OVERVIEW

Cruise the turquoise waters and unspoiled inlets of the Bay of Islands and see Cape Brett Lighthouse, the Hole-in-the-Rock Sea arch and more. You’ll depart the pier aboard a stable catamaran featuring roomy indoor and outdoor viewing decks, sailing under what could be the earth’s bluest skies into a constellation of 150 unspoiled islands off the North Island’s northeast corner. The Bay of Islands is both magnificent and historically significant: New Zealand’s earliest Maori settlers migrated here 700 years ago, and its first British missionary settlers arrived in 1814. Charles Darwin stopped by not long after, and in more modern times, American adventure writer Zane Grey popularized the islands as a big-game fishing paradise. You’ll journey through these fabled waters today, passing picturesque islets as you make for crisply white Cape Brett Lighthouse, perched high atop a spectacular headland’s cliff. You’ll see Motukokako Island with its dramatic Hole-in-the-Rock arch and visit another major highlight, the majestic Grand Cathedral Cave. Slowly cruising among the inner islands, you may have engaging encounters with the schools of dolphin that frequent these waters. Commentary from the captain will help fill in the natural and cultural history of it all.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise into the Bay of Islands aboard a comfortable catamaran with indoor and outdoor viewing decks.
• Journey through legendary big-game fishing waters en route to the Cape Brett Lighthouse.
• Pass beautiful Motukokako Island and the famous Hole-in-the-Rock sea cliff, and see majestic Grand Cathedral Cave.
• Learn about this region’s key role in New Zealand history from the captain’s commentary.
• Be on the lookout for playful dolphin and other marine wonders as you take in the peaceful beauty of the inner islands.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear layered, weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable shoes are recommended.
• Bring sunglasses and other sun protection as needed.

Gain an understanding of life on Lifou by visiting a prosperous vanilla plantation and the village of Jokin, which overlooks one of the island’s most gorgeous seascapes. Although Lifou’s terrain is rugged, especially along the coast, it is ideal for growing vanilla beans, as you will see firsthand on the plantation. The majority of the vanilla grown on the island is exported to flavor everything from ice cream to perfume, but a small quantity is always reserved for use by the islanders. After a tour of the wonderfully aromatic plantation, you will have the chance to sample a cup of vanilla-enhanced coffee. In the northernmost village of Jokin, you will enjoy free time to wander around and mingle with the residents, who will eagerly share the details of daily life in their small, rather remote village. Jokin perches high atop a fossilized coral cliff overlooking one of the island’s most magnificent bays, and the views are breathtaking.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Visit a vanilla plantation to see how this aromatic flavoring is derived from orchids.
• Sample a cup of vanilla-enhanced coffee and discover other uses of versatile vanilla.
• Mingle with the villagers in remote Jokin and admire the ocean views from its coral cliffs.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Traveling by land and water, get an excellent overview of cosmopolitan Sydney’s key sights. You’ll be amazed by how many of them there are in this sparkling city founded just two centuries ago in the Rocks, a warren of narrow twisting lanes in the shadow of the Harbor Bridge. Highlights of your coach-driven city survey include gobs of stunning Victorian-era architecture, trendy arts districts like steeply-hilled Paddington, and Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, by far the best sandstone seat in town. You’ll also see the Royal Australian Naval Base at Garden Island, colorful Chinatown and the sprawling Sydney Entertainment Center in Haymarket as you make your way to a stop at Bondi Beach, a beautiful half-mile crescent beloved by surfers and café-grazers alike. Catch dramatic views of the harbor entrance from The Gap, ogle the tony suburbs of Double Bay and Vaucluse, and witness the bohemian Kings Cross scene. Switching to aquatic transport, board your luxurious cruise vessel for a relaxed hour of waterborne sightseeing in Sydney Harbor. Highlights seen include the Opera House, Fort Denison, Middle Harbor with its parklands, and the inner harbor marinas and palatial waterfront homes. Then it’s a just short transfer back to the pier.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Experience the sights of Sydney from both the land and the water on a single wide-ranging tour.
• Be introduced to districts like The Rocks, Chinatown, hilly Paddington, exclusive Double Bay and scores of landmark buildings from Victorian to ultramodern.
• Capture amazing harbor views from The Gap, see icons like Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair and the Opera House, and stop by the famous sandy crescent of Bondi Beach.
• Board a luxurious cruising vessel for an hour’s tour of Sydney’s magnificent peninsula-lined harbor.
• Get back to your ship with a complete perspective on Australia’s oldest and largest city.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

OVERVIEW

Take an intimate cultural journey into Maori heritage at a local indigenous village and catch stunning views of the Bay of Plenty from Minden Lookout. From the pier, you’ll travel through modern, booming Tauranga and the Bethlehem suburbs on your way to Ngati Ranginui Marae. Arriving at this Maori village, you’ll be greeted by a gracious indigenous guide and escorted on a fascinating tour of this village well known for its hospitality. The tangata whenua, the local people, will help you feel at home as you explore their working settlement, where the ways of the Maori and early New Zealand settlers remain deeply tied to contemporary life. During your visit, you’ll have an opportunity to view craft-making and cooking underway and to experience the Maoris’ famous oral storytelling. Your hosts will also treat you to a refreshing tea before you depart for the wider world. Arriving up at Minden Lookout, you’ll find the perspective has gotten wide indeed. Expect to see across Tauranga, out into the Bay of Plenty, and, if conditions are favorable, even plumes of wispy smoke and steam rising from volcanic Whakaari, the White Island, offshore to the east.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel out into the countryside surrounding Tauranga to visit a local Maori village, known as a marae.
• Be welcomed by an indigenous guide as you begin an intimate tour of the village, meeting its hospitable residents and learning about their lives.
• Witness traditional craft-making and cooking underway, experience Maori’s tradition of storytelling, and share tea with your hosts.
• Driven up to Minden Lookout, be swept away by exceptional views out across the Bay of Plenty – and perhaps out to Whakaari volcano, puffing away some 30 miles offshore.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

Explore the natural side of Lifou on an inspiring driving tour along its sparsely inhabited northern shore, followed by a relaxing stop at a pristine beach that rims a lagoon. Along the way, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of coral cliffs, turquoise seas and lush foliage, punctuated with splashes of brightly colored flowers. This is a true tropical paradise with little or no development, much like it has been for centuries. Still, you will drive through the island’s administrative center of We on beautiful Châteaubriand Bay at the end of a sugar-white beach on the east coast. Nearby, you will find Luecila Beach, an unspoiled stretch of sand that ranks as one of Lifou’s most picturesque and enjoyable as there are no resorts or shops to detract from the natural beauty. You will be free to do as you please there, whether it be swimming, beachcombing or simply relaxing in the shade of a coconut palm.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Marvel at Lifou’s natural beauty on a panoramic drive along its undeveloped coast.
• Pass through the island’s administrative center of We on lovely Châteaubriand Bay.
• Spend free time relaxing on Luecila Beach, a serene stretch of sand near We.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Behold the stunning natural beauty of Kangaroo Island, a rugged wonderland that the locals affectionately call K.I. You will concentrate on the island’s southernmost natural phenomena, starting at Remarkable Rocks, a collection of sculpture-like granite boulders that the rain, wind and pounding sea have shaped over millions of years. Nearby Admirals Arch is another erosion-shape coastal landmark within Flinders Chase National Park. From the viewing platform of the rock bridge, you can expect to see brown seals frolicking below. For the ultimate view of the island’s indigenous birds, you will visit Raptor Domain, the only presentation of birds of prey in free flight in South Australia. Wedge-tailed eagles, barn owls and kookaburras are but a few of the rescued and orphaned avian species that have been rehabilitated there. Later, you will enjoy a close-up look at the surfers’ haven Pennington Bay and a sweeping view of the island’s northern coast from Penneshaw Lookout.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the spectacular natural beauty while driving throughout Kangaroo Island.
• See erosion-sculpted boulders and a natural rock arch in Flinders Chase National Park.
• Watch birds of prey in a free-flight performance at Raptor Domain.
• Enjoy panoramic views of the surfers at Pennington Bay and Penneshaw from a lookout.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a relaxed orientation tour of Dunedin, home to some of New Zealand’s most elegant Victorian architecture, its oldest university and its first public botanical gardens. Second largest city on the South Island, central Dunedin sits deep within beautiful Otago Harbor. Your picturesque coach drive from the pier traces the harbor’s shore, passing charming Sawyer’s Bay, Roseneath and St. Leonard’s on the way into the city. A tour of the grand Jacobean house known as Olveston Historic Home provides a remarkably well-preserved glimpse into the refined Dunedin life circa 1906. Set on an acre of wooded land, this graceful 35-room residence is the epitome of English Arts & Crafts style and still contains the marvelous artwork and artifacts collected by its original owner. Continuing through the city, you’ll pass many more landmark structures including the Law Courts, Otago Boys High School and First Church, the Edwardian mansions of Royal Terrace and High Streets, and Gothic Revival-styled Otago University, founded in 1869 and as vital as ever. Spanning 69 manicured on a hilltop, magnificent Dunedin Botanic Gardens are older still, but – just like the university – thrive today. Enjoy free time for strolling here and be sure to visit the classic Winter Garden Glasshouse.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a sightseeing drive to central Dunedin from the port, tracing beautiful Otago Harbor and its towns.
• Tour a 35-room home that features fine art and intriguing collectibles, perfectly capturing the style of this city known for its worldly elegance.
• Travel along streets lined with Edwardian and Victorian mansions, churches and cathedrals, and the Gothic campus of New Zealand’s first university.
• Stroll among camellias and rhododendrons, roses and splashing fountains in an 1863 botanic garden.
• Ride back to the pier directly or step off in town to explore awhile longer and catch a shuttle back later.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore Wellington Harbor by coach and discover a coastline dotted with quaint villages, quiet bays, and plentiful shipwrecks despite being home to New Zealand’s oldest lighthouse. Your route passes the location where this region’s first settlers landed and circles all the way round to Pencarrow Station – with its spectacular views of the harbor mouth and across Cook Strait and on South Island. Throughout the drive, narration from your driver/guide provides perspective on the history and legends of this dramatic section of the country. At Pencarrow Station, a vast sheep and cattle farm, you’ll have the opportunity to visit one of Wellington’s best-kept secrets, Pencarrow Lodge. This isolated cottage, once the home of a worker on the lookout for cattle thieves, has been transformed into one of New Zealand’s most unique conference and function centers. Its privileged vantage point allows you to watch the constant sea traffic moving in and out of the harbor and perhaps even spot dolphins at play in the bay waters below. Enjoy a sheep dog demonstration where highly trained sheep dogs will muster a small flock of sheep. A refreshment of tea and cakes served in this idyllic setting adds an extra note of sweetness to your day before the drive back.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Circle the vast, magnificent arc of rugged green coastline that surrounds Wellington Harbor
• Make your way past shipwrecks, small villages and a string of quiet hidden bays to Pencarrow Station.
• See the country’s oldest lighthouse and drink in spectacular views that stretch across the Cook Strait to the peaks of the South Island.
• Visit splendidly remote Pencarrow Lodge, once a farmer’s redoubt, now a renowned conference center. Enjoy a sheep dog demonstration where highly trained sheep dogs will muster a small flock of sheep.
• Watch the harbor’s sea traffic and perhaps some dolphins from here as you enjoy tea and cakes.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended..
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

See key attractions that define Noumea and its French heritage and come away with a better understanding of New Caledonia’s capital. One of the more striking landmarks is Notre Dame Du Pacifique, a small, oddly designed Roman Catholic church that perches atop a hill in the heart of the city. From there, you will enjoy breathtaking views of Noumea and the islands beyond. Similarly, you will enjoy sweeping 360° views while meandering along the esplanade on the summit of Ouen Toro Hill near the city’s southernmost edge. Noumea’s coastal beauty will also be on display as you pass the turquoise waters of beach-blessed Lemon Bay and serene Orphelinat Bay. Lagoons rim most of Noumea and for the ultimate look at the wonders underwater, you will browse the city aquarium, which holds an incredibly biodiverse collection of marine creatures. Fluorescent coral gardens, sea snakes and prehistoric-looking nautiluses are but a few of its offerings.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in for a scenic drive around Noumea with stops at its most revealing attractions.
• Take in the gorgeous views from the hilltop church Notre Dame Du Pacifique.
• Behold the natural beauty of southern Noumea from the summit of Ouen Toro Hill.
• Spend free time browsing the colorful and unusual creatures in the city aquarium.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear sturdy walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Discover the stories and places tied to New Zealand’s early Maori and European history during a scenic journey to Kerikeri and Waitangi. Your discoveries begin with a drive to the coastal town of Paihia, where one of the earliest British missionary stations was established in 1823. Some 16 miles away in the lush orcharding town of Kerikeri, visit Kemp House (Built 1821- 1822), and the Stone Store (Constructed 1832- 1836), remnants of a Mission Station established even earlier, in 1819. You Will visit the most renowned North Island cultural touchstone at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the site where the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed on 6 February 1840. Often called the ‘Birthplace of our Nation’, Waitangi weaves together the strands and stories of many peoples, events and places to reveal the rich cultural history of New Zealand. During your guided tour, you will discover the stories, people and events that shaped the past, present and future. View the Treaty House, Te Whare Rūnanga (carved meeting house) and the world’s largest ceremonial war canoe. After your tour, re-join your transportation for the short ride back to the wharf or stay at the Treaty grounds and make your own way back.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel to historic landmarks where New Zealand’s Maori and British history has taken place.
• See an early missionary station in Paihia, then visit an even earlier one in Kerikeri, home to the oldest wooden and stone buildings in New Zealand, Kemp House and the Stone Store.
• Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where you will discover the stories, people and events that shaped the past, present and future of New Zealand.
• View the Treaty House, Te Whare Rūnanga (carved meeting house) and the world’s largest ceremonial war canoe.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear layered, weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

Visit thrilling natural wonders like a cavern illuminated by glowworms and a forest of giant kauri trees, and see several man-made attractions, too. Kawiti Caves contains plenty of bizarre and impressive stalagmites and stalactites, but its most wondrous sight is the galaxy of blue-green lights given off by thousands of tiny glowworms attached to the inky-black ceiling. It’s a spectacular sight and your guide will share fascinating facts about the lifecycle of these famous little New Zealand residents. The denizens of Puketi Forest are a bit larger – like, say, 150 feet tall and up to 2,000 years old. Rivaling the California redwood in height and girth, thousands of mighty kauri trees once cloaked the Bay of Islands. The reserve you’ll tour is one of the last protected areas where they still stand, and the boardwalk through the forest allows visitors to admire these gargantuan wonders up-close without damaging their sensitive roots. A side trip to colorful Kawakawa adds levity to the day, with its train tracks running down the main street and whimsical public restrooms designed by an Austrian artist.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a guided tour of Kawiti Caves and see the brilliant light show created by thousands of tiny glowworms attached to cavern ceiling.
• Stroll along a boardwalk path through the towering kauri trees of Puketi Forest reserve.
• Visit Kawakawa, where the vintage railroad runs through downtown and the public restrooms are… colorful.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing; include a light jacket or sweater.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a sumptuous lunch as you cruise calm Bay of Islands waters, passing a vineyard, an oyster farm and numerous historic sites en route to the port of Russell. Voyaging from Waitangi, where New Zealand’s founding document between the British Crown and the Maori chieftains was signed in 1840, your leisurely coastline cruise winds past many sites that influenced the country’s history since. Okiato was the first capital city – but only for two years until Auckland took over. Omata, once a favored arrival point for European immigrants, is now a favored wine-growing region. As you encounter these and other sights, you’ll savor a traditional New Zealand lunch and learn much about the Bay of Islands’ evolution from rustic frontier settlement to top-shelf travel destination. Once you dock at Russell, enjoy an hour of free time to explore independently before the return to Waitangi. Long known by the unfortunate moniker of “Hell Hole of the Pacific,” Russell was the original lawless whaling, sealing and trading port on the North Island – notoriously inhabited by crusty mariners, deserters and convicts on the lam. Today, it’s a delightfully picturesque time capsule, rich with history and meticulously restored mid-19th-century buildings – with musket ball scars.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a sumptuous shipboard lunch as you cruise through the beautiful waters of the Bay of Islands.
• Pass by about fascinating sights along the shoreline like Okiato, New Zealand’s earliest capital, and Omata, once an immigration port, now a winegrowing center.
• Pull in at Kororareka, now known as Russell, the largest whaling port in the southern hemisphere during the 19th century – and the most lawless.
• Enjoy an hour of free time here to explore at your leisure before the return sail.
• Discover a picturesque waterfront village of historic restored homes, churches, and wooden cottages.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing; include a light jacket or sweater.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, a bottle of water from the ship, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.