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I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

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My name is Johan Lolos, I’m a professional travel and adventure photographer, and I’m just back from New Zealand where I spent a whole year exploring every single region of the country. Between October 2014 and September 2015, I travelled 25,000+ km (15,500+ miles) across both main islands, including the smaller and less-known Stewart Island (NZ’s 3rd biggest island), most of the time road tripping with friends in a camper van or in my own car.

What I saw in New Zealand blew my mind. Not only did I find some pure wilderness I’ve never seen before, but also a true paradise for any outdoors enthusiasts and of course any landscape and travel photographers. Not to mention some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met. Kiwi people are one of a kind!

New Zealand changed me forever. It is there that I started my career as a full-time photographer, it is there that I discovered my passion for the outdoors and mountains, and it is there that I lived for 7 months in the most relaxing place on Earth: Wanaka. Now I have some new plans for 2016 but I know that I’ll be back in New Zealand one day, probably sooner than expected. In the meantime, I’d like to share with you this series of pictures I took during my time there. There are 4O pictures that all represent a unique moment to me, and I hope you’ll find some inspiration in them.

More info: johanlolos.com | Instagram

Mt Ngauruhoe, Tongariro National Park

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

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Cardrona ski resort

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

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Southern lights (aurora australis) in Wanaka

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Moke Lake, Queenstown

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Lake Wanaka

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Lake Wanaka

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

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Mt Aspiring

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

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Camping on top of Roys Peak, Lake Wanaka

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Roys Peak, Wanaka

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Ben Lomond, Queenstown

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

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Lake Harris, Mt Aspiring National Park

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Lake Gunn, Fiordland National Park

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Lake Pukaki & Mt Cook

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

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Roys Peak, Wanaka

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Lake Wanaka

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Hokitika Gorge, Westland

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

The Coromandel

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Marlborough Sounds

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Milford Road, Fiordland National Park

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

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Mt Aspiring National Park

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Franz Josef Glacier, Westland Tai Poutini National Park

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Fiordland National Park

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Hooker Lake & Mt Cook, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Aoraki, Mt Cook National Park

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Bay of Islands, Northland

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park

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I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Abel Tasman National Park

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Wanaka

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Aoraki, Mt Cook National Park

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

The road to Mt Cook

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Lake Wanaka

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

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Lake Wanaka

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Whale Bay, Northland

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Mt Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

Lake Wanaka

I Spent A Year Exploring New Zealand To Bring Back These Photos And It Blew My Mind

322Kviews

Johan Lolos

Johan Lolos is a Belgian-born self-taught photographer with a passion for the outdoors and the wilderness. Between 2013 and 2015 he spent two years photographing Australia and NZ and shared his work to his constantly growing audience on Instagram @lebackpacker. In the summer of 2017, Johan completed a 5-month road trip around Europe, a personal project named Peaks of Europe, which is the topic of his first book that can be pre-ordered now.

Johan Lolos is a Belgian-born self-taught photographer with a passion for the outdoors and the wilderness. Between 2013 and 2015 he spent two years photographing Australia and NZ and shared his work to his constantly growing audience on Instagram @lebackpacker. In the summer of 2017, Johan completed a 5-month road trip around Europe, a personal project named Peaks of Europe, which is the topic of his first book that can be pre-ordered now.

What do you think ?

LorraineWilliams 8 years ago

The most beautiful pictures of NZ that I have ever seen, terrific photography Johan, thank you, do come back again.

5points

TonyBailey 8 years ago

I've lived in New Zealand for 14 years and found it the most beautiful country in the world. Love the way you have captured NZ with your work.

5points

DanielGroschup 8 years ago

I agree, I spent 15 months and traveled 20000kms and wanna go back to live. Why did you moved out and where?

0points

Load More Replies...

FrancescaBerardi 8 years ago

Omg you're an amazing photographer an I love your pictures **

3points

Esmé Moreira 6 years ago

Your photogrphas ae simply amazing Johan but then NZ is an amazingly beautiful country of so many different palettes. Your captures are just exquisite, especially as I no longer live there.

0points

Load More Replies...

JanetLord 8 years ago

Absolutely amazing photography. WOW !!!! you have a wonderful talent.

1point

WarrenSerkin 8 years ago

Visited there 6 times (my longest trip was a 6 week drive yourself) and just fell in love with the scenery and the people.

1point

YvonneMcLaren 8 years ago

stunning work, our nation is so beautiful, the most precious part of it is the people, I am glad you enjoyed the time. Kia ora

1point

ArohaGypsyGirl 8 years ago

Thank you for showing me such beauty in my own country... Thank you!

1point

NataliePasco 8 years ago

Amazing pics :)

1point

BruceBarnett 8 years ago

stunning photos, brilliant.

1point

JadynEuJieYun 8 years ago

❤ Breathtaking photos!! I wish I can be there too..

1point

Natalie Tiv 6 years ago

Amazing photos!! Are the photos of kayaking on wanaka lake sunrise or sunset ?

0points

Khozem Topiwala 7 years ago

Very very beautifull pictures. The most picturisque country in thw world...great camera work

0points

JasonTsai 8 years ago

Makes me miss New Zealand so much. Photos seem a little touched up, unless you were at all those places at exactly the right times... but it really does feel that beautiful. THANKS FOR THE PICS!

0points

ShelleyHoughton 8 years ago

Beautiful photograpgy

0points

ChristineWafer 8 years ago

Yes, we are very lucky to live here. Heaven on Earth! Thanks Rachel, I will share it.

0points

PsTong 8 years ago

something is very wrong , the skies are blue & most of yours are white that's no good .... it should be blue skies NZ

0points

STOhistorii 8 years ago

I'm in NZ right now and can't wait to see all those beautiful places... :) they look amazing!

0points

АнджиКиркова 8 years ago

Absolutely breathtaking i felt like i'm there! Really nice pictures, thank you for what you did! <3

0points

ElaineBrown 8 years ago

Amazing! Want to go back there........

0points

ElaineBrown 8 years ago

Amazing . Want to go back there....?

0points

JemmaMickleburgh 8 years ago

Amazing! I loved NZ and wish to go back. Your photos are sublime :)

0points

JemmaMickleburgh 8 years ago

Amazing! I love NZ and you photos are sublime x

0points

clairealgarme 8 years ago

What beautiful photos! I'm heading to NZ for a few days and I hope to see as many beautiful landscape as I can while I'm there.

0points

TomokoTakebe 8 years ago

素晴らしい写真ばかりだった　星空は感動すら覚えた

0points

TomokoTakebe 8 years ago

素晴らしい写真ばかりだった。

0points

GennadiyBoukhanov 8 years ago

Its Fantastic! I want live in New Zeeland

0points

KittyBax 8 years ago

I miss Whale Bay! Used to go there with my family or Christmas. Stunning photos!

0points

RebeccaPainter 8 years ago

Pretty good. I live in New Zealand and near Whale Bay. Looks like you didn't have great weather while in Northland. You need to do another trip to see the rest of the stunning places. We are spoiled for choice here in NZ.

0points

AllenSnowsill 8 years ago

These stunning pictures of our beautiful country have reignited my dream to get out there and see it all through my own eyes. Thank you for sharing your pictures.

0points

RomainChedru 8 years ago

Hello Johan, beautiful pictures ! What camera do you use ? chur ;)

0points

DavidNieuwenhuizenHorsePowerRacing 8 years ago

Awesome beauty, amazing pictures, only wish I could live there one day.

0points

JuneFynn 8 years ago

Absolutely stunning photos! Would so love to be able to capture scenery this way. Love my country & its beauty. Thank you!

0points

DebbieBayes 8 years ago

Wow, I love them all, and they are being shared on New Zealand Landscape FB group. We are all photographers so will appreciate the time and love you have put into each and every photo taken.

0points

SelinaWilliams 8 years ago

stunning

0points

SusanForde 8 years ago

Stunning, great work. I would love to design jewellery to match the energy from these amazing pictures. Love your work.

0points

BonzaPeters 8 years ago

We loved having you in our part of the world. Wanaka is beautiful but you captured it perfectly and have showed the world our little secret! This place really is a small piece of heaven. Thanks for sharing your wonderful shots.

0points

BonzaPeters 8 years ago

We loved having you here in Wanaka - your photography does our area justice and brings alive this beautiful location.

0points

NikolaiMastrovich 8 years ago

Amazing photos! But not even close to EVERY region. Theres plenty more for you to see there bro!

0points

JohanLolos (Post author) 8 years ago

Have a look at my website johanlolos.com and you'll see every regions of NZ except for North Island's east coast ;)

0points

Load More Replies...

NavieJenniferNavarrete 8 years ago

Beautiful pictures! What time of year did you see the aurora australus?

0points

PhilipSell 8 years ago

Great photos. My wife I were in a mini helicopter that landed on Roys peak. I have a photo that would rival yours. No photos of the magnificent Wanganui river ? Most tourists canoe the upper regions. Come back & treat your self

0points

SusanThorpe 8 years ago

beautiful photos Johan, so pleased you enjoyed your time but there is one important region you missed and that's our place - Rēkohu/Chatham islands, so you'll have to come back

0points

Sala'amGrant 8 years ago

Absolutely gorgeous photos! Well done!

0points

KarameaSole 8 years ago

Tino Ataahua, the Marlborough Sounds Picture is where my family lives, called Whangarae Bay :)

0points

AaronLangley 8 years ago

Hey Karamea :) am hoping to take my daughter to visit this year. It's been too long!! I hope you, Candy and Jason are well.

0points

Load More Replies...

LorraineWilliams 8 years ago

The most beautiful pictures of NZ that I have ever seen, terrific photography Johan, thank you, do come back again.

5points

TonyBailey 8 years ago

I've lived in New Zealand for 14 years and found it the most beautiful country in the world. Love the way you have captured NZ with your work.

5points

DanielGroschup 8 years ago

I agree, I spent 15 months and traveled 20000kms and wanna go back to live. Why did you moved out and where?

0points

Load More Replies...

FrancescaBerardi 8 years ago

Omg you're an amazing photographer an I love your pictures **

3points

Esmé Moreira 6 years ago

Your photogrphas ae simply amazing Johan but then NZ is an amazingly beautiful country of so many different palettes. Your captures are just exquisite, especially as I no longer live there.

0points

Load More Replies...

JanetLord 8 years ago

Absolutely amazing photography. WOW !!!! you have a wonderful talent.

1point

WarrenSerkin 8 years ago

Visited there 6 times (my longest trip was a 6 week drive yourself) and just fell in love with the scenery and the people.

1point

YvonneMcLaren 8 years ago

stunning work, our nation is so beautiful, the most precious part of it is the people, I am glad you enjoyed the time. Kia ora

1point

ArohaGypsyGirl 8 years ago

Thank you for showing me such beauty in my own country... Thank you!

1point

NataliePasco 8 years ago

Amazing pics :)

1point

BruceBarnett 8 years ago

stunning photos, brilliant.

1point

JadynEuJieYun 8 years ago

❤ Breathtaking photos!! I wish I can be there too..

1point

Natalie Tiv 6 years ago

Amazing photos!! Are the photos of kayaking on wanaka lake sunrise or sunset ?

0points

Khozem Topiwala 7 years ago

Very very beautifull pictures. The most picturisque country in thw world...great camera work

0points

JasonTsai 8 years ago

Makes me miss New Zealand so much. Photos seem a little touched up, unless you were at all those places at exactly the right times... but it really does feel that beautiful. THANKS FOR THE PICS!

0points

ShelleyHoughton 8 years ago

Beautiful photograpgy

0points

ChristineWafer 8 years ago

Yes, we are very lucky to live here. Heaven on Earth! Thanks Rachel, I will share it.

0points

PsTong 8 years ago

something is very wrong , the skies are blue & most of yours are white that's no good .... it should be blue skies NZ

0points

STOhistorii 8 years ago

I'm in NZ right now and can't wait to see all those beautiful places... :) they look amazing!

0points

АнджиКиркова 8 years ago

Absolutely breathtaking i felt like i'm there! Really nice pictures, thank you for what you did! <3

0points

ElaineBrown 8 years ago

Amazing! Want to go back there........

0points

ElaineBrown 8 years ago

Amazing . Want to go back there....?

0points

JemmaMickleburgh 8 years ago

Amazing! I loved NZ and wish to go back. Your photos are sublime :)

0points

JemmaMickleburgh 8 years ago

Amazing! I love NZ and you photos are sublime x

0points

clairealgarme 8 years ago

What beautiful photos! I'm heading to NZ for a few days and I hope to see as many beautiful landscape as I can while I'm there.

0points

TomokoTakebe 8 years ago

素晴らしい写真ばかりだった　星空は感動すら覚えた

0points

TomokoTakebe 8 years ago

素晴らしい写真ばかりだった。

0points

GennadiyBoukhanov 8 years ago

Its Fantastic! I want live in New Zeeland

0points

KittyBax 8 years ago

I miss Whale Bay! Used to go there with my family or Christmas. Stunning photos!

0points

RebeccaPainter 8 years ago

Pretty good. I live in New Zealand and near Whale Bay. Looks like you didn't have great weather while in Northland. You need to do another trip to see the rest of the stunning places. We are spoiled for choice here in NZ.

0points

AllenSnowsill 8 years ago

These stunning pictures of our beautiful country have reignited my dream to get out there and see it all through my own eyes. Thank you for sharing your pictures.

0points

RomainChedru 8 years ago

Hello Johan, beautiful pictures ! What camera do you use ? chur ;)

0points

DavidNieuwenhuizenHorsePowerRacing 8 years ago

Awesome beauty, amazing pictures, only wish I could live there one day.

0points

JuneFynn 8 years ago

Absolutely stunning photos! Would so love to be able to capture scenery this way. Love my country & its beauty. Thank you!

0points

DebbieBayes 8 years ago

Wow, I love them all, and they are being shared on New Zealand Landscape FB group. We are all photographers so will appreciate the time and love you have put into each and every photo taken.

0points

SelinaWilliams 8 years ago

stunning

0points

SusanForde 8 years ago

Stunning, great work. I would love to design jewellery to match the energy from these amazing pictures. Love your work.

0points

BonzaPeters 8 years ago

We loved having you in our part of the world. Wanaka is beautiful but you captured it perfectly and have showed the world our little secret! This place really is a small piece of heaven. Thanks for sharing your wonderful shots.

0points

BonzaPeters 8 years ago

We loved having you here in Wanaka - your photography does our area justice and brings alive this beautiful location.

0points

NikolaiMastrovich 8 years ago

Amazing photos! But not even close to EVERY region. Theres plenty more for you to see there bro!

0points

JohanLolos (Post author) 8 years ago

Have a look at my website johanlolos.com and you'll see every regions of NZ except for North Island's east coast ;)

0points

Load More Replies...

NavieJenniferNavarrete 8 years ago

Beautiful pictures! What time of year did you see the aurora australus?

0points

PhilipSell 8 years ago

Great photos. My wife I were in a mini helicopter that landed on Roys peak. I have a photo that would rival yours. No photos of the magnificent Wanganui river ? Most tourists canoe the upper regions. Come back & treat your self

0points

SusanThorpe 8 years ago

beautiful photos Johan, so pleased you enjoyed your time but there is one important region you missed and that's our place - Rēkohu/Chatham islands, so you'll have to come back

0points

Sala'amGrant 8 years ago

Absolutely gorgeous photos! Well done!

0points

KarameaSole 8 years ago

Tino Ataahua, the Marlborough Sounds Picture is where my family lives, called Whangarae Bay :)

0points

AaronLangley 8 years ago

Hey Karamea :) am hoping to take my daughter to visit this year. It's been too long!! I hope you, Candy and Jason are well.

0points

Load More Replies...

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