Stories from the wild
A FILM BY SEASON ASCENT
The adventure
Tim & Jess have travelled New Zealand many times, but somehow it still holds that feeling of the mythical unknown. For two creatives drawn to wild landscapes, the South Island is a living canvas — from the jagged peaks of the Southern Alps to deep, shadowed fjords, winding rivers and weather that can transform a landscape in minutes.
This time, they took Rocky south in early winter. With cameras packed and everything they needed on board, they embraced the kind of slow travel we love — following the weather, chasing good light and taking the road a little further whenever something caught their eye.
There’s something pretty special about travelling this way. Waking up somewhere wild, changing plans when the weather rolls through, pulling over because the view is too good to drive past, and finding the places you never really planned to find.
What came back from their time on the road was something we absolutely loved. Their film and photographs capture Aotearoa at its best — raw, beautiful, ever-changing and full of adventure.
And somewhere amongst the mountains, rivers, snow and wild camps, Rocky became part of their story too.
Wild places. Good people. Great stories.
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Meet Tim & Jess
We’re Tim & Jess, a couple of married creatives from Australia with a background in photography and filmmaking — and a love for rugged, beautiful landscapes.
New Zealand was a bit of a no-brainer for us. Mountains, rivers, Lord of the Rings, snow, and a rugged Defender named Rocky… what’s not to love?
Taking Rocky around the South Island gave us the freedom to chase good light, weather storms, and reach some truly remote corners of the country.
We hope you enjoy coming along for the journey — and if it gives you a little inspiration for an adventure of your own, even better.
See you out there,
Tim & Jess
Season Ascent
