April 16, 2024 / Destination Elopement Resources
How to Elope in New Zealand
How to Elope in New Zealand | In The Alpenglow
When directors want shots for their movies that showcase the most otherworldly beauty in our natural world, there tends to be one place that stands out among the rest. One incredible country that boasts stunning panoramic shots in films like Narnia, Lord of the Rings, etc. — New Zealand! It’s truly one of the most breathtaking landscapes and one of my favorite destinations for elopements. Every time I visit, I am absolutely blown away not just by the jaw-dropping scenery, but also just how untouched & protected it all is. The love of the outdoors and the unique landscapes are deeply ingrained in the native culture — the Maori people. Having an opportunity to learn and bear witness to the places that are so deeply tied to their history is remarkable.
While there, I’m always dreaming of new landscapes to bring couples to for their adventure elopement. Because of this, I’m so excited to share this complete guide on how to elope in New Zealand. I can’t imagine a place that better matches the absolute magic of promising forever to your person!
Top 5 Elopement Destinations
+ Mt Cook/Aoraki
+ Lake Tekapo
+ Wanaka
+ Milford Sound
+ Queenstown/The Remarkables
Mt. Cook/Aoraki
It feels appropriate to start things off by HIGHLY recommending the Mount Cook/Aoraki national park! This national park sits in what’s called the Southern Alps, along the southern part of the island. Mount Cook is the tallest mountain in New Zealand and the mountain ranges surrounding it feel straight out of a fantasy movie (the range contains 19 amazing snow capped peaks!). There are endless viewpoints looking out at vivid blue alpine lakes, massive glaciers, and clear skies filled with stars. The Aoraki/Mt Cook Village is situated beside Lake Pukaki, which has the most incredible water and fields of lupine in the spring. This region is also famous among the mountaineering community for its endless hikes — but there are LOTS of beginner options and it’s extremely accessible for the outdoor lover that may not want to embark on a more grueling treks.
Best Time to Visit
The national park is open year-round, but if you’re wanting full access to hikes and the surrounding areas, I’d recommend visiting during their spring through autumn seasons — which for them, is October through April! This can be fun for us U.S. travelers to have access to the opposite season we’re in, using that holiday vacation time to enjoy nice weather in a beautiful place! And if (like me) you’re in love with the wildflower splendor in mountain ranges, you can witness the most incredible lupine season from about mid to late-November through late December. These blooms are unreal and will take your breath away when paired with the towering peaks and crystal blue lakes!
Best Places to Stay
The Mount Cook Village is the best option, because it’s so central to everything happening in that region. There is also a great mix of affordable and more luxury options, like either the Hermitage Hotel (more of a splurge option) or the Haka House.
If you’re wanting a more intimate rental option instead of a hotel or hostel, check out my full list of recommendations on Airbnb here!
Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo is about three hours from both Christchurch and Queenstown, and the drive will take you along an amazing scenic route (State Highway 8), giving you the most breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains. And the lake itself…wow. The water is the most vivid turquoise color and bordered by snow capped peaks. With the long stretch of lake and very few towns, the night sky is filled with seemingly endless constellations. Mt Cook is just a short distance from the lake too, so you’ll have full access to that village and the hikes, lodging, and adventures in the national park.
Best Time to Visit
Similar to the Mt Cook area, the best time to visit Lake Tekapo would be in the heart of their springtime, which is about mid-November. This will give you the best weather and the chance to take in the full splendor of the lupine fields!
Best Places to stay
Twizel is the largest town in the area and has tons of lodging, dining, and recreation options. It’s the perfect base for adventures in the area and you really can’t go wrong finding a place there! You can also look for a rental property right on the lake (I especially love Isolation Bay). If you want a list of specific spots that have caught my eye in this region, check out my full list here.
Roy’s Peak
Located on the South Island of New Zealand, Roy’s Peak is a famous hiking destination on the edge of Mt Aspiring National Park. It’s definitely a more challenging hike (about 10 miles out and back), but there truly isn’t a better spot to check out if you’re looking for an unforgettable, panoramic view of the island. The final summit lands you on an amazing ridge that takes you right up to a viewpoint of Lake Wanaka surrounded by mountains. And if you’re not quite ready for a more difficult hike on your trip, definitely look into the helicopter tours. This is such a cool way to take in the views of the island, especially Coromandel Peak!
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit would be New Zealand’s shoulder seasons to avoid crowds but still ensure nice weather — which would be anytime from April through May, or September through October. The one thing to keep in mind though is that the trailhead closes annually for farming season, so make sure to avoid anytime between the early October through mid-November.
Best Places to stay
The town of Wanaka is your best bet if you’re wanting to embark on the Roy’s Peak hike, and it’s a larger town so there are plenty of options for lodging. More luxury hotels, farm stays, b&bs, glamping, etc. Feel free to check out this list of airbnbs for more inspiration!
Milford Sound
Ok, MOST of New Zealand feels other-worldly and magical…but Milford Sound truly feels straight out of a fantasy writer’s dream. It’s located in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island, known for the towering Mitre Peak, the most amazing rainforests, and massive waterfalls plummeting down sheer cliffs flowing into the Tasman Sea.
Best Time to Visit
Since this area is primarily rainforest, it gets a TON of rain throughout the year. And while summers are beautiful and give you the best views of the mountains, I’d almost recommend visiting in the other, more rainy seasons (best would be December through January) because the beauty is amplified. The rainfall adds to the waterfalls, which cascade with such magnificence down the cliffs. Plus, I love the way misty fog drapes the mountain tops!
Best Places to stay
The Milford Sound Lodge is the only option in this area, but it’s an amazing one. It’s the perfect mix of outdoorsy and luxurious. Staying in Te Anau is a great alternative if you can’t find a spot at the hotel or if its a bit too spendy for you and your loved ones — there are lots of waterfront lodges and nice hotels to choose from.
For more ideas, head to the Airbnb list I created for this area!
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Queenstown/The Remarkables
Another spot I highly recommend (also located on the south island) is the town of Queenstown — one of the most populated areas in New Zealand — which will give you incredible access to the aptly named Remarkables mountain range. “The Remarkables” got their name because they are one of only two mountain ranges that run directly north to south, which makes for some incredible views at sunrise and sunset. This is a great area to visit if you’re wanting a winter getaway and/or if you’re an avid skiier — there is a resort on the mountain range that is a huge tourist destination!
Best Time to Visit
Since this area is known for snow, the best time to visit would be their winter season — the peak of which runs from mid-July to early September. You can absolutely visit in their summer too, but it truly is breathtaking when snow covers the mountain range. 🙂
Best Places to stay
You’re more in luck looking at Queenstown for lodging options, since this is the largest town close to the Remarkables. I’d recommend looking specifically at Jacks Point, since this will give you the best view of the mountains! You can find all of my favorites on an Airbnb list here.
Elopement Packing List
+ Hiking boots (make sure you clean them before you travel into the country so you don’t carry foreign species into fragile ecosystems!)
+ Layers
+ Rain jacket
+ Sunscreen (almost no ozone in this area)
+ Marriage license
+ Park permit
+ Elopement details: vow books, rings/ring box, flowers, etc.
And there you have it, friends! This was such a fun elopement guide to put together, because the trip here is so fresh in my mind and I’ve been practically bursting at the seams to share more photos and recommendations with you. New Zealand is such a treasure, and I hope this guide not only opened your eyes to its magic, but maybe lit a fire in you to learn more about eloping here. And regardless of where you decide to share your vows, I hope that the content I share at least shows you that your wedding day can be whatever you want it to be. It’s about you, your partner, and the commitment you are making — it can be done in any way and any where that sets your soul on fire.
And obviously, I would love to come alongside you as you plan your dream day. 🙂 Head to the link below to start a conversation:
