Complete Guide to New Zealand Honeymoon Destinations

Spread over 268,000 square kilometres, New Zealand may be small in size but a gem for tourists travelling off-the-beaten-track. For those picking New Zealand for a honeymoon, the island nation lives up to its promise of a gorgeous destination with varied landscapes and scenic beauty. Couples looking for romance and adventure can find breathtaking inland mountainous areas with snowy peaks, stargazing under clear skies, pristine glaciers, sun-kissed beaches, and gushing natural hot springs.

Romantic Places for a Honeymoon in New Zealand

If you’re considering a honeymoon trip, here is a list curated with some of the most romantic places in New Zealand:

• Auckland

Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, is well-known for its skyscrapers, routes to volcanic islands, and gorgeous beaches. Adventure sports, such as bungee jumping from the Sky Tower and ziplining on Waiheke Island, are available. World-class restaurants and cultural landmarks, like the Auckland War Memorial Museum and Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, offer interesting experiences.

Tourist attractions: Orbit 360°- a rotating restaurant; bungee jumping and skywalk at Sky Tower, romantic stroll and photoshoot at Cornwall Park

Best places to stay: Heritage Auckland; The Boatshed

Best time to visit: Autumn (March to May); spring (September to November)

• Hahei 

A New Zealand honeymoon must include Hahei, a stunning white sand beach on the Coromandel in North Island. Build dreamy sand castles and unwind in the steamy water from natural springs at the well-known Hot Water Beach (where you can even build your own hot tub) and Cathedral Cove, a charming beach. To explore the shoreline, one can take a kayak excursion, a picturesque boat ride, or the coastline trail. The warm weather here is ideal for outdoor activities.

Tourist attractions: snorkelling at Cathedral Cove; build a pool at Hot Water Beach

Best places to stay: Hahei Beach Resort; Tatahi Lodge

Best time to visit: Summer (December to March)

• Wellington

To the south of North Island in New Zealand, Wellington is the country’s capital. The city is tucked away between undulating hills and the shores of a gorgeous harbour. It is well-known for its cafe culture and numerous pubs, museums, wine trail, and other tourist attractions.

Tourist attractions: Wellington Cable Car; Mount Victoria Lookout for beautiful sunset views; Wētā Workshop (filmmaking); romantic walk on the shores of Oriental Beach; Te Papa Museum

Best places to stay: QT Wellington; InterContinental Wellington; Doubletree

Best time to visit: All year round

• Queenstown

New Zealand for a honeymoon includes a trip to Queenstown, a hub of adventurous activities and extreme sports. Choose from white-water rafting, hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking, and more. Take a trip to Hawke's Bay, the birthplace of New Zealand wine, relax in a hot spring, ride a boat to picturesque Milford Sound, and explore the fjords.

Tourist attractions: Cliff jumping at Shotover Canyon Swing; rafting in the Shotover River; bungee jumping at Kawarau Bridge; trekking at Tongariro Alpine Crossing; Gibbston wine trail

Best places to stay: Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa; Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu

Best time to visit: Winter (June to August); summer (December to February)

• Lake Tekapo

Located in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, Lake Tekapo is the haunt of stargazers. A bright night sky is maintained at this reserve, with no light pollution, so that you can see one of the clearest and darkest skies in the world. The Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) may sometimes be visible.

Tourist attractions: Mt John Observatory; The Church of Good Shepherd

Best places to stay: Peppers Bluewater Resort; Ranginui Retreat; Three Rivers Lodge

Best time to visit: Winter (June to August)

• Franz Josef and Fox Glacier

Tai Poutini National Park is well-known for its Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Fun activities include guided glacier hikes, a cycleway, different lengths of forest hikes amidst glow worms, kayaking, fishing, and action sports like skydiving or quad biking. The Josef Glacier hot springs are tucked away in the thick woods, a relaxing place otherwise for its deep silence, especially after those exhilarating and daring excursions. 

Tourist attractions: Tatare Tunnels Walk; hiking at Roberts Point Track; Full of Beans cafe

Best places to stay: Rainforest Retreat; Heartland Hotel; Westhaven Motel

Best time to visit: Spring (September to November)

• Coromandel Peninsula

The Coromandel Peninsula lies between pristine beaches and steep mountains covered in rainforest. This peninsula draws adventurous, eco-conscious tourists in great numbers to its west coast, dotted with small towns.

The Coromandel Forest Park occupies a large portion of the interior of the peninsula, and its gorges, forests, and high peaks offer an amazing array of natural features. One can choose to stay in town and travel inland, and there are many wonderful vacation rentals to pick from, including luxury hotels with breathtaking views of the islands off the coast and chalets nestled in the bush.

Tourist attractions: A walk on New Chums Beach, relaxing in a geothermal pool and spa at the Lost Spring

Best places to stay: Tasman Holiday Parks; The Driving Geek Cottage; The Olive Motel

Best time to visit: Summer (December to February)

Conclusion

With its relatively untouched, picture-perfect locales and distinctive adventure activities, a honeymoon in New Zealand proves a unique experience. To ensure that your journey is stress-free, especially to protect yourself from unexpected expenses, it’s always better to have a travel insurance plan to cover your journey. Policies generally cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, flight delays, loss of passport, accidents and other incidents.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It may contain outdated data and information regarding the Insurance industry and products. It is advised to verify the currency and relevance of the data and information before taking any major steps. ICICI Lombard is not liable for any inaccuracies or consequences resulting from the use of this outdated information.