Fantastical Landscapes

A DigitalNZ Story by Chris McDowall

“One of the functions of landscape it to correspond to, nurture, and provoke exploration of the landscape of the imagination. Space to walk is also space to think, and I think that's one thing landscapes give us: places to think longer, more uninterrupted thoughts or thoughts to a rhythm other than the staccato of navigating the city.” Rebecca Solnit, Storming the Gates of Paradise: Landscapes for Politics

sea, ice, landscapes, beach, mountains, gorge, gully, rocks

Image: Coastal scene with a boating party and an unusual 'stalked' rock, probably Whangaroa Harbour

Coastal scene with a boating party and an unusual 'stalked' rock, probably Whangaroa Harbour

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Blowhole arch at Mussel Rock (Te Kaha Point) north of Raglan - Photograph taken by Gilmour Brothers

Blowhole arch at Mussel Rock (Te Kaha Point) north of Raglan - Photograph taken by Gilmour Brothers

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: A member of the Home Guard at the Pancake Rocks, Punakaiki

A member of the Home Guard at the Pancake Rocks, Punakaiki

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Rock with Maori markings, at Raglan

Rock with Maori markings, at Raglan

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Wakamarina Gorge, Marlborough - Photograph taken by William Henry Macey

Wakamarina Gorge, Marlborough - Photograph taken by William Henry Macey

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Matterhorn Iceberg with Mount Erebus in the background, during the British Antarctic Expedition of 1911-1913

Matterhorn Iceberg with Mount Erebus in the background, during the British Antarctic Expedition of 1911-1913

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Rock formation on mountain

Rock formation on mountain

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Taieri Pet at Middlemarch

Taieri Pet at Middlemarch

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Grotto in an iceberg, photographed during the British Antarctic Expedition of 1911-1913

Grotto in an iceberg, photographed during the British Antarctic Expedition of 1911-1913

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Hole in the Rock, Bay of Islands

Hole in the Rock, Bay of Islands

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Tom Newth and Frank Gillett climbing Jagged Peak, Canterbury

Tom Newth and Frank Gillett climbing Jagged Peak, Canterbury

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Cairn marking the site of Robert Falcon Scott's tent

Cairn marking the site of Robert Falcon Scott's tent

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Crossing a swing bridge over the Rangitata River

Crossing a swing bridge over the Rangitata River

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Clinton Canyon from McKinnon's Pass, Te Anau, Southland

Clinton Canyon from McKinnon's Pass, Te Anau, Southland

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Barron's Canyon on the Whitcombe River, West Coast, New Zealand

Barron's Canyon on the Whitcombe River, West Coast, New Zealand

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Mitre Peak and Sinbad Gully, Milford Sound

Mitre Peak and Sinbad Gully, Milford Sound

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Iceberg and grotto, Antarctica

Iceberg and grotto, Antarctica

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: 2 rocks and lighthouse.

2 rocks and lighthouse.

Kete Horowhenua

Image: The point of the Barne Glacier, Antarctica

The point of the Barne Glacier, Antarctica

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Ice and the Terra Nova

Ice and the Terra Nova

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Whangaroa Harbour

Whangaroa Harbour

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Traversing Annette wind ridge by chief guide F. Milne, Mt Cook district. From the album: Record Pictures of New Zealand

Traversing Annette wind ridge by chief guide F. Milne, Mt Cook district. From the album: Record Pictures of New Zealand

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa