Ah, the South Island of New Zealand, a place near and dear to our hearts. We can't seem to get enough of this scenic wonderland, which keeps calling us back.

We prefer to travel off-season and the photos below were taken on one such trip during late April/early May.

This trip's itinerary was as follows:

Arrived Christchurch, drove to Oamaru - one night to view the little blue penguins (we saw 26!)

Drove from Oamaru to Invercargill via Dunedin - one night

Drove from Invercargill to Bluff, took the ferry to Stewart Island - three nights. While on Stewart Island, we walked the Rakiura Track from Port William to Lee's Bay, then back to Halfmoon Bay, we took the Fushsia walk to Deep Bay and back, and we took a water taxi to nearby Ulva Island (bird sanctuary) where we walked the 5 kilometers of tracks. Stewart Island gets 275 days of rain a year!

Took the ferry back to Bluff, drove from Bluff to Queenstown - three nights. While in Queenstown we visited several wineries in nearby Wanaka and Cromwell (fabulous Pinot Noir), ate some delicious Indian food, and soaked up the incredible scenery. We also drove to Glenorchy and walked a portion of the Dart Track.

Drove from Queenstown to Franz Josef, stopping to walk to the Blue Pools enroute. What a surprise! How had we missed these gorgeous pools on previous visits? During our three night stay in Franz Josef, we visited nearby Okarito (the setting of Keri Hulme's bestseller "The Bone People"), where we walked to Okarito Trig Viewpoint, and took the Three Mile Lagoon Walk and the Pakihi Walk. We also walked to the terminal face of both Franz Josef and Fox Glacier and took the Chalet Lookout Walk (Fox) which turned out to be our favorite walk of the trip.

Drove from Franz Josef to Takaka (Golden Bay) via Nelson and Motueka - three nights. While in Golden Bay we walked a portion of the Heaphy Track and visited Wharaiki Beach on Cape Farewell, where we saw about 10 seal pups frolicking in the pools. We also walked the Asbestos Track in Kahurangi National Park and visited Te Waikoropupu Springs (known as Pu Pu by the locals), where we took the Hydro Walk.

Drove from Takaka to Mapua near Ruby Bay - three nights. Here we visited more wineries (loved the Sauvignon Blanc and organic Chardonnay!), a distillery, an olive grove, and ate at some very good restaurants. We also visited the St. Arnaud area and walked the Lake Rotoiti Loop Track in Nelson Lakes National Park.

Drove from Mapua to Picton via Havelock and Queen Charlotte Drive (gorgeous!). In Picton, we boarded a water taxi and went to Bay of Many Coves in the Marlborough Sounds - three nights. Here we took the Lookout Walk and walked part of the Base Track near the resort. We also took a water taxi to Ship Cove and walked the Queen Charlotte Track to Furneaux Lodge - loved this track and the views of the Marlborough Sounds were just incredible.

Took the water taxi back to Picton, then drove to Hanmer Springs (thermal reserve) via Blenheim and Kaikoura - one night. At Kaikoura we turned inland and enjoyed some spectacular country scenery on the backroad to Hanmer Springs.

Drove Hanmer Springs to Christchurch for departure.

Can't wait to go back!