New Zealand Fiji Honeymoon
Get the best of both worlds on this New Zealand Fiji Honeymoon. Start at a remote, luxurious Fiji resort, then enjoy outdoor adventures and beautiful scenery on New Zealand’s South Island.
A Chicago couple came to us looking for a New Zealand Fiji Honeymoon. These 2 destinations together truly give you the best of both worlds: beautiful beaches, plus outdoor adventures in that iconic New Zealand scenery.
We started their New Zealand Fiji Honeymoon at Matangi Private Island Resort in Fiji. They loved the remote island feel of this resort—you arrive on a boat transfer and have to roll up your pant legs and wade right onto the beach. At Matangi, they were able to explore gorgeous beaches, including the exclusive Horseshoe Bay, as well as enjoy great outdoor adventures like snorkeling, hiking to a waterfall, and visiting a local Fiji village.
After 5 nights at Matangi, their New Zealand Fiji Honeymoon continued on New Zealand’s beautiful South Island. First, they picked up a car and traveled to the beautiful, seaside village of Kaikoura, where they stayed at Hapuku Lodge, one of New Zealand’s luxury lodges with stunning views to the ocean and award winning food. They even took a cooking class at the lodge. Kaikoura, known for it’s marine life, allows guests to swim with the local, very friendly, wild dolphins.
Next, they returned to Christchurch before boarding the scenic TranzAlpine train from one coast to the other and were able to see diverse, spectacular landscapes. And then they drove to Franz Josef Glacier Village, a remote mountainous area that’s perfect for outdoors lovers. They took a helicopter up to the glacier’s surface and were able to hike on the ice with the help of expert guides.
The following day for their New Zealand Fiji Honeymoon, they had a bit of a road trip on the West Coast, where the scenery consists of mountains, ocean, waterfalls, lush forests, and crystal clear lakes. The driving was an unexpected highlight of their trip! They arrived in Queenstown, where scenery and adventure lovers are spoiled for choice.
They stayed 3 nights in a boutique Queenstown hotel with gorgeous lake views. They took a boutique winery tour in the Otago wine region, with wineries chosen to suit the day’s visitors, and had a delicious gourmet lunch at one of the wineries. Then, they went on a breathtaking nature cruise and scenic flight of Milford Sound. They decided to end their honeymoon in style by returning to Queenstown on a scenic flight. They couldn’t believe the views! It was the perfect way to finish their New Zealand Fiji Honeymoon.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
Bula! Welcome! Upon arrival at Nadi Airport, enjoy a short flight and drive to Matangi Private Island Resort. This exclusive, privately owned 240-acre island is a unique horseshoe shape and boasts virgin tropical rainforest, white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and fringing coral reefs. Enjoy a complimentary bottle of wine and let yourself be swept away by the beauty of a true tropical paradise.
Matangi Private Island Resort
Day 2 – 5
Spend the next 3 days in absolute leisure in a tropical paradise. Enjoy complimentary activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boarding. Explore this gorgeous private island on foot on your own or with a local Fijian guide, or take a catamaran sailing excursion. Indulge in a private picnic on Horseshoe Bay, one of the most beautiful places in the world. Visit nearby islands and local villages. Enjoy a traditional kava ceremony. Or, simply relax at the luxurious resort. As part of your honeymoon vacation, Matangi will provide a fabulous breakfast in bed one morning.
Matangi Private Island Resort
Day 6
Today, you will depart your beautiful island paradise for the land of adventure: New Zealand! Arrive into Christchurch, where you’ll overnight before tomorrow’s journey. Christchurch underwent a devastating earthquake in 2011, but its hardworking residents have been steadily rebuilding, and its artist community is perhaps even stronger than before. Take some time to wander through the European-inspired streets, or even enjoy a walking tour to learn about the city’s history and post-earthquake recovery.
3.5-star hotel in Christchurch
Day 7
Pick up a car and drive to the stunning seaside village of Kaikoura, known for its marine life. Hapuku Lodge, your home for 2 nights is a contemporary country hotel located on a deer breeding farm in the South Island of New Zealand. It sits snugly at the base of the Kaikoura Seaward Mountain Range, with the Kaikoura coast and famed Mangamaunu Bay. The Lodge provides luxurious accommodation on Kaikoura’s rugged coastline, a place for guests to relax in its intimate indoor/outdoor setting.
Hapuku Lodge
Day 8
A dolphin encounter is top of the list for many. On the eight-day, you can plan to encounter these beautiful and brilliant creatures with Encounter Kaikoura! And then end the day with a fun cooking class at the award winning kitchen at Hapuku Lodge.
Hapuku Lodge
Day 9
Today you will return to Christchurch for an overnight stay.
3.5-star hotel in Christchurch
Day 10
This morning, you will board the TranzAlpine train for one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. Traveling from one coast of New Zealand to the other, you’ll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. Your train then climbs into the Southern Alps before descending through lush beech rain forest to the West Coast town of Greymouth. From here, you will pick up your rental car to drive down the rugged West Coast to the glacier region. Franz Josef Glacier town is a haven for the outdoors enthusiast, with the only glaciers in the world that slide through temperate rainforest. Enjoy 2 nights at a boutique hotel perfectly situated among the beautiful alpine landscape.
Scenic Franz Josef
Day 11
This morning, enjoy a one-of-a-kind adventure! Ride a helicopter to the top of Franz Josef Glacier, where you’ll have half a day to hike around on the ice. With crampons on the bottom of your boots and an ice pick in your hand, you’ll wander through blue ice crevasses and icy caves with the help of an expert guide. Ride a helicopter back down to the bottom of the glacier, and then spend the rest of your day at leisure.
Scenic Franz Josef
Day 12
Drive through the most scenic part of New Zealand’s alpine scenery today as you make your way over the Haast Pass and its swimmable waterfalls to bustling Queenstown. A delight for scenery lovers and adrenaline junkies alike, Queenstown is the outdoor adventure capital of the country, if not the world. After your drive, relax in your cozy hotel room with a glass of local New Zealand wine and enjoy the views over Lake Wakatipu.
The Rees Hotel
Day 13
The morning is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Enjoy a buffet breakfast at the hotel, then take a small-group boutique winery tour of the Otago wine region, which is especially well known for its earthy pinot noirs. Through the Gibbston Valley, over the rolling vine-clad foothills of Bannockburn and beyond, your vineyard selection will be matched to the day’s passengers. 4 winery tastings are included, as well as a gourmet platter lunch and commentary on the early pioneering history of this rugged region.
The Rees Hotel
Day 14
Today is devoted to spectacular scenery! Enjoy a full-day excursion to the spectacular Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park. You’ll drive the famous Milford Road (great for photo stops and history lessons about the pioneering days of New Zealand) as you drive along a narrow highway with sheer cliffs on each side. On reaching Milford Sound, board a nature cruise, view spectacular waterfalls, rainforest, and towering peaks—plus, keep an eye out for fur seals, dolphins, and penguins. Return to Queenstown via scenic flight, and see how much more breathtaking this area is from the air!
The Rees Hotel
Day 15
It’s time to say goodbye to New Zealand today. Drop off your rental car at the airport, where you’ll catch a flight to Auckland and onward back home.
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