New Zealand, an island state in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, is a great honeymoon destination. A New Zealand honeymoon best fits couples who want romance and adventure in a more off-grid setting.
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Is New Zealand a Good Place for a Honeymoon?
With its diverse natural wonders, including stunning glaciers, majestic mountains, pristine beaches, and verdant grassland, it’s hard not to fall in love with New Zealand. Apart from its natural beauty, the warmth of New Zealanders (also known as Kiwis) will make your romantic getaway even better.
Remember that, unlike Australia, New Zealand demands more road trips than domestic flights. As it’s only slightly smaller than Colorado in land area, one significant advantage of a honeymoon in New Zealand is that you and your new spouse can explore more tourist destinations.
What Activities Can You Do on a Honeymoon in New Zealand?
- Marvel at various natural wonders. New Zealand takes pride in its Alpine scenery, waterfalls, glaciers (the towns of Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier on the West Coast are top destinations), mountains, and jaw-dropping lakes (such as Lake Taupo and Lake Wakatipu).
- Go on a heli tour. You can do many things in New Zealand while on or with the aid of a helicopter. These include helicopter tours, heli-fishing, and heli-skiing. Take your New Zealand vacation to a higher notch when you try any of these adventures.
- Try different types of adventure. Speaking of adventures, New Zealand is a place where you can enjoy many adrenaline-pumping activities. There’s ziplining, jet boating, rafting, skydiving, bungee jumping, and hiking. Popular hiking trails are located in Mount Cook National Park, in the heart of the Southern Alps, and Nelson’s Abel Tasman National Park. More leisurely activities include biking and kayaking.
- Sojourn in the real-life Middle Earth. Even if you’re not the biggest Lord of the Rings fan, you will enjoy going on a Hobbiton movie set tour and wandering around The Shire and the Hobbit Hotels. At the end of the day, you can enjoy a hearty banquet meal at The Green Dragon Inn. Other famous LOTR and The Hobbit filming locations include Mt. Owen, Mt. Olympus, Kawarau River, and Milford Sound (part of the Fiordland National Park).
- Satisfy your wine craving. Are you and your loved one certified oenophiles? New Zealand has some of the best wineries to offer. Apart from the Marlborough Wine Region, you can also visit Waiheke Island.
- Stroll around and wind down. Cafes, restaurants, and various shops punctuate New Zealand’s cities. If you want to slow down and feel rejuvenated, consider going to hot springs and getting spa treatments for couples.
What Is the Best Month to Visit New Zealand?
The seasons in the US are the opposite in New Zealand: When it’s winter in the north, it’s summer in the southern hemisphere.
Want to enjoy lower prices and thinner crowds without compromising the weather? It’s best to visit New Zealand between March and May, their autumn, or between September and November, their spring.
If you’re heading there between December and February, their summer, you will have plenty of sunny days to explore the great outdoors. But, the crowd will be thicker, and the overall cost will be higher. From June to August, you will have the ideal wintertime setting for skiing and other snow-related activities.
Is a Honeymoon in New Zealand Expensive?
For a 14-day trip, couples spend $7,000 on average. If you want to stay in luxury accommodations, book business class flights, and take guided tours, the cost can go up to $20,000.
How To Plan a Budget Honeymoon in New Zealand
- Visit during the off-season.
- Though it will be the longer route, taking a bus is more affordable than renting a car and driving.
- Mix and match your accommodations. Stay in hostels, book a one-night stay in luxury lodges, and go camping.
- Make a list of your absolute must-dos and must-visits before you arrive.
- Cook your own meals.
7 Best Cities to Stay In New Zealand
Wellington
Wellington is the place to stay if you want to understand and immerse yourself in the cool Kiwi culture. The cultural and political capital of New Zealand has it all: challenging nature trails, great diving sites, boutique shops, nightlife spots, museums, and theaters.
Because it’s built around a harbor and is surrounded by lush mountains, it lets you stay close to the country’s refreshing natural scenery. Be sure to ride a cable car to see the city’s beauty from above.
Where to stay: City Center
Weather: Wellington boasts a temperate marine climate. Summers are warm, while winters are mild.
Queenstown
Queenstown is named the adventure capital of the world. Shaped by glaciers, rivers, and lakes, it’s a geographical wonder on New Zealand’s South Island.
The picture-perfect mountain town is where you can get your adrenaline pumping with various activities such as skiing, jet boating, and bungee jumping. You can also parachute off the Remarkable Mountains or ride the Skyline Gondola.
Where to stay: Downtown
Weather: Queenstown is wet and partly cloudy all year round. During summertime, the weather is cool. It has brief yet cold winters.
Christchurch
Christchurch in the Canterbury region isn’t only the largest city on the South Island; it also touts itself as a premier center for arts and culture.
It’s home to various theaters, including The Canterbury Theater, and museums where you can get acquainted with the rich Maori history. It’s also nicknamed Garden City because of its beautiful botanical gardens.
Where to stay: City Center
Weather: Christchurch enjoys a temperate maritime climate. It has dry and warm summers; snowfall occurs only once or twice a year, mainly in hill suburbs.
Auckland
Across the island state, Auckland is the largest city. It offers a mix of natural scenery and modern skyscrapers. It has beautiful beaches, great coffee, and impressive international cuisine options.
It’s also one of the best places to go when you’re planning to stay on the west coast of New Zealand. With its harbors and yacht marinas, it also earned the moniker City of Sails.
Where to stay: Downtown
Weather: Auckland is the warmest part of New Zealand. Its summers are warm and humid, while winters are mild and damp.
Rotorua
A haven for honeymooners, Rotorua is at the heart of New Zealand’s geothermal belt. It’s the dream destination for couples who want to connect with nature in an interesting way. You can dip in thermal or mud pools and admire the wonders of geysers and fumaroles.
Apart from such activities, you should visit its lakes, water springs, and redwood forests.
Where to stay: Central Business District
Weather: Rotorua is partly cloudy year in and year out. While summers are generally comfortable, expect rains to occur. Their winters are also cold and wet.
Coromandel Peninsula
The Coromandel Peninsula on the North Island is full of unforgettable experiences. Relax at the world-famous Hot Water Beach, where you can dig natural pools at low tide and enjoy soaking in the naturally heated mineral water that has bubbled up from the ocean.
Coromandel is also a great place for fishing and surfing. For a more relaxing adventure, walk with your significant other from Hahei Beach and explore the immaculate Cathedral Cove.
Where to stay: Whitianga
Weather: Coromandel has a hot climate, with January as its warmest month and November as its wettest.
Dunedin
From scenic road trips to hikes by the coast to waterfall explorations, Dunedin has plenty of things to do. You can also visit any of its viewpoints and savor the idyllic views of the city.
You’ll find various cafes and restaurants at the town square. If you want to go on a day trip, visit the historic Oamaru town or soak up the sun on the beaches of Catlins.
Where to stay: City Center
Weather: Dunedin experiences a temperate maritime climate dominated by a cold front.
What Is the Best Way to Travel to New Zealand?
There are five airports you can fly into New Zealand: Wellington, Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Note that you’ll lose about one to two days each way since the flight lasts about 13 hours; plus, consider the timezone difference.
You can ride shuttle buses and get car rentals to get to your final destination.
Traveling Within New Zealand
In New Zealand, you can self-drive or ride buses or coaches to get around. You can also consider renting a campervan so your lodging is already covered. Since New Zealand is an island country, ferries and water taxis are common. If you want to appreciate the scenery better, you can also hop on a train. The country offers rail journeys from North to South Island.
What Types of Honeymoon Accommodations Are Available in New Zealand?
Luxury lodges and villas tucked away from city centers are common in New Zealand. Booking your stay there will make you appreciate why the country is considered one of the best honeymoon destinations in the world.
If you prefer to stay within the metropolis, you can stay at a luxury or boutique hotel in the city. New Zealand also offers modern treehouses, glass studios, and glamping spots for a unique stay.
3 Local Foods To Try In New Zealand
- Maori hangi. This is a must-try culinary experience in the country. Raw food is wrapped in flax leaves and placed in a deep hole underground. The typical dishes cooked in this earth oven include chicken, fish, lamb, and sweet potatoes.
- Fish and chips. For Kiwis, Friday nights are for fish and chips. Because New Zealand is blessed with miles and miles of coastline, the freshly fried fish there tastes even better.
- Maori bread. Locally known as rewena paraoa, this is a sourdough bread best eaten when warmed and with butter.
Are There Any Cultural Experiences to Include in a New Zealand Honeymoon?
Learning more about Maori culture is essential when visiting New Zealand. As the country’s longest inhabitants, they make up about 16% of their population. Join an organized tour and visit a marae, which refers to the meeting grounds of Maori communities.
Other Maori cultural experiences you must try include visiting Waipoua Forest with local storytellers, booking a Waitangi Treaty Grounds tour, and taking a guided dawn excursion at Maunga Hikurangi.
What to Pack For a Honeymoon in New Zealand
New Zealand has laid-back, rugged vibes. Also, remember that different regions in the country experience varied weather conditions. This is why it’s best to pack casual clothes, layers, and swimsuits. Pack sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellant, and a reliable pair of hiking boots.
Is New Zealand Safe to Visit?
New Zealand is a relatively safe honeymoon destination. As a general guideline, here are some safety tips to follow:
- Avoid carrying valuables such as expensive jewelry and loads of cash with you.
- Beware of your surroundings, especially when in a touristy area or when using ATMs.
- While it can be tempting to hitchhike or accept rides from strangers to save money, it’s best not to do it.
- Don’t stroll around alone late at night.
- Note that if you’re going to self-drive, you will drive on the left-hand side of the road.
- Before going on any outdoor adventure, always monitor weather reports.
- Invest in a distress beacon, especially when exploring the backcountry and marine areas. Mobile phone coverage can be poor in such locations.
Do You Need a Visa to Visit New Zealand?
Although a traditional visa isn’t required, US tourists must apply for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). It’s valid for two years and multiple visits. Allow 72 hours for processing time.
New Zealand Travel Tips
- Declare your hiking boots when going through customs at the airport. Having undeclared ones will cause you to pay a fine. Also, ensure they’re immaculate; otherwise, you may be fined.
- Tap water is generally safe to drink.
- New Zealanders use New Zealand dollars and don’t accept US dollars. $1 is about NZ$ 1.60 as of writing.
- While they speak predominantly English, they have a colonial twang often likened to the Australian accent but softer sounding.
- The wifi is not as fast as you might expect.
- Cover your skin if you head to the beach after dark. There are a lot of sandflies.
- Tipping is not expected or customary. In many restaurants, a small service charge is included in your bill.