TABLE OF CONTENTS

Emma & Hinesh from Orange County, California came to NZ to celebrate their first wedding anniversary with a delayed honeymoon.  They had made some independent arrangements  before The Road Trip reservations team stepped in to handle the rest.

The couple spent the first few days exploring Auckland before their designated guide Constance collected them from a romantic location on the ever popular Waiheke Island.

A tragic accident several years ago left Hinesh wheelchair bound, but this was no hindrance on their travels as many of the tourist attractions and activities in NZ are mobility friendly. Plus it is possible to rent vehicles with hoists etc.

From Auckland the duo travelled south to Waitomo, to see and learn about the glow worms in the Raukuri Cave.

Staying in the heart of Rotorua at the Pullman Hotel, this gave the couple access on the first night to dine at the famed Atticus Finch restaurant in Eat Street.

Unfortunately the weather on Day 2 did not play ball and they had to forego exploring the buried Maori village.  Instead they had a relaxing morning before eating lunch at a micro brewery.

This was followed by a visit to the National Kiwi Hatchery, a fantastic initiative to preserve our endangered national bird. Later in the day they drove out to Te Pa Tu for a cultural show and dinner.

Thankfully the sun was shining the following day for a walk around Wai-o-Tapu, one of the regions geothermal parks where they got to see mud pools and a geyser.

In Taupo they visited the Aratiatia Rapids, Lava Glassblowing Studio, Huka Honey Hive and Huka Falls before continuing on to Napier.
It was mind-blowing to see the damage in the Esk Valley from Cyclone Gabrielle the year before.

Their stay in the Hawkes Bay coincided with the beginning of the Easter weekend.  Fortunately some of the renowned wineries of the region were open on the Good Friday so the couple did get to enjoy some tastings at Craggy Range & Elephant Hill.  As well they checked out the view atop Te Mata Peak.

It was a showery day for the long drive to Wellington but this didn’t dampen the spirits with the first stop being lunch at the Tui Brewery in Mangatainoka.  Then further down the track the couple enjoyed a tasting at the Ata Rangi vineyard in Martinborough.

Easter Sunday saw Emma & Hinesh board the Interislander Ferry bound for Picton, located at the top of the South Island.  A fine day with a smooth sailing across the Cook Strait, the couple enjoyed stunning views as the boat meandered it’s way through the Marlborough Sounds.

They took the scenic Queen Charlotte drive through to Havelock, on the Pelorus Sound; where they dined on the green lipped mussels at the Slip Inn.  These shellfish are farmed and harvested in this area.  From there they journeyed on to their luxurious accommodation, The Waters, located at Kina Bay; between Nelson and Motueka.

On Easter Monday, Constance took them for a tiki tour of the area.  First stop was a coffee at Kaiteriteri Beach to see the golden sands of the region.  At Marahau they took a short stroll on the start of the Abel Tasman Track.

They took another walk at the Riwaka Resurgence to see this incredible natural spring water before doing a tasting at the Riwaka winery.  This was followed by a fish & chip lunch at Jellyfish and a spot of shopping at the Mapua Wharf.

After a late start the following day, the couple ambled along a boardwalk, part of the “Great Taste” bike trail in the Nelson region, before visiting the Siegfried Winery.

After lunch at the Sprig & Fern Brewery in Tahunanui it was time to set off to Blenheim where they managed to squeeze in one final tasting at the Villa Maria winery before catching the ferry back to Wellington in the early evening.

And while they said farewell to Constance on their return to Wellington, the honeymoon was far from over.  Emma and Hinesh planned to spend a couple more days exploring the capital city before taking the Northern Explorer train back to Auckland.