The 8 Best Family Photoshoot Locations in Queenstown

As a family photographer in Queenstown, we are truly spoilt for choice regarding locations! During our time here we have been slowly accumulating locations that we think are the best for family photo sessions. If you need some help picking a spot for when your family / whānau visits Queenstown, have a look through the list below.

1. Deer Park Heights

Located only 10 minutes from the airport and 500 metres above lake level, Deer Park Heights is a popular location with breath-taking views. Not only is it home to a variety of animals, it is also the site of multiple Lord of the Rings filming locations. Joshua Yates Photography is one of the exclusively selected vendors for the site and once you see his photos you’ll understand why! To read more information and see photos taken at this location click here.

Black and white photo of couple with ducks flying around
Family walking single file across lake edge at deer park heights
Parents holding baby looking at deer at deer park heights, queenstown
Parents and toddler feeding goats in the grass at deer park heights, queenstown
Parents holding baby a top deer park heights looking at 2 deer
Zoomed out photo of family standing next to tall English Oak tree at deer park heights

2. Moke Lake

Moke Lake is a stunning location that showcases mountains, grasslands and of course, the beautiful lake itself. Hidden away down a gravel road, this location is popular for hikes, bike trails, picnics and camping. As remote as this location feels, it is conveniently located 20 minutes away from town.

To read more information and see photos taken at this location click here.

A family of three sitting on a wooden dock at Kelvin Heights pier with the Crown Range scenery in the background, framed by hanging branches with yellowish leaves in the foreground.
A family of three with a dog standing by a lakeshore at Kelvin Heights Peninsula, under a large tree with yellow leaves, with the Queenstown cityscape and mountains in the background, during a sunny day.
A family of five holding hands and walking on a rocky riverbed in front of the Old Shotover Bridge with a large rock formation and The Remarkable mountains in the background.
A couple holding hands and walking on the rocky beach below the Old Shotover Bridge near water and trees in the background, enjoying a sunny day.
A couple dancing by Moke lake with mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A family of five, including two young children, sitting on a blanket in a grassy field near Moke lake, with mountains in the background, enjoying a sunny day outdoors.
Family of three enjoying a moment near the calm Moke lake with mountainous landscape in the background during daytime.
A family of six, including children, walking hand-in-hand through a grassy field near Moke lake, with mountains in the background.

3. Kelvin Heights

Kelvin Heights is a picturesque peninsula in Queenstown which hosts many hidden little beaches. It’s no wonder the locals love it here! This is a great location if you are wanting family photos with sparkling water and Queenstown City in the background. This beach has not one, but two piers which are charming for the whole family to be photographed on. To read more information and see photos taken at this location click here.

A family sitting on the Kelvin Heights Pier over the Whakatipu river with Deer Park Heights in the background under a clear blue sky.
A young boy with a checkered jacket and boots is balancing on a wooden dock by the Kelvin Heights Peninsula. The scene has autumn foliage with yellow leaves and Queenstown hill in the background.

4. Jack’s Point Beach

Tucked away in Jack’s Point with a stunning backdrop of the Remarkable Mountains, this location is a hidden gem. Jack’s Point Beach offers an expansive view of Lake Wakatipu and surrounding peaks such as Cecil Peak & Bayonet Peak. On a sunny day, the water is a vibrant and shimmery - certainly worth the visit!

To read more information and see photos taken at this location click here.

A family of five walking through a grassy field at Jack's Point with the Remarkable mountains in the background.
A family of five enjoying time by Jack's Point Beach with a snow-capped Cecil Peak in the background, including a father, mother, three young children, and all smiling.
Family of five walking hand-in-hand through grassy field by Moke lake with hills and trees in the background.
Two young child sitting in a field of tall, dry grass at Moke Lake with mountains in the background. The children are smiling and holding eachothers arms.
Family of in Arrowtown during autumn, woman and man kissing their young daughter on the cheeks while the girl smiles.
A happy multigenerational family enjoying outdoor time in fall at Arrowtown, with a man giving a girl a piggyback ride, surrounded by trees with orange and yellow leaves.
A woman holding a young girl in front of a Jack's Point Beach with Cecil Peak, and the Ben Lomond mountain range in the background at sunset.
A family of five walking on a pebbly Jack's Point beach with mountains in the background. The family includes two adults and three children, one of whom is being carried by their father.

5. Skipper’s Road Lookout

The Skipper’s Road Lookout has a lot to offer. It sits on the road leading up to Coronet Peak, one of the local ski fields and overs 360 degree views of Queenstown City, Arrowtown and the Remarkables Mountain Range. Not only is this a stunning location for photographs, but it is a great sight-seeing opportunity, too! It looks absolutely majestic in the Winter months with snow coating the surrounding peaks.

To read more information and see photos taken at this location click here.

A family of four, including two children and two adults, walking with their dog atop a grassy Coronet Peak at the height of summer, during sunset.
A family of three walking hand-in-hand through a grassy Coronet peak during summer with the Crown Range in the background.
A couple holding hands and looking at each other while standing by the Shotover river, with the Old Shotover bridge and wooded hills in the background.
A couple walking along a dirt path surrounded by lush trees, with The Old Shotover bridge and mountain in the background, bathed in soft sunlight.
A family of three with their black dog sitting on a grassy Coronet Peak with the Skippers Lookout in the background, enjoying the outdoors during Summer.
A family of three walking together atop Coronet Peak during Summertime, with the Ben Lomond mountain range in the background.

6. Lake Johnson

Hidden away behind the hills, Lake Johnson is a dreamy, secluded location. Not to mention, this is only an 8 minute drive from the airport! This spot is ideal for picnics, so you and your loved ones may like to organise a picnic to enjoy after your photoshoot!

To read more information and see photos taken at this location click here.

A family walking by Lake Johnson with a mountainous landscape in the background.
A family of four holding hands and standing in a grassy field atop Deer Park Heights with Coronet Peak and cloudy sky in the background.

7. Arrowtown

Steeped in gold rush history, Arrowtown is a great and photogenic town to explore. If you’re visiting in Autumn / Fall, Arrowtown is well-known for its charming deciduous trees that paint the town gold! In Arrowtown you can enjoy family photos taken along the historic river amongst the storybook-like trees.

To read more information and see photos taken at this location click here.

A family of four, including two adults and two children, walking in an Autumnal Arrowtown with tall trees and fall foliage on the ground.
A young boy in a plaid shirt and brown pants walking through the Arrowtown stream on a fall day, surrounded by trees with yellow and green leaves.

8. Old Lower Shotover Bridge

This picturesque location offers 360 degree views of the Shotover River; with the option of seeing it from riverbed or from the footbridge above! You and your family might like to explore the riverbed, skip stones across the river or walk across the footbridge whilst having your photo taken. When on the bridge, you’ll be treated to views of surrounding mountain peaks as well as the Shotover River. During Lupin season (mid-late November) the sides of the riverbed are dotted with gorgeous lupin flowers.

To read more information and see photos taken at this location click here.

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