On the outskirts of Queenstown tucked away down a gravel road is one of Queenstown's best kept little photography secrets, Moke Lake. When I first started out in landscape photography, I had heard of this lake, but never seen it. I knew it took a bit of a bumpy road to get there, with a 4wd being a must during winter, which meant there weren’t many photographs around of it.

Moke Lake with its stunning mountain backdrop is actually a Department of Conversation reserve with options to camp overnight for a small fee. In the morning you will often wake up to a beautiful mist on the water as the sun rises, and in the evening the mountains light up with the setting sun.

Most of my shots are taken from the campground itself, just drive right to the end of Moke Lake Road and you will see it. If you're up for something a little more adventurous, try the goat track behind the campground .. NOT for the faint hearted.

Photography info: The lake points south so when there is any aurora action, this is the place you want to be to capture the Aurora Borealis. It is gorgeous at sunrise and at sunset, and capturing the stars and astrophotography is incredible under the dark sky.