Nestled in the heart of the Otago region, the Blue Lake in St Bathans is a unique and stunning location especially for landscape photography. The Blue Lake was a former open-pit gold mine, transformed into a stunning lake that reflects the vivid blue of the sky and surrounding landscapes. Surrounded by the remnants of historic gold rush activity, including the iconic Vulcan Hotel and Old Post Office, Blue Lake carries a rich sense of history within its tranquil waters. The lake's surreal beauty and the contrast of its vibrant colors against the arid Central Otago landscape make it a photographer's dream.

You can walk down to the lake and take the loop track from the ground (2km and around 30 mins) or you can take the Around Blue Lake loop track which gives stunning elevated views over the lake and takes around 1.5 hours.

I would recommend visiting at sunrise for the light on the surrounding mountains and taking your wide angle lens with you.