The Romance of New Zealand
Our friends at Seasonz know all there is to know about magical New Zealand, and they recently shared a romantic itinerary for the ages with us. . .
All photos courtesy of Seasonz
New Zealand is a true bucket-list destination, an almost mythical-feeling land so far flung from our American shores as to feel otherworldly. With jaw-dropping scenery, epic outdoor pursuits at every turn, dynamic Māori culture, and our personal favorite wine in the world, New Zealand can be as action-packed as you like.
At the same time, it has some of the world’s most serene, secluded spots, places where romance can bloom—if you know where to look. Thankfully, Poe Travel and Seasonz know exactly where to find those special places to allow for moments of deep connection.
Whether you’re planning a to-die-for honeymoon, traveling for a milestone anniversary, or simply looking to share unforgettable moments with your special someone, this romantic itinerary is for you.
Of course, all itineraries created in partnership with Poe Travel and Seasonz are tailor-made, so this is simply a jumping off point to set you daydreaming. If you’re looking for family travel, group travel, or a specialty interest, we can design a customized itinerary to suit your travel wishes.
Let’s take a look at how to approach New Zealand like a honeymooner. . .
Day 1
Arrival Day
After your long-haul flight from the States, you will arrive in Auckland, where you will be met airside and assisted with luggage and customs through an express lane. With all the technicalities taken care of, you will be privately transferred to the ferry terminal to take the 40-minute sailing to Waiheke Island and The Boatshed Hotel.
Spend the rest of the day settling in and exploring the island at your leisure on a Picnic Truck. A lot of the hidden gems on Waiheke Island are off-the-beaten-track and accessible only with 4WD! Motor around from the buzzing town to the more isolated beaches. Take a picnic hamper or enjoy lunch at a local winery.
This evening, enjoy dinner at The Boatshed, where local Waiheke food is served. Think fresh, organic produce alongside homegrown options from The Boatshed’s own gardens, succulent seafood, and gourmet meat cuts, all accompanied by delectable New Zealand wines in a relaxed, al fresco style.
Hotel Spotlight: The Boatshed Seaside Boutique Hotel
Inspired by the early 20th-century boat sheds visible along the country’s shores, The Boatshed Seaside Boutique Hotel sits on one of Waiheke’s sun-drenched bays off the coast of Auckland. Featuring five designer suites, two villas, and a salt-inspired spa, all with spectacular ocean views, The Boatshed offers you the chance to rediscover life’s simple pleasures. Take a stroll through the vineyards, restaurants, artist studios and galleries, or along the golden, sandy beaches. Dining here is a relaxed affair. Enjoy a Mediterranean feast or a private seafood platter on the balcony.
Day 2
Waiheke Food & Wine
You’ll be met by your guide at your hotel today to set off on a private tour celebrating the food and wine of Waiheke. Known as the jewel of Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf for its beauty and tranquillity, Waiheke Island also offers award-winning wines and vineyard restaurants, olive oils, plump oysters straight from the sea, and hand-made specialty foods.
Today, your knowledgeable local guide will take you to some of the island’s highly regarded vineyards, where you can sip fine wines and learn about this region. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at one of the island’s top restaurants before some time at leisure back at The Boatshed.
This evening, head to The Oyster Inn to enjoy their simple, coastal-inspired bistro menu featuring daily market fish dishes, crisp salads, fresh oysters, and crowd-pleasers like the ever-popular fish and chips and mac n’ cheese. There’s plenty for meat lovers too, including what might be island’s best steak frites!
Day 3
Waiheke at Leisure
We find one of the most important elements of a romantic itinerary is having downtime to simply enjoy your surroundings together, so today is yours to spend on Waiheke as you please. Relax at your hotel or on the beach or pamper yourself at the spa. If you'd rather get a bit more active, you can head out on a Waiheke Island hike or set off on The Boatshed’s Picnic Truck once more.
Tonight, enjoy dinner at Three Seven Two, named for the first three numbers of the Waiheke phone number. This cheerful beach spot is a sprawling place with a big dining room and large outdoor area with long tables under white tablecloths. The menu is produce-driven and seasonal.
Day 4
Off to Minaret Station
Bid farewell to Waiheke this morning as you set off on a private transfer to your ferry back to Auckland. From here, fly to Queenstown and then transfer via private helicopter to Minaret Station.
After your travels, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy relaxing or exploring on your own. Minaret Station has stunning hiking trails right on its doorstep. Guides are on-hand to lead informative hikes or leisurely excursions around the lodge area, ranging from a gentle walk to the neighboring waterfalls through to more challenging hill climbs from the valley floor. These excursions will always be tailored to your requirements and interests.
Hotel Spotlight: Minaret Station
Minaret Station Alpine Lodge welcomes you to an authentic high country New Zealand experience. Accessible only by helicopter (with private and shared transfers available), Minaret Station’s location at the head of a stunning glacial valley in the heart of the Southern Alps treats those fortunate enough to visit its wilderness landscape to an experience enhanced by comfort and style. All meals are included during your stay at Minaret Station. Best of all, phone reception is limited here, providing the perfect opportunity to unplug and truly connect with your surroundings and each other.
You’ll be hosted in a luxuriously furnished chalet, complete with king bed, a private deck with a hot tub, full luxurious en-suite bathroom, and an all-inclusive minibar and amenities.
There are numerous exclusive activities on offer here to make the most of your time in the New Zealand mountains. Take a personalized tour of Minaret Station, charter a scenic flight, set off for a gourmet picnic in the mountains, or land on the glaciers and fjords. More highlights include guided heli hiking, heli flyfishing and biking, or simply relaxing in your private hot tub as you marvel at your surrounds.
Days 5 & 6
Enjoying Minaret Station
Your days at Minaret Station are yours to spend as you choose. Over the course of these two days, we recommend any of the following incredible activities, mixed in with downtime to simply relax.
Farm Experience
Horseback Riding
Heli-Biking
Heli-Paddleboarding
Alpine Picnic
Heli-Flyfishing
Mount Aspiring National Park Heli-Hike
Guided Hunting
Day 7
Milford Sound & Queenstown
You’ll depart Minaret Station this morning via helicopter back to Queenstown. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your second helicopter of the day for an excursion to Milford Sound, including a glacier landing and picnic lunch.
The mountains glide by as your helicopter winds its way through the Southern Alps on this unforgettable flight to Milford Sound. Wend your way over secluded alpine lakes, lush rainforest, bush-fringed valleys, and rugged mountain peaks. Land and stroll on a deserted beach to absorb the natural beauty of Fjordland.
Your flight then sweeps the full length of the fjord to the West Coast, offering the chance to spot wildlife in their natural colonies. Experience a glacier landing before touching down at a secret wilderness site for a picnic lunch.
Afterwards, you will be dropped at the rental vehicle branch to collect your rental car and drive the 40 minutes to Eichardt’s Private Hotel for check-in and time to freshen up.
This afternoon, head to the Skyline Center (10-minute walk from your hotel) to enjoy spectacular 220-degree views of Coronet Peak, the Remarkables mountain range, and across Lake Wakatipu to Cecil and Walter Peaks. Hurtle down a winding downhill track through the trees or cruise sedately down the scenic track at Skyline Luge.
Tonight, enjoy dinner at Rata Dining Queenstown. Stylish and edgy with a distinctive New Zealand flavor, Rata celebrates Queenstown’s cooler climate, which lends itself to slow-cooked dishes and well-developed, robust flavors.
Hotel Spotlight: Eichardt’s Private Hotel
Located in the heart of Queenstown’s cafe and restaurant precinct, Eichardt’s Private Hotel sits on a beautiful lakefront setting. This stunning Queenstown hotel features five luxurious suites, with an additional four lakefront apartments. Settle in for an intimate dinner, with an evening drink always included in your stay, and enjoy the best of Queenstown.
Day 8
Queenstown Adventures & Wine
Make the 30-minute drive to Kawarau Bridge this morning for something really adventurous: a bungy jump! Take the 141-foot plunge from Kawarau Bridge into the canyon below, and you will soon understand why this is the world’s most popular bungy spot. You’ll also find the Kawarau Zipride at the bridge, which will have you bolting down the 426-foot line at nearly 40 miles per hour!
If you're still in search of more adventure, make the 10-minute drive to Oxbow for some super-charged Kiwi fun. There’s a range of activities on offer here, including the Jet Sprint Boat that flies on water and the Ultimate Off Roader, a custom-built all-terrain vehicle that goes everywhere!
Afterwards, make the five-minute drive to Kinross Winery and Restaurant for a spectacular lunch showcasing the best seasonal produce of the region complemented by local wines. Whether you’re in for a stunning, wine-matched three-course lunch or simply a wood-fired pizza in the Wine Garden, the menu options won’t disappoint.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy Queenstown on your own, perhaps visiting Queenstown Gardens or spending a few hours shopping.
Dinner tonight is at The Bunker, a Queenstown favorite with a fine-dining restaurant downstairs and a private cocktail lounge upstairs. The fare here is rustic with a New Zealand flavor, specializing in game, red meats, and local delicacies.
Day 9
Routeburn Hiking
Your guide will meet your at your hotel this morning to set off about an hour-and-a-half outside of Queenstown by car on an active day of hiking with a picnic lunch. Today brings you to one of New Zealand’s most famous alpine walks, featuring stunning vistas of sweeping valleys below and majestic peaks above.
As you walk the wide, smooth track to Routeburn Flats, your guide will point out the unique flora and birdlife of the Routeburn Valley. Stop for a picnic lunch at the Routeburn Flats Hut before heading on to the Routeburn Falls or meandering home, depending on your energy levels.
After some time back at your hotel, head out for dinner at SODA, with its stunning views of Lake Wakatipu and a dining experience that is both sophisticated and relaxed. The plates here feature fresh, modern interpretations of Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.
Day 10
Shotover Jet & The Lindis
Check out of your hotel this morning and make the 15-minute drive to the Shotover Jet, the world’s most exciting jetboat ride. The Shotover Canyon walls tower over you as your driver skillfully whips you past rocky outcrops and skims around crags and boulders.
Afterwards, make the 2.5-hour drive to The Lindis. On your way, we would suggest a stop for lunch at The Cloudy Bay Shed, nestled between the bronzed hills of Northburn Vineyard and the splendid Lake Dunstan. Here, the full range of Cloudy Bay wines are showcased. In the winter months, fireplaces invite you to enjoy a tasting flight in a cozy atmosphere. When the weather allows, it’s also lovely to enjoy a tasting in the breathtaking outdoor spaces.
Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure at The Lindis.
Hotel Spotlight: The Lindis Lodge
This architecturally dynamic luxury lodge is located in the pristine Ahuriri Valley in New Zealand’s South Island. It features five eclectically designed suites and three mirrored pods, plus over 6,000 acres surrounded on three sides by conservation parks. This is your chance to take in a world-class alpine wilderness experience, with unmatched flyfishing and horse-trekking activities amongst many others available. All meals are included during your time at The Lindis, as are pre-dinner drinks.
Day 11
Horse Trekking & The Black Diamond
Spend today on a horse-trekking adventure. With 14-bay stables and 13 horses, The Lindis is the perfect spot from which to set off on a trek throughout Ben Avon and the Ahuriri Valley. Trek across the high country farmland, taking in views of the station and surrounding valleys. Your stable manager will guide you on your journey, and horse rides are always catered to your individual riding level. You can choose to enjoy a picnic lunch during your trek.
Later, enjoy the Black Diamond, a quintessentially “The Lindis” fine-dining experience. You can choose to arrive here at the culmination of your horse trek, or you can hike to the remote reaches of the Ahuriri Valley or be escorted by motor vehicle later in the day. Upon arrival, enjoy a glass of champagne followed by your selected menu choice. The options include a self-served platter right through to a hosted and chef-prepared multi-course meal in breathtaking surrounds.
Day 12
Off-Roading at The Lindis
Spend the last morning of your incredible trip on a buggy tour, experiencing the thrills and excitement of this off-roading excursion in Ben Avon and the Ahuriri Valley. Your experienced and passionate guide will whisk you away, racing down the straights and drifting around the corners while conquering all jumps and bumps that stand in your way!
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure, reveling in your beautiful surroundings one last time, taking in a sumptuous meal, and preparing for your journey home.
Day 13
Departure Day
After checking out of your hotel, make the 2.5-hour drive back to Queenstown this morning to drop off your rental car and hop on your flight back to Auckland. From there, you’ll enjoy VIP departure assistance as you board your long-haul flight home, the romance of New Zealand lingering long after you’ve taken off.
If you would like to Go Away to New Zealand, contact us. We will design a totally personalized itinerary to set you on your way.