Comprised of two main islands, North and South, New Zealand is an incredible destination to discover, the unparalleled combination of lakes, mountains and lush greenery, New Zealand has to be seen to be truly understood. It’s an otherworldly, photogenic and friendly country offering its visitors a chance of adventure and exploration. It is a place where traditional Maori Culture mixes with modernity in cosmopolitan cities, so be sure to give equal time to its lively cities and its more stunning natural landmarks. And for this reason, TWV will only not cover cosmopolitan cities where everyone already knows. As we gathered the Top 10 Most Popular New Zealand Honeymoon Destinations which are hidden treasures for honeymooners worldwide.

Top 10 Most Popular New Zealand Honeymoon Destinations

1. Coromandel Peninsula, for white and gold sand beaches

Famous for its white and golden sand beaches, the Coromandel Peninsula is 40 km wide at its widest point. It has forests and other natural wonders, start your visit in “Thames”, a small but charming city with a rich history of gold mining, travel about 65 km to Mercury Bay, Mercury Bay is unique in the world for its “Hot Water Beaches”, where visitors can dig their own pool from the spring under the sand.

Things to do:

Toy train ride at creek railway
Dig your own hot water bath tub on Mercury Bay
Drive 309-Road between Coromandel and Whitianga.

Best time to visit: September – November, spring season.

2. Stewart Island, for a wildlife in an island

It is the 3^rd largest island in New Zealand archipelago, It has land area of about 1700 sq km with just 381 permanent resident, So, most of the Island is forested, about 80% of the island is set aside for the Rakiura National Park, Spend one or two days enjoying the wildlife and bird-watching. It is a haven for adrenaline junkies, Rakiura National Park is famous for its 125 km North West Circuit which would take about 10-12 days to cover even for the fittest men.

Things to do:

Must take North-West Circuit challenge
Observe Aurora Australis in clear nights
Visit Yellow-eyed Penguins breeding sites

Best time to visit: October – December, pleasant weather. June – July, high chances of Aurora Australis.

3. Abel Tasman National Park, for adventurous destination

Located between Golden Bay and Tasman Bay at the north end of South Island, Abel Tasman National Park is hiker’s dream destination, the park has long hiking treks with stunning scenery, This is the smallest National Park of NZ with an area of about 255 sq km, but has dense forest and wildlife. The attractions are Penguin, Deer, Possum, and Dolphins. This place is closed to vehicles, one must enter Abel Tasman National Park by Boat, Foot or Small place, but the trip is worth it.

Things to do:

Tramping – Hiking more at least more one overnight stay
Bird watching – including Penguins colonies

Best time to visit: December – February, not too cold weather.

4. Rotorua, for a wonderland nature

Rotorua is known as thermal wonderland, it’s a complete package, Rotorua has suburbs, geothermal areas, and lakes, there are in total 17 lakes in Rotorua region, collectively known “Lakes of Rotorua”, also we can see lots and lots of geysers, hot springs and mud pool in Rotorua, natural eruption are also very common in new locations, Lady Knox Geyser is most famous of all in Rotorua, which erupts every morning at 10:15 and lasts for 1 hour.

Things to do:

Spend some time at Hobbiton movie set, Alexander Sheep Farm, Matamata
Must visit Lady Knox Geyser before 10:00 AM

Best time to visit: January – March, best season.

5. Bay of Islands, for a great island hopping

The Bay of Island is an area on the east coast of the Far North District of the North Island of New Zealand, Bay of Island is the most popular tourist destination, the picturesque area contains 144 islands, of which the largest is Urupukapuka. It has some secluded bays and great sandy beaches, this beautiful bay has an abundance of marine life, including Big Marlin, Penguin, Dolphins and the Whales, not surprisingly it is a popular tourist spot for sailing “Yachts” and sports fishing

Things to do:

Kayaking in Waitangi Estuary
Rainbow Warrior Wreck Dive
Swim with the dolphins, Paihia

Best time to visit: December – February, not too cold and not too warm.

6. Milford Sound, for a dramatic scenery

Among the most famous tourist attractions in New Zealand, lying at the most northern and accessible end of Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound offers some of the world’s most staggering coastal scenery with its dramatic peaks and dark blue waters with depth about 500 meters, the area has frequent downpours which enhance this southern island’s beauty, enjoy numerous waterfalls cascading down the cliffs.

Things to do:

Descend Scuba Dive
Sterling and Humboldt fall

Best time to visit: November – March, warm season.

7. Tongariro National Park, for incredible scenery

Tongariro National Park is the oldest national park in New Zealand and the fourth park established in the world, located in the central North Island. It has been listed in World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, Tongariro has mixed scenery, it has active volcanoes, desert-like plateaus, Maori villages, and snow-capped mountains. One can enjoy Tongariro either by hiking or by helicopter, the best season to visit Tongariro is winter, but if you plan to cover Tongariro before or after winters, Mauia River is must go, the river is famous for Kayaking and Rafting and is open all year round.

Things to do:

Tramp 2 – 3 days on Tongariro Northern Circuit, enough locations

Best time to visit: November – February, when the lakes are not frozen.

8. Napier and Hasting, for famous city art

Located in Hawke’s bay on the eastern coast of the north island, Napier is a seaside city and 18 km south of Napier is the inland city of Hasting, these two neighboring cities are called “The Twin Cities” of New Zealand. Napier and Hasting were leveled by in an earthquake in 1931, but since then Napier is famous for its eye-catching Art Deco Architecture, the rebuilding period after earthquake coincided with the short liver Art Deco Era, and as a result, Napier Architecture is strikingly different from any other city in the world. Thousands of tourist visit Napier every February for the Art Deco weekend, an event dedicated to the Soapbox Derby, Vintage Car, and Picnic era.

Things to do:

Visit National Aquarium of New Zealand
Relax at the Westshore Wildlife Reserve

Best time to visit: The city is beautiful all year round.

9. Auckland, for magnificent landscape

Often referred as City of Sails, Auckland is largest and most populated city of New Zealand. Settled by Maori in 1350’s, Auckland is rich in everything – its culture, food, sports, infrastructure, the scenery just everything. There are more than 100 attractions in Auckland itself, since, it’s impossible for us to write them all in this paragraph, we recommend Sky Tower and Auckland Domain in a glance. Sky tower is the tallest free-standing structure in southern hemisphere, the tower offers view up to 80 km away with a fine dining in the orbit revolving restaurant, while Auckland Domain is the oldest park in New Zealand, which define whole of Maori culture and it’s pacific island artifacts, do not skip these two places when you visit Auckland.

Things to do:

Skywalk over the top of Sky Tower
Fun at the Rainbow’s End Amusement Park
Hike the Kitekite falls.

Best time to visit: May – September, pleasant temperature.

10. Glacier Country, New Zealand, for stunning glacier’s view

Have you experienced a Glacier in your life? As most glaciers are dangerous and inaccessible, not many people can say “Yes!” to the question. Visit New Zealand if you’d like to explore one of the world’s most accessible Glaciers in Glacier Country. “Fox Glacier” and “Franz Josef Glacier” are located in the South Island, thanks to the New Zealand government and its road connectivity, both of these Glaciers are closely connected with the state highway, just a few minute walk to your park car.

Things to do:

Relax at Glacier Hot Pool, Franz Village
Hike to the Lake Matheson, 5Km from Fox Village
Tramp nearby Fox Glacier

Best time to visit: June – August, winters.

Bonus:

Kaikoura, for experiencing seafood cuisine

Just 180 km from Christchurch, Kaikoura is a dream destination for a seafood lover, we recommend you to take “Coastal Pacific Train”. Kaikoura is famous for its clear sea, dolphins and sea food, you get to enjoy all the fresh sea cuisine that cannot be served together anywhere in the country. Apart from cuisine, Kaikoura is a destination that offers Whale watching from the shore, Fur Seals on the beach and Seal colonies on its peninsula.

Things to do:

Climb the Kaikoura mountain ranges
Visit Sea Colonies at Point Kean viewpoint

Best time to visit: October – March, pleasantly warm weather. Whale watching – every day.

Planning for your wedding? Read our wedding guide here that will help your planning. For your honeymoon, read our honeymoon guide here.

If you need any help/services, email us at contact@theweddingvowsg.com. We’d be happy to help!

All opinions remain writer’s own. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright & disclosure policy.

To get featured on The Wedding Vow, email advertise@theweddingvowsg.com for advertising, editorial@theweddingvowsg.com for media invites. Click here for more information.