LUPIN-SPOTTING IN NEW ZEALAND

For about 4-5 weeks at the end of each year, the center of New Zealand’s South Island bursts into color — purples and pinks and blues and yellows sprout up along lake sides and in riverbeds in Mackenzie Country, making the already-stunning views even more incredible.

The story goes that 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 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 not sure if ANY of that story is true (the naked-on-a-white-stallion part definitely isn’t), but there’s no denying that the Russell lupins DO add a pop of color to countryside that is otherwise a bit colorless.

The funny part? The Russell lupin is actually considered an invasive species by New Zealand’s Department of Conservation.

Talk about a pretty weed!

This was my fourth trip to New Zealand, but my first one during lupin season. So of COURSE I had to go lupin-spotting! My friend Liz and I made it our mission to get some unique shots (or, at least some really pretty ones), driving from Wanaka to Mount Cook and back on the lookout for lupins.

I think we definitely succeeded.

Here are some tips for lupin-hunting in New Zealand, should you like to follow in our footsteps:

Get the timing right

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 Christmas. The lupins at Lake Tekapo are best in late November, while the flowers hit full bloom a little later the further south you go.

Know where to look

Telling you to go to “Mackenzie Country” is really quite vague, I realize. Some of the best places to look for lupins include:

• Around Lake Tekapo***
• All along the Ahuriri River from the Lindis Pass to Omarama***
• Around Lake Wanaka (though some of the best fields are on private land)***
• The Crown Range Road between Wanaka and Queenstown (lots of yellow ones here)
• Burkes Pass
• Around lakes Pukaki and Dunstan (and perhaps Hawea, too)
• Near Twizel

***All of my photos were from these areas.

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!

Even though they are technically a weed, part of me secretly hopes they aren’t ever able to completely eradicate the lupins in New Zealand. Because, damn, do they make for some awesome views!