New Zealand

I went back in 2006, and it was beautiful. I did the youth/backpacker hostel thing, which I wouldn't recommend on your honeymoon, but it is an amazing experience.

I have not been to New Zealand, although that was one destination I was considering for my honeymoon as well (my FH preferred Italy, so that's what we're doing) A close friend of mine went to study abroad and said it was absolutely gorgeous there. PLUS you can check out all the sites where they filmed LOTR! So cool!

I think it's a fantastic idea. I hope you get more responses from people who have been.

I went with my mom when I was 13, and it was amazing! We visited the north island and spent the first couple days in Auckland. I jumped off the Sky Tower 3 times! The staff loved me and said to come back when I was 18,because they'd have a job for me. Lol! Anyways... we also went and saw the beaches and town where the movie Whale Rider was filmed; we saw Gisborne, which is a super small town from what I recall, but we have family there, so it was a necessary stop; we also passed by some hot springs which absolutely reeked of sulfur (rotten egg smell) in Rotorua.

All in all, it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been and I fully intend to return some day.

If you're in the US, just remember that their seasons are opposite of ours, so when I went in August 2003 with my mom, it was winter in NZ. Also, don't be alarmed if you see a sea of sheep across any roads - there are more sheep than people in that country and they produce some of the finest wool for yarn in the world!

My DH and I are going to New Zealand for 2 weeks and Australia for 1 week in March/ April 2017! It's our "Big Honeymoon." We only went to Key West for a week following our August wedding- we wanted more time to plan and save for a 3 week vacation!

We are flying to Auckland from LAX via American/Qantas. We are staying in Auckland for 3 nights and doing a Waitamo Cave (glowworms!) and LOTR tour as well as a Bay of Islands tour (I think?) then we are flying to Christchurch where we'll stay for a day and swim with seals, then we are spending 2 nights in Blenheim to do wine tours in the Marlborough region. Then, we'll head back to Christchurch to start our 5 day, 4 night tour of the southern island- they set everything up for you! It includes 2 nights in Queenstown, a tour of milford sound, glacier hiking, etc.! I'll get my chance to bungee jump in Queenstown, too!

We're in New Zealand for a total of 13 nights and 14 days because you lose 2 days flying (i.e., we leave on Saturday and arrive on Monday). We are then spending 2 nights in Sydney and 4 nights in Cairns. We've booked all of our flights (2 round trip and 4 one way pp) and our hotels! We've also booked our big southern island tour. The rest can wait until we're closer!

I can't wait!!!

It might be chilly in Sept in NZ as it'll be early spring for them. But, we're going in their fall, and it is significantly cheaper than summer months for them!

I spent a few months teaching there in 2011 and absolutely love it. I was based outside of Auckland, but had time to travel around to both the North and South islands. Bay of Islands at the top of the north island is, without a doubt, the most beautiful place I've ever been. I actually stayed on a houseboat overnight there and cannot recommend it enough.

So great to hear stories! I thunk we were thinking Dec...need a few months to replenish the bank account . Did you use a travel agent?!

I soo want to go there... unfortunately we'll have to save up for that trip. So maybe for our 1yr anniversary.

We aren't using a travel agent- my DH is way against using them haha. We planned a 10 day Belize tour by ourselves without any hiccups, so we aren't too scared. Plus, we're saving money doing it ourselves! Fingers crossed everything goes as planned!

I have never been but I've been researching how to move there! Hahaha

Kiwi here! NZ is a very varied country; what do you like to do on holiday? In September there will still be snow around in the south, and ski fields still open. It won't be warm enough to swim really anywhere, even in the far north, but Northland will be warmer and it's beautiful up there - the Bay of Islands is beautiful. If you're into adventure type holidays, Queenstown (in the south) is the adventure tourism capital of the country and it's gorgeous but will still be chilly in September! If you can give me more info about your holiday style, i can recommend a few other things!

We are going to NZ for our honeymoon in April! I've never been so I can't give you my experience just yet. We used a travel agent from Australia who has been to New Zealand more times than he can count, so I feel like we are hitting up most of the "must see" places. I can send you the itinerary if you'd like.

Ladies thank you so much! It's so exciting to even think of a honeymoon. Bailey if you don't mind sharing your itinerary that would be great. We are aiming to go in Dec/jan.