Painting Tours with Rehann Vazid | Bread & Beauty Series
Silent Sublime - 7 Days in South Island NZ
7 Days / 6 Nights | 10 Artists (Max)
At the heart of this tour is the instinct that to truly experience a place, one must attempt to see it and paint it, slowly.
Experience and express in watercolour the breathtaking beauty of New Zealand’s South Island with Artist & Tutor - Rehann Vazid. From the towering peaks of Aoraki/Mount Cook to the pristine waters of Doubtful Sound, the South Island has been a haven for thinkers and doers alike. Whether you’re exploring the lush rainforests of Fiordland National Park on foot or taking a scenic flight over the Southern Alps, this region offers an unforgettable journey and an eternal reservoir of artistic inspiration. With its dramatic landscapes, rich Māori culture and endless opportunities for painting, South Island is a place you’ll visit again and again to rejuvenate and return anew.
Designed with care, for the eye of an artist and the heart of a poet.
Slow looking over box-ticking. Each location gives you enough time to see, paint and then see it again as if for the first time.
Bread & Beauty. Shelter and sustenance have been curated with a focus on a strong sense of place. Restorative meals and elegant rooms with views you’ll want to sketch and paint from.
Short Daily Travel. This journey may be about seeking new landscapes, but it is also about discovering new eyes. Private vehicle and driver, luggage handled, painting blocks built in.
This tour is inspired by my current work featuring South Island.
“I have adamantly chosen places that soothe, not stimulate. Meals that nourish, not overwhelm. Views that whisper, not shout.”
- Rehann
Your Itinerary
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DAY 1 - Queenstown
Welcome & orientation session by Rehann. Short evening walk to a sheltered lakeshore point to watch the sunset and enjoy local pinot upon return, followed by an elegant meal of seasonal local produce.
STAY: Quiet lakeside lodge (private rooms, views of the Remarkables).
DINNER
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DAY 2 - Wanaka
Scenic drive to Mt Aspiring National Park with short sketching stops.
Plein air demonstration by Rehann on choosing a subject and painting outdoors with a limited palette. Short drive into the Mount Aspiring foothills. Few hours of painting incorporating the themes of the demo, with emphasis on contour, mass and rhythm of mountain ridges. Show and tell on the day’s art and a paced dinner featuring local wine, lamb or fish and seasonal greens.
STAY: Boutique Wanaka lodge or premium lakefront rooms with a quiet evening atmosphere.BREAKFAST | LUNCH | DINNER
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DAY 3 - Aoraki / Mt Cook
Drive toward Mt Cook, stops for color studies and compositional thumbnails overlooking the vivid glacial blue of Lake Pukaki. Workshop on color harmony and pigment selection to convey luminous light and reflections on water. Painting at Hooker Valley viewpoints. Relaxed dinner with local cheeses seasonal desserts.
Fireside talk: poems or prose readings on the nature of the sublime, with a glass of Henessey (or any digestif of choice) of course.
STAY: Quiet lodge with summit views in Mt Cook Village.
BREAKFAST | LUNCH | DINNER
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DAY 4 - Central Otago
A long, scenic transit punctuated by short sketching stops through tussock country and high plains.
Use the day to synthesize studies into larger compositions during van time. Arrive in Bannockburn for a late lunch and some fantastic Central Otago wine
Dinner at leisure—small courses, conversation, rest.
STAY: Bed and Breakfast with views of the vineyard.
BREAKFAST | LUNCH | DINNER
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DAY 5 - Te Anau
Arrive in Te Anau by early afternoon. After a light lakeside lunch, settle in and use the slower hours to translate your sketches into more resolved works. The lake and mountains are close at hand if the light tempts you outside again. Evening conversation over a shared table — simple seasonal courses, a glass of wine and time to reflect on the day’s work.
Jetboat Ride on the Waiau River.
Plein air painting on the lakefront.
Dinner at the Redcliff Restuarant
STAY: Comfortable lodge with lake views.
BREAKFAST | LUNCH | DINNER
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DAY 6 - Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
From Te Anau we cross to Manapouri and slip into the stillness of Doubtful Sound, a place less visited, more hidden — the silent sublime quintessence of Fiordland.
Board the overnight vessel and let the rhythm of the water set the pace. Time here unfolds differently, sketching on deck, quick washes to capture the mist, or simply sitting until the mountain walls begin to arrange themselves into form and line. A shared dinner on board, stories exchanged under quiet skies, then the silence of the night broken only by waterfalls.
STAY: Overnight on board a small-ship in Doubtful Sound.
ALL MEALS: Chef-prepared gourmet meals and fresh crayfish caught in the Sound, grilled simply with butter, paired with Otago wines.
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DAY 7 - Farewell Lunch
Our last morning together begins leisurely, with time to pack and organise brushes and memories alike. The drive back into Queenstown feels bittersweet, the lake and mountains now carrying a familiarity born of hours spent sketching and painting them. We gather for a farewell lunch in the heart of Queenstown, a final shared table where stories of color and composition mingle with laughter and gratitude.
This is not an ending, but a departure with renewal. As Pascal puts it, the real voyage of discovery consists not only in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes. We leave carrying not just paintings, but a way of seeing - a slower, truer way to take home into our everyday lives.
LUNCH INCLUDED | TOUR CONCLUDES AFTERWARDS
Inclusions are designed to ensure a stress-free journey where every detail is taken care of.
Accommodation, Meals & Transport
Handpicked boutique accommodation for the entire tour.
Daily breakfast, lunches and dinners included. Emphasis on seasonal, locally sourced food. Opportunities for both shared group meals and independent dining.
Private Mercedes van throughout the journey, transfers included. No need to carry art materials long distances.
Experiences
Overnight Doubtful Sound Cruise
Scenic drives with sketching stops
Quiet time for developing finished works
Wine tasting and vineyard stay in Central Otago
Optional evening talks on art, nature and poetry.
Art Instruction:
Demonstrations and hands-on teaching by contemporary watercolour artist and tutor, Rehann.
Plein air sessions
One-on-one guidance and critique
Group reflection sessions
Photo references shared
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Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise is an absolute gem. This place really starts to sing after about 8 hours onboard, which you totally miss out at Milford Sound. If Milford is McDonalds, Doubtful is a 7-course meal at your favourite restuarant on your birthday!
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Jumping off the deck. Optional ofcourse. Just Kidding :)
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Painting the lush forests of Kepler Track.
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Quick tonal studies from the water's edge.
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Hop on a kayak to get a closer look, if the inspiration should strike you.
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Now you might paint that closer look!
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Plein air session on the boat
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Painting during the daylight
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Sessions at dawn and dusk. It's a whole other landscape.
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Rooms with views that inspire.
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Literary pairings with each location.
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Live demonstrations and scheduled tutoring sessions.
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We will understand what came before. Who knows, it might inform and inspire a new way of Seeing.
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Encounter some inquisitive characters.
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Curated spots for our painting sessions.
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Plein air at Lake Te Anau.
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Not sure if the chef should get all the credit or the landscape, either way the food tastes fantastic, every time!
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Optional freediving and fishing for some of the best seafood I've ever had.
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Chef prepares it with artisanal butter, garlic and some salad. Can't decide if this is simple or fancy. Either way Epicurus would approve.
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Aoraki/Mount Cook is inspiring in any weather! And Lake Pukakai is somehow more turquoise than you imagine.
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Plenty of opportunities along the way for a quick sketch or a full-on plein air session.
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Food for thought and for the body at a Central Otago Vineyard.
Dates & Prices 2026
Prices are in AUD, per person, single occupancy. Group size (10 max)
Jan 09 - Jan 15 AU$4,200 Waitlist Only
Jan 23 - Jan 29 AU$4,200 Limited Availability
Feb 13 - Feb 18 AU$4,200 Available
Mar 13 - Mar 18 AU$4,200 Available
Frequently Asked Questions
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Travel insurance is NOT INCLUDED in the package price. We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance to cover medical expenses, trip cancellation, luggage, flights and unforeseen disruptions.
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International flights to/from New Zealand
Travel insurance (mandatory)
Gratuities for drivers, guides, and staff
Meals or drinks not listed in the itinerary
Optional activities (e.g. scenic flights, spas)
Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, souvenirs
Art supplies (a recommended packing list will be provided)
Visa or passport fees if applicable
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Workshops are typically up to four hours, spread across the day. Instruction may be plein air (outdoors) at a painting site or indoors in a quiet space. Sessions are designed to complement the travel experience, not dominate it, so you’ll still have time to enjoy the surroundings, explore or rest.
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Not at all. Our tours are designed for all levels. Beginners will find a supportive introduction, while experienced painters will be challenged to go deeper into technique and your unique artistic style.
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Tours are paced gently. While some sites may involve walking or stairs, we keep distances manageable (typically 1-2 km at most per day).
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A deposit secures your place. If the minimum number of participants isn’t met, or if unforeseen events require cancellation, you will receive a full refund. If you cancel, our cancellation policy will apply — details are provided at booking. Travel insurance is strongly advised to cover cancellations due to illness or emergencies.
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We stay in boutique lodges, vineyards and quiet luxury hotels chosen for their comfort, character and closeness to the landscapes we’ll be painting. Each property is carefully selected to provide a restful base after days in the field.
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If you sell your paintings or work semi-professionally, you may be able to claim tax benefits for professional development. Please consult your accountant or tax advisor for guidance.