Hot Pools and Waterfalls Honeymoon Itinerary

WELCOME TO AUCKLAND!

After welcoming you at the airport we have a relaxing day planned for you - you won't have to lift a finger.

Today's City to Country Mini Tiki Tour is recognised as one of Auckland's very best private tours. After being greeted by your personal driver-guide, travel in a comfortable top-range vehicle for a short scenic journey to the city and West Coast of Auckland. Discover the local people, cuisines, adventure and scenery before enjoying a lovely lunch or picnic overlooking the ocean.

Take a short stroll through beautiful West Coast Rainforest to beautiful Kitekite Falls, one of the most famous waterfalls in the Waitakere Ranges. The lake-like pool at the bottom is a great place for a refreshing swim.

There's no strict timetable - the itinerary will be perfectly matched to how you feel on the day. Your guide will take great care of you before returning you to your accommodation in the early afternoon.

Accommodation: Auckland - 2 Nights

This morning head to Waiheke Island, a short ferry ride from Auckland.

Artists and free-spirits mingle with the rich and famous on this blissful island. It's a haven of beautiful beaches, gastronomical treasures and award winning wineries. There's no better place to unwind.

Today is yours to enjoy as you please. Laze on a deserted beach, stroll through the lush rainforests or browse the artisan stores to your heart's content.
Wine tour of Waiheke Island

Since the late 1970's Waiheke's benign climate has seen the growth of a flourishing wine industry. A "small is beautiful" philosophy yields low quantities of extremely high quality fruit, which is made into international award-winning wines. Visit three of the Island's finest vineyards for tasting and enjoy a commentated scenic tour of the Island by a knowledgeable local guide.

Included is a two hour lunch stop (lunch is at additional cost) at a a village or beachside cafe.

Leaving Auckland behind, it's time to journey into the heart of the Central North Island. Travelling through the lush farmland of the Waikato and King Country regions, the real New Zealand unfolds before you.

Today you will visit an idyllic village which blurs the line between fantasy and reality. Welcome to the emerald pastures of Hobbiton, the Lord of the Rings film set brought to life on a private farm in Matamata. With its gorgeously crafted wooden hobbit houses under the lush green hills, is a fantastic place to visit even if you haven’t seen the movie.

Watch out for Orcs!

From here your journey continues to the volcanic wonders of Rotorua, your home for the next two nights.

Approximate Distance: 229 kms | 142 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 55 mins

Accommodation: Rotorua - 2 Nights

The day is yours to enjoy Rotorua however you desire...

You could marvel at the alien landscapes in a Geothermal Park, visit the Agrodome Sheep Show for a taste of local farm life, see endangered Kiwi at Rainbow Springs Nature Park, or take a scenic flight out over Lake Rotorua for a bird’s eye view of the region. You could even hike to the crater of Mt Tarawera, the site of the largest volcanic eruption in New Zealand’s living memory!

However you spend your day, the best way to end it is with a soak in Kerosene Creek, just a 20 minute drive south of Rotorua. Surrounded by native bush, this natural thermal spot is a local favourite. Hot springs bubble up from underground and mingle with the cool creek waters.

Float along the creek until you find your perfect temperature and soak away.
 

Tongariro is New Zealand's oldest National Park and a dual World Heritage area. This special place has outstanding volcanic features and is easy to explore. It is a place of extremes and surprises, ranging from herb fields to lush native forests, from tranquil lakes to desert-like plateau and active volcanoes.

This unforgettable park offers many hiking options from shorter walks to waterfalls and fascinating volcanic features, including the crater of Ruapehu or the eight hour Tongariro Crossing, one of the top day walks in the world.

Natural hot-pools are found throughout the park, for whenever you want a soothing spa.

Popular Walks Include:

Approximate Distance: 185 kms | 115 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 20 mins

Accommodation: National Park - 1 night

It is a clear 4 hour drive down to Wellington, and the last part of the journey hugs a rugged coastline with scenic views out to Kapiti Island.

Wellington is another of our Harbour Cities, situated at the southern most tip of the North Island. The Wellington vibe is creative and eclectic - the nation's top politicians rub shoulders with street performers in this lively cafe culture. Renowned for its arty atmosphere, Wellington is a real Kiwi cultural treat and numerous galleries and character-filled shops line its colourful streets.

Wellington is also famous for having some of New Zealand's best restaurants - gourmet dining experiences here are truly world class. 

Approximate Distance: 306 kms | 190 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours 50 mins

Accommodation: Wellington - 1 night

A magnificent landscape of steep-sided hills sits beside a beautiful harbour, and the city itself bustles with a vibrant creative culture. Renowned for its eclectic, arty atmosphere, Wellington is a real treat. Kiwi culture, cuisine and scenic beauty abound in New Zealand’s iconic capital.

The Museum of New Zealand 'Te Papa' is full of national treasures and sits beside the water in the downtown area of the city centre - well worth a visit.

Here are some suggestions for your day in Wellington

Morning flight Wellington to Nelson

As your flight descends into Nelson, get a stunning introduction to New Zealand's sunshine capital as you admire the glittering waters, forests and bays from the plane windows.

Nelson has a large creative community of working artists that gives the town a laid-back, bohemian feel. Passionate wine makers and craft beer brewers in the area mean that sitting in the sun with the tipple of your choice is a lovely way to enjoy the town centre.

Receiving some of the highest sunshine hours in New Zealand, the Nelson district it the perfect destination to visit year round. Located in the North-West corner of New Zealand, the Nelson region is surrounded by sheltered mountain ranges, golden beaches, national parks and boutique wineries and breweries. From Nelson, it’s easy to access any of three distinctly different National Parks.

Approximate Distance: 37 kms | 23 miles  Total Driving Time: 35 mins

Accommodation: Bronte Peninsula - 2 Nights

Whether you're craving adventure or looking to unwind today, Abel Tasman has a wealth of options...

One of New Zealand's most celebrated Great Walks is right at your doorstep. The 60km Abel Tasman Coast Track undulates through lush forests, rocky headlands and golden bays. With regular water taxi services you can easily hike a small section of the track and relax on the journey home. To get your adrenalin going, it's a beautiful setting to try that once-in-a-lifetime skydive. Or jump, slide, abseil, float and zipline your way downstream on an unforgettable canyoning adventure.

Kayaking the Abel Tasman or sailing trips are another great way to explore the bays, and you may even find a few native seals joining you along the way!

Of course, another great option is to do nothing at all. Why not curl up together on a secluded beach, surrounded by beauty and birdsong, and leave the outside world behind...

Fly to Queenstown, the "Jewel of the South Island".

Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by towering mountains, Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s ultimate holiday destinations.

It is renowned as the adventure capital of the country but with excellent food and wine, great shopping, and hiking trails galore, there are endless ways to relax here too. Fishing, golfing, gold panning and luxury thermal spas are on offer as well as the more adventurous bungy jumping, skydiving and rafting.

Famed for its international winter skiing profile and outdoor beauty, Queenstown is a brilliant destination to visit year-round. With three nights here, you can take your time and savour every minute.

Approximate Distance: 47 kms | 29 miles  Total Driving Time: 45 mins (to Nelson Airport)

Accommodation: Queenstown - 4 Nights

Today's exhilarating Jet Boat Safari will whisk you away to isolated valleys and ancient native forests frozen in time. Mount Aspiring National Park is magical, and must be seen to be believed.

Then, with an expert guide, you will enjoy an easy 30 – 40 minute walk through the ‘Heritage Trail’ at the tiny town of Paradise, enlivened by fascinating commentary about the local flora and fauna as well as the Maori and colonial history of the area.

The return journey to Queenstown takes the road less travelled - a scenic back-road through the surrounding countryside in a purpose-built 4WD coach. En route, you’ll stop to view scenery that has featured as epic backdrops for many international films – including the award-winning Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

Get to know the world-class wines of the Central Otago region on a scenic Boutique Wine Tour. Visit three of the region's finest wineries, and explore New Zealand's largest wine cave. With a knowledgeable guide and fascinating commentary, it's the perfect opportunity to start your wine cellar.

The tour takes you on a stunning drive through the rugged Kawarau Gorge: the historic suspension bridge here is home to the world's original commercial bungy jump site, and you may recognise the magnificent Kawarau River below as the River Anduin in the Lord of the Rings.

Later, relax in pure mountain waters in your very own secluded spa pool. These hot pools are housed in private cedar-lined bathing rooms, complete with private shower, changing area, and breathtaking mountain views. At the touch of a button, the roof and front wall of your secret hideaway will retract before your eyes, leaving nothing between you and the glorious alpine scenery.

A full day for you to enjoy Queenstown and its surrounds.

Adrenalin junkies, we can arrange virtually any activity you can think of. From a bungy jump into Kawarau Gorge, a swing across Shotover Canyon, or a skydive into Paradise, we can book everything for you.

For a more peaceful day, there are many beautiful drives in the local area. Head to historic Arrowtown for quaint streetscapes, good food and beautiful views (the autumn leaves here are particularly stunning). Or drive alongside the lake to Glenorchy for a horseback ride through Lord of The Rings country.

You could explore local wineries, cheese-eries and orchards by car or by bike. Or take the gondola (cable car) to Bob's Peak for birds-eye views over the lake. You can hike back down to town, or tackle one of the many beautiful walks from the top. There are too many wonderful options to fit here, so chat to our travel specialists if you would like more suggestions for your perfect Queenstown day.

Recommended excursions in and around Queenstown

Journey to the peaceful lakeside township of Te Anau. It's another area of outstanding natural beauty, and several key Lord of The Rings movie scenes were filmed amid the unspoilt forests and lakes of this region.

Immerse yourselves in the gorgeous surroundings: try flightseeing, fly fishing, kayaking, sailing or horse riding. You can also visit the underground waterfall and glow-worm grotto of the Te Anau Caves.

Approximate Distance: 174 kms | 108 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 11 mins

Accommodation: Te Anau -  2 nights

No visit to New Zealand is complete without a pilgrimage to the "Eighth Natural Wonder Of the World": Milford Sound. Leave the car at home and take a relaxing luxury coach trip deep into the heart of Fiordland National Park.

Along the journey, keep your camera close by: there are scenic wonders waiting to be snapped. The stunning Mirror Lakes, the glacier-formed Eglinton Valley, the waterfalls and rapids of The Chasm, and iconic Mitre Peak are some of the many highlights.

Arriving in Milford you will board your purpose built cruise vessel and sail the length of the Sound. Marvel at the gigantic waterfalls cascading into the sea, and the towering glacier-scarred rock walls around you. Dolphins, penguins and seals are regularly visit Milford Sound, so keep your eyes peeled.

It's a day to remember forever...

Approximate Distance: 236 kms | 146 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours 18 mins (return trip)

Return to Queenstown...

Approximate Distance: 174 kms | 108 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 11 mins

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage! Today we say farewell. Return  your rental car to Queenstown Airport where you will board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional New Zealand honeymoon.