The CJ way Guide to Coopers Knob

 AT A GLANCE 

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The highest point in the Port Hills

Banks Peninsula, Christchurch

15 minutes from parking

Easy

Free

Best time to visit sunrise/sunset

Jandals doable but shoes recommended

 WHERE IS THIS EXACTLY? 

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• Coordinates of Coopers Knob: -43.661095, 172.624887

• Coordinates of parking: -43.660785, 172.620805

• Park in the car park (room for approx. 5-6 cars), walk north along the road for a few minutes and take the stairs up (on the other side of the road). Walk for 5-10 minutes and you come across the first T, take a right here (you’ll be able to see Coopers Knob). A few minutes later the path splits again, take the smaller more grown over path to the right. Follow your nose to Coopers Knob, and note that you have to walk around the far side to climb up the easy way!   

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 best time to visit? 

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• We think sunrise and sunset are both exceptional up here, particularly during golden hour.

• This is a great location that offers 360 degree views so you can always choose which way you want to shoot! (E.g if there are nice clouds in one part of the sky only).

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 cj travel tips 

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• Keep your eye on the wind forecast and avoid visiting when it's gusty.

• Try and time your visit so it doesn’t coincide with a weekend. This a popular spot for local photographers.

• You also have the option of shooting Gibraltar rock here (super close by!)

• Don’t wear a maxi skirt like Char as you will find yourself picking prickles out of it for 82 minutes the following day.

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 cj photography tips 

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• We found the drone best here in terms of doing justice to the incredible landscape. This also allowed us to photograph the knob itself. Wow. What a weird sentence.

• A black and white steel marker (trig point) is located right at the top of Coopers Knob, and if shooting with a drone this will put it in a rather annoying spot. Either decide if a) you’re happy for it to be in your pics (noting it can be quite prominent), b) you are happy to stand in front of it and try and block it or c) opt for photoshop like us haha.

• Wear clothes that work well in silhouettes as depending on which way you shoot you might be silhouetted.

• If you don’t have a drone, there are several other rock faces around which you can use to set your camera up on and/or shoot. Just remember if you want to do this and get in the shot you will need to use a timer!

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 what we found useful to pack 

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​In addition to the usuals (camera gear, suitable clothing, water and food, first aid, etc. we found the following items useful:

• Drone; and

• Clothes for silhouettes.

• Not maxi skirts haha.