Destinations
North Island honeymoon: romantic ad-van-ture wheels
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Ever thought about spending your honeymoon in a van? New Zealand is full of incredible honeymoon destinations and travelling by van is the perfect way to explore and enjoy at your own pace. Just you and your loved one and the open road - with the freedom to choose where you go and how long you stay at each place. We had a chat to newlyweds Jasmine and Sam about their van honeymoon experience in Helga the Hiace.
Tell us about your wedding...
Sam and I have been together for almost five years and got married on December 7th at the Garden House at Kina Beach in Nelson, NZ. We got engaged in March this year, just before lockdown and just after we moved into our first home. We originally weren't planning to get married until 2022 but suddenly the stars aligned and we had an amazing opportunity to get married at the magical Garden House. So, with only two months to plan and no savings for it, we worked double and slept half, and with the help of an incredible team, we pulled together our dream wedding day, celebrating our love with our family and close friends.
Was an NZ road trip always the plan for your honeymoon?
When we planned to get married in 2022, it was all very loose plans and nothing set in concrete, including the honeymoon. In the past, we've always said we want to do an NZ road trip because we've barely explored our own backyard. So when we had the opportunity to get married in two months, and with the nature of the world at the moment, it was a no brainer for us that we'd do this for our honeymoon!
What did you like the most about the Camplify experience?
This was our first time using Camplify, we were drawn to it because of the super cool & unique vans that are up for sharing! We wanted this to be more special than a normal camping roadie, and Camplify gave us that. We also loved how easy the communication was through the messaging, and how attentive the Camplify team were. It was so freeing to not have any solid plans, to be able to pack up and move on to the next place your heart desires!
Tell us the favourite places you visited and did you discover any hidden gems?
It's so hard to choose one favourite place because everywhere we went took our breath away, but we absolutely loved how the city met the beach in Mount Maunganui! That place definitely has a piece of my heart.
Best hidden gems we came across were:
Waiau Falls in the Coromandel, an amazing freshwater swimming hole beneath a beautiful waterfall!
The freedom camping reserve at the very end of Cook's Beach (also in the Coromandel). It only has eight parking spots and no light pollution, the stars sparkled so intensely in the night sky, and it was so peaceful waking up right by the ocean.
And we randomly stumbled across Solscape Eco Retreat in Raglan - every yogi and surfers' dream! Perched on the top of a hill with stunning views of the surfers down in the sea, this retreat had something for everyone - the van sites for people like us, earth domes, tipis, cottages and more! It was the perfect escape with a cafe', yoga classes and a surf school!
What were some of your favourite features of the van you stayed in?
[Helga the Hiace](https://www.camplify.co.nz/rv/campervan-rental-mount-eden-%E2%9C%A8helga-the-hiace%E2%9C%A8/9221# :~:text=Helga%20is%20our%20beloved%20Hiace,hotel%20home%20with%20organic...&text=Created%20with%20Sketch.,-The%20important%20stuff) is definitely more of a simple van, without all of the fancy features, but that’s why we liked her! It was just you, the van and nature. The boot opens up off the foot or head of the bed - depending on your preference, and it was so relaxing to lie there taking in the world at your feet.
Would you recommend honeymooning in a van to anyone else?
We definitely would! If you told us a few years ago that this is how and where we would be honeymooning - I probably would have been a bit sceptical! When most people think of honeymoons they think of luxury, but I definitely think this way is more special, connecting with each other and the earth, exploring your own country and roots. Rather than all the hustle, bustle and distractions of holiday destinations.
