JACQUI & CLINT'S ROMANTIC KIWI GETAWAY

On a visit to Queenstown, the lovebirds reveal their plan to start a family - and what really happened behind the scenes on MAFS!

- Words: Debbie Harrison. Pictures: Andra Krista Photography. Hair & makeup: Escova Yourstyle, Amanda B. Location: hawkridgeestate.co.nz.

When Woman's Day catches up with Jacqui Burfoot and Clint Rice on a romantic trip to Aotearoa, the engaged Married At First Sight Australia stars look very much like a couple in love.

Sitting down to chat before our exclusive photoshoot, the reality TV contestants are comfortable in each other's company and accidentally twinning in similar white crewnecks, occasionally glancing out the window at the distracting view of snow-covered Coronet Peak.

They're in picturesque Queenstown for a few days, staying at HawkRidge Estate, a luxury B&B that's also home to Auckland-born Jacqui's parents Doog and Michelle Burfoot. It's only Clint's second time there and meeting Jacqui's folks, but he already feels at home with the whānau.

"I was welcomed in with open arms by their down-to-earth family," smiles the former pro golfer, 44. "I was even added into the family group message thread!" Doog, a senior pilot for Air New Zealand, adds, "We're very happy with Clint, and they make an incredible team. He's a rock and dotes on Jacqui.

There seems to be a good yin and yang there." Jacqui, 30, and Clint got together behind the scenes after their MAFS marriages to Ryan Donnelly and Lauren Hall spectacularly imploded.

Clint had sent his co-stars a "goodbye and good luck" message, which then led to a deep-and-meaningful in which Jacqui lent a sympathetic ear, and helped him debrief.

He suggested they hang out after filming finished, so in November, Jacqui - keen to see if the connection they felt online had legs in real life flew to visit him in Tasmania.

"We've been together ever since!" laughs Jacqui. "Once I flew to New Zealand a day before Clint and that's the longest we've ever been apart - one night in six months!" Grinning, Clint adds, "We're together pretty much 24/7.