warning this is going to be a long post haha

We spent nearly the whole of February 2024 on our honeymoon in New Zealand and I have to say it was the best place we’ve been yet!

36 hours of travelling

We left for honeymoon on the Monday after our wedding we had a night flight for the first leg from Heathrow to Singapore

The journey was long but the flight was ok, we had loads of films to choose from, it was the time of Barbie vs Oppenheimer…I chose Barbie Paul fell asleep watching it. We would start the films on our seats at exactly the same time and pause at exactly the same time to make sure no one got ahead lol 😂

First things first…you can’t come to Singapore without trying a Singapore sling. A very nice fruity cocktail 🍹

Singapore has got to be one of the most beautiful airports I have ever been to, it has a waterfall right in the centre and a butterfly garden!

The next flight took us into Auckland New Zealand, we hadn’t slept much and we still had another flight to go up to the top of the north Island. New Zealand has a very strict biodiversity policy and you have to queue for a while whilst they check people are not bringing anything in that might disrupt the local wildlife. The idea behind this is to hopefully reverse the decline of indigenous biodiversity in New Zealand.

When we finally arrived in Opua 36 hours later we were so exhausted we went straight to bed. We thought we would be totally jet lagged and so didn’t plan anything for our first day however we woke up at sunrise we loads of energy.

We stayed in a gorgeous B&B which doubled as the owners house, very strange to us eating breakfast in someone’s dinning room but the views were gorgeous. The hotel also had this really cute infinity pool that never seemed to be in use so we made a point of having a little dip.

This is when we officially started counting days in New Zealand as the 2 days travelling didn’t count 😂

Day 1 Opua & Russell

We walked into Opua, we enjoyed a little walk along the sleepy fishing village coastline before catching a ferry across to Russell.

Russell, New Zealand, is often known as the “Cradle of the Nation” or the first capital of New Zealand. This is because it was the location of the first permanent European settlement in New Zealand and briefly served as the country’s first capital in the early 19th century.

For our evening meal that day the hotel arranged a transfer Paroa Bay Winery. This gorgeous restaurant is set on a beautiful estate overlooking the Bay of Islands, with panoramic views of the water and surrounding landscapes. The location itself offers a peaceful and scenic environment for wine lovers to enjoy.

Day 2 Waitangi treaty grounds

Morning spent at the Waitangi treaty grounds, all went well until I was attacked by a warrior 😂

Then an afternoon boat trip out to see some of the 144 islands in the bay. Unfortunately too choppy to get to the hole in the rock, but I’m convincing Paul that it is our excuse to come back here one day.

Day 3 Trek to Paihia

Morning trek to work up an appetite for evening meal at the Terra restaurant in Pahia

Day 4 Travel to Auckland

We took an internal flight down to Auckland. We spent the afternoon as proper tourists soaking up the sun and doing a bit of shopping. Auckland is like any other major city, lots of high rise buildings, shops and restaurants. The city comes alive with cruise guests during the day, you can spot them a mile off with lanyards and baseball caps, we thought we would try and fit in and picked up these beauties…

Day 5 Wine, wine and more wine on Waiheke Island

We booked a wine tour through get your guide, we were taken to 4 vineyards in a mini bus and had a tasting at each one, safe to say we were pretty merry by the time we finished but we had a great time we a great group of people.

That evening we went to the top of the Orbit 360 tower in Auckland to a restaurant in the sky, the whole place moves round so you can see all the sites of Auckland whilst you dine.

Day 6 Auckland to Rotorua thermal walk

Road trip down to Rotorua thermal walk also known as Hell’s gate…the smell is quite something but the scenery is just amazing and out of this world!! We topped it off with a dip in the mud baths.

Day 7 Hobbiton

So the Hobbit is not really our thing but the scent of sulphur from Rotorua was becoming too much in the heat so we made the journey to Hobbiton for the day. We actually were pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed our visit.

Day 8 Road trip from Rotorua to Taupo with a stop off at Wai-o-tapu and the iconic champagne pool

And some sunset sailing on the lake in Taupo

Day 9 Taupo

A lazy day off ended up in 20,000 steps along the Waikato river

Day 10 Taupo to Wellington Via Napier

Mainly driving today from Taupo to Wellington via Napier (New Zealand’s Art Deco Capital). A delicious wine tasting (for me as Paul was driving) in the Craggy Range.

Day 11 Wellington

Arrived at our Bougie hotel last and the art in the reception is quite impressive. We then became proper tourists on the famous Wellington cable car followed by a walk through the botanical gardens to the museum of New Zealand. Wellington definitely lived up to it’s name of the windy city make sure you bring a jumper for this city.

Day 12 Welling to Marlborough

Journey South. Before that we went to Wellington Zoo to see a Kiwi in real life (unfortunately as they are nocturnal we couldn’t take a picture in the dark but we did see one). Quick lunch then a ferry to the south Island, beautiful views and our best accommodation yet.

Day 13 Marlborough

Another day another vineyard or 4….we also managed to find a gin tasting much to Paul’s excitement.

Day 14 Blenheim to Kaikoura Valentine’s day

We went into Blenheim for a quick mooch about the shops, then back into the car for our journey South to Kaikoura. On our way we found the ward beach boulders before getting to our lovely apartment complete with real cooker for some home cooked food and a game of cards to unwind ready for a long day of Whale watching the next day

Day 15 Whale Watching in Kaikoura

Whale watching off the coast of Kaikoura, make sure you pack you sea sickness tablets, I bought some sea legs in reception in the after 2 hours searching we found Rangatira the sperm whale.

Day 16 Drive from Kaikoura to Christchurch

A quick afternoon spent in Christchurch before the early Transalpine train the next morning. We come back to Christchurch for a bit longer at the end of the honeymoon. Lots of new buildings/ restoration after the many earthquakes here in the early 2010s. Paul’s eyes were bigger than his belly for dinner hence all the take away boxes.

Day 17 Tranzalpine train from Christchurch to Greymouth

This has got to be the best train ride in the world, you can’t come to NZ without doing this. We went in NZ summer but in winter these mountains are all covered in snow. We left the hire care one end and picked up another one the other end, most people were doing this too so the queues were a mile long but they’re very efficient and it wasn’t long until we picked up our second car.

Some spectacular views, photos do not do it justice.

After the train a quick lunch then drive down to Franz Joseph via Hokitika beach.

Day 18 Glacier central. Franz Joseph & Fox Glacier

Glacier central. Franz Joseph & Fox Glacier with a little stop off to Lake Matheson to check out the views. All that walking earned us a little treat in the log burner hot tub, putting ideas into Paul Williams head for our 1st anniversary present.

we didn’t do the helicopter flight to the summit as it was quite expensive however if that’s something you fancy here’s the link to book

Day 19 Franz Joseph to Wanaka

Early start for a wet drive through the mountains on our way from Franz Joseph to Wanaka. However once we got here the sun was shining. Pretty windy but we still managed to get on a boat and see the lake and the famous Wanaka tree.

Day 20 Wanaka to Queenstown via Arrowtown

Shorter drive from Wanaka to Queenstown via a quaint little township called Arrowtown. We took a trip up the Gondola before chilling out in the Ice bar and a progressive dinner matched with a Gin & Wine tour. Very randomly we were the only ones on the tour and the driver sat with us the whole time.

Day 21 Milford Sounds

Milford Sounds, the pictures speak for themselves, a bus, a boat then a little plane, such an amazing experience. We saw a Kea, some bottle nose dolphins, and some sunbathing seals

Day 22 Queens town to Dunedin

Last new place to explore in New Zealand before we return to Christchurch. “Little Scotland” Dunedin. Lots of historical buildings you could be fooled we were back in the UK. Paul managed to find a distillery where they use bread that would otherwise go to waste to make the base alcohol for the Gin! We really required a dry march to get over February

Day 23 Long drive from Dunedin to Christchurch with a little stop off in Bushy Beach Scenic Reserve

Our last full day in New Zealand. Long drive from Dunedin to Christchurch with a little stop off in Bushy Beach Scenic Reserve to try and spot the penguins but we were too early it would seem. However we did spot loads of seals. Lunch was in Timaru. That night Paul has talked me into a sports bar in Christchurch to watch the rugby but it was ok I had wine and Tiktok to entertain me.

Day 24 Flight home via Singapore

Flight home…we half felt sad to be leaving such a wonderful place but other half felt good to see the kids. Such a long journey but so worth it

If you want any advice on any of the trips we booked in NZ send us a message below

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