For about 4-5 weeks at the end of each year, the center of New Zealand's South Island bursts into color. Purple and pink and blue and yellow lupins sprout up along lake sides and in riverbeds in Mackenzie Country, making the already-stunning views even more incredible.
Lupins are not native to New Zealand – in fact, they're classified as an invasive species – but there's no denying that they are beautiful and make for a great photo backdrop.
Hence why people seek them out each and every year.
How lupins got to New Zealand
The story goes that Connie Scott, the wife of a local farmer, decided the drab center of New Zealand's South Island could use some color. So for years she secretly spread Russell lupin seeds along the roadways and riverbeds each spring; some more embellished versions of the story have her doing so while riding naked on the back of a white stallion.
I'm disinclined to believe the naked-on-a-white-stallion version of that story, but there's no denying that the lupins DO add a pop of color to countryside that is otherwise a bit colorless.
Are lupins invasive in New Zealand?
The bad news is that the lupins have taken a little *too* well to certain areas of New Zealand. Lupins spread easily, and love lakes and rivers – of which NZ has a lot! The problem is that they can choke up waterways and disrupt native ecosystems.
Today, the Russell lupin is actually considered an invasive species by New Zealand's Department of Conservation, AND has been named a road safety hazard by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) – yes, people (tourists) really are crashing their cars due to being distracted by lupins.
So lupins are definitely a little controversial in New Zealand. In recent years, efforts have been made to cull a lot of lupins, and control/contain where they grow and spread.
But there are still plenty to see, especially throughout the central South Island.
And as long as you aren't going out and spreading more lupin seeds yourself (or crashing your car because of them), I see no problem with enjoying them or stopping to take some photos of them.
I myself have gone lupin-spotting in New Zealand, and would do it again!
Here are some tips for lupin-hunting in New Zealand, should you like to see some for yourself:
Tips for finding lupins in New Zealand
1. Know when lupins bloom in NZ
The lupins technically bloom from spring to summer (September-February) in New Zealand, however “peak” lupin season in Mackenzie Country is usually from mid-November until just after New Year's in early January.
The lupins at Lake Tekapo are best in late November, while the flowers hit full bloom a little later the further south you go.
If you're visiting outside this time of year, I'm afraid spotting lupins won't be likely.
2. Know where to look
Lupins can be found around lakes and braided rivers all throughout Mackenzie Country. Though I realize that telling you to go to “Mackenzie Country” is really quite vague. So here are some specific places you can look for lupins in New Zealand:
- Around Lake Tekapo (literally all over!)
- The road to Lake Alexandrina
- Burkes Pass
- Braemar Road between Tekapo and Lake Puakaki
- Near Twizel
- All along the Ahuriri River from the Lindis Pass to Omarama
- Around Lake Dunstan near Cromwell
- Around Cardrona
- The Crown Range Road between Wanaka and Queenstown (lots of yellow ones here)
There used to be tons of lupins around Lake Wanaka, too (though many of the best fields were fenced in an on private land). However many of these fields have since either been contained, or impacted by bad weather. So at present Wanaka isn't a great spot to look for lupins.
3. Be safe about it
Please, please, PLEASE, be careful when you're lupin-spotting. There are often beautiful patches of them along the side of the road, but DON'T just stop in the middle of the road to snap a photo. New Zealand's roads are often narrow and twisty, and you should ONLY pull over when it's safe (preferably in designated pull-off spots).
There are TONS of lupins growing along the Ahuriri River near Omarama, but there are also DOC-provided pull-outs and parking/camping areas – use these instead of the side of the road!
RELATED: DOs and DON'Ts for a New Zealand Road Trip
Where to stay when lupin-spotting
Like I said, you really can spot lupins all over the South Island and especially in the Mackenzie Basin in early summer. But if you're road-tripping it and want to take some time, here are some good options for where to stay overnight:
Lake Tekapo – Three Rivers Lodge for its floor-to-ceiling windows with views out over the lake. (Read TripAdvisor reviews | Book here)
Omarama – The Heritage Gateway Hotel for its location right at the crossroads of MacKenzie Basin, Lindis Pass, and Waitaki Valley. (Read TripAdvisor reviews | Book here)
Twizel – Matuka Lodge for its tranquil, luxurious setting and proximity to Aoraki / Mt Cook National Park. (Read TripAdvisor reviews | Book here)
Wanaka – My picks in Wanaka include the Wanaka View Motel and The Moorings Motel and Apartments because of their lake views and how close they are to the town center.
Crown Range Road – The Cardrona Hotel because of its atmosphere. (If you don't stay here, at least stop by for a bite at the hotel's iconic restaurant.) (Read TripAdvisor reviews | Book here)
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Would YOU want to go lupin-hunting in New Zealand?
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Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
These are so so so pretty. Can I ask if we would be lucky enough to spot some during the first week of September? I booked my trip to New Zealand in a rush so, now I am regretting not having planned this one out clearly.
I don’t think you’ll find any in September, unfortunately. They don’t usually start blooming until late November!
Hi Amanda is it possible to spot the Aurora at Lake Tekapo during the blooming season of Lupin near Lake Tekapo?
I’m not an expert on the Southern Lights, but lupin-blooming season is spring/summer, which usually isn’t ideal for seeing an aurora. And Lake Tekapo is a bit too far north to see them even in the best conditions, I think. (Most photos I’ve seen of the Southern Lights have been from Wanaka or even further south.)
Hi Amanda,
I am planning to visit NZ in early Dec 2017 and I am highly impressed in the places you visited in your blog. May I know if you have any idea on other wildflowers field (or planted flowers field such as sunflower) locations in NZ ? Of course with blooming at around December.
thank you
Kenji
Lupins will be blooming at that time of year, but I’m afraid I don’t know of any other fields of flowers similar to the lupins in New Zealand. There are some lavender farms in New Zealand, but I’m not sure when it usually blooms.
Hi, which part of Lake Wanaka did you get your photos from? Heading there soon and am pretty psyched! 🙂 I don’t recall seeing any near the Wanaka township the last time I was there in the summer though, that’s why I’m asking. Do we need to drive to the other side of the lake?
I got photos on the east side of the lake, heading towards Albert Town (or possibly even a little bit past there). The biggest field we saw was on private land, though… we may have walked a bit down a driveway to take photos through a fence!
Thanks! Appreciate the tip. 🙂 Do you mean somewhere around here: https://www.google.co.nz/maps/place/44°39'28.8“S+169°07’55.4″E/@-44.658008,169.1298783,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d-44.658008!4d169.13 ? Or further inland towards Albert Town?
Ah, URL doesn’t copy paste properly. I meant coords -44.658008, 169.132067 on Google Maps.
I honestly have no idea. We weren’t using a GPS or anything – just driving around the lake and looking for lupins! I know we did not drive very far out of Wanaka, though.
Helo Amanda! Where can I take coach bus from to Lake Tekapo? Also could you pls provide website that I can book my coach & also the estimate charges? Thankyou
Most of the big bus lines in New Zealand stop at Tekapo on their way between Christchurch and Queenstown. I would check out Naked Bus and InterCity. I don’t know what the prices will be like, but I’ve gotten tickets on both at the last minute for about $30-$40 before.
On my fourth trip to NZ… I will go lupin spotting!
Last trip (April 2015) was in autumn, and timed perfectly for repeated drenchings including a 1.4 metre dump of rain and gales at Milford Sound. And nary a single lupin, just the dead stalks of the faded season in some places along the road to Aoraki/Mount Cook. This time, I shall go prepared. Beaut photos documenting these weeds that the majority of New Zealanders yank out and stomp and crush. Poor lupins…Can’t be an easy (short) life being a pretty lupin face.
Each season in New Zealand has something worth seeing, but late spring/early summer is definitely best for lupins!
I live in New Zealand, whilst I agree the lupins are amazing…you must realize that many non-native species here have become invasive -meaning they out compete native species and become the dominant species.For that reason its important that they be controlled.The method is the issue- not sure how DoC does this in the case of Lupins; if at all ( it might be its planting in certain areas is banned or its removal encouraged by landowners).I had river stone delivered to my property when a nearby waterway was cleared of a build-up which impeded flow- and hey presto I now have lots of Lupins.
Yes, I know they’re actually a problem, especially when they impede the flow of waterways. I’m not sure what DoC does to try to combat them, but I understand the need to. (Though, secretly I hope they never completely eradicate them, because they’re so pretty!)
[…] want to shut up. He smoothly swayed between topics while pointing out local flora. For example, the Russel Lupin. I had recently announced it as my second favorite flower2 before learning it is considered an […]
Lupins are beautiful and you know how to take great pictures of them. Well done!
Thanks very much, Liz! 🙂
Beautiful photos! We are coming to NZ to try and time the Lupin right 😉
What exact days did you visit that they were in bloom like this?
Thank you!! 🙂
I was on the South Island from mid-November (about Nov. 18) until early December (I left Dec. 7). The lupins bloom usually from mid/late November until after New Year’s in January.
Hello amanda. just reading your amazing post. May i know if im planning to visit nz early feb. is there’s any possibilities i can see lupin. appreciate ur reply 🙂
There might be a few left down on the South Island, but the main blooming season is from mid-November to early January.
[…] Starting in November and lasting pretty much all spring, the lupins bloom all over New Zealand’s South Island. Yes, they’re technically weeds. But do they ever make for gorgeous photos! Spend at least an afternoon lupin-hunting. […]
WOW! These photos are gorgeous! I’m headed to NZ in January and I hope to find some lupins!
You’ll probably still be able to find some on the South Island!
[…] have been a problem. But when you factored in coffee breaks and far too many stops to photograph lupins along the way, we didn’t even get to Aoraki village until noon. Add in lunch and some more […]
[…] Lupins blooming at Lake Taupo, NZ (2014) […]