Honeymoon destinations are aplenty these days – with so many options depending on what kind of newly wed holiday you’re after. But how do you decide which is right for you and your spouse?! New Zealand comes as a highly recommended destination, whether you’re looking for a relaxing trip away or adventure of a lifetime, it seems NZ covers it all.
We wanted to investigate NZ as a honeymoon destination a bit further, and hear from a couple who have actually visited. So we’ve asked Margaret and Tris, a couple who tied the knot in September 2018, how exactly they spent their 3 weeks in NZ as newlyweds.
1. What made you want to travel to NZ for your honeymoon?
We were very lucky; both of us are usually limited to 2 weeks’ annual leave at
a time, but our employers let us take 3 weeks off, as it was a special
occasion! I had wanted to go on safari in Africa, and Tris had wanted to go
kayaking in Canada, but Tris doesn’t like hot places and I didn’t want to spend
the whole 3 weeks kayaking!
I then saw an advert for a NZ tour that included whale watching, kayaking and walking in one – we were sold! We didn’t use a package tour but it sparked the fire!
2. List your top 3 experiences while away?
Swimming with dolphins, kayaking around the Abel Tasman coast, and visiting Hobbiton!
3. Was 3 weeks a long enough time to get around to everything you wanted to do?
No! We did a pretty standard driving route down from Auckland, over to the South Island and going as far as Christchurch. We did a slight detour to the Abel Tasman coast, but really only touched on a few of the most popular spots. We took our time to drive down, meaning we could spend one or two nights in each town/city if we wanted and actually take time to enjoy each location.
We’re so glad we did it that way, but could easily have spent another 3 weeks going down to the South and visiting Fox Glacier, Queenstown and Milford Sounds.
4. What would your advice be for people hoping to travel to NZ?
Take your time – yes, it can be tempting to blitz around the country to try and see everything, but there are some amazing places away from the tourist routes that you just don’t see otherwise.
If you are short on time, pick a few places you really want to visit and then fly between them – internal flights are pretty cheap and save many hours driving around!
5. How would you rate NZ as a honeymoon destination?
Incredible – it has action, adventure, great food and wine, lovely hotels if you want a bit of luxury and lots of cheaper places if you want to go on more of a budget!
6. What was one thing you wished you’d packed but didn’t?
A good pillow – the ones in our campervan weren’t the best!
7. Was there anything you didn’t get to experience?
We would have loved to visit Milford Sounds but just didn’t have the time to get down that far. We also wanted to do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, but the weather as we drove through was awful and it would have been too dangerous to walk.
8. What was your favourite place that you discovered whilst away?
It’s a toss-up between Mount Maunganui and Kaikoura. Mount Maunganui is a lovely little town on the coast in the Bay of Plenty, where we visited some old family friends. Really chilled and amazing scenery – we are very tempted to move there! Kaikoura was gorgeous too, and home of the dusky dolphins!
9. Did you do anything especially for your honeymoon in NZ?
Lots – we were very lucky to receive money towards the honeymoon as wedding gifts from friends and family, so were able to treat ourselves to lots of excursions – a dolphin swim, whale-watching boat trip, kayaking, wine tour by bike (do this – so much fun!) and our visit to Hobbiton.
We finished off the trip by getting tattoos – our wedding presents to each other!
10. Would you go again and why?
I’d go tomorrow
if I could! There’s still lots we didn’t get to see this time round, and the
way of life in NZ is so much more laid back and relaxed than the UK. We are
genuinely considering moving there, we just need to work out how!
Congrats to you both, and Mount Maunganui is incredible 🙂