With thousands of newly wedded couples from around the world spending good money to honeymoon in New Zealand, you wouldn’t be the only Kiwi to consider taking your first trip as husband and wife close to home. This country hosts beautiful and varied sceneries, world-class eco-tourism, top-notch resorts, and activities and luxuries that could suit nearly any personality. Plus, not spending time waiting in airports or on marathon flights? Priceless! Discover options for a romantic getaway that can be reached in what may just be a few hours’ drive.

Queenstown
Located in the Otago region of the South Island, Queenstown is an adventure-tourist’s paradise. Newlyweds who are keen to spend most of their honeymoon outdoors will be pleased with all the offerings of this resort town. The area offers both beautiful lakes and picturesque mountains that are perfect for the couple that likes to be surrounded by awe-inspiring scenery.

Activities:

• If your honeymoon falls between June and September, you can take advantage of the great skiing and snowboarding offered in the region. There are four main hills in the Queenstown area that are popular for snow sport enthusiasts - Cardrona Alpine Resort, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Treble Cone.

• Since you’ve already taken the plunge together, why not take another? Heart-racing adventure sports like bungee jumping, river surfing and paragliding are all the rage in Queenstown.

• Lively wine bars (pinot noir is the area’s specialty) are the place to go for social couples looking to enjoy the nightlife while on their honeymoon in Queenstown.

Places to stay:

• The Glebe is a very popular choice for Queenstown tourists as it offers apartment-style accomodations, modern and clean furnishings, friendly staff and extraordinary views of the New Zealand landscape from the suites’ balconies.

• Honeymooners looking for style and comfort can turn to the Azur Luxury Lodge. Escape to your villa after a day or skiing or adventures around the town and soak in the scenery from your room’s fantastic view.

• Known as one of the places to go for a romantic retreat, the Queenstown Park Hotel offers boutique-style luxury for guests. The hotel offers a very modern aesthetic that is juxtaposed with the surrounding natural wonders.

Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands is an area in the Northland region of New Zealand’s North Island. The Bay of Islands is an aquatic playground for honeymooners who enjoy boating and fishing but also an adventure for those who are more land loving. Land or sea, Bay of Islands is a great destination for newlyweds who enjoy eco-tourism and animal sightings.

Activities:

• Puketi Forest near Kerikeri is a subtropical rainforest that can be experienced through fantastic daytime and evening tours, like those offered by Adventure Puketi. Brilliant flora and fauna can be spotted, as can various rainforest creatures that can’t be found anywhere else on earth.

• A trip to the Bay of Islands isn’t complete without an excursion to sail and swim with the area dolphins. There are a number of different cruise operators available in the region who can bring you to the wild dolphins and also provide you with a tour of the coastline, lunch and a chance to do some snorkeling.

• One way to take in nearly every aspect of the Bay Islands is through a half-day tour with Salt Air. The company will fly you over the region, letting you take in the beauty of the ocean and the lush forests from an unbelievable vantage point. The tour breaks will allow you to take up some swimming and then experience the Te Paki sand dunes (they even offer sleds so you can whiz down them!).

Places to stay:

• The Blue Pacific is located in the town of Paihia and presents honeymooners with luxury apartment accommodations. Modern and clean, the Blue Pacific suites have amazing wrap-around balconies that offer unbelievable views of the coastline. The lovely Ti Beach is footsteps away from this hotel, providing you with a convenient spot to swim and sun.

• Russell Cottages (located in the town of Russell within the Bay of Islands) are quaint getaways for couples eager to feel cozy on their honeymoon without forgoing modern conveniences. This lovely cluster of 1, 2, 3 or 4-bedroom cottages host a swimming pool, spa, open-fire pit and BBQ facilities for those interested in a coastal resort experience.

• If you’re a couple who enjoys golf, a stay at Kauri Cliffs in Kerikeri is a must. More than just a gorgeous place to stay (which it is), Kauri Cliffs offers an on-site professional-level golf course, a tranquil spa, guided excursions, picnic and beach BBQ services and more. There’s certainly a hefty price-tag attached to this hotel, but if you’re honeymooners who feel that money is no object, there’s no better than Kauri Cliffs.

Hawke’s Bay
This region in the North Island of New Zealand has caught the attention of the world with its award winning wines. It’s a must for newlyweds who consider themselves foodies or have an appreciation for a great grape. While eating and drinking on their getaway may be what many honeymooners look forward to when visiting Hawke’s Bay, couples can also enjoy scenic tours, outdoor adventures and eco-experiences.

Activities:

• Wine tours are an obvious choice for visitors of Hawke’s Bay. Vineyards can be stopped at individually or as part of a larger tour – and even by bicycle! Name your poison, and Hawke’s Bay will serve it with quality. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot, and Syrah grapes – you can find them all in this gorgeous region of New Zealand.

• While you and your new husband may be enamored with each other, there’ no shame in also being captivated by the amazing gourmet food options of Hawke’s Bay. Enjoy a vineyard picnic, delights at local restaurants (French cuisine and regional favourites, Craggy Range, was noted by Conde Nast magazine!) or quick but amazing bite at one of the many farmer’s markets.

• Are you a bride who’s as comfortable in a garter as you are in gaiters? If so, the fly fishing in Hawke’s Bay is something to experience. There’s no doubt that your new husband would be thrilled with a one-day excursion to enjoy this area sport that is both relaxing and thrilling.

Places to stay:

• Since you’re driving, it might only make sense to stay at a place called Pebble Beach Motor Inn. But unlike other motels, this inn offers comforts and qualities that you’d normally expect from a boutique hotel. Oceanfront suites, rainforest showers and in-room spa pools are yours for the taking at this Napier-based hotel.

• Situated on 30-acres of lovely parkland, the Greenhill Lodge in Hastings offers beauty and comfort. Once a simple farmhouse, now a majestic lodge, Greenhill provides honeymooners with a retreat that embraces the wine country that surrounds it. Expect great eats, drinks and comfortable stays here.

• Newlyweds with a preference for B&Bs can do no wrong by staying at Cobden Garden Homestay in Napier. This exquisite bed and breakfast boasts huge bedrooms, a lovely verandah for late night chats and wonderful home-cooking that features the best of the region’s offerings.

This list is only a small sampling of memorable and romantic escapes available to honeymooners wishing to stay in the country. For additional ideas, visit New Zealand’s official tourism website: http://www.newzealand.com/.