Lupins flowers add so much magic to the South Island. From mid-to-late November through to early January, you’ll see them popping up in purples, pinks, blues, and the occasional yellow and white. They grow wild all over and around Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, Twizel, the Lindis Pass, and even near Queenstown and Glenorchy.

I was so gutted to miss them during my NZ travels since I was still up north when they were in full bloom. But funnily enough, I just visited Norway as I’m writing this, and I saw them everywhere there. Wasn’t expecting it at all, it was such a cool surprise and made me even more keen to see them back here properly one day.

If you’re in NZ during late spring or early summer, definitely keep an eye out for them. Even roadside spots turn into photo-worthy scenes. Just remember to be respectful don’t trample through the flowers.