Before we can show you lower prices, we need to check you’re an RAA member. We’ll use your last name and date of birth to find you in our system. Read our Privacy Policy.
Escape to this unhurried corner of the world, where Maori legends, steaming volcanic lakes, penguins and hobbits add to the magical landscape. Witness the unparalleled beauty of what locals call “Godzone” (God’s own country) on a hike into Tauranga’s Wai-O-Tapu thermal valley and be rewarded with spectacular mud pools, geysers and rainbow-colored lakes. And just outside Wellington, you’ll experience a world teeming with Maori myths, rugged coasts and adorable seals. Be awestruck by the beauty of Fiordland National Park, named one of the 7 Cruise Wonders of the World by Condé Nast Traveller.
Sydney to Dunedin
Day 1 Sydney
Depart 4pm
Days 2-3 At Sea
Day 4 Fiordland National Park
Scenic cruising - Arrive 7am, Depart 4pm
Enjoy scenic cruising through Fiordland National park. Created by ancient glacial flows, at the heart of Fiordland National Park lies Milford Sound. Lined by cliffs that soar nearly a mile above its surface, Milford Sound cuts into the heart of the Southern Alps. Rainforest clings to the cliffs whilst graceful waterfalls plummet into the void. Mile-high Mitre Peak dominates the upper reaches of the sound. The town of Te Anau in Fiordland National Park is also your gateway to the South Island's other natural wonders such as Lake Wakatipu, the resort of Queenstown and Mt. Cook National Park.
Day 5 Dunedin (Port Chalmers)
Arrive 7am, Depart 3:30pm
Perched on the hills above one of New Zealand's loveliest harbours, Dunedin is a Kiwi city with a Scottish heart. Hailed as the "Edinburgh of New Zealand," Dunedin is proud of its heritage. A statue of famed Scottish poet Robert Burns graces the downtown area, and the presence of New Zealand's only kilt maker and whisky distillery - as well as many bagpipe bands - keep Dunedin's ties to Scotland alive. The city also boasts a distinguished architectural and cultural history, a legacy of New Zealand's 1860s gold rush. Port Chalmers, gateway to Dunedin, is located eight miles from the city centre. Dunedin is a planned city: its streets and suburbs fan out from the city's octagon.
Christchurch to Tauranga
Day 6 Christchurch
Arrive 8am, Depart 6pm
Travel down the tree-lined Avon Rive, tour English-style gardens and drive past a Gothic cathedral. No, it's not England - it's Christchurch, New Zealand's most English city. The colonists who settled Christchurch transformed the treeless landscape by planting European trees and setting aside vast tracts as parkland. Today, parks dot the city, giving Christchurch an old-world ambience that belies its sophisticated style. Settled under the auspices of the Church of England in the mid-1800s, Christchurch is a planned city that flourished with New Zealand's agriculture and sheep industry. At the heart of the city lies Christchurch Cathedral, a Gothic cathedral built of local stone. The port of Lyttelton serves as your gateway to Christchurch.
Day 7 Wellington
Arrive 8am, Depart 6pm
New Zealand's capital offers stunning views of forested peninsulas, dramatic cliff-side homes and fine Victorian buildings. Settled in 1840 by the London-based New Zealand Company, "wonderful, windy Wellington" is frequently buffeted by bracing winds funnelling through Cook Strait. The sophisticated metropolis boasts museums, winding streets and even a cable car. No wonder many travellers compare it to San Francisco. Despite its steep hills, Wellington is explored easily on foot. Kelburn Cable Car, stairways and footpaths climb the slopes from the city centre.
Day 8 At Sea
Day 9 Tauranga
Arrive 6:45am, Depart 6pm
New Zealand's natural bounty is always on display at the Bay of Plenty. It was Captain James Cook who in 1769 aptly named this body of water, thanks to the prosperous Maori villages of the region. Tauranga, the chief city, is a bustling port, an agricultural and timber centre and a popular seaside resort. Tauranga is also the gateway to Rotorua - a geothermal wonderland that is the heart of Maori culture. A 90-minute drive from Tauranga, Rotorua is New Zealand's primary tourist attraction. Your ship docks near the foot of Mt. Maunganui, which rises 761 feet above the Bay. Across the harbour, Tauranga offers scenic tidal beaches at Omokoroa and Pahoia. The region boasts fine beaches, big-game fishing, thermal springs and seaside resorts.
Auckland to Sydney
Day 10 Auckland
Arrive 6:30am, Depart 7pm
Straddling a narrow isthmus created by 60 different volcanoes, New Zealand's former capital boasts scenic beauty, historical interest and a cosmopolitan collection of shops, restaurants, museums, galleries and gardens. Rangitoto, Auckland's largest and youngest volcano, sits in majestic splendour just offshore. Mt. Eden and One Tree Hill, once home to Maori earthworks, overlook the city. One of New Zealand's fine wine districts lies to the north of Auckland. Auckland served as New Zealand's capital from 1841 until 1865 when the seat of government moved to Wellington.
Day 11 Bay of Islands
Arrive 7am, Depart 5pm
The Bay of Islands offers more than broad vistas of sea and sky, more than beaches, boating, and fabulous water sports. The Bay is the birthplace of modern New Zealand. Here the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, establishing British rule and granting the native inhabitants equal status. Rich in legend and mystery, the Bay of Islands has age-old ties to the Maori and to whalers, missionaries and New Zealand's early settlers.
Days 12-13 At sea
Day 14 Sydney
Arrive 6am
Sydney to New Zealand cruise
Upgrades:
Upgrade to a Princess Plus or Princess Premier fare to include Beverage and Wi-Fi package.
Multiple departures available, pricing and itinerary will vary. Pricing based on 5 February 2024 departure:
This trip is: Moderate
Leisurely pace with increased walking on uneven ground and cobblestone surfaces, climbing and descending stairs, plus standing for a reasonable length of time in museums or at points of interest. You must be able to get on/off transportation unassisted, manage distances at airports and railway stations without assistance, and handle your luggage as required. Please note: Whilst most cruises (apart from active expedition cruises) feature moderate activity, many smaller ships and river cruise ships have extensive stairways and no elevators. Ask your RAA Travel sales consultant for up-to-date information on river or ocean cruise ship accessibility. Please carefully consider your ability to meet the physical demands of the tour.