New Zealand Cruise - from Timaru - 129248

'The harbour town of Tauranga lies 200 km South-East of Auckland at the Bay of Plenty. It was built at the beginning of the 19th century on peninsulae connected by bridges. The bustling focal point of the town is the beach promenade with the Coronation Pier, from where pleasure boats and ferries set off for the neighbouring town of Mount Maunganui, which was built at the foot of a 232 metre high volcano, from where you can enjoy a fantastic view of white beaches and the harbour. Tauranga's greatest attraction is the Tauranga District Museum and Historic Village, where you can see 85 reconstructed and restored buildings from the time of Colonialism, including a Maori village, a pioneer settlement and military barracks dating from the territorial wars. 5 km to the East of Tauranga, Kiwifruit Country, a Disneyland-style funpark is also a great magnet for tourists.

With a population in excess of 1 million, Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand. It lies between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasmanian See. It got its nickname the "City of Sails" on account of the "thousand ships" moored in its harbour. The city spans an 11 km wide sound of volcanic rocks and is a paradise for watersports fans. To the North of Auckland, Leigh Marine Reserve provides plenty of opportunity for every imaginable kind of underwater activity. The main cultural attraction is the Auckland Museum.

The "Bay of Islands" is one of the most beautiful areas in New Zealand and fascinates visitors with around 144 islands abundant with flora and fauna. The main attraction is Cape Brett with the huge natural arch, the "Hole in the Rock". This is a huge rock fragment in the sea with a whole in it so large that, when the sea is calm, ferries can sail through it. From the main town in the bay, Paihia, you can take a boat trip to the islands in the bay or to the northern tip of New Zealand. Other places in the bay worth visiting are: Waitangi with its Maori meeting house, Kerikeri with "Mission Kemp House", the whaling station "Russell" with the oldest preserved church on New Zealand and Kawakawamit with the Waiomio Caves and the Maori fort "Ruapekapeka Pa".

'The 'sugar city' of Lautoka, an economic and cultural centre, is the second-largest city on the Fiji Islands. The main palm-lined street gives the city a friendly feel. Mosques, Hindu temples and Christian churches bear witness to the turbulent past and the diverse population. There are several restaurants and hotels, but the highlight is an excellent art gallery at a hotel direct by the water. Lautoka is also the starting point for many tours to the neighbouring islands.