New Zealand Discovery & Australia - 6511

Auckland, one of New Zealand's most populous cities, is located on the North Island of New Zealand. Auckland, known as Tamaki Makaurau, is based around twin harbours called Waitemata and Manukau Harbour extending up to volcanic hills to the west. Auckland has so much to offer when you combine an urban environment, stunning diverse landscapes and warming polynesian culture. Read more about Auckland, New Zealand

Waiheke Island lies in the Hauraki Gulf on the north island of New Zealand, 20 km east of Auckland. It is New Zealand’s most populated island with over 9000 residents, and another 3400 have second or holiday homes there. Regular passenger and car-ferries service the island. Read more about Waiheke Island, New Zealand

Wellington, New Zealand's capital city, is situated on the SW tip of the North Island, and is set on the edge of a stunning harbour surrounded by rolling hills. As the political centre of New Zealand, it houses Parliamentary buildings as well as the bulk of foreign diplomatic missions. However, it is also renowned for its cafe-culture, as there are more cafes per capita than in New York City, and they rival the world’s top culinary destinations for flavour and variety. Read more about Wellington, New Zealand

The picturesque seaside town of Picton near the NE corner of New Zealand's South Island is the South Island base for the ferry service that links the main islands of New Zealand. It’s also the gateway to the marine, forest and island attractions of the Marlborough Sounds. It offers a relaxed setting with beautiful beaches, easy bush walks and an outstanding climate. Read more about Picton, New Zealand

The seaside settlement of Kaikoura, situated midway between Christchurch and Picton on the rugged east coast of New Zealand's South Island, is overlooked by majestic mountains in the north reaching 2600m, which are snow-capped for many months of the year. Kaikoura is mostly settled on a peninsula that drops off sharply to the 3000 m deep Hikurangi Trench. The resulting upwelling currents bring an abundance of marine life that attracts whales, hence the town’s history as a whaling centre. Read more about Kaikoura, New Zealand

Just 85 kilometres from the city of Christchurch, New Zealand, is the quaint and beautiful French village of Akaroa. It is situated within Akaroa Harbour in the heart of an ancient volcano that is now the circular Banks Peninsula. French settlers arrived in 1840 just a few days after the peninsula was claimed for Britain. Read more about Akaroa, New Zealand

Timaru is a major New Zealand port that is located 160km SW of Christchurch. Timaru has been constructed on rolling hills created from the lava flows of the extinct Mt Horrible volcano. This results in most of the main streets being undulated, a clear contrast with the flat landscape of the Canterbury Plains to the north. Read more about Timaru, New Zealand

Stewart Island/Rakiura (pop. c. 380) is the third largest island of New Zealand and lies just 30 km S of the South Island, across Foveaux Strait from the port of Bluff. Read more about Stewart Island, New Zealand

Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, is also known as the cultural, culinary, and sporting capital of Australia. Set on the Yarra River, the city is home to world-class sporting facilities, museums, galleries and theatres and many revered restaurants. The Central Business District (CBD) has become renowned for its tiny laneways, boutique shopping, street art, and impeccable barista-made coffee. Read more about Melbourne, Australia

Phillip Island is approximately 140 km SE of Melbourne, joined to the mainland by bridge, and is the home of the world famous Penguin Parade that can be viewed each evening at dusk when the fairy penguins stroll up the beach to their burrows. There's a great range of activities to enjoy that include surfing, snorkelling, and swimming in summer, kayaking, jet skiing, aqua biking and yachting. Add to this: bush walking on the many tracks and enjoying the many parks; bird watching; pelican feeding; and don’t miss out of visiting some of the wineries. Read more about Phillip Island, Australia

Eden is located at deep-water Twofold Bay on the Sapphire Coast, 476 km south of Sydney. The port berths ships to 325m. It is set in rugged beauty with golden sandy beaches and crystal waters to the east and forests and park lands to the west. Read more about Eden, Australia

Situated on Australia's east coast is Sydney, the capital city of New South Wales. Cruising guests have the privilege when departing Sydney ports to view the iconic and famous Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge while leaving Sydney Harbour. In 1973, the Opera House completed construction and is the most popular building in Australia and one of the most famous in the world. Read more about Sydney, Australia