Like most married couples, my wife and I have broadly similar tastes. We don’t see eye to eye on everything of course, but no couple does. We got married in November 2014 and had an absolute blast planning and delivering our dream wedding. For me, though, one of the most exciting and challenging aspects was the honeymoon research.
Ours was a winter wedding in the UK, and we wanted to head off on honeymoon within just a few weeks of the big day. We were in search of adventure in the great outdoors — the kind of trip we’d never forget. It had to be somewhere far away, somewhere with exciting outdoor activities and amazing scenery to enjoy, and somewhere with a strong culture we could both learn about together. This was going to be no boring beach holiday!
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Exploring the New Zealand wilderness.
After dismissing Europe (too close to home) and Asia (been there, done that) we settled on New Zealand, the home of hobbits, kiwis and Maoris. Its location on the other side of the planet, its wealth of outdoor adventure and the spectacular scenery on offer made New Zealand the perfect choice, and within a few days of deciding, we’d bought our flights.
Travel in Style
New Zealand’s train routes are limited, and although the cities are well-linked by coach, most of the biggest adventures and best scenery can only be found off the beaten track. For those reasons, the best way to make the most of your time in the country is by campervan.
Couples can opt for a smaller 2-berth van — either with a bed in the roof or a convertible dining/bed room in the back — or a 4-berth van with a bed above the driver’s cabin and a convertible dining/bed room in the back. Aside from the extra space, 4-berth vans have the added advantage of offering their own shower and WC facilities and allow you to camp in the wilderness with a lot less hassle. My wife and I figured this was the trip of a lifetime so we splashed out on a 4-berth camper with bags of space, and never looked back!
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Campervan travel – the only way to see New Zealand!
The road layout throughout New Zealand’s north and south islands is just perfect for a honeymoon behind the wheel. Highways are clearly mapped and numbered to make navigation easy, the scenery is jaw-dropping and you spend most of your time out on the road alone, with nothing but the open countryside ahead and your loved one next to you. It’s magical! Two ferry companies run services between Wellington on the North Island and Picton on the South Island. The crossing takes three hours and couldn’t be more simple.
Many people fly into Auckand on the North Island, travel down through the country then fly out of Christchurch on the South Island. That’s a great way of doing it, but it’s easy to miss the good stuff if you’re only traveling one way. We decided to hit it hard, and bought flights into and out of Auckland then mapped a figure-eight route through both islands. What we missed on the way down, we hit on the way back up! The plan involved about three to five hours’ driving each day but with scenery that special, it was all part of the fun.
Land-hopping in the Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands sits at the top of the North Island, within three hours’ drive from Auckland. Widely considered among the North Island’s top attractions, the Bay of Islands boasts turquoise seas, boat trips, tropical diving, kayaking, sailing, horse trekking and more besides. My wife and I rolled into town on our first day of the honeymoon and stayed in Paihia, a charming town at the base of the bay with a great range of bars and restaurants to choose from.
No visit to the Bay of Islands is complete without a visit to Russell, and car-ferries depart regularly from Paihia. It’s also important to learn about the Treaty of Waitangi, signed by the European colonizers and Maori natives in Paihia in 1840.
Cruising the Coast of the Coromandel Peninsula
To miss out on hitting the Coromandel Peninsula is to miss some of the most impressive coastal views of the entire North Island! From Thames on the south western tip, up to Coromandel Town, across to Whitianga and down past Hot Sands Beach, the scenery has to be seen to be believed.
The mountain roads are windey and the drive takes time, but the views make the journey wonderfully rewarding from start to finish. Don’t forget to stop for smoked mussels in Coromandel Town — they’re a local speciality.
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Stunning views along the Coromandel Peninsula.
Lake Taupo and the Tongariro National Park
Sitting in the center of the North Island, Lake Taupo and the Tongariro National Park boast some of the country’s most incredible countryside. Dominated by the mighty Mount Ruapehu and Mount Ngauruhoe volcanoes (the latter being Peter Jackson’s inspiration for Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings), the region offers white-water rafting, helicopter flights, jet boating and glorious lake cruises. It’s also home to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one of New Zealand’s finest and most popular day-hikes.
We opted for the thrills and spills of a jet boating and river rafting combo in Lake Taupo, which is filled with great outdoor adventures, and a morning trek over Tongariro’s volcanic landscape.
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One of Tongariro National Park’s volcanic lakes.
Sunbathing by the Sea in the Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman is a protected national park sitting at the top of the South Island. High, rocky peninsulas plummet down through lush forest to golden-sand beaches and pristine bays, and the area is a hive of activity. Kayaking, camping and hiking tours are popular among adventure-seekers and lovers of the great outdoors, but Abel Tasman is also a great place to relax and enjoy a little downtime on a beach by the sea with your other half.
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Lounging on the sand in the Abel Tasman National Park.
Kaikoura
If it’s wildlife you want, Kaikora is the place to be! This coastal town sits on the eastern side of the South Island, with a laid back vibe and plenty to keep visitors entertained. The mountain peninsula sweeps down from the highlands to meet the South Pacific Ocean, before plunging over two kilometers down beneath the waves. The mineral-rich and food-laden waters off Kaikoura are home to Fur seals, Dusky dolphins, albatross, Sperm whales and a whole host of other marine life all year round.
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Fur seals at home on the Kaikoura coastline.
We booked on a dolphin swim and found the whole experience pretty incredible! Kitted out in thick wetsuits, we cruised out into the ocean, spotted a pod of dolphins and jumped into the water. The dolphins are completely wild so you can’t touch them, but swimming down beneath the waves and squeaking loudly attracts their attention and piques their natural curiosity. Within seconds, the inquisitive and friendly dolphins are zipping past you and spinning elegantly in the water right before your eyes.
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Swimming with wild dolphins in Kaikoura.
Honeymoon Romance
With a fridge-full of food and beers for the evenings, plus all our private dining and accommodation needs taken care of in the back of the camper, my wife and I were free to make the very most of our honeymoon adventure. The three weeks we spent in each other’s company were fun-filled and happy, and we’ve some amazing memories to treasure.
New Zealand was everything we’d thought it would be … exceptionally beautiful, interesting, varied and exciting. There are activities on offer there to suit travelers of all ages, but for adventurous couples keen to enjoy a truly special honeymoon it’s just the most amazing place to visit.
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The road to Glenochy, near Queenstown on the South Island.
– Contributed by Chris Callaghan
Honeymooning in New Zealand from Auckland & North Island Things to Do