New Zealand & Fiji Honeymoon: Two-Week Itinerary

We started our adventure in the south, landing in Auckland and connecting straight to Queenstown. We grabbed our rental car and headed into the vibrant downtown to explore and find dinner! We recommend the buzz-worthy Madam Woo for its hawker rolls.

Start with a bang! This was a full-day of adventure with relaxation rewards. We hiked the iconic Ben Lomond track (seven miles, 3,300-foot elevation gain!). It was a challenge—but wow, the views from the top were unreal!

Post-hike treats:

• Had lunch at Fergburger: Deluxe burgers, squid bites, and local beer = 10/10.

• Made a quick trip to charming Arrowtown for dinner at Aosta.

• Ended the night by soaking in our private Onsen Hot Pool overlooking the Shotover River.

We hit the road early for a scenic drive to Milford Sound, making stops at the Devil’s Staircase, Kingston Corner Café, Mirror Lakes, Lake Gunn, and The Chasm along the way. Make sure to gas up before you leave! After checking in for our overnight cruise, we unplugged completely and let the breathtaking fjords do the talking. (Pro tip: Bring cash onboard the cruise!)

The overnight cruise through Milford Sound was truly unforgettable—an experience that felt like stepping into a dream. As the sun rose, the boat glided out toward the Tasman Sea, where the golden light hit the water just right and the surrounding cliffs looked almost otherworldly. We met so many incredible people onboard, sharing stories over dinner and soaking in the magic of the fjords together. After disembarking, we began the scenic drive back to Queenstown, then north to Wanaka. Though we considered detouring to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves or hiking part of the Kepler Track, we chose to take it easy and enjoy a relaxing evening in the peaceful lakeside town of Wanaka.

Wanaka reminded us of Lake Chelan in Washington: charming, vibrant, and nestled beside a sparkling lake with a backdrop of mountains. The downtown buzzed with cozy cafés, boutique shops, and plenty of spots to grab a bite. We made time to visit the famous Wanaka Tree, peacefully standing in the lake’s shallows. The night before, we picked up takeout from Big Fig and enjoyed dinner at our accommodations, which offered incredible views of the lake and mountains glowing in the evening light.

Still sore from our Queenstown hikes, we opted for a more relaxed morning and set off on the scenic Diamond Lake Trail instead of tackling Roy’s Peak. Afterward, we treated ourselves to crepes in town—fuel for the next leg of the journey. I took the wheel for the first time, navigating the opposite side of the road as we made our way to Lake Pukaki and on to Mount Cook National Park.

There, we hiked the iconic Hooker Valley Track, surrounded by dramatic alpine scenery straight out of a postcard. That evening, we checked into the breathtaking Stargazer’s Luxury Retreat near Lake Tekapo, where we fell asleep under some of the clearest night skies in the world.

We gave ourselves a free day to explore Tekapo and relax. Stargazing here is a must—you'll find some of the darkest skies in the world.

We left early for the drive to Christchurch, where we took the famous gondola up for sweeping views of the city and coastline. We discovered lunch at Little High Eatery, a lively market hall with great local eats. In the afternoon, we continued north along the stunning coastal road to Kaikōura, arriving by evening after one of the most scenic drives of the trip.

Kaikōura is one of the best places in the world for morning whale-watching, but since we’d experienced it on a past trip—and were on a tight schedule—we decided to skip it this time. Instead, we continued north into wine country. The highlight of the day was the scenic White Road at Yealands Estate, where we drove through the vineyard, stopping at lookout points while learning about the land and its sustainability efforts. Afterward, we enjoyed a relaxing lunch at Hunter’s Wines and made one final tasting stop at Huia before heading to our home base in Nelson for the night.

This day involved a lot of driving, but it was worth every mile to reach Wharariki Beach, a spot that came highly recommended—and didn’t disappoint. The winding, mountainous roads led us to a short hike that opened up to a surreal coastal landscape, where wind-carved rock formations met endless ocean views. On the way back, we stopped at the start of the Abel Tasman Track and hiked about two miles to a secluded beach. It was absolutely stunning—I could have easily spent an entire week exploring this incredible national park.

In the morning, we returned our rental car in Nelson and caught a flight to Napier, where we picked up a new set of wheels to continue our journey. On the way to our next stay, we made a quick stop at Mission Estate Winery, one of New Zealand’s oldest and most iconic vineyards. That afternoon, we checked into a stunning glamping retreat nestled in the Hawke’s Bay countryside of Cape Kidnappers and spent the evening soaking in the peaceful atmosphere.

Matt teed off early at the world-renowned Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, perched dramatically on cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean—an unforgettable experience with sweeping views and challenging holes. After a day on the greens, we headed to Craggy Range for dinner, where we enjoyed an elegant meal set against the backdrop of the vineyard and Te Mata Peak. The food, wine, and setting made for one of the most memorable evenings of the trip.

We left early in the morning and headed to the Hobbiton Movie Set, but we made a few fun stops along the way. In Taupō, we grabbed lunch at a cozy café near the lake and checked out one of the quirkiest McDonald’s in the world—complete with a decommissioned airplane you can dine in! Before getting back on the road, we made a quick detour to see Huka Falls, where the turquoise water thundered through a narrow gorge with incredible force.

Arriving at Hobbiton, we were surprised by how immersive and thoughtfully designed the experience was—it felt more like stepping into a real place than a movie set. One of the highlights was the newly added feature where you can walk inside a fully finished hobbit hole, which added an extra layer of magic to the visit. After wandering through the Shire and finishing with a drink at the Green Dragon Inn, we continued to the Coromandel Peninsula for the night, feeling completely enchanted.

We didn’t end up driving the full Coromandel Loop as planned, but we did make it to one unforgettable highlight: Cathedral Cove Beach, which has to be one of the most stunning beaches we’ve ever seen. Hahei was very cute. We grabbed takeout for a beach picnic. We had hoped to visit the hot-water beach, but the timing didn’t line up with low tide, so we opted to soak in the sun and crystal-clear water at Cathedral Cove instead. After a relaxed afternoon, we made our way to Auckland, checked into the QT Hotel, and ended the night with dinner and rooftop drinks at Bar Albert, the highest bar in New Zealand.

With advanced reservations, we took the rental car on the ferry to Waiheke Island, though walking on and using shuttles or renting e-bikes is just as easy and popular. Our day began with a laid-back lunch at Man O’ War, followed by wine tasting at Stonyridge and the beautifully scenic Mudbrick. Make sure to make reservations if you can! We ended with a delicious seafood dinner at The Oyster Inn and caught the sunset ferry back to Auckland—a truly perfect last day in the country.