8 Most Romantic Places in New Zealand for Couples

Waiheke Island is a vision of green and gold, with lush rolling hills, overgrown forests, and sweeping beaches.

The island is a dream retreat for fans of tropical vacations. Peaceful afternoons at lavish accommodations clinging to the cliffs, hikes across colorful, canopied forests, and mornings chartering to castaway coves are among the enjoyable experiences.

You could also try your hand at fishing in the hope of reeling in kahawai, cycle through Whakanewha Regional Park, or view sculptural exhibitions before a sumptuous seafood dinner at sunset.

Highlights: Man O' War Vineyards • Tantalus Estate • Onetangi Beach • Oneroa Beach • Waiheke Community Art Gallery

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-2 days

Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital, is one of the country’s most photogenic destinations and top places to visit.

The town lies on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, in the shadows of the Southern Alps. Around Queenstown, nutrient-rich pastures host vineyards and the alpine landscape maintains magnificent glaciers. There is much to see and do in and around Queenstown and beyond its charming borders.

You can walk scenic trails, cruise the sun-kissed lake, bathe in a bubbling hot pool, or take a day trip to Milford Sound on a once-in-a-lifetime tour. Here, the unspoiled environment of azure water, waterfalls, and monstrous mountains takes center stage.

Highlights: Lake Wakatipu • Milford Sound • Bob’s Peak and Skyline Gondola • The Remarkables • Queenstown Gardens

Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 days

Couples come to Rotorua to relax and unwind. The town is known for being a geothermal hotspot and world-class resorts open their spa doors for couples to take advantage of volcanic healing properties.

Mineral pools, mud baths, and hot springs are all on the treatment menu when visiting the breathtaking geysers of Rotorua. Besides taking some time to slow down and reconnect, couples can acquaint themselves with local Maori culture on tours to Maori villages, the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, and the mythological geothermal wonderland of Te Puia.

Highlights: Waimangu Volcanic Valley • Rotorua Museum • Te Wairoa • Wai-O-Tapu • Whakarewarewa Maori village

Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 days

The rolling hills of Matamata rise and fall beneath the peaks of the Kaimai Range Mountains. It is in these hills that couples can find the fairytale hobbit homes of the Lord of the Rings.

Tours of Hobbiton, a top filming location to visit on vacation, show off the imagination behind the movies, but also showcase the natural beauty of Matamata’s sweeping, olive-green countryside.

Couples can celebrate the unique experience with a drink at the Green Dragon Inn before continuing to explore more of Matamata, such as the momentous Wairere Falls and the Matamata Heritage Trail.

Highlights: The Hobbiton • Wairere Falls • Matamata Heritage Trail • Firth Tower Reserve and Museum • Hauraki Rail Trail

Recommended Length of Stay: 1 day

To escape the hustle and bustle of Auckland or the busy neighborhoods of Christchurch, make your way to Coromandel on New Zealand’s North Island.

The coastal town boasts pristine beaches and flourishing forests, all wrapped up in a casual, laidback atmosphere. Coromandel’s geothermal springs speckling the forests that unroll from the Pinnacles are dreamy, while Cathedral Cove is a fabulous kayaking destination in which to paddle or swim in crystal-clear waters.

Enjoy the must-do Driving Creek Railway on a romantic train trip through the narrow-gorge mountain that’s lined with distinct, colorful pottery as you uncover the joys of Coromandel.

Highlights: Cathedral Cove • The Pinnacles • Driving Creek Railway • Hauraki Rail Trail • Homegrown Food Trail

Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 days

Life slows down on Stewart Island, a tranquil wildlife sanctuary to which couples can escape for a night or two. The Rakiura Track in the Rakiura National Park is a particularly impressive nature walk on which you and your partner can get close to endemic wildlife and birdlife.

Several beaches and museums are also great places to spend some downtime as you soak up the splendors of Stewart Island. In the evenings between March and September, you can keep your eyes peeled for the Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights. The region’s clear, green skies are the reason for its Maori name, Rakiura, which translates to glowing skies.

Highlights: Rakiura Track • Ulva Island • Mason Bay • Ringaringa Beach • Whaka a Te Wera

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-2 days

Home to New Zealand’s remarkable glacial landscapes, namely the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers, Westland Tai Poutini National Park is a winter wonderland worth exploring on your couple’s vacation to New Zealand.

The glaciers form impressive ice sculptures, pearl-white caves, and sapphire pools. Hikes across the landscape, one of the most romantic experiences in New Zealand, reveal the majesty of the alpine region, while flights give visitors a new perspective of the frozen territory.

The national park also boasts dense forests and sparkling lakes that backdrop enchanting picnics, complete with New Zealand delicacies.

Highlights: Fox Glacier • Franz Josef Glacier • Aoraki/Mount Cook • Lake Matheson • Mount Tasman

Recommended Length of Stay: 3-4 days

During your romantic adventures in New Zealand, be sure to stop over in Waitomo to appreciate the mind-blowing Waitomo Caves glowworm experience. At night, the luminous creatures light up the dim caverns and perform a jaw-dropping display that photographs rarely capture in all its glory.

You can follow up the cave exploration with a tour of the Kawhia Hot Springs, a trip to the eerie Marokopa Falls, or a stroll across Mangapohue Natural Bridge between towering limestone arches. Waitomo represents one of New Zealand’s greatest natural havens and it is a destination that is immaculately unrefined.

Highlights: Waitomo Glowworm Caves • Mangapohue Natural Bridge • Kawhia Hot Springs • Marokopa Falls • Black Water Rafting

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-2 days

Are you dreaming of a beach retreat in Coromandel? Maybe you would prefer to hike the ice-cascading Fox and Franz Josef glaciers? Depending on your travel preferences, you can customize featured itineraries from our New Zealand honeymoon packages or New Zealand tours for couples to curate a stellar vacation for you and your significant other.

Read our New Zealand travel guide to learn more about the extravagant experiences available for your tour as you plan your couple’s trip or honeymoon.