From hot pools to stargazing, wine tours to helicopter picnics, New Zealand offers a delightful array of romantic experiences. When you visit the most romantic places in New Zealand, you’ll find breathtaking scenery, plenty of space to share time together away from the crowds, romantic couples’ activities, and intimate luxury accommodation.
These are the 7 most romantic places to visit in New Zealand:
We’ll introduce each destination below, including why it’s a romantic destination, what couples’ activities you can experience, and where you should stay.
And for suggestions of how to plan a romantic getaway including many of these destinations, take a look at our 7 Day Romantic or Honeymoon Escape and 14 Day Romantic or Honeymoon Escape.
Home to the stunning turquoise Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki, with the highest mountains in New Zealand towering at their headwaters, the Mackenzie Basin combines awe-inspiring scenery with breathtaking solitude.
Here is a place where you can truly escape it all and be together. Apart from the isolated settlements at Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook Village, and Twizel, the Mackenzie Basin stretches vast and empty. Instead of tourists, you’ll find dazzling starscapes, glaciated peaks, and the unbelievably blue waters of the two glacier-fed lakes.
For the ultimate romantic escape, skip the tourist settlements and stay at one of the luxury lodges overlooking Lake Pukaki.
Lakestone Lodge overlooks the dazzling waters of Lake Pukaki, with windows framing the view of Aoraki/Mount Cook. Dine on gourmet chef’s meals during your stay at the heart of the Mackenzie Basin.
Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat surrounds guests in isolated splendour overlooking Lake Pukaki and the surrounding mountains. The luxury villas each come with a private outdoor hot tub, and meals are prepared by a chef and delivered to your villa for private dining.
While the bustling downtown can feel overly touristy, the Queenstown region abounds with so many romantic and luxury offerings that it deserves a place of honour in any list of romantic destinations.
Not only are the views second to none, but you can experience them from the ground, from the air, and from the water – in any way imaginable. Adventurous couples will enjoy testing themselves with jet-boating, skydiving, white-water rafting, and canyoning excursions. Meanwhile, those who prefer a more sedate pace can indulge in wine tours, helicopter flights, fine dining, and lake cruises.
It’s easy to escape the crowds in central Queenstown – just minutes outside town, you’ll find secluded luxury lodge accommodation that commands incredible views over Lake Wakatipu. Here you can delight in magnificent scenery that feels as though it belongs just to you. Spoil yourselves with the very best of everything, balance sightseeing with quiet time together, and tap into the excitement and endless possibilities of Queenstown.
Finally, Queenstown is a great base for exploring the surrounding regions, from the charming historic mining settlement of Arrowtown to the laid-back lakeside town of Wanaka and the remote expanses of Fiordland.
Rosewood Matakauri is a world-renowned luxury lodge that combines convenience to downtown Queenstown with the atmosphere of an isolated wilderness retreat. Surrounded by native forest, the expansive grounds drop down to the waters of Lake Wakatipu.
Azur Lodge offers all of the private exclusivity of a luxury lodge only minutes from downtown Queenstown. Gaze out at the Wakatipu Basin from elevated rooms with sweeping balconies.
For a more secluded wilderness experience, Blanket Bay Lodge places you in the stunning Glenorchy region at the top of Lake Wakatipu. Indulge in pure luxury while taking in some of the most awe-inspiring mountain views in New Zealand.
Remote and splendid, the Bay of Islands spoils visitors with idyllic private beaches, lush greenery, a mild subtropical climate, and superb luxury accommodation. It’s easy to find a slice of paradise that you have all to yourselves.
Rosewood Kauri Cliffs is an all-inclusive resort with luxury accommodation, gourmet meals, and a rejuvenating spa tucked beside native forest. This is the perfect couples’ retreat if you want a romantic getaway with countless options on-site and no need to venture beyond the vast working farm that is Kauri Cliffs.
The villas at Eagles Nest offer a more secluded luxury stay for couples who prefer escaping to isolated splendour. Set amidst 75 acres of forested clifftop estate, the villas boast complete privacy and expansive views over the Bay of Islands.
Isolated and virtually inaccessible, Fiordland National Park abounds with extraordinary scenery just waiting to be unveiled. Nothing is more romantic than sharing the awe of discovering something remarkable with your partner.
And while Milford Sound is filled with tourists during the day, there are many ways to experience the marvels of Fiordland without the crowds – either by venturing to lesser-known stretches of the region, or by staying overnight to see Milford Sound at its most beguiling.
There is no better way to immerse yourselves in the silence and grandeur of Milford Sound than a night on the Fiordland Jewel. With gourmet dining prepared by your on-board chef and a decktop hot tub, this is truly a romantic experience to remember.
You can also visit Fiordland on helicopter tours from Queenstown.
As one of New Zealand’s most charming and upmarket wine regions, Waiheke Island delights visitors with luxury accommodation, gourmet food and wine tours, and idyllic scenery. This is the perfect romantic destination to relax and indulge in the finer things in life.
The Boatshed Hotel sits above the sun-drenched bay and white-sand beaches of Oneroa. Private dining and an eclectic collection of luxury cottages makes this the perfect romantic escape.
Abundant hot springs, crystal-clear lakes, and dramatic volcanic scenery create a romantic destination that is both relaxing and exciting. Like in Queenstown, Rotorua offers a tantalizing array of experiences, from adrenaline adventures to cultural encounters.
Avoid the bustling downtown and instead stay at a secluded lodge to take full advantage of the region’s offerings from a private and romantic base.
Solitaire Lodge surrounds guests in romantic solitude and luxury at the shores of Lake Rotoiti. While situated close to the attractions in Rotorua, the lodge also creates myriad opportunities for guests to relax and explore the surrounds, from private tours to natural forest hot springs to water-based recreation.
Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel sits within magnificent grounds close to central Rotorua. Overlooking the sparkling waters of Lake Rotorua, the hotel offers chic rooms and an intimate atmosphere.
Situated within 2500 acres of private native forest, Treetops Lodge & Estate allows you to escape to an isolated romantic retreat only 20 minutes from Rotorua. The rooms offer rustic elegance and privacy, while the grounds are home to waterfalls, an outdoor spa pool, and peaceful forest trails.
For idyllic South Island beaches, nothing can beat the Abel Tasman region. Within Abel Tasman National Park lie stunning golden-sand beaches fringed by forest, the perfect backdrop for a romantic getaway.
Here you can find undisturbed wilderness splendour and bountiful opportunities to escape into your own private slice of paradise.
Split Apple Retreat places you within a stretch of native bush just south of Abel Tasman National Park. Trails drop down to two private beaches, while the ground include a saltwater infinity pool and Onsen hot bath, a sauna, and a theatre.
For a unique wilderness experience, stay at Awaroa Lodge, situated at the heart of Abel Tasman National Park and not accessible by road. Take a water taxi to the lodge, or even walk along the Abel Tasman Coast Track to reach the luxury rooms, and experience a romantic retreat that immerses you in nature.
The most romantic beach destinations in New Zealand are:
– Bay of Islands
– Abel Tasman
– Coromandel Peninsula
– Marlborough Sounds
– Golden Bay
The most romantic experience in Fiordland is to see the fiords at sunrise and sunset, when the crowds are gone. You can either stay at Milford Sound accommodation or book an overnight cruise on Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound for an immersive romantic experience. For the ultimate romantic luxury, stay on the Fiordland Jewel, a luxury yacht with an deck-top hot tub.
Another romantic experience in Fiordland is a helicopter flight. Choose from short or long scenic flights with an alpine landing, or book a couples’ heli-hike on the Kepler Track.
The best place for couples to visit and enjoy wine tours in New Zealand are:
– Waiheke Island
– Central Otago (Queenstown and Wanaka region)
– Hawke’s Bay
– Marlborough
You’ll find group tours, private tours, heli-wine tours, and bike-to-wine tours on offer in many of these regions.
The most picturesque lakes in New Zealand with romantic accommodation nearby include:
– Lake Tekapo
– Lake Pukaki (near Mount Cook)
– Lake Wakatipu (near Queenstown)
– Lake Wanaka
– Lake Rotorua
– Lake Rotoiti
– Lake Taupo
Lakestone Lodge Lake Pukaki and Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat are the most romantic accommodation options near Aoraki/Mount Cook. Both sit on the shores of Lake Pukaki and look across toward Mount Cook.
The Hermitage Hotel is also a popular romantic option if you want to stay right in Mount Cook Village.
The West Coast is where you’ll find the best sunsets. Stay at romantic lodges overlooking the coast to enjoy the magnificent sunset views, or venture to a nearby beach for an up-close view of the colours reflecting off the waves.
West Coast luxury accommodation includes:
– Te Waonui Forest Retreat
– Rimu Lodge Hokitika
– Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
– Lake Brunner Eco Lodge
Rebecca Vickers is a former New Zealand travel consultant and travel writer who has travelled extensively throughout both islands.
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