Southern Lakes Shine: Queenstown, Wānaka & Arrowtown Dominate Nature Photography Finalists
Otago’s iconic landscapes have long captured the imaginations of photographers, and this year’s Otago’s Lens on the Wild World photography exhibition confirms that Queenstown, Wānaka, and Arrowtown aren’t just scenic destinations, but creative powerhouses in the realm of nature photography.
In the 2025 edition of Otago’s largest nature photography competition, these Southern Lakes communities stood out, contributing hundreds of entries and securing dozens of finalist spots, particularly in the Landscape and Botanical categories. From sweeping alpine vistas to intricate macro shots of fungi, ferns, and forest-floor textures, this year’s entries celebrate both the grandeur and the hidden gems of the region’s biodiversity.
This year we received the largest number of entries ever from Queenstown and Wānaka, and we’re thrilled to say that these communities also produced the highest number of finalists outside of Dunedin in the entire competition,” Charlie Buchan at Tūhura Otago Museum says. “Their stunning images ranging from sweeping landscapes to detailed shots of fungi and flora will all feature in the upcoming exhibition at Tūhura Otago Museum.”
Selected from more than 4,450 entries across the wider Otago region, the finalists from Queenstown, Wānaka, and Arrowtown reflect the distinctive natural character of Central Otago: expansive mountain ranges, high-country botanicals, moss-covered beech forests, and glacial riverbeds.
“While we expected spectacular landscapes, and weren’t disappointed, it was equally exciting to see such a strong focus on the lesser-seen biodiversity of the region. The photography is world-class.”
The free exhibition spans four evocative categories: Wildlife, Botanical, Landscape, and Natural Abstract Pop-up. Visitors can also view every submission on an interactive screen, vote for the People’s Choice Award, and take part in family-friendly activities like wildlife-themed crafts with Glenn Jones Art and up-close encounters with rare native species.
The finalists’ work is now on public display at Tūhura Otago Museum in Dunedin as part of the 26th annual Otago’s Lens on the Wild World exhibition. It runs until Sunday, 12 October in the Museum’s Special Exhibitions Gallery and entry is free. Be sure to pop in if you find yourself in Dunedin.
