20 epic surprise proposal locations in New Zealand
So you've decided that while exploring the mountains in the South Island with your partner, you'd like to pop the question somewhere scenic. I mean, New Zealand is a pretty spectacular place for a surprise proposal, however when it comes to choosing the right location, it can become quite overwhelming! As a professional photographer based in Wanaka, I've compiled a list of my favourite and recommended locations.
I've covered off the popular locations in Tekapo, Mt Cook, Wanaka and Queenstown. If you’re interested in working together, get in touch here.
Lake Tekapo
Main Waterfront
The view you get at Lake Tekapo is world class. A rocky beachfront facing the turquoise lake up to the surrounding mountains. For this location, we are referring to the lakefront area directly behind the Church of the Good Shepherd. The lake front behind works well for a surprise proposal as there are often other travellers scattered about taking photos of the scenery. This means as a photographer, I can be hiding in plain sight.
Pros:
Epic views
Easy to co-ordinate
Close to other locations to follow
Challenges:
Can be windy
People in the background (Photoshop helps here)
Access: Carpark nearby, then on foot
Terrain: Rocky
Lake Tekapo
Lakeside Drive
At the western end of Lake Tekapo lies a secluded bay opposite the campground. This is often filled with lupins and wildflowers during November and December, and creates a beautiful scene perfect for a surprise proposal. There is often less people about than the main waterfront, but still works for me to be taking 'scenic photos' and not be out of place. Access is easy and is usually more sheltered from winds.
Pros:
Epic views
More sheltered from wind
Lupins when in season
Challenges:
Can be people about
Access: Carpark nearby, then on foot
Terrain: Beach stones and grassy
Tekapo
Lake Alexandrina
Approximately 15 mins drive from Lake Tekapo is the scenic Lake Alexandrina. This location is much more secluded than Tekapo often with very little people about outside of the summer holiday season. There are two ideal options here; on the footbridge (don't drop the ring!), or up on the hill with a 5 min walk to the top. I'll still be taking scenic photos, however with less people around I may be a bit more obvious if your partner is suspicious :)
Pros:
Secluded location with less people
Epic views
Challenges:
No mobile reception
Access: Carpark nearby, then on foot
Terrain: Grassy
Lake Pukaki
Hayman Road
Right at the viewpoint from the Hayman Road turnoff is a great location for a surprise proposal. This location often has people about, however the area is quite large so we can line up our own area quite easily. There are also lupins when in season here along the shoreline to the right. On a clear day, you can see Aoraki / Mt Cook across the lake.
Pros:
Epic views
Easy to co-ordinate
Lupins when in season
Challenges:
Can be windy
The lake shore has large rocks to navigate
Access: Carpark nearby, then on foot
Terrain: Rocky and grassy
Aoraki / Mt Cook
Mt Cook Village area
Nearby Mt Cook Village is a range of locations that you can simply walk to from the roadside. We can get views of Mt Sefton, among many others. One thing to note is we usually won't be able to see Mt Cook from here as it's behind Mt Wakefield. When the afternoon/evening light is on here, it looks incredible as the light is shaped by the mountains.
Pros:
Epic views
Easy to co-ordinate
Amazing light when it's on
Challenges:
Can be windy
Spillover rain from the divide can get you
Access: Roadside stop, then on foot
Terrain: Grassy
Aoraki / Mt Cook
Hooker Lake
Currently closed until Autumn 2026
One of New Zealand's most popular surprise proposal destinations, and for good reason. A mild 1 hour hike each way will bring you to Hooker lake, right at the base of the Hooker Glacier and on a clear day views right up to Aoraki / Mt Cook. Icebergs also often group in the water making for a pretty unreal place. Worthwhile making an early start on this one to avoid crowds, particularly busy in the summer months.
Pros:
Epic views
Hike and shoot on the way back out
Great experience
Challenges:
Can get crowded
No mobile reception
Access: Carpark, then 1 hour hike each way
Terrain: Stony Beach
Aoraki / Mt Cook
Tasman Lake
An equally good alternative to Hooker lake, this is a 25 min hike each way where we aim for the head of Tasman River, looking up the lake where icebergs collect. Most of the hike is mild, however to get down to the waters edge requires a bouldery decent. Not too difficult but worth noting if mobility is a consideration.
Pros:
Epic views
Hike and shoot on the way back out
Great experience
Challenges:
Can get crowded
Don't take the wrong turn on the track :)
Access: Carpark, then 25 min hike each way
Terrain: Rocky waterfront
Aoraki / Mt Cook
Kea Point
A great alternative to Hooker and Tasman Lakes. We hike for about 25 mins out further west with breathtaking views of Mt Sefton and the Footstool. Once there, head past the main viewpoint and find your spot. On a clear day we can see Mueller Lake and Mt Cook in the background.
Pros:
Epic views
Hike and shoot on the way back out
Great experience aside from the shoot
Challenges:
Can get crowded
Access: Carpark, then 25 min hike each way
Terrain: Grassy and rocky
Aoraki / Mt Cook
Liebig Dome (helicopter access)
Liebig Dome is easily one of my favourite heli locations in the region. Lots of snow in winter, and a rocky in the summer. This helicopter flight is also one for the books, absolutely incredible scenery. Once landed you can soak in the views up to Murchison Glacier and across to Aoraki Mt Cook
Pros:
Epic views
Great experience
No crowds
Challenges:
Weather can postpone helicopter flights
Access: Helicopter
Terrain: Snowy and rocky
Wanaka
Mt Iron track
A local track that can be a great option is the Mt Iron walking track. About 30 mins to the top with a reasonably steep grade to start. We've lined up the perfect lookout across the township of Wanaka to the lake and mountains. Can get busy, again with all walking tracks get in early before the crowds.
Pros:
Stunning 360 views
Easy to co-ordinate
Challenges:
Crowds
Access: Carpark, then 30 min hike each way
Terrain: Grassy
Wanaka
Glendhu Bay
About 10 minutes drive from Wanaka lies Glendhu bay. With beautiful views out across Lake Wanaka towards Rocky Mountain and up to Mt Aspiring on a clear day it sets the perfect scene for a proposal.
Pros:
Stunning views
Easy to co-ordinate
Challenges:
Can get windy
Occasionally people about
Access: Carpark, then 5 min walk
Terrain: Stony beach
Wanaka
Wishbone Falls
An epic spot about 1 hour drive from Wanaka. This waterfall is accessed by an easy 10 min walk from the road, and varies in flow year round depending on recent rainfall and snowmelt. Be ready to jump over a few small creek crossings to get into position.
Pros:
Epic location
Often quiet
Challenges:
Gravel road with ford crossings
No mobile reception
Access: 1 hour drive, then 10 min walk
Terrain: Grass and creek system.
Wanaka
Roy's Peak (helicopter access)
Without a doubt my most popular heli proposal location. Roy's Peak, or this spot being more accurately known as Coromandel Peak offers exclusive views out across Lake Wanaka. Also being exclusively booked, no-one else can land while you're there.
Pros:
Iconic location
Epic views
No crowds
Great experience
Challenges:
Weather can postpone helicopter flights
Access: Helicopter
Terrain: Grassy
Wanaka
Twin Peaks (helicopter access)
A less popular location, but with equally epic views up and down Lake Wanaka, and also out to Mt Aspiring on a clear day. This place changes dramatically between winter with knee deep snow, and summer with rocks and tussocks.
Pros:
Epic views
No crowds
Great experience
Challenges:
Weather can postpone helicopter flights
Access: Helicopter
Terrain: Anything from deep snow to rocks and tussocks
Wanaka
Lochnagar (helicopter access)
A frequently requested location is Lochanagar, an alpine lake located between Wanaka and Queenstown. With a range of beaches to land on, we can usually claim an area with no-one else about. The beach with the lake and mountains in the background make a very special place to pop the question.
Pros:
Epic views
No crowds
Great experience
Challenges:
Weather can postpone helicopter flights
Sandflies
Access: Helicopter
Terrain: Stony beach
Queenstown
Remarkables (helicopter access)
Heli location on the Remarkables
Road access location on the Remarkables
The upper Remarkables mountains which are accessible via helicopter make a great proposal location, with views out across Lake Wakatipu. There are several landing locations meaning we can usually secure a spot with no-one else about. Alternatively, the Remarkables ski-field access road is a great non-heli option, views are from a lower down point with a range of places available for the following shoot.
Pros:
Epic views
Usually no crowds
Challenges:
Weather can postpone helicopter flights
Can get windy
Access: Helicopter or drive
Terrain: Grassy and rocky
Queenstown
Cecil Peak (helicopter access)
The most popular heli location in Queenstown and for good reason. Cecil Peak offers a range of rock gardens overlooking Lake Wakatipu, with a few landing spots on offer, from the popular Ledge to the Garden Spur. Beautiful rock formations and epic views make this place a very special place to consider.
Pros:
Epic views
Range of landing options
No crowds
Challenges:
Weather can postpone helicopter flights
Your preferred landing spot maybe already claimed
Access: Helicopter
Terrain: Grassy and rocky
Queenstown
Wilson Bay
Classic views out across lake Wakatipu from the shore. This location is about 20 mins drive from Queenstown, and makes great location to propose. Also nearby is Moke Lake and Sunshine bay for further locations during the following shoot.
Pros:
Great views
Open beach area to claim your own space
Easy to co-ordinate
Challenges:
Can get windy
Can be busy
Access: Drive
Terrain: Stony beach
Queenstown
Skippers Canyon
This one isn't for the faint-hearted, but can yield incredible results. Best done as part of a 'couples shoot', but can be done as a surprise. You'll get epic views down Skippers Canyon, with dramatic rock formations surrounding you.
Pros:
Epic views
Dramatic cliffs
Challenges:
Can be busy
Difficult to co-ordinate
Access: Drive and walk (AWD or 4WD recommended)
Terrain: Rocky and cliff edges
Queenstown
Moke lake
Moke Lake is a pretty special place, tucked away from the hustle of Queenstown. Views across the lake towards Wedge Peak and on the right day becomes like a mirror with reflections like nowhere else. 25 mins drive from Queenstown.
Pros:
Epic views
Unique landscape
Easy to co-ordinate
Challenges:
Can be busy
Sandflies
Access: Drive (partly on gravel road), and walk
Terrain: Grassy
I hope this round up helps! And of course there are many more places in between. As seasoned surprise proposal photographers based right here in the Southern Alps of New Zealand, if you already have somewhere else in mind, we can help make a reality.
