New Zealand offers plenty for romance. Its breathtaking natural landscape, featuring majestic mountains, glaciers and volcanoes, never-ending farmland and beautiful beaches, are only the start.
Stay at Makoura Lodge to experience Kiwi countryside, on the fifth-generation farm of McIntyre family and experience genuine hospitality while exploring both Nelson Tasman and Marlborough regions.
1. Mackenzie Basin
The Mackenzie Basin is an intermontane basin situated near the centre of New Zealand. While traditionally utilized for sheep farming, more recently it has become increasingly popular as a tourist destination due to its scenic glacial lakes and snow-covered mountains.
Mackenzie Basin offers numerous ways to experience its breathtaking landscape. You can take in breathtaking mountain vistas or spend some time exploring braided river systems that feed into some of the world’s most magnificent glacial lakes, or visit one of its private and remote high country stations for an authentic Kiwi high country experience.
No matter where you look in the Mackenzie Basin, its breathtaking landscape will leave you speechless. Its ever-shifting seasons and landscape have inspired numerous painters, photographers, writers, and poets to create art inspired by its varying terrain. Furthermore, its harsh environment has profoundly shaped its inhabitants who inhabit this region.
Tekapo is one of the Mackenzie Basin’s most beloved tourist towns and it is easy to see why. There’s so much to do, with mountain vistas being its primary drawcard. If you want to learn photography here, why not join one of Tekapo’s photography tours led by experienced local photographers – these bespoke tours include tuition and feedback on your work from an experienced local professional photographer – or stargaze during an evening photography tour from here? As it falls dark you can admire all of its stars – or stargaze under its dark Sky Reserve status!
2. Coromandel Peninsula
The Coromandel Peninsula protrudes from New Zealand’s ocean shoreline and boasts stunning secluded beaches and mountain trails, along with gorgeous white sandy beaches, native wildlife, and laid-back towns – some of the highlights of this beautiful corner of New Zealand.
Coromandel Peninsula is a walkers’ dream with coastal and inland bush tracks ranging from several hours to multiple days of coastal walks and bush tracks, boasting majestic kauri trees saved from being chopped down during gold mining activity. Plus there’s many artisans offering guided studio tours as part of an organised Coromandel Craft Trail so you can see furniture makers, glass artists, Maori greenstone carvers, painters and potters at work in their studios!
Due to its geography, the Coromandel peninsula boasts a diverse collection of beaches. You’ll typically find rocky shorelines on its western end and sandy surf beaches on its eastern end; additionally there are rock pools, coves and great fishing spots throughout.
Brenton Lodge in Whangamata stands out as a 5-star boutique retreat, boasting cottages tucked between manicured gardens with breathtaking views of Mercury Bay. Indulge in gourmet cuisine, spa services, an outdoor pool and candlelit cellar dining for an unforgettable stay at Brenton Lodge!
3. Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island offers visitors a relaxing getaway just a short ferry ride from Auckland. Boasting welcoming wineries and boutique shops, its relaxed vibe offers visitors a welcome respite from city life – you can even take part in guided vineyard tours to sample its wines before unwinding with a refreshing glass of Pinot Noir by the seaside!
The island offers both natural and luxurious retreats to make for a fantastic romantic getaway for honeymooners in New Zealand. Spend your days swimming, snorkeling or kayaking along its turquoise waters before unwinding at night with a spa treatment just for two.
For adrenaline junkies looking for adventure, this remote country offers plenty of exciting activities. Jet boat at high speeds along the Shotover river or skydive over lush fields of green. Or try something truly memorable like visiting Waitomo Caves where couples can raft through an impressive network of caverns!
4. Hot Water Beach
New Zealand offers everything a romantic couple needs for an idyllic honeymoon or anniversary trip, including idyllic beaches, lush forests and luxurious lodges – the ideal environment to escape your everyday routine and rekindle romance between partners.
Hot Water Beach on New Zealand’s Coromandel Peninsula should not be missed when visiting this incredible nation, as its unique experience cannot be replicated anywhere else in the country. Home to natural springs beneath the sand that you can dig up at low tide to create your very own hot tub, Hot Water Beach offers one of the country’s premier experiences – be sure to go in spring before tourist season hits as an empty hole may become difficult to locate during summer.
Waiheke Island is an idyllic destination in New Zealand often dubbed “The Hamptons of New Zealand.” This luxurious wine region offers high-end restaurants, boutique shops and often deserted beaches – and many hotels on Waiheke offer romantic hideaways – Geiser suggests First Light Villa at Eagles Nest for couples seeking some peace and privacy; complete with two fireplaces, indoor/outdoor spa facilities and panoramic sea and landscape views!