Winter Honeymoon in New Zealand: North & South Island - 7 Days

Highlights

• Experience traditional healing practices with a treatment at Wai Ariki Spa
• Visit the National Hatchery to meet and learn how kiwi chicks are raised
• Walk under 115-year-old illuminated redwood trees after dark in Rotorua
• Zip across the Shotover River Canyon in a fun jet boat near Queenstown
• Admire views of the Milford Sound / Piopiotahi with a scenic flight and cruise

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Auckland, Dinner at Ahi Restaurant

Kia ora! Welcome to beautiful Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand. Life in the North Island city revolves around two bustling harbors, where more than 500,000 sailboats and yachts have earned Auckland the nickname "City of Sails." A private driver will be waiting to transfer you to your accommodation in the city center. The afternoon is yours to get to know Auckland at your pace. Drop by the nearby Wynyard Quarter for a feast of local seafood at the Fish Market, or travel up the iconic Sky Tower, the tallest human-made structure in New Zealand at 1,076 feet (328 m).

Refresh in your suite ahead of this evening's seasonal New Zealand cuisine taste at Ahi, a chic restaurant that honors passionate local suppliers and growers. You and your new spouse will taste a handful of ever-changing dishes paired with wine, each telling an authentic food story of Aotearoa (the Māori name for New Zealand).

Day 2: Drive to Rotorua, Visit Hell's Gate, Wai Ariki Spa Session

Today, you'll collect a rental car and cruise three hours south to Rotorua, New Zealand's famous geothermal city. This is one of the world's most active volcanic regions, with bubbling mud pools, steaming geysers, and natural hot springs. Brace yourself for the strong smell of sulfur as you approach! Check into your luxe lodge, then start the geothermal fun at the otherworldly Hell's Gate spa. Join a guided or self-guided walk of the 50-acre (20 ha) park. Then, soak in geothermal mud and acidic sulfur waters and experience the healing properties that local Māori have used for over 800 years.

Diving into the warm mud will open and clear your pores. Follow this up with a deeply cleansing sulfur spa that will gently exfoliate your skin. Then, continue with an indulgent session at Wai Ariki Spa. Nestled on the foreshore of Lake Rotorua, Wai Ariki Spa offers a restorative journey grounded in te ao Māori principles, Ngāti Whakaue culture, and traditional healing practices. Under the guidance of the local iwi (tribe), you'll move from heat to cool, mud to water, and air to steam to maximize the therapeutic benefits of this two-hour multisensory, immersive progression.

Day 3: Visit the National Hatchery, Explore Wai-O-Tapu, Redwoods Treewalk

This morning, get up close with New Zealand's national bird on a guided visit to the National Hatchery. Learn about how the organization incubates, hatches, and raises the kiwi chicks until they reach a certain size, which strongly increases their survival rate. Afterward, explore more of Rotorua's famous geysers, bubbling mud holes, steaming vents, and sulfurous pools at Wai-O-Tapu. Choose between several different walks that showcase the distinctive landscapes and volcanic activity, including the famous Mud Pool. Learn about the Lady Knox Geyser with a guide, then watch it erupt.

This evening, after sundown, you'll explore Rotorua's Redwood Forest. Experience a captivating and romantic setting with dozens of lanterns, color spots, and feature lights illuminating the 115-year-old redwood trees and forest ferns. It's an immersive and unique way to appreciate the beauty of these natural giants—and an excuse to hold hands with your beloved as you stroll along uplit pathways.

Day 4: Fly to Queenstown, TSS Earnslaw Cruise & Barbecue Dinner

Bid farewell to Rotorua and catch a connecting flight to Queenstown via one of New Zealand's larger cities. New Zealand's adventure capital is set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu in the Southern Alps. This ruggedly beautiful region offers hair-raising thrills, beautiful vineyards, and historic gold-mining towns. On arrival, take a transfer to your accommodation and settle in. The best way to appreciate the Queenstown area's majesty is to ride the Skyline Gondola over 1,400 feet (450 m) to Bob's Peak. At the top, enjoy views out to Coronet Peak and the Remarkables.

This evening, you'll cruise across the breathtakingly beautiful Lake Wakatipu. The historic TSS Earnslaw steamship will take you to the lakeside gardens of Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet dinner by the water. Soak up the scenery at the lakeside homestead and watch as chefs prepare a seasonal bounty of succulent meats cooked on the outdoor rotisserie and a selection of delicious vegetables and salads. Enjoy desserts, including New Zealand cheese, and an entertaining farm demonstration before the return cruise, where you can enjoy a singalong from the ship's pianist.

Day 5: Skippers Canyon 4WD Tour, Jet Boat Adventure, Dinner at Botswana Butchery

Today begins with a white-knuckle journey on the infamous Skippers Road. Board a private 4WD with a skilled driver to navigate the road, which winds 600 feet (183 m) above Skippers Canyon, a 14-mile-long (22 km) gorge carved by the Shotover River. Built during the gold rush between 1883 and 1890, the road offers dramatic views and nail-biting sheer drops into the canyon. Stop to visit historic sites like the Skippers Suspension Bridge and the restored schoolhouse.

After, continue the thrills with an exhilarating trip through the Shotover River Canyon in a high-speed jet boat. Take a ride on "Big Red" through the spectacular canyon walls of the upper Shotover River. You'll gasp in amazement as your jet navigates 46 miles (75 km) of rapids and narrow twists and turns. For dinner, make a booking at Botswana Butchery, one of Queenstown's most renowned restaurants. Located in the historic Archer's Cottage, you'll enjoy lake views and cozy fires both inside and out as you dine on delicious contemporary New Zealand food and wine.

Day 6: Fly & Cruise to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi, Onsen Hot Pools Experience

Any trip to New Zealand should include a visit to the world-famous Milford Sound / Piopiotahi. If you're short on time but ready for the adventure, the fly and cruise option from Queenstown takes you to the heart of the Fiordland region and back in no time. Your 35-minute scenic flight from Queenstown will soar over the rugged backcountry of Central Otago, pristine lakes, lush rainforest, rugged snowcapped mountains, and glacially carved valleys of Fiordland National Park. Once at the sound, board an intimate and immersive two-hour cruise.

Relax while taking in Mitre Peak, cascading waterfalls, towering cliffs, and native animals from the boat. Passengers often spot seals basking in the sun, dolphins leaping, and sometimes the rare Fiordland crested penguins. After, return to Queenstown in the same plane. Spend your final evening in New Zealand at Onsen Hot Pools, where you'll slip into a cedar-lined hot tub under the stars. Based on the Japanese bathing tradition, this onsen gives the traditional experience a distinct Kiwi twist. Enjoy an hourlong soak in steaming pools set on a cliffside overlooking the Shotover River. 

Day 7: Depart Queenstown

Your winter honeymoon across New Zealand comes to a close today. After a final leisurely morning at your lodge, take a private transfer to the airport and catch your departing flight. Safe travels!

More Great New Zealand Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to New Zealand? Check out these other New Zealand itineraries, explore different ways to spend a week in New Zealand on your honeymoon, or discover the best time to visit New Zealand.

 

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