Top 10 romantic things to do in New Zealand
February 11, 2026Plan for the ultimate romantic getaway or staycation with someone special.
Escape for a mid-week rendezvous, a long weekend or an extended vacation together. With so much to choose from, tailor-making your own private getaway is a breeze.
1. Go glamping in beautiful places
Just 20 minutes from Napier on a working farm you'll find Clifton Glamping. Get cozy in the permanent tents with their luxurious furnishings, featuring a balance of indoor and outdoor living, complete with an outdoor fireplace, kitchen and bath. This is glamorous camping at its finest.
2. Soak in a hot pool together
Relax into the hot steam of your own private cedar tub at Onsen Hot Pools Retreat and Day Spa near Queenstown, overlooking the Shotover River. Experience pure indulgence as you step into the day spa for a couple's massage or treatment.
3. Relax with a couple's massage
After a swim through the amethyst cave at The Lost Spring in Whitianga head over to their spa for a couples treatment featuring a coconut milk foot soak and sugar cane exfoliation.
4. Wine and dine together
If an organic pinot noir and locally sourced, hearty food are what you're after you should spend a day at Carrick Winery, (or stay a night) just a few minutes from Cromwell. The award-winning menu is inspired by the surrounding vineyard.
Food and wine in Central Otago
5. Get cozy under the stars
New Zealand is home to the first islands in the world to be recognised as Dark Sky Sanctuaries, Great Barrier Island and Stewart Island/Rakiura. Try your luck at seeing the Aurora Australis during the winter months.
6. Romantic picnic in nature
Appreciate nature and some epic views with a picnic together including your favourite foods. For a unique experience (or a romantic proposal) treat yourselves to a gourmet heli-picnic with Kaikōura Helicopters(opens in new window). Sit back and relax with South Pacific Helicopters(opens in new window) flight around the Peninsula and Kaikōura Seaward mountain ranges with a landing on Mt Fyffe where you meet the maker of Mt Fyffe Distillery gin - with gin samples of course.
7. Indulge with an all-inclusive getaway
Degustation dinners complete with wine matches, couples massages, scenic helicopter tours and exquisite lake view rooms are all part of the packages you'll find at The Rees(opens in new window). It will be hard to leave the peaceful surrounds of this Queenstown residence.
8. Escape to the rainforest
Head over to the West Coast to the tranquil Rainforest Retreat near the Franz Josef Glacier. After a day of heli-hiking or exploring the rugged West Coast slip into your private spa and soak under the night sky.
9. Get away to an island hideaway
Take a short ferry ride from Auckland to Waiheke Island for food and wine at the many cellar doors, followed by a 10-minute ferry ride to Rotoroa Island. Formally a rehabilitation facility, Rotoroa is now a conservation island with rare takahe strutting around, pristine beaches and multiple walking tracks.
10. Watch the sunset or sunrise over the ocean
New Zealand has over 15,000 kilometres of coastline so finding a secluded spot to watch the sunset or sunrise is effortless. A short walk up Mount Maunganui provides romantic view points over the ocean and Motiti Island.