Not far from Lake Tarawera, actually around 10 minutes before it by car, Lake Tikitapu sits quietly off the road across from the Top 10 Blue Lake Campground. Surrounded by a mix of native forest, grass land and pine plantation, this small but beautiful lake is the ideal place to relax and bring the camera out for a photograph.

Situated under the same dark sky as Lake Tarawera, the Blue Lake is perfect for astro photography with very minimal light pollution from the surrounding areas and because it is on a quiet road, there aren't many disruptions from cars or other light sources.

I shot the Blue Lake at sunrise as the lake is facing towards the sun rising, meaning you will get beautiful colour in the sky and golden light if conditions are right. Bring your wide angle lens out for this location.