – Mt Maunganui beach
- Landscape – Karangahake Gorge
- Street photography – Mt Maunganui
- Long exposure – light stick and finger lights
All attendees received an A5 photo journal, an invaluable notebook to make notes of camera settings plus a quick reference guide for each photography genre.
What do I need to bring?
An equipment list will be provided on booking, but you’ll need your smart phone or camera and lenses such as 18-55 and 55-250, tripod and ND filters.
What if I don’t have a camera?
Don’t worry, Lesley has a selection of quality hire equipment available, including complete camera kits containing Canon camera with lens, two batteries, tripod, filters, camera bag/backpack, two SD cards, plus lens and camera cleaning equipment. Enquiries to lesley@lesleywhytephotography.co.nz