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Spend your honeymoon in the romantic Pacific Ocean, taking in the spectacular mountains and beaches of New Zealand and New Caledonia. Start in Queenstown, nestled in the Southern Alps, before driving north through the lake country of Wanaka to the West Coast where you’ll hike through the blue ice on Franz Josef Glacier. Take the Tranzalpine train across the South Island and spend a couple of nights in a rural retreat, sleeping under the stars in a glass PurePod.
After filling up on fresh local food and swoon-worthy views in NZ, you’ll fly to New Caledonia, where white-sand beaches and swaying palm trees await. Snorkel with turtles, walk hand in hand down the beach and raise a glass as you watch the sunset over the water – this colourful New Caledonia and New Zealand honeymoon is the stuff of dreams.
This itinerary can be tailored to suit your requirements; please contact one of our consultants to start planning your dream trip.
Depart the UK from your chosen airport.
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!
Today is yours to explore beautiful Queenstown. We’ve added a jet boat on the Shotover River. This is a rite of passage in New Zealand - it’s the ultimate tour that every traveller needs to try. The 360-degree spins are exhilarating, and the white-knuckle journey down the river is so much fun - skimming down the canyon trying not to get sprayed by the water as you crisscross the surface of the water. Afterwards, you can spend the rest of the day exploring the town, the mountains and the lake.
We’ve included a full-day excursion to Milford Sounds today – it’s one of the most beautiful places on the planet. You’ll fly from Queenstown around 11am and spend the whole afternoon in the sounds, a scenic Fiordland rich in dense rainforest with glacier-carved valleys and cascading waterfalls.
You’ll journey through the Southern Alps past Eglinton Valley’s ancient alpine forest before boarding a nature cruise to see the wonders of Mitre Peak. After the magical cruise, you’ll head back again by light aircraft and be back in Queenstown by the early evening.
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.
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.
You’ll get back on the road today and make your way to the glaciers of the west coast. The drive will be one to remember, as you’ll pass some of the most magnificent scenery in New Zealand. This remote region is home to a range of breath-taking landscapes, from vast rainforests and snow-capped mountains. On arrival at Franz Josef, you’ll check into your hotel for two nights. We’ve also included dinner at the hotel for your first night, so no need to worry about finding somewhere to eat.
This morning is going to be one that you’ll never forget, combining an exhilarating helicopter ride with a hike over bright blue glacial ice. You’ll be whisked away high over the frozen landscape by helicopter, landing on the glacier itself before pulling on your crampons. Your guides will be highly skilled in step-cutting, so they’ll find you the safest and most spectacular route on the glacier.
The glacier is very fast-moving, so its features are constantly changing. You might find yourself sliding through a narrow chasm, squeezing between towering walls of ice, crawling through blue ice tunnels, hanging out in ice caves or witnessing glacial calving. You’ll come away from your trip not only with a sense of awe but a whole new understanding of why these natural wonders are so unique.
After the tour, you’ll have a chance to relax in the glacier hot pools. It’s a haven of natural tranquillity, and a perfect way to unwind after your valley walk.
Today, you’ll drive up to Greymouth in time to catch the TranzAlpine train around lunchtime. Why not take a short detour on the way to see the gushing blue waters of Hokitika Gorge? You’ll drop off your car in Greymouth and hop on board the train.
The TranzAlpine will carry you over vast plains and through miles of native forest before crossing the Southern Alps, where glacier-fed rivers shimmer under the snow-capped mountains. On arrival at Christchurch station, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel, where you’ll check in for one night.
You can spend the morning exploring Christchurch. Go punting down the river, do a street art tour or explore the botanic gardens. Around lunchtime, you’ll be driven to the rental car depot, where you’ll pick up your hire car and set off for your final spot in New Zealand.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This morning you’ll be driven back to the airport in time for your flight home.
New Zealand is a year-round destination. There’s always something to see and enjoy whenever you decide to travel. March to April and September to November can be a great time to travel as the weather is fine and the crowds fewer. High season runs from December to February (summer in New Zealand). Prices will be at a premium at these times and availability is limited, so it is advisable to book in advance. Low season is May to August (winter) for most of New Zealand. However, this is the best time for skiing, so ski towns such as Queenstown will be at their busiest.
New Caledonia has a temperate climate with two main seasons, cold and hot. The cold season runs from June to August and the hot season runs from mid-November to mid-April. In the cold season, temperatures are approximately 24 degrees during the day and 15 degrees at night. For hikers, it’s the perfect time to visit. For travellers wishing to lie in the sun, temperatures hover between 26 and 30 degrees in the hot season. Overall, the best time to visit is between September and December. Cyclone season is between January and March.
This itinerary is purely a suggestion and can be tailor-made to your requirements, so please contact us with your dates and requests, and we’ll put together a bespoke quotation for you.