Highlights of Australia & New Zealand Cruise

Highlights of Australia & New Zealand

Tours Starts: Sydney, Australia

Tours Ends: Auckland, New Zealand

Days 1 & 2

Depart for Sydney

Overnight in flight

Note: Depending on the departure time of your outbound flight, you may depart one day later

Day 3

Arrive in Sydney, Australia

Arrive in Sydney, Australia’s most populous city. If you purchased airline tickets from YMT Vacations, a YMT representative will welcome you at the airport and transport you to the hotel. This evening, relax on your own.

Sydney Travelodge or similar

Day 4

Sydney City Tour

Enjoy a city tour in the morning and visit The Rocks, Sydney's birthplace. See relics and buildings of the city's past, pass the picturesque Botanic Gardens, and take in the view of the Sydney Opera House before enjoying the rest of the day at leisure. (B)

Sydney Travelodge or similar

OPTION: SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE TOUR:

More than 60 years ago, Jorn Utzon designed what is now considered one of the greatest buildings of all time. Your guide will take you on an emotional journey inside this modern masterpiece! $79 p/p.

Day 5

Embarkation in Sydney (Departs 5:00 PM)

Enjoy the day at leisure before boarding the ms Oosterdam. (B).

Day 6

Eden, Australia (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM)

The town’s name reflects what you will find inside this natural wonderland. Eden is nestled among national parks, wilderness areas, and enticing beaches. It’s considered one of Australia’s best locations for oyster farming, so bring your appetite. Eden and its surrounding landscapes offer an abundance of outdoor activities on the water and by land.

Day 7

At Sea

Day 8

Burnie (Tasmania), Australia (6:00 AM – 5:00 PM)

A collection of artisans on the northwest coast of the island of Tasmania, Burnie has a long history as a community of makers—enjoy locally crafted European-style cheeses, fine papers, ceramics, and single-malt whiskey.

Day 9

Melbourne (Port of Geelong), Australia (8:00 AM – Noon)

Melbourne is Australia’s cultural capital, with remarkable architecture, elegant galleries, and boutiques. Wave at a wallaby or say g’day to a dingo at one of the many local wildlife parks.

Days 10 & 11

At Sea

Day 12

Cruise Milford Sound

Milford Sound is a fusion of spectacular natural features. Rugged cliffs rise vertically from the dark waters, as mountain peaks scrape the sky and towering waterfalls cascade downwards.

Day 13

Fiordland National Park

Explore Middle Earth's mountains, lakes, rainforests, and fiords! The Lord of the Rings franchise was famously filmed in Fiordland

Day 14

Dunedin (Port Chalmers), New Zealand (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM)

This South Island coastal town offers a mix of unique natural beauty and history.

Day 15

Lyttelton (Christchurch), New Zealand (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)

Christchurch feels in many ways like a rural English village, with an abundance of lush green spaces, and Edwardian punting boats cruising gently along the Avon River. The scenic Canterbury region stretches from the ocean to the Southern Alps, offering phenomenal opportunities for wildlife viewing and winetasting. Thanks to its mild climate and rich soil, New Zealand’s many varieties of New World wines are especially good.

Day 16

Wellington, New Zealand (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)

New Zealand's capital is located at the southern tip of the North Island and blessed with a beautiful waterfront, fresh seafood, and glorious views. Wellington is known for its unique culture and cuisine. Learn about New Zealand culture and Maori history at Te Papa, the national museum; go behind the scenes of the Lord of the Rings movies; and sample the world-class dishes of New Zealand’s innovative chefs, brewers, bakers, and coffee roasters.

Day 17

Napier, New Zealand (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)

The coastal city of Napier is set amid the renowned wine-producing region of Hawke's Bay. Rebuilt after a 1931 earthquake, the city is known for art deco landmarks like the zigzag-patterned Daily Telegraph Building. It feels like an exotic re-imagining of the 30s in parts of Napier, with the era’s most iconic visual elements co-mingling with Maori motifs.

Day 18

Gisborne, New Zealand (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)

The Gisborne region, also known as Tairawhiti, is home to one of New Zealand’s largest populations of Maori people. These descendants of Polynesian settlers are exceptionally generous to visitors, and welcome guests to learn about their indigenous culture and art at the Tairawhiti Museum. Beyond Gisborne’s city limits, the area’s long stretches of sand and protected breaks draw surfers, swimmers, and sunrise watchers who want to be the first in the world to greet a new day.

Day 19

Tauranga (Rotorua), New Zealand (7:00 AM – 6:00 PM)

Discover Rotorua, known for its natural beauty. Visit Te Wairoa's Buried Village, a Pompeii-like town frozen in time after being smothered by a volcanic eruption in 1886. Look for Hell’s Gate, a geothermal park with boiling pools, geysers and mud baths.

Day 20

Disembarkation and Auckland City tour (Arrives at 7:00 AM)

After disembarking, enjoy an included sightseeing tour of Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. Cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge to Auckland’s North Shore and the village of Davenport known for its chocolates, art, and cafes. Explore the Auckland Museum's collections on the history of New Zealand.

Grand Merucure or similar

Day 21

Depart for Home (B)

Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tours vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights.