Pacific romance: New Caledonia and New Zealand honeymoon

Itinerary in Brief:

• 3 nights Queestown
• 2 nights Wanaka
• 2 nights Lake Tekapo 
• 2 nights Rural Canterbury
• 2 nights Noumea
• 4 nights Ile des Pins
• 1 night Noumea

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included: International flights

Day 2: Arrive Queenstown

On arrival in Queenstown, you’ll be met at the airport and assisted in collecting your rental car, before driving to your hotel in the small lakeside town, checking in for three nights. Your honeymoon has begun!

Included: Car hire, 4* hotel

Day 3: Queenstown

Today is yours to explore beautiful Queenstown. There is so much to do here, whether you want to explore the lake, the mountains or the nearby wine regions. We've included the epic Dart River Wilderness Jet, an exhilarating adventures along the remote and pristine Dart River. Drive along to Glenorchy, before getting onboard the jet boat, zooming up the braided channels of the river through Mount Aspiring National Park, where snow-capped peaks and ancient beech forests create a stunning backdrop. It's so much fun going so fast along the river, with the occasional 360° spin in the wider areas of the water, before taking a hike along the riverbanks at the furthest point of the trip. An epic day to spend the morning in unreal scenery.

The rest of the day is yours - why not get stuck into Queenstown's excellent food and bar scene for a relaxing evening after your day of adventure!

Included: Car hire, Dart River Wilderness Jet, 4* hotel 

Day 4: Milford Sound

On your second day, we've included a scenic flight to Milford Sound, flying over the epic mountains between Queenstown and the coast. After landing, you'll head out on the relaxing nature cruise of Milford Sound, gazing out at the gushing waterfalls and misty peaks whilst learning about the incredible landscape that is the Fiordland National Park. Enjoy another spectacular flight back to Queenstown over the braided rivers of the Dart Valley, the epic glaciers of Earnslaw Burn and Mt. Tutoko before landing back in town. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy the endless delights of Queenstown, whether you want enjoy one of the hundreds of tours on offer, drive down to Glenorchy to enjoy one of the most scenic road trips around or simply stroll around the lake to enjoy the views.

Included: Car hire, Milford Sound cruise and flight, 4* hotel 

Day 5: Drive to Wanaka

Today, you’ll drive north to the small town of Wanaka, perched on the shore of a vast lake and surrounded by snow-capped mountains. You can spend the afternoon as you please - go kayaking on the lake to spot the famous Wanaka tree, take a hike in the hills or relax in these beautiful surroundings.

Included: Car hire, 4* hotel    

Day 6: Wanaka

To get the most out of your time in Wanaka, we’ve included a brilliant 4WD tour into the mountains. You’ll head uphill through an alpine farm, whose views over sparkling Lake Wanaka is nothing short of magnificent. The guides are locals who know the land like the backs of their hands, so they’ll be full of knowledge. Ridgeline is the only company with access to the farm, so you’re unlikely to see any other tourist vehicles or people during the trip. In the afternoon, you can explore the little town or drive to a nearby vineyard to taste the local wine. 

Included: Car hire, half-day 4WD tour, 4* hotel 

Day 7: Drive to Lake Tekapo  

Continue your drive north as you follow the Southern Alps towards Aoraki Mount Cook, the tallest mountain in New Zealand. You'll drive through the dramatic landscapes of the Mackenzie Country, through vast valleys and along the turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki to Lake Tekapo. On arrival you'll check into your hotel for two nights, ready to explore this glorious region. 

Included: Car hire, 4* hotel 

Day 8: Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo

Today is yours to explore this region at your own leisure. We always recommend driving down to Mount Cook, where you can explore some excellent hiking trails in the shadow of the tallest mountain in New Zealand, from the easy Hooker Valley Track, with its swing bridges and glacier-fed river views, to shorter trails leading to viewpoints of the surrounding peaks and glaciers. Even just the drive along Lake Pukaki is one of the most spectacular journeys in New Zealand, with endless viewpoints and stop offs to take photographs. If you'd like to keep active, nearby Twizel has a huge network of cycling trails that wind through alpine landscapes and lakes. 

We've included an epic heli hike from Mount Cook up to the Tasman Glacier, where you'll witness the spectacular ice formations and breathe the alpine air as you step out onto the ice. Hike across the snow, admire the bottomless crevasse and bright blue ice caves as you explore this unbelievable landscape. 

Included: Car hire, Tasman Glacier heli hike, 4* hotel 

Day 9: Drive to Rural Canterbury

Leaving the mountains behind, today you'll drive north into the rural plains of Canterbury. You’ll be staying in the Korimako PurePod, just 90 minutes north-east from Christchurch. Nestled in the native bush along the Greta Valley coastline, with beautiful views out to the bay and across to Motunau Island, there’s nowhere like it. On a clear day, you can see right down to the Banks Peninsula. There’s an abundance of birdlife surrounding the PurePod, so you’ll be treated to a gentle chorus of birdsong throughout your stay. 

Included: Car hire, DIY dinner, PurePod Korimako   

Day 10: Rural Canterbury

For the next couple of days, you can relax and enjoy the romantic seclusion of rural Canterbury from the comfort of your PurePod. At the PurePod, you can sit back, soak up the scenery and enjoy a complete absence of people. It’s a beautiful area, so set aside time to check out the wineries in Waipara or walk along the Motunau Beach.

The PurePod has all the facilities you may require, including a great shower, crisp bed linen, cooking equipment and a barbecue for eating al fresco on warm evenings. You can bring your own supplies, but we’ve included a dinner and breakfast food package. This means that you’ll be treated to a variety from fresh local ingredients ready for you to cook on either the hob or barbecue, such as locally produced meat accompanied with seasonal salads or vegetables and potatoes, plus something delightfully sweet to finish. Breakfast will be either homemade muesli, coconut or chia and cranberry bircher, served with fresh yoghurt and berries.

Above all, the PurePod is all about getting some romantic alone time against a stunning backdrop. At night, you’ll sleep under millions of stars, and by day you’ll be surrounded by dramatic natural landscapes. Here, you can relax and let nature refuel your soul. The privacy, the isolation of a tiny glass hut completely surrounded by nature – the sky, the hills, the sea, the birds, the bush – takes you to another world.

Included: Car hire, DIY breakfast and dinner, PurePod Korimako           

Day 11: Fly to New Caledonia

After a peaceful sleep under the twinkling Southern Cross, you’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast in your PurePod before driving back to Christchurch, dropping off the car at the airport and catching your flight to New Caledonia. On arrival, you’ll be met at the airport and be driven to your hotel, where you’ll check in for two nights.

Included: International flights, breakfast, car hire, transfers      

Day 12: Amedee Island      

Today, you’ll set off on a full-day tour to Amedee Island, a tiny paradise where palm trees sway and colourful fish flit through the water. The sand here is sugar-white and the coral beneath the crystalline water is healthy and plentiful, thanks to the island’s status as a protected marine park.

During the trip, you can go stand up paddleboarding, snorkel with the local turtles and learn how to climb a coconut tree. You’ll also visit the Amedee Island Lighthouse. Built in France, it stood in Paris for two years before beginning its journey to Noumea, where it was finally erected in 1865. You can also send a postcard home from the island’s post office, officially the smallest in the world, and enjoy a delicious exotic lunch whilst watching the famous dance show.

On Amedee Island, you’ll have access to a “bio suncream” distributor, a 100% natural sunblock that doesn’t hurt the coral. Read our blog post for more about visiting coral reefs responsibly.

Included: Breakfast, Amedee Island day tour     

Day 13: Fly to Ile des Pins

After breakfast, you’ll be collected and taken to the airport for your flight to beautiful Ile des Pins. As soon as you arrive you will understand why this island is nicknamed “the nearest place to paradise” – it’s white beaches and turquoise waters are breath-taking. You’re also sure to get a warm welcome from the 2,000 friendly locals called the Kunie people.

The eponymous pine trees on Ile des Pins resemble the masts of sailing ships, making the landscape here truly unique. At the end of the 19th century, the island became a prison for 3,000 political prisoners deported from France and you can visit the remains of the convict prison in the island’s wooded interior.

Included: Flights, transfers        

Days 14 - 16: Ile des Pins

On your first day in Ile des Pins, you’ll enjoy a full-day boat excursion to look out for dolphins and turtles in the water. In the morning, you’ll visit Ilot Brosse, a tiny island covered in trademark pine trees, where you can snorkel and swim in the perfect water. Next, you’ll head to another small island, Moro, for lunch. Here, you’ll enjoy grilled lobster, fresh coconut and crunchy papaya salad – delicious!

The rest of your time on Ile des Pins is free for you to breathe in the beauty of the island, walk on the beach, and toast a cocktail each night at sunset. Your hotel is situated on spectacular Oro Bay, a famous natural swimming pool in New Caledonia. Oro Bay truly is paradise. Swim, snorkel, relax and soak in the incredible turquoise and blue colours of Ile des Pins.

Included: 4* hotel, breakfast, day tour to Ilot Brosse/Moro        

Day 17: Fly to Noumea

Spend one last morning enjoying paradise before heading back to the airport for your flight to Noumea. On arrival, you’ll be taken to your hotel, where you’ll spend one night before setting off on the journey home.

Included: Flights, transfers, breakfast, 4* hotel

Day 18: Depart New Caledonia

This morning you’ll be driven back to the airport in time for your flight home.     

Included: International flights, transfers, breakfast

Day 19: Arrive UK