This isn’t a retreat… yet. But our Founder, Kimberly Kennedy, recently went on her honeymoon in New Zealand, and after experiencing its pure magic, she just had to share. Because if there’s one trip that will completely transform you—this is it!

The #1 Thing You Need to Know Before Traveling to New Zealand

Plan. Way. Ahead.

I booked everything two+ months before we arrived, and even then, I was snagging some of the very last spots for key experiences like Hobbiton, glowworm caves, spas, dinner reservations, car rentals, and the final decent Airbnbs/hotels. If you’re even thinking about going, start booking your accommodations and experiences at least 2-3+ months in advance - especially if you’re traveling during peak season (New Zealand’s summer, from December to February)!! There’s just SO much demand and not enough supply, so if you want to avoid scrambling for last-minute options, get ahead of it.

If you're American, there’s another huge reason to go right now: the exchange rate. As of February 2025, the USD to NZD exchange is incredibly favorable - almost 50% off (not quite, but close)!! That means everything from meals to accommodations to activities feels significantly more affordable, which is a huge perk when planning a big trip like this.

North Island: Auckland, Hobbiton & Rotorua

For the first half of our trip, we explored New Zealand’s North Island, packed with geothermal wonders, Māori culture, and rolling green landscapes that make you feel like you’ve stepped into another world.

📍 Day 1: Auckland

• Landed in the morning, picked up our rental car from Avis, and immediately got a feel for driving on the left side of the road.
• Explored Takapuna’s Sunday Market - the perfect welcome to New Zealand with local food, fresh produce, and SHOPPING!! Here's the exact location: Google Maps Link 
• We also walked around downtown and stopped at CAHN'S wine bar
• Must eat: Dinner at Kingi, a nice seafood-focused restaurant. If you go, order the mussels - trust me!!
• Our stay: Imagine Beach Road, a hotel in downtown Auckland. It was only ok.
  
  

📍 Day 2: Hobbiton & Waitomo

• We kicked off the morning with a 2.5-hour drive to Hobbiton, and let me tell you - it’s a must-do, whether you’re a die-hard LOTR fan or just appreciate stunning scenery. Our 11:40 AM tour & lunch combo was one of the last spots available when we booked (over two months in advance!), so definitely plan ahead.

  The whole experience lasted about three hours, including lunch, and it was so well done - not cheesy, not over-the-top theme park vibes, just pure magic. 44 hobbit holes, each with its own unique details, lush rolling hills, butterflies, green trees - it honestly felt like stepping into Middle-earth....because you are lol. And to top it off, you end the tour with a drink at the Green Dragon (LOTR fans, you know the deal). Even the lunch felt hobbit like. Absolutely worth it!

  • BOOK YOUR HOBBITON TOUR HERE - book early!
• Afterward, we drove 1 hour 15 minutes to Waitomo 
• Must eat: Fat Kiwi Cafe for breakfast/lunch/bakery snacks
• Our stay: Waitomo Retreat
• Other options we didn't get to explore: stopping at Blue Springs along the way 

📍 Days 3-5: Rotorua

• We started the day bright and early by visiting the Waitomo Glowworm Caves first thing in the morning, where thousands of tiny glowworms light up the dark caverns which makes it look like you're staring into space. The caves were also super impressive outside of the glowworm part! I also booked this about 2 months ahead of time and got one of the last time slots available! 
  • BOOK WAITOMO CAVES 
  • I also heard the Spellbound caves were even better, but they only do 4pm tours so we did not do that bc we had to drive out! You can book Spellbound tours HERE
• After the caves we also stopped by the Otorohanga Kiwi House in Waitomo to see the kiwi birds! You can get tickets there.
  
• Drove 2 hours to Rotorua, known for its geothermal activity, jungly vibes, and deep Māori culture!
• That evening, we attended the Te Pā Tū Māori dinner experience, which was hands-down one of the most memorable cultural experiences of our trip. We experienced a traditional Maori welcoming ceremony, the haka, songs & dance, games, and ate delicious food! By the end I was TIRED & ready to go home, but it was still a great experience.
  • BOOK TE PA TU MAORI DINNER
• Spent the next morning (and most of the day tbh) at the Polynesian Spa, soaking in the mineral-rich thermal pools with views of Lake Rotorua. (Go for the deluxe pools or even better the deluxe romantic package - best decision ever.) We also had literally the BEST massages of our lives here (a microdose of mushrooms also helped with that), and also got 45 minutes in a private thermal pool, lunch included, and all-day access! Another MUST!
  • BOOK THE POLYNESIAN SPA
• Explored Rotorua’s other incredible spots, including the Redwoods Walk, Te Puia geothermal park, and Hells Gate mud baths, Okere falls walk.
  • For all of these we just showed up and bought tickets on the spot. The Redwoods walk had a MASSIVE line when we left so I suggest going right before sunset then you can catch the lightshow and skip the lines.
  • Te Puia only allows you in a guided tour which they run every hour - so check the schedule! This is where the big geysers are. 
  • Hells Gate mud bath was only ok for us...the Polynesian Spa was so much better in my mind! 
  • I LOVED the Okere falls walk - it was a super easy walk in the jungle with a stunning river where you can dip your feet in and watch the rafters and kayakers 
• Our stay: Toka Ridge Lake Airbnb - this was our FAVORITE stay!! And I cannot recommend it enough! It was so luxurious, had epic views of the lake, 2 hot tubs, and a private beach. I want to buy this property one day...
  • ps - Rotorua has a stink to it due to all the sulphur nearby, which is why I suggest staying in Hamurana (only a 10 min drive away!). Our Airbnb was here and it was perect!
• Other options we didn't get to explore: secret hot tubs, kayaking/rafting

South Island: Lake Tepako, Mt Cook, Wanaka, & Queenstown

After an incredible start on the North Island, we flew to Christchurch from Rotorua and began the South Island leg of our honeymoon - where the landscapes got even more dramatic, the adventure more intense, and every single view looked like heaven on earth. ps- the Rotorua airport is so small and doesn't even have security - you don't need to show up super early! 

📍Days 8-10: Lake Tekapo & Mount Cook

• Flew into Christchurch and picked up our rental car.
• Drove 3h 15m (scenic route) to Lake Tekapo, stopping at Rakaia Gorge for a quick scenic break. The drive wasn't THAT scenic compared to the rest of NZ, it was nice but you can totally take the normal route. 

  • We stayed in Lake Tekapo because, even though we booked over two months in advance, there was nothing left in the Mount Cook area. But honestly, it worked out perfectly - Lake Tekapo had more going on, and even though it’s a little over an hour's drive to Mount Cook, I’d still recommend it! The drive is absolutely stunning, so just download a few podcast episodes, sit back, and enjoy the ride.

• Explored Mount Cook, hiking:
  • Kea Point Walk (20 minutes) — a short but sweet hike with insane mountain views. We did this our first day because we had dinner at the Panorama Room
  • Hooker Valley Track (10km, 3 hours) — one of the most stunning hikes we’ve ever done, with views of glaciers, suspension bridges, glacier rivers, and the towering peaks. This is a MUST!
• Tekapo Springs Spa - soak in hot pools with lake and mountain views. To use the pools it's only about $20 USD but we got the full spa package with massages and a cheeseboard!
• Must eat: The Panorama Room—a fine dining experience with unreal mountain views (inside Hermitage Hotel - Mt Cook), Blue Lake Eatery in Tepako (get the lamb—seriously, the best ever).
  • Everything in Tepako closes at like 8pm so eat dinner early! We found 1 restaurant that closed at 9pm and it was delicious Indian food.
• Our stay: The Cairns Alpine Resort, specifically the Freda Room (book direct for a lower price not Airbnb) - we LOVED this stay. More epic views, stargazing, they had a golf course for Brendan where he got to play for FREE, and a free petting zoo with sheep, alpalca, pigs, and a cow! It was free for us bc we were staying at the property. 

📍Days 11-12: Wanaka

• Drove 2.5 hours from Lake Tekapo to Wanaka,
• Stopped at High Country Salmon (a salmon farm) on the way for a fresh salmon lunch!
• When we arrived in Wanaka, we headed straight to Rippon Vineyard - hands down, one of the most beautiful vineyards in the entire world. The views are absolutely unreal! Honestly, we got extremely lucky...we hadn’t booked ahead, but we happened to follow someone through the gated entrance, and they let us join the next tasting. But if you want to guarantee a spot, definitely book in advance!
  • BOOK A TASTING AT RIPPON VINEYARD
• Skydiving is a big deal in New Zealand. And this might sound weird, but I’m 99% sure I had a premonition as a kid about skydiving here specifically - so, obviously, I had to make it happen. Even though neither my husband nor I are super comfortable with heights, we said, f*ck it. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so we went all in and did the highest jump available - 15,000 ft. I felt all the feels...exhilaration, terror, pure awe - but it was absolutely worth it. And also… I’m never doing it again. 😂
  • BOOK YOUR SKYDIVING EXPERIENCE 
• Lavender Farm - We stopped at a lavender farm near Mt. Cook, but this one is on another level - bigger, better, and absolutely worth a visit! Before skydiving, I doused myself in lavender to calm my nerves. The farm is filled with endless lavender fields, making it a perfect spot for photos. You can also shop for organic lavender products, sip tea at their cozy café, and even hang out with their animals - including the cutest Highland cows!
• Lake Hawea - Lake Wanaka is undeniably stunning, but if you’re looking for a more secluded, peaceful spot, head just 15 minutes down the road to Lake Hawea - I’d argue it’s even better if you love privacy. We set up a blanket and picnic with wine (courtesy of Rippon Vineyard) and had an entire section of the lake completely to ourselves, The water is freezing, but trust me, it’s still worth a swim!
• Must eat: Pembroke Pattisserie - for bakery goods and coffee
• Our stay: We booked this Airbnb with amazing mountain & lake views, but even booking over 2+ months in advance, we were still left choosing from the last available options. If you're planning a trip, book as early as possible to get the best stays! 
• Other options we didn't get to explore: Secret Sauna 

📍Days 13-15: Queenstown

• Drove 1 hour from Wanaka to Queenstown
• Stopping at Cardrona Distillery for a gin tasting.
• Milford Sound Helicopter + Cruise - This was, without a doubt, one of the most incredible experiences of our lives!

  We started by hopping into a helicopter, soaring over dramatic mountain peaks before landing on a glacier mountaintop - a surreal moment in itself. From there, we flew down into the fjord, where we boarded a boat tour through Milford Sound, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, lush jungle, cascading waterfalls, seals, and the ocean.

  After taking in the jaw-dropping scenery, we hopped back in the helicopter and took an entirely new route over the mountains, eventually landing back in Queenstown. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience! I sat up front both ways!

  • BOOK YOUR HELICOPTER TOUR
• After our helicopter ride, we stopped by the Ayrburn vineyard (which had it's own waterfall btw!). We did a wine tasting in The Manure Room - one of many spots they have for food and wine on site! Funny enough Carl Cox was going to play at this very vineyard later that weekend (if you're into electronic music).
• Onsen Hot Pools - We booked a soak in the Original Onsen Pool, and the views were absolutely unreal - a must-do if you’re in Queenstown! The only thing I regret? Not booking a massage to go with it. If you have the chance, make it a full spa experience! Again, you have to book ahead of time!
  • BOOK A SPOT AT ONSEN POOL
• Drove up to Glenorchy (45 min away) - a lot of LOTR was filmed in this general area so my husband wanted to check it out. In fact we drove all the way to Paradise (but there was truly nothing there). The views were gorgeous on the drive, we got lunch in Glenorchy, and we stopped at my favorite lake swimming spot on the way - I think it was HERE
• Explored more of Queenstown: 
  • Canyon Brewing - Cute brewery where you can walk down to the water and see the canyon
  • Bobs Cove & Wilson Bay - Nice lake spots to hang, picnic, and swim (10 min from Queenstown)
  • Queenstown Warf
• Must eat: 
  • Botswana Butchery (my personal favorite) - BOOK HERE
  • Blue Kanu - BOOK HERE
  • Nest - BOOK HERE (we just walked in for breakfast)
  • Rata - BOOK HERE
  • Fergburger + baker 
• Our stay: This Airbnb - 10 min walk to the warf, lake & mountain views, rooftop hot tub, great spot!

📍 Day 16-17: Back to Auckland & Heading Home

• Flew back to Auckland for one last day before heading home - we went back to the Sunday market in Takapuna and back to Kingi to order those mussels again! 
• Must eat: TOKTOK - I am drooling just reading the name. This place has the yummiest asian fusion (Vietnamese) foods. If you're in Auckland - GO HERE. We went twice for lunch - once when we landed in Auckland, and then again the next day before heading home. Get the scallop & crab on betel leaf!
• Our stay: The Spencer Hotel - It was only ok...we chose it because it's in Takapuna walking distance to the market and restaurants and shops 

Final Thoughts: New Zealand Is Worth Every Penny, Every Hour, Every Plan

This trip was life-changing. New Zealand makes you feel completely present, completely in awe, and completely grateful to be alive. The landscapes, the adventure, the people—everything exceeded our expectations. We hope to live here one day. 

If you’re considering a trip to New Zealand, book it. Start planning now.

P.S. Will we host a retreat here in the future? No promises… but never say never. 😉

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