Dunedin walks: Haywards Track

Access to Haywards track can be made from two locations. The first is just outside of the small seaside village of Aramoana or from the end of Haywards road. If you start from Aramoana you will include more uphill walking. I started from the Haywards road entry point as I enjoy the views from driving along the top road. From Haywards Rd you simply follow the yellow markers as they run along farmland fencing to join the track.

View of Aramoana from walk to join Haywards track.

Follow the yellow markers to join up with Haywards track.

After a fairly decent walk you will finally join up with Haywards track. From here you will have an excellent view of Tairaoa head on the Otago Peninsula.

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Haywards track view of Taiaroa head and the Otago Peninsula.

Once you have joined up the track you follow a track along the cliff edge at a safe distance. The walk to Haywards point is mostly downhill and quite steep in parts. On a wet day it could be quite slippery. It’s important to note you return the same way as you came, so heading back requires plenty of walking uphill. The walk to Haywards point is about 2.5km each way, not a huge distance at all, but the undulating terrain makes for very good exercise.

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End of the hike, looking down to Haywards point.

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A pest trap with views on Haywards point in Dunedin.

This rocky outcrop is home to a shag colony. Haywards Point, Dunedin.

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Possibly a rusted old whaling winch at Haywards Point in Dunedin.

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Views of Purakaunui from Haywards Point.

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View of Aramoana beach heading back along Haywards track.

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Keyhole rock on Aramoana beach in Dunedin.

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Container ship making its way to Port Chalmers in Dunedin.

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Container ship passing by Taiaroa head and the lighthouse.

Haywards track is a great way to stretch the legs and get some fresh sea air. Be sure to take layers as Haywards point is exposed to the elements and the sea breezes can drop the temperature considerably. The walk from my parked car was roughly 10,000 steps. Plus if you fancy a coffee afterwards there are plenty of cafes in Port Chalmers to stop off and relax in on the way back to Dunedin.

Photoshoot: Dunedin city in leather.

In this fashion themed photoshoot, I explore the back alleys of Dunedin city with model Amy in her black biker leathers.

Gear Used: Fujifilm XH1, XF23mm F2, XF56mm 1.2, Godox AD200pro.

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I really loved the iron work over the windows so we went wide here with the XF23mm f2 at f5.6 to create some scale and impact. Great pose from Amy.

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Placing Amy on the ledge provided an opportunity to create a leading line with the stairwell. Here I used the XF56mm @ f5.6 The sunlight is coming from the right of the camera. I am simply using the Godox AD200pro to create fill on Amy’s face.

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The light is skimming across the face of the colourful wall and washing over Amy. XF23mm f2 @f5.6. One of the hardest things about modelling is posing but making it look natural at the same time. Amy really pulls off a candid moment.

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Amy pulls off a Matrix vibe here standing underneath the dripping paint from some street art. XF56mm 1.2 @ f5.6. I placed the light opposite her in this shot so it creates a natural vignette around her.

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My favourite image from the set with the sun creating highlights on Amy’s hair, leather jacket and pants. The Godox Ad200pro provides the fill so we can see Amy’s face as well as C3PO and R2D2. XF56mm 1.2 @ f5.6.

Another fun photoshoot in the colourful and interesting back streets of Dunedin city. A massive thank you to Amy for rocking the biker leathers and shades.

Scenic walks in Dunedin: Mt Cargill to The Organ Pipes

Getting There:

Mt Cargill is an easy 10 minute drive from the central city. Access is gained via Cowan Rd, be careful to dodge the pot holes on the ungraded road. The starting point of the walk is beside the signal tower and is 676m in elevation. There is a poorly sign-posted parking area just prior to the summit, but I always drive past it and park up under the signal tower.

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View from Mt Cargill out beyond Butters Peak to the Otago Harbour and Otago Peninsula.

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View from start of walk from Mt Cargill to Organ Pipes. Plenty of haze in the air on this warm sunny day in Dunedin.

The walk:

The walking track starts near the signal tower and is easy to follow. Follow the path toward Butters Peak. Butters Peak is an excellent place to stop, but as I was returning the same way I decided to visit it on the way back. Just keep walking past Butters Peak. I have been spending a bit of time in the Catlins recently so have been a bit spoilt with stunning rainforest bush. The bush on this walk is not on the same level, rather more dry and spindly in character. After about 30 minutes walk you will arrive at the Organ Pipes

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The distinctive Organ Pipes of Dunedin.

The Organ Pipes are a fascinating geological feature, and are fun rocks to climb over. Scramble up them and find some good spots to enjoy the view and take a break from the hectic pace of the world.

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Organ Pipes, Dunedin, NZ.

Organ Pipes, Dunedin, NZ.

The walk back is more or less slightly uphill. So, stopping at Butters peak for a breather is highly recommended. The views from Butters Peak are sensational and I rate this location as one of my favourite places in Dunedin.

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View of Blue Skin Bay and Karitane from Butters Peak.

View of Otago Harbour and the Otago Peninsula from Butters Peak.

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View from Butters Peak to the Otago Peninsula.

Butters Peak rock formation.

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View from Butters Peak to Mt Cargill and the signal tower where the walk started.

The walk back to Mt Cargill takes about 20 minutes and is mostly uphill. I just like to think of it as a nice bit of exercise.

Handsome looking steps are part of the last push to reach the summit of Mt Cargill.

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Back to the start again, Mt Cargill signal tower.

The Mt Cargill to Organ Pipe walk is a nice way to spend a couple of hours in Dunedin. Another great day out in Dunedin.

Photoshoot: Street Fashion

Here is the latest blog in my series on street fashion photography. Dunedin has some very interesting back alleyways, making for fantastic fashion shoot locations. All of the images were taken within 30 metres of each other. Technically, I used a single Godox AD200 pro in conjunction with sunlight.

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We incorporated the pink paint on the brick wall with Rachel’s tracksuit top.

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An old stairwell provided a strong graphic element to the shot.

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Seated and framed.

I loved this teal coloured door, and will definitely use it again.

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A single Godox AD200pro provides the light in this scene.

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Going vertical.

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A closer look.

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Colourful street art pops off the wall against the pink of Rachel’s track suit top.

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I am using a single Godox AD200pro to light Rachel from the front, the sun is rim lighting her hair. The wind was just doing its thing!

Another fun shoot with Rachel. Dunedin is a wonderful city, and I look forward to sharing new locations to shoot fashion street imagery.