Romantic New Zealand

When there’s only two in the picture and you want to keep it that way, New Zealand offers a myriad of heavenly love nests tucked away from the crowds and designed with star struck lovers in mind. And you don’t have to be a millionaire to take your dream romantic break.

Lovers of the great outdoors may find their sweet love nest under canvas in a plush lakeside glamping site, snuggled up in a glass cocoon made for two, in an eco B&B on a dramatic coastal perch, or in cosseted luxury at an exclusive coastal escape in a private bay.

With Valentine’s Day almost upon us, here’s a snapshot of some of New Zealand’s newest and best kept secret hideaways and love nests so you can pick your own level of comfort, luxury or budget.

Te Rata Bay Glamping – Lake Tarawera, Rotorua

Glamping – or glamorous camping – is definitely trending and the last two summers have seen a surge of gorgeous new glamping sites open up across New Zealand. Among this summer’s new destinations are Te Rata Bay (beside Lake Tarawera in the North Island) and Wilding Pines (near Lake Wanaka in the South Island) – both perfect for a memorable romantic tented sojourn.

It’s hard to believe that tranquil Lake Tarawera and sacred Mt Tarawera were once the scene of the devastating volcanic eruption that buried the Pink and White Terraces, known back in the 19th century as ‘the eighth wonder of the world’. These days it’s a popular outdoors conservation area for hiking the Tarawera Trail, fishing and boating, and the latest option of staying over at Te Rata Bay Glamping Site.

Take the boat across Lake Tarawera to a private lakeside location, surrounded by native bush and spectacular views of the mountain. Te Rata is a special place to unwind, switch off and reconnect with each other, and the tented accommodation reflects a rich local Maori culture and history. Watch the sun rising over the sparkling water or setting on the mountain, relax in the natural hot pool under the stars or just snuggle into the luxurious, queen bed with pure cotton sheets, dreamy pillows and feather quilt.