Name: West Coast Weekend Photo Adventure!!
Start: 2026-04-17T07:00:00+12:00
End: 2026-04-19T08:00:00+12:00
Location: Punakaiki

One of the highlights for ’26 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 for me 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 do have the option of a 'dry' walking tour in the caves, if you arent quite up to the 'wet' option tubing.
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.

Itinerary
Fri night 17th April Welcome drinks / nibbles at the Nimmo studio hosted by Lydia and Stewart Nimmo, Greymouth
Sat am 18th April Underworld Adventures trip, Charleston, for those keen.
Sat late pm Location Shoot A - 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 B - TBC, somewhere remarkable by our local guides!
Sun mid afternoon Return to home

To secure a place, please EMAIL [email protected] by 17th Feb 2026.
We will also need a deposit, but will supply this by email rather than publish details here.
Please indicate too, if you would like to do the cave / tubing option.
$100 Trip Deposit Members
$150 Trip Deposit Non members / Partners
Note, the deposit is not refundable. This will be used to cover your cabin accommodation, 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.
(West Coast graphic photo credits : Rachel Roberts, Jase Blair, John Foster, Tony Stewart, Lydia Nimmo, Underworld Adventures)