07 Day Romantic or Honeymoon Luxury Itinerary

New Zealand Luxury Escapes can plan your perfect honeymoon with an unforgettable New Zealand honeymoon itinerary.

For a 7 day New Zealand honeymoon itinerary, we recommend the following:

• Day 1 – Arrive in Christchurch
• Day 2 – Lake Tekapo & Mackenzie Basin
• Day 3 – Mount Cook Ultimate Scenic Helicopter Flight
• Day 4 – Queenstown
• Day 5 – Queenstown & Milford Sound Experience
• Day 6 – Queenstown & Central Otago Private Gourmet Scenic Wine Tour
• Day 7 – Queenstown
• Day 8 – Depart Queenstown

This New Zealand honeymoon itinerary includes indulgent, romantic excursions such as wine tours and helicopter picnics. In addition, this itinerary offers the chance to pamper yourselves at exquisite luxury lodges and 5-star hotels. Finally, our itinerary travels at a relaxed pace, with longer stays in top New Zealand destinations so you can unwind and relax after your wedding.

Read on for the full details of our 7 Day New Zealand Honeymoon Itinerary.

7 Day New Zealand Honeymoon Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Christchurch

Your exclusive New Zealand experience begins in Christchurch, the perfect gateway to the South Island. Spend the afternoon relaxing in the city and sampling the exciting culinary scene. Romantic options are available to start your bespoke experience, from private helicopter flights with mountain landings including champagne and cheeseboard to dinner by Tram, a great way to discover the city in comfort as you make a toast to your romantic New Zealand getaway.

Stay 1 night in Christchurch.

Accommodation: The George Hotel

Day 2 Lake Tekapo + Mackenzie Basin

Driving time Christchurch to Lakestone Lodge – 4 hours 

The Mackenzie Basin is home to some of New Zealand’s most sublime scenery. From towering peaks (including New Zealand’s tallest, Aoraki/Mt Cook) to brilliant turquoise lakes and shimmering glaciers, the Southern Alps are an awe-inspiring destination. Your first glimpse of the glacial lakes is at Lake Tekapo, a picturesque settlement surrounded by mountains.

Continuing south, you will pass by the breathtaking southern shores of Lake Pukaki before arriving at Lakestone Lodge, a purpose built, six bedroom, off grid, luxury lodge positioned in a spectacular location on the shores of Lake Pukaki. Your stay includes a three-course dinner and cooked breakfast.

In the evening, enjoy a unique stargazing experience that will treat you to the best of the Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve. Your guide will prepare a perfectly positioned hammock so you are looking directly at the wonders above and makes you snug with a warm woollen blanket and complimentary mulled wine or hot drink. Your guide will point out all the highlights of the southern sky with a high powered laser pointer and explain some Maori legends about the sky as well as other interesting theories.

Stay 2 nights in Lake Pukaki.

Accommodation: Lakestone Lodge

Day 3 Mackenzie Basin + Mount Cook Helicopter Flight

Enjoy a relaxing morning after your late night of stargazing. In the late morning, make the scenic drive to Mount Cook Village, where you will venture deep into the wilderness on a helicopter excursion.

This is it! – if you have dreamt of truly experiencing the ultimate helicopter tour of the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, then this signature helicopter flight will tick every box.

Circle the summit of New Zealand’s highest mountain -Aoraki/Mt Cook, experience a snow landing on the Tasman Glacier, discover icebergs on the Tasman Terminal Lake, view blue ice, hanging glaciers and the West Coast glaciers of Fox & Franz Josef. Gaze across to both the East & West coastlines of New Zealand’s South Island, enjoy coastal views of New Zealand’s South Island This glacier helicopter tour is the ultimate way to experience and immerse yourself in the stunning scenery of the Mt Cook mountains. You will experience a snow landing high up on the Tasman Glacier and stand amongst the “natural silence” of this very special place. Feel as free as a bird as you gaze across the horizon and catch views of the incredible West Coast and wild Tasman Sea. Your last stop is the flight over the carved icebergs of the Tasman Terminal Lake on your return flight. In 50 minutes, you will have experienced the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park at its finest. Life really doesn’t get any better than this!

Day 4 Queenstown

Driving time Lakestone Lodge to Queenstown – 3 hours 

Today your journey takes you to Queenstown, the ultimate luxury destination on New Zealand’s South Island. From world-class luxury lodges to indulgent spa experiences, superb cuisine and exclusive tours, Queenstown is the ideal romantic or honeymoon destination.

The journey to Queenstown deserves to be savoured as well – stop and take in the views from the top of Lindis Pass, sample fresh fruit in Cromwell, and perhaps stop for a picturesque vineyard lunch as you pass through the Gibbston Valley.

Your accommodation in Queenstown is at Matakauri Lodge, spectacularly situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Matakauri’s take on luxury is understated and welcoming, with the stunning mountain landscape taking the place of honour. Voted one of the top five lodges in New Zealand and Australia, Matakauri is the ultimate sanctuary as well as a convenient base for exploring the wonders of southern New Zealand. Your stay includes pre-dinner drinks and canapés, a multi-course dinner, and daily breakfast.

Stay 4 nights in Queenstown.

Accommodation: Matakauri Lodge

Day 5 Queenstown + Milford Sound Experience

Enjoy a scenic flight over Fiordland to reach Milford Sound. Upon reaching Milford Sound, you will enjoy a 2.5 hour Milford Sound Nature Cruise.

With specialist nature guides on board, Real Journeys Nature Cruises offer a close-up experience of Milford Sound’s rainforest, soaring rock walls, towering snow-capped mountains, cascading waterfalls, hanging valleys and wildlife… words just don’t do it justice, you have to see it for yourself! Throughout the cruise, the guides share stories of the fiord’s history and are happy to answer your questions.

After your cruise, relax on the flight while your pilot delivers you back to Queenstown.

Day 6 Queenstown + Gourmet Wine Tour

Explore the Queenstown area today on a private gourmet wine tour that visits some of New Zealand’s most memorable vineyards. This intimate experience will showcase the best of Central Otago, with tastings at 4 vineyards and a gourmet lunch with five stunning dishes cooked in wine barrels and paired with matching wines. Other highlights include a tour through New Zealand’s largest underground wine cave and a cheese and wine presentation at one of the wineries.

Day 7 Queenstown

Today is spent at your leisure, either relaxing at Matakauri Lodge and perhaps indulging in one of the spa treatments on offer, or adding another activity from the wide array on offer in Queenstown. Options range from guided nature walks and private cruises on Lake Wakatipu to more adrenaline-fuelled activities such as jet-boating and rafting.

Day 8 Depart Queenstown

As your unforgettable holiday draws to a close, soak in the views one last time before departing Queenstown at your leisure.

Plan your New Zealand honeymoon itinerary

This New Zealand honeymoon itinerary is fully customizable. In other words, you have the option to add or remove activities, change your level of accommodation, or modify the schedule. Every couple is unique. We specialize in bespoke New Zealand luxury holidays, so we are more than happy to work with you until your honeymoon package matches exactly what you dreamed of.

Would you prefer a longer New Zealand honeymoon? Try our 14 Day New Zealand Honeymoon or Romance Itinerary.

Do you want to combine your honeymoon with an elopement ceremony? Read about our 7 Day New Zealand Elopement Package or our 10 Day NZ Elopement Honeymoon Package.

And finally, if you are considering a New Zealand elopement, read our guide to New Zealand elopement packages.