# New Zealand honeymoon itinerary: 12 days, both islands. > A 12-day New Zealand honeymoon itinerary: Bay of Islands, Queenstown, Milford Sound and Tekapo skies. Quoted to your dates. Source: https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/new-zealand-honeymoon/ Honeymoon 11 nights The Bay of Islands, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Aoraki / Mount Cook and the dark skies of Lake Tekapo, paced for two — one domestic flight, short drives and a lodge or boutique stay at every base. [Request this at net rates](https://www.explera.co.nz/contact-us/#quote) [Enquire as a traveller](https://www.explera.co.nz/contact-us/?enquirer=traveller#quote) [WhatsApp the trade team](https://wa.me/66936568090?text=Hi%20Explera%2C%20I'm%20a%20travel%20agent%20interested%20in%20New%20Zealand%20DMC%20services.) ![A green island and sheltered bay in the Bay of Islands](https://www.explera.co.nz/assets/dest/bay-of-islands-island-bay-1400.webp) ## What is the New Zealand Honeymoon itinerary? Eleven nights for two from Auckland to Christchurch: three in the Bay of Islands, four in Queenstown with a Milford Sound day, then Aoraki / Mount Cook and the dark skies of Lake Tekapo. Explera DMC New Zealand quotes it to the couple’s dates — price on request, at net rates for agents. Last updated: 2 November 2026 ## Why it runs in this order. *The shape* North first, for warm water and an unhurried start after the long flight. One domestic flight then takes the couple to Queenstown, so the South Island is driven only once, from the lakes across to Christchurch for the flight home. **Who it suits:** Couples on a honeymoon or anniversary trip who want both islands at a slower pace: a beach and island start in the subtropical north, then lakes, fiords and dark skies in the south. Destination guides on this route: [Auckland](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/auckland/), [Bay of Islands](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/bay-of-islands/), [Queenstown](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/queenstown/), [Milford Sound](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/milford-sound/), [Arrowtown](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/arrowtown/), [Wānaka](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/wanaka/), [Aoraki / Mount Cook](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/aoraki-mount-cook/), [Lake Tekapo](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/tekapo/), [Christchurch](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/christchurch/). Services this programme draws on: [Destination weddings & honeymoons](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/destination-weddings-new-zealand/), [Luxury & VIP travel](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/luxury-and-vip-travel-new-zealand/), [Hotels, lodges & accommodation](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/hotels-and-lodges-new-zealand/). At a glance Nights 11 Type Honeymoon Season October to April for long days and the easiest driving. Winter suits a couple who want snow, with a driver-guide for the alpine roads. Lead time Six to nine months, and longer for December to February, when lodge rooms in the Bay of Islands and Queenstown and the small number of rooms at Aoraki / Mount Cook Village are the constraint Sold as Price on request · net rates for agents ## The programme. *Day by day* - Day 1 Auckland Arrive Auckland and keep the first evening light after the long-haul flight: a walk along the waterfront and dinner by the harbour. - Days 2–4 Bay of Islands North to the Bay of Islands, about three to three and a half hours by road, or a short flight to Kerikeri, about 25 minutes from Paihia. Three nights for the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, a cruise out to Hole in the Rock and the ferry across to historic Russell. - Days 5–6 Queenstown Fly south to Queenstown, connecting in Auckland; the Auckland to Queenstown flight is under two hours. Two days on Lake Wakatipu: the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak and a Gibbston wine afternoon. - Day 7 Milford Sound A full Milford Sound day: about four to four and a half hours each way by road with a cruise on the fiord, or fly–cruise–fly when the weather allows. - Day 8 Queenstown A free day: Arrowtown, a spa, or a scenic flight booked to the couple and sold as weather-dependent. - Day 9 Aoraki / Mount Cook Over the Crown Range to Wānaka, about an hour and ten minutes, for lunch by the lake, then over the Lindis Pass to Aoraki / Mount Cook Village, around two and a half hours. From here the couple can self-drive, or a private driver-guide takes the wheel. - Day 10 Lake Tekapo The Hooker Valley Track in the morning, a flat walk of roughly three hours return to a glacier lake below the mountain, then about an hour and a quarter to Lake Tekapo. The Church of the Good Shepherd on the shore, and the dark-sky reserve after nightfall. - Day 11 Christchurch Across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, about three hours. A last evening in the rebuilt city centre. - Day 12 Christchurch Fly out from Christchurch, or connect through Auckland. Drive and ferry times are approximate and depend on stops, weather and road conditions. ## What the net rate covers. *Included* - Eleven nights in lodges and boutique hotels matched to the couple’s category - The domestic flight north to south, booked to the routing - Private transfers in the north, and a rental car or private driver-guide in the south - A Bay of Islands cruise and a Milford Sound cruise - Day-by-day route notes with drive times - 24/7 duty desk ## What it does not. *Not included* - International air - Meals beyond breakfasts - Weather-dependent scenic flights, quoted separately - Travel insurance ## When to ask. *Lead time* Six to nine months, and longer for December to February, when lodge rooms in the Bay of Islands and Queenstown and the small number of rooms at Aoraki / Mount Cook Village are the constraint. Send the brief — party size, dates, hotel category and what the client cares about — to [b2b@explera.co.nz](mailto:b2b@explera.co.nz) and we will quote this programme, or the version you want, at net rates. Planning the trip yourself? Use the same enquiry form, choose “Traveller”, and we will quote this programme to your dates — or book it through your own travel agent. ## New Zealand Honeymoon — what agents ask. *FAQ* **How long is the New Zealand Honeymoon itinerary?** 11 nights. North first, for warm water and an unhurried start after the long flight. One domestic flight then takes the couple to Queenstown, so the South Island is driven only once, from the lakes across to Christchurch for the flight home. **How far ahead does it need booking?** Six to nine months, and longer for December to February, when lodge rooms in the Bay of Islands and Queenstown and the small number of rooms at Aoraki / Mount Cook Village are the constraint. **How is this programme priced?** Price on request. Explera DMC New Zealand quotes this honeymoon to the couple’s dates and lodge category; travel agents receive a confidential net rate and sell it under their own brand. **Can the honeymoon start straight after a New Zealand wedding?** Yes. Our destination weddings team plans honeymoons that start the morning after the wedding, from lodge stays to a self-drive. ## Other programmes. *Itineraries* - [North and South Island Classic](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/new-zealand-north-and-south-island-classic/) - [South Island Self-Drive](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/south-island-self-drive/) - [South Island Campervan Loop](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/south-island-campervan-loop/) - [North Island Culture and Geothermal](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/north-island-culture-and-geothermal/) - [Queenstown and Fiordland Lodges](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/queenstown-and-fiordland-luxury-lodges/) - [Queenstown Incentive Programme](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/queenstown-mice-incentive/) - [Auckland and Hauraki Gulf Incentive](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/auckland-and-hauraki-gulf-incentive/) - [New Zealand Food and Wine](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/new-zealand-food-and-wine/) - [Queenstown and Wānaka Ski](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/queenstown-and-wanaka-ski/) - [Guided Milford Track and Aoraki](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/milford-track-guided-walk/) - [North Island Family Programme](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/north-island-family/) - [South Island Wildlife and Stars](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/south-island-wildlife-and-stars/) - [North Island Nature and Culture](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/north-island-nature-and-culture/) - [Bucket-List New Zealand](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/bucket-list-new-zealand/) - [Auckland to Queenstown in 7 Days](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/auckland-to-queenstown-7-days/) - [Queenstown and Milford Sound in 5 Days](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/queenstown-and-milford-sound-5-days/) - [New Zealand Group Coach Tour](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/new-zealand-group-coach-tour/) ## Related trade briefings *The trade blog* [All posts](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/) - [Auckland Stopover and Bay of Islands Extension: Agent Guide](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-07-auckland-stopover-bay-of-islands-extension/) - [New Zealand Driving Times: Building Realistic Coach Days](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-10-new-zealand-driving-times-distances-coach-days/) - [Christchurch's Biggest International Summer: Agent Guide](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-05-christchurch-international-summer-south-island-routing/) Your New Zealand DMC partner Explera DMC New Zealand is the B2B New Zealand DMC for New Zealand Honeymoon. We contract the accommodation, transfers, licensed guides and experiences at net rates, so you sell New Zealand Honeymoon with one accountable ground partner and your own branding. [Send the brief to our New Zealand DMC desk for a net service quotation.](https://www.explera.co.nz/contact-us/#quote) ## Start quoting New Zealand at net rates this week. *Trade desk* Register on the Explera trade platform for net rates, white-label documents and one accountable desk from first quote to final transfer. Registration is free and approval is fast. [Request a quote](https://www.explera.co.nz/contact-us/#quote) [Become a partner](https://b2b.expleradmc.com/web/signup) [WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090](https://wa.me/66936568090?text=Hi%20Explera%2C%20I'm%20a%20travel%20agent%20interested%20in%20New%20Zealand%20DMC%20services.) [b2b@explera.co.nz](mailto:b2b@explera.co.nz)