Pacific romance: New Caledonia and New Zealand honeymoon

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    Take a sunrise stroll around Lake Wanaka | Travel Nation

    Watch beautiful sunsets over Lake Wanaka

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    900x600-new-caledonia-le-meredien-iles-des-pins-couple-beach
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    Explore the lakes and mountains of New Zealand's South Island | Travel Nation

    Explore the lakes and mountains of New Zealand's South Island

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    Sleep in an atmospheric PurePod in NZ | Photo credit: PurePods

    Sleep in a cosy glass PurePod in rural New Zealand | Photo credit: PurePods

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    Stargaze from your glass PurePod in rural New Zealand | Photo credit: PurePods

    Sleep under a blanket of stars in your remote PurePod | Photo credit: PurePods

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    Get a massage on Oro Bay in the Ile des Pins | Photo credit: Marriott Hotels

    Get a massage on Oro Bay in the Ile des Pins | Photo credit: Marriott Hotels

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    See the iconic pines against the lagoon at the Ile des Pins | Travel Nation

    See the iconic pines against the lagoon at the Ile des Pins | Travel Nation

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    Take a hike on Franz Josef Glacier | Travel Nation

    Take a hike on Franz Josef Glacier

Tailor-made holidays

Duration(in days): 20

From: UK – Christchurch

To: Noumea - UK

From

£6,390

Inc. International flights (Per person, based on 2 sharing)

Get a quote

or Call +441273099433

See more ideas for: New Caledonia | New Zealand

    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.

    This holiday includes

    • International flights
    • All transfers
    • All accommodation in New Zealand and New Caledonia 
    • Excursions as mentioned in the itinerary
    • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary        

     

    You’ll remember…

    • The views from the TranzAlpine train in the South Island                
    • Flying over the mountains to Milford Sound        
    • Hiking through bright blue ice in the Glacier region
    • Sleeping under the starry sky in a glass PurePod in rural New Zealand     
    • Breathing in the turquoise paradise of Oro Bay, New Caledonia
    Itinerary in Brief:
    • 3 nights Queestown
    • 2 nights Wanaka
    • 2 nights Franz Josef
    • 1 night Christchurch
    • 2 nights Rural Canterbury
    • 2 nights Noumea
    • 4 nights Ile des Pins
    • 1 night Noumea

    Day 1: Depart UK

    Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

    Included: International flights

    Day 2: Arrive Queenstown

    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!

    Included: Car hire, 4* hotel

    Day 3: Queenstown

    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.

    Included: 4* hotel, breakfast, Shotover jet boat, car hire

    Day 4: Milford Sound

    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.

    Included: Breakfast, Milford Sound Nature Cruise, car hire, 4* hotel        

    Day 5: Drive to Wanaka

    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.

    Included: Breakfast, 4* hotel, car hire   

    Day 6: Wanaka

    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. 

    Included: 4* hotel, car hire, half-day 4WD tour 

    Day 7: Drive to Franz Josef

    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.

    Included: 4* hotel, car hire, dinner         

    Day 8: Glacier region

    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.  

    Included: Breakfast, 4* hotel, car hire, heli-hike tour

    Day 9: Drive to Greymouth, train to Christchurch        

    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.

    Included: Breakfast, car hire, TranzAlpine train, transfers          

    Day 10: Drive to Rural Canterbury

    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.            

    Included: PurePod Korimako, dinner, car hire   

    Day 11: Rural Canterbury

    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.

    Included: PurePod Korimako, car hire, breakfast, dinner             

    Day 12: Fly to New Caledonia

    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.             

    Included: International flights, breakfast, car hire, transfers      

    Day 13: Amedee Island      

    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.

    Included: Breakfast, Amedee Island day tour     

    Day 14: Fly to Ile des Pins

    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.

    Included: Flights, transfers        

    Days 15 - 17: Ile des Pins

    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.

    Included: 4* hotel, breakfast, day tour to Ilot Brosse/Moro        

    Day 18: Fly to Noumea

    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.

    Included: Flights, transfers, breakfast, 4* hotel

    Day 19: Depart New Caledonia

    This morning you’ll be driven back to the airport in time for your flight home.     

    Included: International flights, transfers, breakfast

    Day 20: Arrive UK   

    Weather

    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.

    What's included
    • International flights
    • Return airport transfers
    • Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary   
    • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
    • Excursions as mentioned in the itinerary

    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.           

    Not included
    • Any meals not mentioned
    • Personal expenses
    • Tips and gratuities
    • Fuel