New Zealand Cruise - from Auckland - 132871

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.

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".

Noumea is the perfect place for deep-sea fishing, a helicopter trip over the breathtaking landscape or just relaxing on a catamaran. Anyone who would like to find out more about the indigenous people of the island can visit the outstanding cultural centre at Kanak Path.

Founded in 1864 by Robert Towns, the city today has a double name ("Townsville"). It is the starting point for excursions to Magnetic Island (lined with palm-trees and paradise beaches) but Townsville itself also has a lot to offer. Townsville's aquarium, the Great Barrier Reef Wonderland, is a first-class aquarium with a live coral reef, which visitors can even walk through thanks to the glass underwater tunnel. The colourful Great Barrier Reef lies just off the coast of Townsville. Here, visitors can dive to the huge area of coral or swim in the shallow waters.

Cairns, the capital of the "Far North" region is full of that tropical lust for life. As the secret "backpacker capital" of Australia, it has an almost magical pull on young travellers thanks to the seemingly limitless recreational activities it has to offer. It is far easier to reach the Great Barrier Reef from here than from central Queensland. The crystal-clear waters, palm-lined islands and sandbanks attract divers and snorkellers in particular, making the two offshore islands, Green Island and Fitzroy Island, hugely popular holiday destinations. The outer reef loved by divers is around 50 km away. In the near vicinity are untouched sections of coast and a mysterious wilderness of rainforest backed by a high mountain range.