10 Day South Island Honeymoon Package

Celebrate the start of your life together with the 10 Day South Island Honeymoon Package. This New Zealand honeymoon itinerary includes a mix of sightseeing and romantic experiences. Taste superb vintages on a Central Otago boutique wine tour, experience the majesty of Milford Sound on an overnight cruise, and take a scenic helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier with a snow landing.

This New Zealand honeymoon itinerary is fully customisable to suit your preferences.

Read on for more details on the 10 Day South Island Honeymoon Package.

10 Day South Island New Zealand Honeymoon Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Christchurch

Arrive in Christchurch—New Zealand’s Garden City. Collect your rental car from the airport, discover the city or relax in your Christchurch accommodation.

Late afternoon relax as you enjoy a punt ride down the Avon River. Glide past trailing willows, woodlands, the leafy banks of the Botanic Gardens and historic buildings along the river.

Stay 1 night in Christchurch.

Day 2 Mount Cook

Driving time Christchurch to Mount Cook Village 332 km / 206 miles, 4.5 hours

Travel south across the Canterbury Plains and inland towards the majestic Southern Alps. Cross the barren Mackenzie Country to reach the glacial lakes as you journey towards Mount Cook.

Enjoy a magnificent Tasman Glacier Scenic Helicopter Flight with a snow landing on the Tasman Glacier. Circle the summit of New Zealand’s highest mountain – Aoraki/Mt Cook. View blue ice, hanging glaciers and the West Coast glaciers of Fox & Franz Josef and gaze across to both the East and West coastlines of New Zealand’s South Island. Enjoy coastal views of New Zealand’s South Island. This glacier helicopter tour is the ultimate way to experience and immerse yourself in the stunning scenery of the Mt Cook maunga (mountains).

Stay 1 night in Mount Cook.

Day 3 Queenstown

Driving time Mount Cook Village to Queenstown 264 km / 164 miles, 3.5 hours

Venture past Lake Pukaki a picturesque turquoise glacial lake, before you travel through the dramatic Lindis Pass which links the Mackenzie Basin with Central Otago. Arrive in Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital and scenic resort town.

Enjoy a romantic evening cruise on the TSS Earnslaw. Cruise on the historic steamship across to Walter Peak Station for a Gourmet BBQ Dinner, followed by a farm tour. Cruise back to Queenstown as the sunsets over the mountains and lake.

Stay 2 nights in Queenstown.

Day 4 Queenstown

Relax and explore Queenstown, with the option to visit the Kiwi Birdlife Park, the Underwater Observatory, or the Ivan Clarke Gallery; ride the Skyline Gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak for panoramic views over the Wakatipu Basin; or simply enjoy a lakefront stroll or a bit of boutique shopping.

Enjoy an afternoon Boutique Wine Tour, this tour takes your through the stunning scenery of the Wakatipu Basin, Gibbston Valley, Cromwell and Bannockburn. Taste wines from 4 boutique wineries in the area. Complimented by a delightful platter lunch at Carrick Winery Restaurant. Visit Old Cromwell Town, Kawarau Gorge and the historic Kawarua Bridge and bungy. Before returning to Queenstown.

Day 5 Queenstown > Milford Sound Overnight Cruise

Driving time Queenstown to Milford Sound 287 km / 178 miles, 4.5 hours

Enjoy the stunning drive along Lake Wakatipu towards Te Anau. Stop in Te Anau for a relaxing lunch before continuing on towards Milford Sound. The road climbs through native bush and winds through valleys surrounded by grand mountains on either side. Descend down into Milford Sound ready to board your overnight cruise on the Milford Mariner. This cruise is the ultimate way to experience Milford Sound. Start by cruising the full length of the Sound before anchoring in a sheltered cove. Relax on the deck, swim or explore by kayak. Enjoy a delicious carvery buffet in the dining saloon, before retiring to your private cabin.

Stay 1 night aboard the Milford Mariner.

Day 6 Milford Sound > Te Anau

In the morning enjoy a cooked breakfast before heading back out to the Tasman Sea and exploring the fiord as you cruise back towards Milford. Keep an eye out for seals, dolphins, and penguins. Return to Milford mid-morning and wind your way out of the Sound towards Te Anau.

Driving time Milford Sound to Te Anau 118 km / 73 miles, 2.5 hours

Along the way, several short walks take you to beautiful sights, such as waterfalls and chasms. Relax and explore Te Anau in the afternoon.

Stay 2 nights in Te Anau.

Day 7 Te Anau

Te Anau offers much more than just a gateway to the famous sounds; it is a hub for unique nature experiences. A top attraction is the Te Anau Glowworm Caves, accessible via a scenic cruise across the South Island’s largest lake, where visitors explore underground limestone caverns illuminated by bioluminescent insects. For hikers, the area serves as a perfect base for three of New Zealand’s Great Walks—the Milford, Routeburn, and Kepler Tracks—offering day hikes through stunning landscapes.

Water enthusiasts can enjoy the lake itself through swimming, or fishing, or take a high-speed jet boat ride down the Waiau River (featured in Lord of the Rings) to Lake Manapouri.

Day 8 Wanaka

Driving time Te Anau to Wanaka 227 km / 141 miles, 3 hours

In the morning travel through lush farmland and alongside Lake Wakatipu before arriving back in Queenstown. Continue over the beautiful Crown Range, one of New Zealand’s highest alpine roads, and admire the vistas from fantastic viewing points. Be sure to stop at the historic Cardrona Hotel for a refreshment before your arrival into Wanaka, boasting panoramic views, a relaxing atmosphere and a myriad of walking tracks.

In the afternoon you have many options, you may want to visit Rippon Winery, Wanaka’s local boutique winery overlooking the lake with stunning views of the surround mountains. You may also want to take a look around Wanaka’s shops, stroll around the lake’s edge, or indulge in one of the many activities on offer.

Stay 1 night in Wanaka.

Day 9 Franz Josef

Driving time Wanaka to Franz Josef 286 km / 177 miles, 4 hours

Enjoy the journey up the West Coast to reach Franz Josef. There are many short walks and viewing points to take in along the Haast Pass Highway, which will help break up the journey. Among points of interest along the way are Ship Cove and Bruce Bay. Continuing along the West Coast, you may like to visit to Lake Matheson near Fox Glacier, where you can take a 40-minute return walk to the jetty, to admire the reflected views of the Southern Alps on the surface of the lake.

In the afternoon enjoy a 20-minute scenic helicopter flight sweeping above Westland National Park as you explore Franz Josef before landing in the snow to enjoy exceptional views of the majestic Southern Alps.

Stay 1 night in Franz Josef.

Day 10 Greymouth > Christchurch

Driving time Franz Josef to Greymouth 173 km / 107 miles, 2.5 hours
Train travel Greymouth to Christchurch 223 km / 138 miles, 4.5 hours

Drive north to reach Greymouth where you will drop off your rental car and board your TranzAlpine Train which journeys from the West to East Coast. Your train travels through the spectacular Southern Alps, gorges and river valleys before reaching the fields of the Canterbury Plains.

Arrive in the garden city of Christchurch and make your way to your accommodation.

Enjoy your last night in Christchurch and raise a glass to a fantastic New Zealand honeymoon!

Stay 1 night in Christchurch.

Day 11 Depart Christchurch

Make your way to Christchurch Airport and depart Christchurch.

Plan a New Zealand Honeymoon Itinerary

As you celebrate the start of a wonderful life together, we endeavour to create memories lasting a lifetime. Our New Zealand honeymoon packages include extra touches designed to make your visit even more special. For instance, these may include room upgrades where available or a bottle of wine welcoming you upon arrival. 

If you would prefer a more exclusive experience, our New Zealand Luxury Escapes brand offers a range of premium honeymoon packages. Stay at luxury lodges and 5-star hotels and enjoy private, bespoke experiences. 

You may also wish to read our Complete New Zealand Honeymoon Planning Guide for further inspiration. 

Contact New Zealand Travel Organiser today to begin planning your South Island honeymoon.