AUSTRALIA / NEW ZEALAND CRUISES

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AUSTRALIA / NEW ZEALAND CRUISES

Cruise Deals

Ports of Call

Highlights

Activities & Attractions

When to Visit

If you are tired of "typical" cruises where every port looks alike after a while, then you should take an exotic cruise to Australia and New Zealand. If you don't mind the long flight, a cruise around these South Pacific islands will be educational, scenic, and of course, action-packed. Learn about the indigenous Maori culture. See the Tazmanian devil. Scuba dive along the Great Barrier Reef. Or you can relax on the beautiful beaches of Auckland. Before traveling, note that you need to get a visa, but the process is easy.

Australia / New Zealand Ports of Call

Popular ports in Australia include Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, Hobart, Newcastle, Darwin, Brisbane, Adelaide, and/or Burnie.

When cruising to New Zealand you’ll likely stop at Tauranga, Napier, Picton, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland, Milford Sound and/or Bay of Islands.

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Australia / New Zealand Highlights

The low down on the most popular Australian and New Zealand cruise destinations:

Tauranga, New Zealand: Known for its beautiful beaches and clean water, Tauranga is rich in natural sites and activities.

Napier, New Zealand: Nicknamed the “newest city in the world” after its recovery from a 1931 earthquake and the “fruitbowl of New Zealand” for its lush surroundings, Art Deco-style Napier and nearby Hastings are must-sees when traveling on the East Coast of North Island.

Picton, New Zealand: As the gateway to New Zealand’s South Island, Picton has historical significance for whaling, fishing, and other industries.

Melbourne, Australia: As the second largest Australian city, Melbourne is the business center of Australia, the “Garden Capital” of Australia, and has historic areas and modern cultural centers.

Hobart, Tasmania: The second-oldest city in Australia.

Burnie, Tasmania: Known more for its beautiful countryside than its main town, Burnie is a popular cruise port on most Australian itineraries.

Dunedin, New Zealand: A truly Scottish city in the heart of the South Pacific.

Christchurch, New Zealand: Located close to Antarctica, the “Garden City” is an active city that sports a very British feel.

Wellington, New Zealand: The capital of New Zealand has historic significance to the North and South Islands and is also the geographic center of New Zealand.

Auckland, New Zealand: With so many excursions, attractions, and cultural experiences available, a stop at the “city of sails”, New Zealand’s largest city and the yacht racing capital of the world, may be one of your favorite stops on your New Zealand cruise vacation.

Bay of Islands, New Zealand One of the best places in New Zealand for watersports and natural adventures, such as kayaking, hiking, sailing, fishing, and more.

Cairns, Australia: This Queensland settlement is the starting point for most excursions to the internationally recognized Great Barrier Reef.

Adelaide, Australia: The capital of South Australia is small in size but is action-packed with attractions. In Adelaide you’ll find more restaurants per capita than in any other city in Australia.

Brisbane, Australia: The largest city in the sub-tropics of Australia contains theme parks, gardens, and other attractions.

Darwin, Australia: Located in the Northern Territory, Darwin is named after Charles Darwin and is home to Kakadu World Heritage Park, beautiful beaches and art galleries.

Fraser Island: Claims to be the largest sand island in the world.

Milford Sound, New Zealand: Fiordland National Park is the main attraction of this unpopulated area, with its rare species and natural beauty.

Newcastle, Australia: Newcastle is the sixth-largest city in Australia and carries historical significance for many Australian industries.

Whitsunday Islands: A group of 74 islands that is mostly an unpopulated national park. Many excursions depart from here to the Great Barrier Reef.

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Australia / New Zealand Activities and Attractions

Waiheke Island: A short ferry ride from Auckland; sites here include vistas and vineyards.

Devonport: A coastal New Zealand village not too far from Auckland.

Auckland Attractions: Sky Tower, Auckland Museum, Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World and Antarctic Adventure, Navy Museum, Mount Eden, Auckland Domain Park, Lion Brewery, Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, filming sites for the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, America's Cup Yachting Village, Auckland City Art Gallery.

Auckland Shopping: Available at the Sky Tower Complex and Queen Street.

Auckland Beaches: Okahu Bay, Mission Bay, Muriwai Beach.

Auckland Excursions: Activities include city tours, farm adventures, wine tours and cultural tours.

Parnell: Upscale neighborhood in Auckland.

Ponsonby: Trendy neighborhood in Auckland.

Rangitoto Island: An erupted volcano is now a great site for hiking with its many lava caves; located off the coast of Auckland.

Cairns Excursions: Activities include diving and snorkeling along the Great Barrier Reef, cultural excursions, and flight tours.

Cairns Attractions: Fitzroy Island National Park, Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, Botanic Gardens, Centenary Lakes Parkland, Rainforestation Nature Park, Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary, Cairns Regional Art Gallery, Cairns Casino, Esplanade Lagoon.

Cairns Shopping: Available at the Central Mall and at Esplanade.

Atherton Tablelands: Travel an hour from Cairns to Lake Eacham National Park, historic Yungaberra Village and scenic natural views.

Daintree Rain Forest: Venture 90 minutes from Cairns to experience the Daintree Village and many rainforest activities, such as horseback riding, hiking, and river cruising.

Sydney Attractions: Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, The Rocks, Sydney Aquarium, Australian National Maritime Museum, Powerhouse Museum, Chinese Garden of Friendship, Museum of Contemporary Art, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Mrs. Macquarie's Chair, Centerpoint Tower, Queen Victoria Building, Chinatown, Echo Point, Three Sisters rock formation, Koala Park, Cadman's Cottage, Argyle Cut, Campbell's Cove, the Bounty ship.

Sydney Activities: City tours, walking tours, Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, Harbour Jet rides, seaplane tour, canoeing, river cruises, sea kayaking, white water rafting.

Sydney Shopping: Available at Pitt Street Mall, Darling Harbor, King Street Wharf, The Rocks, downtown, and Castlereagh Street.

Paddington: This section of Sydney is home to Fox Studios, Centennial Park, Paddington Bazaar Street Market, art galleries, photo galleries, boutiques, cafes and restaurants.

Sydney Beaches: Bondi Beach, Bronte Beach.

Hunter Valley: The wine tours, wine tasting, and vineyards of Hunter Valley make it worth the two-hour drive from Sydney.

Blue Mountains: A scenic area within driving distance of Sydney, Australia.

Wellington Sites: Te Papa Museum, Museum of Wellington City and Sea, Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, Victoria University and National Museum, National Art Gallery, Wellington Botanical Gardens, Old Bank Arcade, filming site of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, Old St Paul's Church, the Beehive.

Wellington Excursions: Activities include cable car rides, winery tours, pub tours and walking tours.

Bay of Islands Attractions: Waitangi Treaty House, Kemp House (New Zealand's first home), Mount Bledisloe, Haruru Falls, Kawiti Glowworm Caves, Grand Cathedral Cave.

Bay of Islands Excursions: Activities include bus tours, amphibious bus tours, countryside drives, trips to Cape Reinga, catamaran rides and cultural experiences.

Bay of Islands Golf: Available at Waitangi Golf Course and Kauri Cliffs.

Russell: The oldest town in New Zealand is a short ferry ride from Bay of Islands; home to Pompalier House, Christ Church and Duke of Marlborough Hotel.

Hobart Sites: Australia’s oldest bridge, St. John's Church, Bonorong Wildlife Park, Battery Point mansions, Cascade Brewery (Australia’s oldest), Mount Wellington, Mount Nelson, Royal Botanical Gardens, Runnymede Estate, Apple Heritage Museum.

Hobart Shopping: Available at Salamanca Place.

Hobart Excursions: City tours, vineyard tours, mansion tours, wildlife tours, scenic bike tours.

Melbourne Sites: Shrine of Remembrance, Botanical Gardens, Crown Casino, Melbourne Museum, Melbourne Zoo, Rippon Lea House Museum & Historic Garden, Bunjilaka Aboriginal Centre, Carlton District, Sherbrooke Forest, Town Hall, National Art Gallery, Federation Square, Gold Treasury, Royal Exhibition Building, the Dandenong Ranges, Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary.

Melbourne Excursions: City tours, walking tours, countryside tours, trips to Phillip Island, trips to Sovereign Hill.

Philip Island: A two-hour drive from Melbourne; home to the Phillip Island Nature Reserve where you can spot penguins.

Sovereign Hill: This former gold rush town is a 90-minute trip from Melbourne; nearby Ballarat is home to the Ballarat Wildlife Park.

Napier Sites: Gannet Colony, Marineland, Hawke’s Bay Museum, Hawke's Bay Aquarium, Spanish Mission, Art Deco Trust Centre, Te Mata Peak, Cape Kidnappers, Silky Oak Chocolate Company.

Napier Excursions: Art Deco architecture tours, classic car tours, vineyard tours, safari tours.

Picton Sites: Pollard Park, Woodend Gardens, Marlborough Sounds Maritime Park.

Picton Excursions: Vineyard tours, trips to Blenhiem, kayaking trips.

Blenhiem: The largest town in Marlborough; home of many wineries and scenic views.

Tauranga Activities: Rafting, city tours, trips to Rotorua, helicopter rides, jetboat rides, flight tours of the White Island volcano.

Tauranga Sites: Longridge Park, Elms Mission House, Minden Lookout.

Rotorua: A short drive from Tauranga brings you to this New Zealand city; home of geysers, Rainbow Springs, Agrodome shows, Maori concerts, Lake Tarawera New Zealand Arts and Crafts Institute and the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve.

Discovery World Otago Museum: Interactive science museum in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Adelaide Sites: Adelaide Casino, Railway Station, Old Parliament House, Adelaide Festival Center, Migration Museum, South Australian Museum, South Australian Art Gallery, Botanical Gardens, National Wine Center, Rundle Mall.

Christchurch Sites: Arts Centre, Canterbury Museum, Christ Church Cathedral, Botanic Gardens.

Milford Sound Sites: Fiordland National Park, Doubtful Sound, Mitre Peak.

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When to Visit Australia / New Zealand

Most Australian cruises travel during the “summer” months between December and March, since they experience opposite seasons in the Southern Hemisphere. Australia’s and New Zealand’s coasts are affected by the typhoon season, similar to the hurricane season on the US East Coast, which runs from December 1 to May 31. Waters may be rough during Australian cruises during this season. New Zealand has been noted to be the rainier of the two islands.

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