New Zealand Cruise - from Sydney - 118933

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".

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 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.

Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, is surrounded by an untouched mountain landscape. It has excellent shopping facilities, a professional theatre and cafés and restaurants to suit every taste. Wellington is just two kilometres wide and, as such, can be easily explored on foot. 'Te Papa', New Zealand's National Museum, is located directly by the harbour. The city is home to both the parliament building and many historic buildings and museums that bring New Zealand's history to life.

Dunedin, the Gaelic name for the port city of Edinburgh, is famous for its historic buildings. The city's architecture is mainly Victorian, Edwardian and Flemish in style. The second-largest city on South Island with a population of roughly 120,000, was founded by the Scots in the mid-19th century. The city centre is at the "Octogon", an eight-sided town square surrounded by lots of cafés and museums. Sights include: the oldest university in New Zealand with a stylised clock tower, the Dominican Prioriat, the whisky distillery, and Otago Early Settler Museum.

"Dusky Sound" is the largest fjord in New Zealand. The sight of this massive fjord apparently also impressed Cook, who returned for several weeks following his discovery in 1770, to further explore the landscape.

The wide, remote area of the untouched "Doubtful Sound" fjord is sure to leave visitors lost for words. Due to heavy rainfall, there is a layer of fresh water measuring several metres on top of the seawater, which absorbs light through the leached remains of plants. This is why coral, usually found only at lower depths, grows here just a few metres below the surface. The fjord is also home to dolphins, penguins and brown fur seals.

The seafarers' town lies at the mouth of the Derwent River at the foot of Mount Wellington. The capital of the smallest Australian state (Tasmania) was founded in 1803 as a prison colony. Nowadays, Hobart's image is shaped by houses from the colonial era and spacious parks. The town is also home to the 'tasmanian devil'. Sights include: Anglesea Barracks, the parliament building and the "Cascade" brewery.

Melbourne is an Australian metropolis founded by settlers in 1835. Unlike Sydney or Hobart, Melbourne was never a prison colony. The city has an individual tradition with beautiful architecture and enchanting art and culture. As well as the settlers, you will also encounter the indigenous people of Austrialia, the Aborigines, in the city. Melbourne has a large number of shopping, cultural, sport and recreational facilities, making it extremely attractive to visitors. Sights include: the city's tram system, the Botanic Gardens, Melbourne University, the Convention Centre and Carlton District Crown.