The Honeymoon Guide to Haast

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Romantic Adventure Activities

From epic experiences like helicopter flights to down-to-earth strolls in beautiful places, Haast offers couples amazing activities on both ends of the price spectrum.

If you’re looking to mark a special occasion, consider one of the many scenic flight offerings from Haast. HeliServices.NZ and Greenstone Helicopters both offer a complete menu of experiences, from short coastal flights to excursions all the way to Milford Sound. In between, you’ll find romantic options like HeliServices.NZ’s flight to “The Hanging Lakes” seeing cascading waterfalls on the way to a landing beside gorgeous alpine lakes. There’s also the “Aspiring” tour with Greenstone Helicopters taking you from the rugged coast to the mountaintops of the Mt Aspiring National Park awash in rainforest, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, mountains and glaciers.

Surrounding Haast, you also have many beautiful walks to choose from to enjoy hand-in-hand. Ship Creek is a popular choice with two short walks incorporating boardwalk-lined sand dunes and natural kahikatea (white pine) forest. Head to Jackson Bay and you’ll also find a wealth of walks, from the Hapuka Estuary Walk to watch wildlife on the way to the popular and diverse coastal scenery of the Wharekai-Te Kou Walk. Find out more in the 6 Best Walks in Haast.

Finally, what romantic getaway is complete without a long walk on the beach? Haast Beach is simply stunning with its driftwood-scattered sand and mountain views. Just remember to take your insect repellent!

For more romantic adventures, like a fixed-wing scenic flight, take a look at the 6 Romantic Activities in Haast for Couples.

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Romantic All-weather Activities

Nope, there are no museums, art galleries or hot pools to save you from a rainy day in Haast. In fact, the adventure still continues thanks to the town’s innovative all-weather jet boat tours!

Join Waiatoto River Safari in their excursion into the Mt Aspiring National Park under the cover of their jet boat’s roof. This journey takes you from the mouth of the Waiatoto River right into the heart of the Te Waihipounamu World Heritage Area shrouded in mountains, lush forest and the crystal clear waters of the river. Enjoy informative commentary from your guide on this small-group tour, as well as afternoon tea at a scenic picnic stop. Find out more on Viator and Tripadvisor.

An alternative jet boat experience, the Haast River Safari departs just outside of Haast taking you along the glacier-fed Haast River. On a fine day, you’ll get to appreciate the intensity of its blue water, while a rainy day brings a moody atmosphere of clouds weaving between the mountains and new waterfalls cascading into the river. Their jet boat is completely enclosed allowing you and your loved one to appreciate the beauty of Haast whatever the weather.

© NZPocketGuide.com

Romantic Restaurants Near Haast

Rugged taverns and casual cafes are the vibe of Haast’s dining scene – ideal for a casual dinner and serving iconic West Coast cuisine like seafood, whitebait and venison. However, if you’re looking for something a little more “romantic”, you’ll have to travel a little further afield to find cafes and restaurants in world-class locations.

The Craypot in Jackson Bay is a 100km (60-mile) detour that many agree is worth taking to enjoy the ultra-fresh fish baskets and whitebait fritters. Lap up the views from in the casual cafe or outside in the alfresco area and find romance in knowing you’re dining in one of the most remote restaurants in the country.

At the other end of the Haast Pass, the Wonderland Cafe of the Wonderland Makarora Lodge offers rustic dining in a timber-lined tavern with the fire roaring, as well as alfresco options to soak in the mountain scenery in summer. Enjoy well-presented plates of locally-sourced lamb dishes, antipasto platters, cheeseboards and more.

Finally, guests at Mahitahi Lodge can opt to be treated to a romantic dinner or to dine at the main table with other guests on an array of cheese, crackers and salami made with local venison, whitebait, blue cod, lamb shanks or a fillet of beef. New Zealand wine and beer is also served as part of the dining experience.