13 Day - An Active Dream Honeymoon Escape

Rated as the third most liveable city in the world, Auckland is a place where a vibrant city style and spectacular landscapes go hand in hand. Imagine an urban environment where everyone lives within half an hour of beautiful beaches, hiking trails and a dozen enchanting holiday islands. Add a sunny climate, a background rhythm of Polynesian culture, and a passion for outstanding food, wine and shopping, and you're beginning to get the picture of Auckland, New Zealand, our largest and most diverse city.

Experience stunning 360-degree views across Auckland's city skyline, the sparkling Waitemata Harbour and beyond. Up 192 meters above street level, you can walk the rim of New Zealand's tallest building. Skywal is the ultimate Auckland sightseeing experience with a narrow walkway and no handrails. Complete your adventure with a glass of New Zealand-produced sparkling wine and a flavoured 3-course lunch. You were created for you by one of New Zealand's most famous chefs Peter Gordon.

Accommodation: Auckland or Waiheke Island

Waiheke is a haven of beautiful vineyards, olive groves and beaches, just a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland. Come for a visit, and you’ll find beautiful galleries and craft boutiques in this homeland of artists. In addition, there are plenty of places to enjoy a good coffee or a taste of New Zealand's fresh Pacific Rim cuisine. The white sandy beaches at Oneroa, Palm Beach and Onetangi slope gently down into the Hauraki Gulf. They are perfect for swimming, kayaking, strolling along or having a picnic in the sun.

The island also boasts more than a dozen high-quality vineyards, many with relaxed restaurants onsite. Enjoy local wine while looking out over vine-covered valleys to the blue sea beyond.  

Waiheke Island is a renowned wine region that produces critically acclaimed artisan wines and provides distinctive wine and culinary experiences. Enjoy succulent fresh oysters, award-winning olive oil and other locally-produced speciality foods, accompanied by wines from some of the Island’s top boutique vineyards. Your guide will provide entertaining and informative commentary along the way. First, you will visit an award-winning olive oil mill, followed by two vineyards, each offering a range of gourmet tastes to accompany their wines. Treats may include oysters from Te Matuku Bay, wild honey, the famous local green herb spread and artisan cheeses. On Saturdays, your tour may also include visiting the Waiheke Market. Afterwards, enjoy a platter lunch at one of our top vineyard restaurants. 

Accommodation: Auckland city or Waiheke Island

Experience the best of many worlds from our Sea Kayaks on the beautiful waters surrounding Waiheke Island. Our journeys often begin at Matiatia bay, providing a remote start to your Waiheke Kayaking experience. From here, we turn North or South to suit the conditions exploring the stunning coastline and keeping an eye out for bird and sea life. Not a sole can be seen in many places, while others provide a glimpse of the Islands bach covered recent history.  

Or: Hire a mountain bike or Ecycle and explore the island, slow, unwind and connect with the spirit of Waiheke. Exploring the island by bike is a beautiful way to experience the place's relaxed vibe and soak up the local culture. There are bike routes to suit most ages and abilities - although do be warned! Waiheke is a hilly destination. Take your time, and don't expect to cover too much territory all at once, and you'll have the best day out.

Or: A seaplane is a ticket to The Hauraki Gulf, a slice of New Zealand paradise. Whether looking to experience an exhilarating water take-off and landing, ticking a seaplane flight off your bucket list or wanting to explore the landscapes found nowhere else in the world, we have you covered. By marrying adventure, history and romance, the seaplane flights showcase the best of the Auckland region and give all passengers a great experience.

Accommodation: Auckland City or Waiheke

Two hours south of Auckland lies the lush farmland of the Hamilton - Waikato region. Famous for dairying and fine thoroughbred horses, it's easy to see why these green pastures and rolling hills were chosen to portray Hobbiton and The Shire. 

Experience on a private tour the real Middle-earth at the Hobbiton Movie Set, where, in the heart of the Waikato region, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Fall in love with the Alexander family sheep farm, just as acclaimed director Sir Peter Jackson did, as you journey through the undeniable beauty of the land, with the mighty Kaimai Ranges towering in the distance. Your guide will then escort you around the set, showing the intricate detailing, pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how the movie magic was made. Or: Evening banquet tour

Or: On "Off the Beaten Track", eco-tour knowledgeable guides will escort you through beautiful native New Zealand forests and into untouched glow-worm caves. You move slowly through the caves to enjoy, explore, and take in the surroundings, including the mesmerising glow worm displays. You'll see the caves just as nature intended. There are no handrails, electric lights, concrete paths, or other modifications, and the tour involves climbing over boulders, up hills and wading through streams.

From Matamata, we drive further inland to Lake Rotorua. Rotorua is known for bubbling mud pools, shooting geysers and natural hot springs, and showcasing our fascinating Maori culture. The city offers a raft of attractions and experiences for everyone, from adventure-seekers to those looking to unwind.

Or: With some of the North Island's most impressive landscapes right on its doorstep, the Great Lake Taupo region is perfect for outdoor adventures. The town of Taupo sits at the edge of Australasia's largest lake. Local attractions include trout fishing, skiing, and geothermal parks. 

Accommodation: Rotorua or Taupo 

Rotorua is known for bubbling mud pools, shooting geysers and natural hot springs, and showcasing our fascinating Māori culture. From crystal-clear streams and magical forests to epic biking trails and explosive geysers, Rotorua has it all. Sitting within the Pacific Rim of Fire, Rotorua is a geothermal wonderland with bubbling mud pools, clouds of steam, and natural hot springs perfect for bathing and relaxing. Experience Māori culture, hospitality and food here - try a hangi feast cooked in the steaming ground or take a tour of an authentic pre-European village. The city is surrounded by mountains, rivers, native forests and 18 freshwater lakes, making it the perfect place to reconnect with nature. 

Or: Beautiful Lake Taupo is a massive volcano with a fiery history. Its most recent eruption, 181 AD, was large enough to change the sky as far away as Europe and China. The beautiful Lake Taupo is about the size of Singapore – really more of an inland sea. Lake Taupo was created nearly two thousand years ago by an enormous volcanic eruption that darkened the skies in Europe and China. The lakeside town of Taupo provides a base for visitors who love to fish for trout, ski Mount Ruapehu and explore the local geothermal phenomena.  

This New Zealand zip line adventure activity is the experience of a lifetime. It’s a magnificent environment we’ll take you to – a long-forgotten ancient forest just like the whole of New Zealand once was. But we have an enjoyable way of moving through it – a low-impact mode of transport to get you high in the ancient canopy! There are six zip lines totalling more than 650 metres, the highlight for most being the jaw-dropping 220-metre Tui song zipline that departs from 22 metres up a 1000-year-old tree.

Or: Heli to the site of the largest eruption in New Zealand’s living memory. Landing on Mount Tarawera offers a privileged view of spectacular craters and domes formed by the 1886 eruption. Here you will enjoy an interesting commentary based on the region’s history, culture and geology. Flights to and from the volcano take in expansive views of our stunning Lakes District, National Parks and a view of Mount Tarawera from above! 

Accommodation: Rotorua or Taupo

Prepare for the perfect fantasy experience with the thrills of a jet boat ride, the serenity of New Zealand's untouched nature, the adventure of squeezing through tight rock passages and the refreshment from dipping in a mystical hot spring waterfall. See why the native New Zealand Māori once fought over these mysterious lands and fantasy-like caves surrounded by overhanging ferns. Begin your journey with a scenic jet boat ride through Tutukau Gorge. Sit back and take in the remarkable landscape, learn the area's history and legends, and enjoy an abundance of unique wildlife. Marvel at the 50-metre tall walls of the gorge and no visible houses for miles - only pure New Zealand landscape. After manoeuvring your way through narrow crevasses, climbing boulders and wading through warm waist-deep water, you emerge in stunning native New Zealand bush. Immerse yourself in the environment and take the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere while relaxing in the thermal waters of a naturally heated hot spring. Two waterfalls cascade into the pool, offering a serene and unique environment. Sit behind the waterfall and take in the refreshing spray. 

Replenish yourselves with a spa treatment for two – you can choose to go the natural way soaking in a Rotorua mud bath or the blue hot pools of Wairakei or opt for a complete luxury pampering designed to soothe mind, body and soul. 

Accommodation: Rotorua or Taupo

Nelson is a lifestyle; that's the best way to describe it. Situated at the top northwest of the South Island, it is the sunniest region in New Zealand. Nelson's diverse geography captures everything from the long golden beaches to untouched forests and rugged mountains. Perhaps it's the sun or the location, but Nelson has long been a magnet for creative people. More than 350 working artists and craftspeople live in the area, traditional, contemporary and Māori. Visit their studios and find a unique piece to take home with you. Sit in the sun, sip a wine from one of the local vineyards, and dine on the famous Nelson Bay scallops

Accommodation: Nelson or Able Tasman

Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealand's smallest national park- but it's perfectly formed for relaxation and adventure. A coastal paradise that you can walk through or explore by cruise boat, sailing catamaran, water taxi or sea kayak, visitors love the way the Abel Tasman National Park mixes physical exertion with beach life. Bursts of hiking or paddling are punctuated by sunbathing, swimming and sedate snorkelling. They invite sandy beaches to fill the spaces between trees and the tide line. Crystal-clear streams tumble down mossy valleys to join the ocean. Granite and marble formations fringe the headlands, cloaked in regenerating native forests. Native wildlife is an essential part of the scenery. Tui and bellbird song fills the forest; shags (cormorants), gannets and little blue penguins dive for dinner; fur seals lounge on the rocks around the edge of Tonga Island. 

Explore the Abel Tasman National Park in New Zealand with Abel Tasman Eco Tours and boat charters. Join the iconic Golden Future Tour, our original tour showcasing the wonders of the Abel Tasman National Park coastline. Spend a full day cruising on our private charter boat, visiting numerous beaches, inlets, islands and forests. Enjoy natural discovery, bird watching, sightseeing, photography, relaxing, and learning with Abel Tasman Eco Tours. Explore the coastal wonders and hidden waterways where marine, freshwater and bird life can be seen in their natural habitats. 

Accommodation: Nelson or Able Tasman

The Marlborough Sounds encompass 1,500 km of coastline, bays, beaches and native forest. It is a place of incredible natural beauty that needs to be seen to be believed. The area is abundant with wildlife, from penguins and rare King Shags to dolphins and fur seals, and offers some of the world's best boating, diving, fishing and hiking.

Cruise ships stop at the quaint port town of Picton, known for its museums, galleries and picturesque walking tracks. The wineries of Blenheim are within a short drive of Picton; be sure to try the Sauvignon Blanc, for which this region is famous.

A combination of a cool yet high sunshine climate, low rainfall and free-draining, moderately fertile soil produces uniquely vivid wines. Marlborough put New Zealand on the international wine stage with its exquisite Sauvignon Blanc in the 1980s. Over 20,000ha of vines (around 2/3 of the national total) are under the care of local wine producers, making it the country's largest wine region. Marlborough wineries offer various varieties, from exquisite Pinot Noir to intense Chardonnay and vibrant aromatics. Visit a selection of vineyards in the area and stop for lunch at one of them.

Accommodation: Nelson - Able Tasman

Queenstown is one of New Zealand's top visitor destinations; if you come to the region, you'll understand why. Queenstown sits on the shore of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu amidst dramatic mountain ranges; this stunning location will blow you away. Queenstown is suited to all kinds of adventures – especially throughout summer. Treat yourself to some boutique shopping, and experience excellent local food and wine. A popular holiday spot at any time of the year, Queenstown is renowned for its four distinctive seasons. Winter brings crisp, blue-sky days, spring retains the snow but blooms into longer, warmer days, summer offers sunshine and long twilights, and autumn a burst of brilliant red and gold. Queenstown is rated internationally as one of the world's top holiday destinations. 

Or: 45 kilometres long and covering 193 square kilometres, the crystal clear waters of Lake Wanaka are perfect for jet boaters, sailors and kayakers to explore. Nestled below towering mountains, Wanaka is the most tranquilly set of the South Island lakes. It is much more than a winter destination. Excavated by massive glaciers more than 10,000 years ago, Lakes Wanaka and Hawea lie side by side. At a sliver of land known as The Neck, which is just 1000 metres wide, the glaciers were once joined. Lake Wanaka is the source of New Zealand's largest river, the Clutha. 

At sunset, sit back, relax, and take in the stunning views as you ride the Skyline Queenstown Gondola - the steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the must-do activities in Queenstown! You get to experience a spectacular 220-degree panorama with breathtaking views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Walter and Cecil Peak, and Queenstown. Once at the top, gaze into the eyes of your loved one under the Southern Cross and be star-struck by New Zealand's night skies. 

Or: Nestled in the heart of the Southern Alps, the Cardrona Valley offers some of the best conditions on Earth for stargazing. Not only does it have a dark sky with minimal light pollution, but it's far enough south to have a great vantage point to view the famous Southern Sky, & you may even see the Southern Lights!

Accommodation: Queenstown or Wanaka 

Take a 1hr helicopter flight over remote alpine lakes, Glaciers and Mt Aspiring National Park before landing on a secluded spot on the Humbolt mountains for a gourmet Antipasto Platter lunch including local wine, craft beer, and non-alcoholic beverages. Enjoy your picnic in an intimate setting with views over the headwaters of Lake Wakatipu, Mt Earnslaw and the Caples and Greenstone Valleys. 

Or: Take a scenic flight and cruise to Milford Sound, an area of extraordinary beauty. It offers a majestic fiord, dramatic and awe-inspiring scenery, prolific flora, and fauna. Although the flight to and from Milford Sound has regularly been described as the most stunning part of our tour options, combining this with a Milford cruise on the fiord is the most popular option. This unique natural environment features stunning bays, spectacular waterfalls and snow-capped peaks. Ancient rainforest clings impossibly to the mountains; waterfalls tumble hundreds of meters into massive fiords; shimmering lakes and granite peaks look the same today as they did a thousand years ago.

Accommodation: Queenstown or Wanaka 

Click your Champagne glasses at dawn as your balloon lifts you quietly into an unfolding New Zealand landscape where you’ll drift away from all worldly cares. As we rise to altitudes as high as 6000ft and drift with the breeze, you will witness quite possibly the best panoramic views of Queenstown and its surrounds - “The Hobbit” filming locations, Southern Alps, Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables mountain range, NZ’s finest golf courses and much, much more. Celebrate your once-in-a-lifetime experience with a delightful champagne celebration with pastries and muffins in the field after your flight. 

Have a relaxing massage or facial, and then take a soak in a luxurious hot pool. Onsen Hot Pools is located high on a cliffside overlooking the magnificent Shotover River canyon, providing views over the breathtaking alpine scenery and the perfect vantage point to watch the Shotover Jet jetboats on the river below. Onsen Hot Pools are hot and steamy on snowy days, warm and sheltered on rainy days, cool and shady on sunny days, and simply magical in the evenings! 

Accommodation: Queenstown or Wanaka 

Your personal drive will take you back to the airport in Queenstown