New Zealand
Suggested Itineraries
10 Days Honeymoon South Island
Christchurch - Wanaka - Queenstown - Milford Sound - West Coast and Glaciers - Abel Tasman - Blenheim - Kaikoura - Hanmer Springs
This travel planner provides honeymoon travelers with an itinerary which takes in the best the South Island offers as far as scenery and experiences, combined with private and romantic accommodation throughout.
- 10 days/9 nights
- Arrive and depart Christchurch
- Rental car with Kiwi Cars, 1.6 l, unlimited kms, tax, insurance
- Hotel, lodge and B&B style accommodation all with private facilities
- Itinerary cost from NZ$1349.00 per person based on 2 people travelling together staying in one room.
- Please note: this itinerary can be amended, dates changed and quoted to your personal requirements. Please email us with your travel plans and a consultant will advise back to you shortly.
Day 1.
Depart Christchurch (you may have arranged for your wedding service to take place here or you may be arriving following your service in your home country).
Drive to Wanaka (424 km, 263 miles, 5 hours). Stop off for a picnic lunch beside the glacial Lake of Tekapo. This is a good place to take a scenic flight by plane or helicopter (both optional) over the Mt Cook National Park onto the snow below Mt Cook. Stay River Run Lodge - private and situated in a stunning valley on the edge of town, River Run is a wonderful place to unwind after your wedding celebrations.
Day 2.
A short but very scenic drive to Queenstown (117km, 72 miles, 1.5 hours) and spend the day exploring the town - take a gondola ride, a boat trip on the lake, horse trekking, jetboating, bungy jumping, shopping, walking, visiting wineries (all optional) - Queenstown has something for everyone. Stay in a Villa Suite at the world renowned Browns Boutique Hotel.
Day 3.
Take a day trip to Milford with Real Journeys (optional) or spend more time in Queenstown. Stay Browns Boutique Hotel.
Day 4.
Drive Queenstown to Fox Glacier (380 km, 236 miles, 5 hours) via the Haast Pass and the Westland National Park. A scenic flight by helicopter or helihike (both optional) is definitely recommended for the best views of the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers and Mt Cook. Stay Te Weheka Inn.
Day 5.
Drive Fox Glacier to Punakaiki (250 km, 155 miles, 3 hours) with a stop off in Franz Josef and Hokitika, where you can see Jade carvers at work. Stay Hydrangea Cottage.
Day 6.
Drive Punakaiki to Motueka (290 km,180 miles, 3.5 hours). From Motueka it is an easy drive up to the Abel Tasman National Park where you can take a boat trip, bush walk or sea kayak (all optional) around the golden sand beaches. Stay at the Old Schoolhouse Cottage in a beautiful vineyard setting.
Day 7.
Drive to Blenheim (200 km, 124 miles, 2.5 hours). Stop off in Nelson for lunch - this area is known for the quality of its arts and crafts so you may want to allow time to visit galleries and workshops of artisans. Blenheim offers a range of excellent wineries and we recommend you get hold of a vineyard map on arrival and start tasting! Stay in a beautifully equipped mudbrick self contained cottage set amongst the grape vines at LeGrys Vineyard.
Day 8.
Start your drive south again down the East Coast to Kaikoura (129 km, 80 miles 1.5 hours). I always stop off at The Store in Kekerengu for coffee with great views of the Pacific Ocean. Take a Whale Watching tour or Swim with the Dolphins (both optional). Stay at Dylans Country Cottages.
Day 9.
Kaikoura to Hanmer Springs (140 km 75 miles, 1.5 hours) and relax in the Thermal Hot Pools and unwind in this small Alpine Spa town. Stay at Cheltenham House.
Day 10.
Return to Christchurch (180 km, 100 miles, 1.5 hours) - GINZ can arrange accommodation in Christchurch or flights onto the North Island or Australia.
For more details or to book this itinerary please contact us.
New Zealand Travel Northland Auckland Bay of Plenty Rotorua Taupo Napier Taranaki Wellington Picton Nelson Kaikoura Christchurch Westcoast Greymouth Queenstown Wanaka Dunedin Invercargill Fiordland Auckland camper Christchurch motorhomes rentals Wellington vans New Zealand Queenstown rentals Avis Budget Hertz Thrifty Apollo Maui Kea Skiing Honeymoon Golf Exclusive Packages Car Rentals Accommodation Specials Operator Links Index Guide Australia Guest Trip Planner Selfdrive Guidedtours Itineraries
