Alex Cairns

Alex Cairns Visual storytelling creative with an enthusiasm for the outdoors and adventure

Golden light on West Coast cliffs.
10/12/2025

Golden light on West Coast cliffs.

One of my favourite moments — soft light, drifting cloud, and a landscape that felt almost unreal.
10/12/2025

One of my favourite moments — soft light, drifting cloud, and a landscape that felt almost unreal.

Local scenes 🌊
08/10/2021

Local scenes 🌊

Looks like a good place to go and get lost in.
24/09/2021

Looks like a good place to go and get lost in.

The hills of Isengard.🧙✨🔮
16/09/2021

The hills of Isengard.
🧙✨🔮

A quiet morning in the middle of nowhere. It was such a privilege to have this place to myself. No cell coverage was a b...
11/09/2021

A quiet morning in the middle of nowhere. It was such a privilege to have this place to myself. No cell coverage was a bonus on this occasion! Being in nature and simply just breathing in the environment is something special that I always appreciate.

Going back through the archives is always fun. Not much else to do right now but edit!
08/09/2021

Going back through the archives is always fun. Not much else to do right now but edit!

Fiordland magic.
07/09/2021

Fiordland magic.

It was a glorious morning ☀️ Something worth getting out of bed early for..
03/09/2021

It was a glorious morning ☀️
Something worth getting out of bed early for..

I have literally dreamed of doing this hike for years. And i have plenty of witnesses who would attest to this! I first ...
28/08/2021

I have literally dreamed of doing this hike for years. And i have plenty of witnesses who would attest to this! I first remember a campervan trip back back in 2018 with my partner, wandering up to Kea Point and seeing a sign post to Mueller Hut “ 2hrs- 1800m”. I looked up on that bleak day and couldn’t see the summit of Mt Olivier for the mist and rain. It captured my imagination- what was up there? The second time i went back to Mt Cook National Park I was with a couple of mates, it was snowing down at the visitors centre, and as none of us had any alpine or snow experience it was defiantly a no-go. But still, the ambition was there.

This year, 2021, was different. I had three weeks off work and decided to take a solo campervan trip around Te Wai Pounamu. Bagging Mueller Hut was high on my list. I knew from research that it would be tough. 1800m over 2k’s is a gnarly elevation. Given that my right leg is now pumping on just half a hamstring due to a pesky injury…i knew it would be a challenge. But i wanted to test my comfort zone.

I spotted a weather window and gunned for it. I’m pleased to say it was a good call. I set off in April, the sun was beating down and I thought the endless stairs would kill my dungy knee. But it turned out that fear was all in my head. It was all worth it. I’ll let the images speak for themselves. But I will say that i never been so blown away by the impressiveness of nature and landscape. New Zealand has so much to offer. I remember my imagination being hooked back in 2018, and now i’m even more impassioned to find and explore more.

Mueller Hut may not be the most technical hike, but i’m not stopping there. This is a starting point. I’m vowing to push my comfort zone cos hell, i know i can do it.

Sunset, Night and Sunrise. Ambition, injury, challenge… It’s all a journey, and i really accomplished something for myself. 😌✌️

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Auckland

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+64277577295

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