Launching the model new GoPro HERO7 Black Nightfall White restricted version digital camera by occurring a world journey to a secret location…
“Hey man, what are you doing tomorrow?”
I used to be sitting on my sofa in Sydney working my method via an infinite to-do record after simply getting back from a 3-week task in Canada, when my telephone rang. It was a Sunday afternoon, and I had no thought what answering that decision would result in.
BREAKING NEWS – Try our GoPro HERO12 Black assessment!
The individual on the different finish was a mate who loves enjoyable and journey as a lot as nearly anyone I can consider. He’s additionally the sort of person who is aware of the best way to make enjoyable and journey occur.
After a little bit of a chat he dropped the bombshell.
“Need to come on a visit? I can’t inform you the place or what we’re doing, however I promise it’ll be epic. You simply want your passport, heat garments and swimmers.”
17 hours later I used to be standing at Sydney Worldwide Airport, passport in hand, prepared to leap on a thriller flight. As a result of who can say no to a proposal like that?
My buddy works with GoPro, doing their advertising and PR for Australia and New Zealand. He had been secretly placing collectively an insanely superior marketing campaign to launch their model new, restricted version GoPro HERO7 Black Nightfall White version. Not that I knew that on the time.
He wanted another individual to return alongside, seize content material and write in regards to the journey. He considered me, and subsequent factor you recognize I used to be packing my bag for 3 days of untold pleasure.
I bought to the airport and met up with the remainder of the crew coming alongside for the key journey. There was Ed, Loz and Emma from GoPro coordinating the complete journey, two superb video creators, Kurt and Nick, and the editor from Man of Many, Joe as effectively.
Two others, Dalton from The Tailor-made Man {and professional} racecar driver Danni Halcrow, could be assembly us at in our ultimate vacation spot.
At this stage we have been all handed our first clue as to the place we have been going. It was an indication with our flight quantity.
We ran to the flight info board and checked VA163. Continuous to Queenstown, New Zealand, the journey capital of the world.
This was going to be insane.
The Restricted Version GoPro HERO7 Black Nightfall White
To begin with let me speak in regards to the new digital camera that has simply been launched, the GoPro HERO7 Black Nightfall White.
For the primary time ever, GoPro have introduced out a restricted version color of one in all their widespread HERO sequence cameras.
Whereas a number of of their fashions have had totally different colors primarily based on being an entry-level, mid-range or skilled little bit of package, GoPro has by no means given the top-of-the-line digital camera a brand new color earlier than.
The Nightfall White shade has been utilized to the very profitable GoPro HERO7 Black, which is the newest addition to the HERO lineup from the household-name digital camera firm.
You’ll be able to learn all about this unbelievable digital camera in our detailed GoPro HERO7 Black assessment.
This explicit digital camera is a severe contender for being the best possible motion digital camera available on the market. After a number of turbulent years (*cough* drone *cough*) GoPro managed to show their luck round with the introduction of the HERO7, they usually have now cemented their place again on the high of the business.
The GoPro HERO7 Black hit the cabinets with plenty of options that appeared virtually too good to be true.
To start out with was the brand new HyperSmooth characteristic, which is GoPro’s ‘must-be-seen-to-be-believed’ inbuilt picture stabilisation. It was nicknamed the gimbal killer for being so good, and now you’ll be able to create buttery easy footage whereas operating, mountain biking, snowboarding, skateboarding or simply about another excessive influence exercise you’ll be able to consider.
Subsequent in fact is the power to shoot 4K video at 60FPS, and 1080p excessive definition clips at a staggering 240FPS, which produces mind-blowing gradual movement footage.
Surprisingly some folks nonetheless don’t realise that GoPros have at all times been capable of take images, however that every one modified with the introduction of SuperPhoto, a setting that takes vibrant HDR photographs that hardly have to be edited.
In addition they have an evening photograph mode as effectively for taking sharp photographs in low mild (with the usage of a tripod in fact).
TimeWarp was the final massive improve, which is capturing hyperlapse video fairly than the normal timelapses GoPro was restricted to.
All of this is available in a totally waterproof digital camera that matches fairly actually within the palm of your hand.
We’ve personally been utilizing GoPros ever for the reason that launch of the first-ever HERO digital camera, and it’s been fantastic to see the extent of development the digital camera firm has made through the years.
On March 1st 2019 GoPro introduced the restricted version GoPro HERO7 Black Nightfall White, which is identical best-selling digital camera all wrapped up in a particular new color.
Once they say restricted version they imply it – on March twenty fourth they are going to cease promoting them, so if you happen to’ve at all times needed to improve to the brand new GoPro HERO7 Black, now you are able to do so with a horny new color that gained’t be round eternally.
Learn extra in regards to the GoPro HERO7 Black Nightfall White right here.
GoPro’s Secret Journey in Queenstown, New Zealand
Again to the story, and what went down when GoPro took myself and eight different folks to Queenstown, New Zealand to have fun the launch of the GoPro HERO7 Nightfall White version digital camera.
Don’t miss our detailed information on the most effective issues to do in Queenstown
Day 1 – To the Luge!
After the 3-hour flight we cleared customs and headed straight to our lodging, the Rees Resort. That is well-known for being among the best motels in Queenstown, and with postcard-worthy views over Lake Wakatipu and rooms larger than most individuals’s flats, it’s an ideal place to make a snug base when on the town.
Not that we had a lot probability to benefit from the views. We got 20 minutes to check-in to our rooms, drop our baggage off and prepare for our first journey.
As quickly as I walked into my monumental condominium I noticed a shiny new GoPro case sitting on the kitchen bench. I excitedly opened it, and bought my first glimpse of the Nightfall White model of the outstanding GoPro HERO7 Black.
There was additionally a bunch of cool equipment and mounts within the case to assist us seize some candy content material over the following 2 days in Queenstown.
I grabbed my new digital camera and headed again upstairs to meet up with the remainder of the blokes.
The GoPro staff loaded us into taxis and we drove into city, undecided about what we might be doing for the afternoon.
We pulled up on the base of the Skyline Gondola, loaded into the raise and made our option to the highest of Bob’s Peak. Right here we have been handed our subsequent card.
It was time to hit the luge.
This 800m monitor is among the funnest actions in Queenstown, and we got 3 laps every to get the grasp of the plastic karts, and naturally see who may seize the most effective banger footage.
Despite the fact that most of us had been to Queenstown beforehand, no person had been on the luge earlier than. There was a good bit of smack speaking already taking place about who would win, however there wasn’t any severe competitors amongst the crew. It was simply going to be a enjoyable option to spend an hour with new buddies.
We raced the karts as quick as we may, getting progressively extra aggressive every time, and having a barrel load of guffaws as we’d nudge one another into the partitions on the best way down.
After the three laps we headed to the Skyline Restaurant for a sundown dinner. This place is fairly well-known for being among the best spots to eat in Queenstown, and it positively didn’t disappoint.
We grabbed a desk by the window, arrange our GoPros for timelapses, and bought caught into the connoisseur buffet dinner.
Quite a lot of craft beers have been loved, however earlier than it bought too late we headed again to the lodge for an early-ish night time. We have been promised tomorrow was going to be jam-packed, and we would have liked to be recent for it.
Day 2 – Dawn, Helicopters and Waterfall Shenanigans
At 6am all of us met within the foyer of the Rees Resort and wandered right down to their non-public pier on the sting of the lake to shoot dawn.
GoPro cameras was all about motion and excessive sports activities, however with the implausible tech upgrades lately now they’re good journey cameras to shoot any sort of pictures.
Sadly the sky didn’t activate the loopy colors we had hoped for, but it surely didn’t matter. It was nice to only be beginning the day with some superior folks and testing out the class-leading options of the GoPro HERO7 Black Nightfall White.
Simply earlier than we made our method again to the lodge for breakfast, the GoPro officers handed us our new playing cards for the day.
“Let’s take to the skies for probably the most breathtaking views in New Zealand.”
In a spot like Queenstown, taking to the skies can imply any one in all 100 various things. No level attempting to guess proper now although, we’d discover out quickly sufficient.
As we speak we have been break up up into two teams. Nick, Kurt and Danni headed off as ‘creators’ for their very own fun-filled day of journey with Ed and Loz, whereas Dalton, Joe and myself have been despatched off as ‘media’ to attempt some totally different actions with Emma tasked with the job of taking care of us.
The thought was that fairly than having 9 folks capturing the identical content material, we may deal with experiencing as many epic adventures in Queenstown as attainable.
We mentioned goodbye to the creator staff and met Lee from Alpine Adventures, New Zealand’s premier journey firm, who drove us to the airport.
We pulled up exterior HeliWorx, one in all Lee’s companions and curator of epic experiences, and the day’s exercise turned clearer.
Lee gave us a briefing on what we’d be getting as much as. We’d be loading right into a helicopter and going for half-day flying journey via Milford Sound, with stops at Lake Erskine, a glacier close to Mitre Peak and a champagne lunch at a spot dubbed Center Earth Waterfalls.
Our pilot Scotty then joined us after doing the pre-flight checks on the helicopter, and he gave us a security speak earlier than all of us jumped in.
A couple of minutes later, we took to the skies.
Flying over Lake Wakatipu is tough to place into phrases. The water shimmers in vivid hues of blue with mountains dropping sharply on the lake’s shore.
As lovely as the world immediately round Queenstown is although, getting deeper into the Fiordland Nationwide Park is the place our jaws hit the ground.
The New Zealand Alps are house to among the most spectacular mountain ranges on the earth, on par with what we’ve seen in Patagonia, Canada and Austria.
Even in the course of summer season the excessive peaks have been coated in a recent layer of snow and misty clouds rolled off the jagged cliffs.
Scotty flew us over the mountains, mentioning numerous options of the landscapes beneath. He even managed to identify some deer from excessive above the terrain.
He approached Lake Erskine, a surprising alpine lake with a waterfall cascading from its facet into the valley beneath, and touched down by its shore.
All of us climbed out of the chopper and excitedly ran round for twenty minutes exploring the distant vacation spot.
Launching into the sky once more Scotty then took us to the coast, and with impeccable climate on our facet, we had the chance to fly via Milford Sound, probably the most visually gorgeous and widespread locations in all of New Zealand.
Circling Mitre Peak, a mountain well-known to climbers the world over, we then flew to a close-by glacier, and with the situations wanting proper Scotty landed immediately on the ice, permitting us to stretch the legs.
Lee and Scotty talked to us about glacier security, the hazards of crevasses and the best way to keep away from them, and as soon as we had taken our photos we headed off once more for the ultimate vacation spot.
Center Earth Waterfalls is a fascinating place that may solely be reached by chopper (HeliWorx has the one permits to land right here) or through an extended trek, and it’s so spectacular that this location was used through the filming of The Hobbit.
A large hanging glacier looms above the valley, with plenty of waterfalls tumbling down into the river beneath. It actually is an imposing and enchanting location, and it’s straightforward to see why it’s been utilized in a Hollywood fantasy film.
Scotty dropped us off about 500m up the river and we slowly walked to the bottom of the glacier to satisfy him. By the point we arrived he had laid out a scrumptious connoisseur picnic lunch, full with champagne, for us to take pleasure in.
I’ve had a variety of meals in a variety of epic locations, however few examine to right here.
With the meal carried out a number of of us went for a swim within the glacial river earlier than returning to Queenstown airport.
This was by far probably the most unbelievable expertise I’ve had in all of New Zealand, and we couldn’t thank Lee from Alpine Adventures sufficient for the day trip.
Now it was time to seek out out what we’d be doing subsequent…
“It’s time to go to nature’s very personal water park.”
Lee drove us again into city, dropping us off on the workplace of Canyoning Queenstown. The adventures would proceed into the afternoon.
Canyoning is the game of navigating via a canyon or gorge, typically requiring climbing, leaping, scrambling or swimming to succeed in the tip and sometimes utilizing ropes to securely abseil or zipline via harmful sections.
With that sort of description, we knew it was going to be an epic few hours.
Our guides gave us a security briefing earlier than driving us out to a canyon simply 10 minutes from Queenstown. Right here we got helmets, life vests, wetsuits and footwear, in addition to a extra detailed rationalization of what they’d in retailer for us.
One other fast drive and shortly we have been on the backside of the river. We took a fast dip to chill off, then hiked our method up the sting of the canyon.
Alongside the best way we took two ziplines over the gorge beneath to get our hearts pumping, and shortly sufficient we abseiled 20m down into the fast-flowing river.
Working our method again in direction of the place to begin, our group slid down moist rocks and jumped off of excessive waterfalls. At one level we even ziplined to the centre of a pool, then utilizing some skilful rope strategies needed to abseil immediately from the zipline, which is one thing none of us had ever tried earlier than.
The water was frigid, however because of the wetsuits (and fixed motion) we managed to remain heat all through the journey. Our GoPro HERO7 Black Nightfall White cameras additionally by no means missed a beat, even with the fixed thrashing in icy waters.
I’ve been fortunate sufficient to canyon in plenty of nations world wide, however Queenstown actually does all the things higher than wherever else on the earth. It was an superior option to end the day of secret actions.
Showered and dry, we drove into city and hit one of many bars for some celebratory craft beers earlier than heading again to the Rees Resort for some pre-dinner relaxation.
The GoPro staff had booked us into Botswana Butchery, among the best steakhouses in the entire South Island, for our ultimate night time on the town, and the complete crew bought caught into a tasty meal washed down with copious bottles of wine.
Afterwards, feeling correctly lubricated, the group hit Cowboys for a number of hours of debaucherous dancing. We frolicked till closing, then foolishly stayed up longer on the lodge consuming extra wine and fixing the entire world’s issues.
Once you get the GoPro household collectively, enjoyable is at all times going to ensue. Couldn’t have requested for a greater option to finish such an epic day.
Day 3 – One Last Journey
To say I awoke feeling a bit of worse for put on could be an understatement, but it surely was completely price it for the enjoyable night time all of us had at Cowboys.
We met within the foyer, checked out of our rooms, after which have been handed our final playing cards. Our media group could be heading again up the gondola and attempting the one exercise that’s most synonymous with Queenstown – bungy leaping.
We drank our weight in coffees and loved a wholesome breakfast at Vudu Cafe earlier than making our option to the highest of Bob’s Peak.
The Ledge Bungy in Queenstown is a comparatively low bungy soar, however made all of the extra particular because of the jaw-dropping views over city and the lake, and the power to attempt a freestyle soar.
The advertising supervisor from AJ Hackett, the corporate based by the person that invented bungy leaping, welcomed us to the centre, and I bought weighed up for the exercise.
The opposite 3 had opted to skip the ultimate exercise, however regardless of my veins being filled with wine and beergaritas from the night time earlier than, I had determined to go forward with it.
As a result of drizzly climate it was simply our GoPro staff participating within the exercise, so we had loads of time to prepare and arrange cameras for my leap.
One factor I’ve realized although from years of leaping off of excessive issues is that the longer you hesitate, the extra doubtless you might be to speak your self out of one thing, so as soon as I had the bungy related to me I swan dived off the ledge as shortly as attainable.
It’s the third time I’ve bungy jumped in my life, and there actually is not any different feeling fairly prefer it. The adrenaline rush is overwhelming, and also you’re left buzzing for hours afterwards, though the exercise itself is over in just some seconds.
As nobody else in our crew threw themselves off the ledge, we have been left with some spare time on our arms, so we signed up for a ultimate 3 laps of the luge to complete off the morning.
In a flash we have been again at Queenstown airport, checking into our flight and on the point of return to Sydney. It was a whirlwind journey, however positively one thing we might always remember.
To have the chance to participate in such an thrilling marketing campaign with GoPro to launch their new HERO7 Nightfall White restricted version digital camera was fairly particular, and I’m very grateful to the staff at GoPro Australia and New Zealand, in addition to to the Lampoon Group, for the chance.
The subsequent time a mate asks what I’m as much as tomorrow, they’re going to have a tough time attempting to beat that have…
