Ashburton Lakes
Cost: $50 per person (for transport)
Max: 72 participants
An early morning departure (approx. 5.30am) to catch the best light.
We will have capacity for two buses, visiting Lake Camp, Lake Clearwater and Lake Heron, in different orders to spread out the photographers.
Located 1½ hours from Ashburton at the foot of the Southern Alps, Lake Camp is set in the Hakatere Conservation Park. It is a popular, remote, scenic destination offering camping, boating, kayaking and swimming. There is a holiday settlement of around 100 holiday homes located between Lake Camp and Lake Clearwater which is only a few minutes’ walk away. There is no power here and limited cell phone service, so many people use this area for an off-the-grid vacation.
Lake Clearwater covers approx. 197 hectares, with a maximum depth of 20metres. This lake is popular for recreational activities such as fishing, kayaking and wind-surfing. Motor-powered craft are not allowed on this lake. It gets its name from the stunning reflections that can be captured on a still day, with the surrounding mountains in the background.
Lake Heron is a high-country lake located in inland Canterbury. It is one of the many lakes in the area managed by the Department of Conservation. Lake Heron is one of the larger Ashburton lakes, covering 695 hectares and has a maximum depth of 37metres. The lake was named after the white heron/kotuku, which were found around the shores.
Unfortunately, only an occasional white heron visits the area now but the lake is still home to many birds, including Australasian crested grebe, marsh crake, and the Australasian bittern. It is a popular lake for fishing for brown and rainbow trout and quinnat salmon. The Maori Lakes are two smaller lakes located to the south of Lake Heron in the Hakatere Conservation Park. They are surrounded by wetland, but are often hard to access as the ground is very swampy. They are home to birdlife including ducks, swans and rarer species like the Australian bittern, marsh crake and great crested grebe.
An optional extra.
If you’re keen to take in a different view of the Ashburton Lakes, as part of this field trip, how about a helicopter flight, with doors open….and harnesses?
If enough people are keen, Helirural will be able to offer scenic flights, designed specifically for photographers, to give you that extra angle for your photos.
- Each flight has a minimum of 3 people.
- Yes, training for ‘Doors off operations safety’ and harnesses are included.
- There are two options available. Either 15 minutes (approx. $200) or 45 minutes (approx. $400).
There is a minimum number of people required to make this possible, so at the time of registration, we ask that you indicate your interest only. We can then contact you individually, when we know final numbers, and the appropriate pricing, prior to confirmation.
Helirural is a locally owned and operated service, with an excellent reputation. Take a closer look at what they offer on their website. https://www.