Thanks Freeth. I'll look at private rentals, but fear they are not compatible with my plan.

Thanks im-headed-west. I am flabbergasted by the completeness of that response ^.

Ulva Is. is indeed what I'm after when I say Stewart Is. I want to see special birds like albatross, but read that my time-frame is not good for them at Otago. True?

Recognizing there will some redundancy (a poor choice of word, reflecting ignorance) between Ulva & Otago, Fox & Franz & Mt. Cook, Milford & Doubtful, I know that up to half of those will be impractical to include.

But armed with a clearer rank-order of priorities, and some confidence that "playing it by ear" is possible with respect to walk-up stays and activities, I hope to balance vigor and sanity.

Dare I pose a new question?
e) For mid/late-Sept, would anyone care to rank order: TranzAlpine, Ulva Island, Doubtful Sound?

Clarification on b) where you like to stay: I was fishing for specific motel/B&B recommendations, more than towns to stay the night, but appreciate both.

Cheers.