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Day 1: Sydney, Australia This cruise starts in Sydney, Australia's showpiece city. Sydney’s sparkling harbour is the heart of this richly cultural city, and it is overlooked by the metallic curves of the masterpiece of the Sydney Opera House, and the magnificently arched harbour bridge. After we board the luxurous Silver Nova cruiseship, our home-away-from-home for the next 13 days, we will have time to settle in before we meet our group at one of the ship's elegant restaurants for our welcome cocktails to toast the upcoming adventures that await us, followed by the welcome dinner to share in the anticipation and the excitement of visiting Australia and New Zealand. Day 2: Eden, Australia Today, we'll arrive in New South Wales town of Eden, overlooking the scenic Twofold Bay and surrounded by Ben Boyd National Park. We will take a scenic cruise excursion through the pristine bays and along idyllic beaches to spot dolphins and seals common to this region. We will also explore the history of this whaling port with stops at a whaling station and Boyd's Tower which was initially devised as a lighthouse and later used as a lookout to spot wales. We will enjoy an elegant afternoon tea before returning to our ship. Day 3: Day at Sea Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring the coastal sites. Throughout the day, we'll be able to indulge in gourmet dining experiences, as we savor delectable cuisine prepared by world-class chefs and paired with exquisite wines. Day 4: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia Mount Wellington's looming, cloud-wisped form is an ever-present sight as we explore the booming city of Hobart, a former British penal colony, and now the cosmopolitan capital of Australia's most southerly state. During today's excursion, we will visit the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary for orphaned or injured animals including Tasmania devils, quolls, wombats, kangaroos and wallabies. Afterwards, we will enjoy a guided walking tour of the historic town of Richmond with free time to discover the city's galleries, cafes, and boutiques before returning to the ship in the afternoon. Day 5: Day at Sea Today, we will be able to take a break from busy shore explorations, as we relax and recharge aboard the luxurious Silver Nova ship, perhaps enjoying the pool and lounge areas. Tonight, we will toast the New Year as we celebrate all we have seen so far and anticipate our adventures yet-to-come. Day 6: Day at Sea Happy New Year! Sleeping in after our late night, today is another lazy day aboard our luxury ship. Whether your New Year's Resolution is to enjoy a pampering spa treatment or a session at the gym, or just reading a good book, today is the day to get started on your goals. Day 7: Cruising Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound, New Zealand Today, we will reach the shores of New Zealand and we are in for a treat as we cruise first Milford Sound, and later Doubtful Sound. Milford Sound sits within South Island’s Fiordland National Park, one of the four national parks forming the UNESCO World Heritage site “Te Wahipounamu” – pounamu being the local greenstone highly estimated for carvings by the Maori. Steep cliffs, several impressive waterfalls and dense rainforest characterize the fjord. Apart from bottlenose dolphins in the fjord, New Zealand fur seals can be seen resting on Seal Rock on the northern shore, while on the opposite side is a Fiordland Crested Penguin site. The Doubtful Sound is surrounded by dense forest and is rife with wildlife and birdsong. Here, we can expect to get up close and personal with fur seals and pods of bottlenose dolphins. Doubtful Sound is home to the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin, so we'll be sure to keep our binoculars ready. The region is famous for its 23 inches of annual rainfall, yet despite the potential mist, Doubtful Sound remains majestic. Day 8: Day at sea Days at sea are never boring as our luxury ship has endless opportunites for rest and relaxation with shopping, a casino, observation areas to perhaps spot wildlife, lounging by the pool and enjoying a drink, or trying one of the many restaurants aboard. Maybe you want to listen to live music, participate in a trivia game, or just chat with new friends. Take the opportunity to recharge as we have more busy days ahead of us! Day 9: Dunedin (Port Chalmers), New Zealand As we continue sailing along the south-easterly coast of New Zealand's wild South Island, we'll arrive at Dunedin, a cosmopolitan city of culture and architectural splendor, with a distinctly tartan flare. Settled by the Scots in 1848, the romantically misty valleys and moody landscapes continue to capture the hearts of visitors to these distant shores. Searing bagpipes echo down the streets in the Edinburgh of the South, which wears its Scottish origins proudly. Gothic revival architecture is scattered liberally, including the magnificent university, with its stunning clocktower, and the city's grand cathedral. The highlight of the day will be our guided tour of New Zealand's only castle, a magnificent neo-Gothic estate commanding the highest point on Otago Peninsula. Day 10: Lyttelton (Christchurch), New Zealand Christchurch has an unmistakable English flavor to it and New Zealand's ‘Garden City’ is a place of quiet streets, leafy parks and beautiful tree-lined boulevards. We will take a tour of the city and marvel at the panoramic views of extinct volcanoes, soaring lakes, and the rolling farmlands of the Canterbury Plains. A stop at the stunning Mona Vale gardens will allow us to stroll through the lush flora and fauna, before reboarding the bus, to travel to the city center for a narrated drive past the city's highlights. Devastated by earthquakes in 2011, Christchurch is constantly changing as the city continues to rebuild. A city that has faced immense challenges, both natural and manmade, over the last decade, and it's hard not to feel inspired by Christchurch's defiant character and friendly people, who share an open and welcoming outlook that shines stronger than ever. Day 11: Wellington, New Zealand Sprawling around a hook-shaped peninsula, Wellington is a vibrant and energetic seaside capital. Today's adventure will start as we ascend 390 feet over a length of 2,000 feet on the 111-year-old Wellington Cable Car to marvel at the breath-taking panoramic views over the city's rolling hills, Wellington Harbour, and beyond. After we descend, we will continue to the Zealandia Ecosanctuary for a two-hour walking tour among this unique 550 acre conservation area protected by a five-mile predator-proof fence. Our guide will point some of New Zealand's rarest species, including saddleback and hihi birds, which were brought back from the brink of extinction. We will have a free afternoon to wander along the breezy waterfront and to admire the surfers riding the wind-whipped rollers of the self-proclaimed 'coolest little capital in the world'. Day 12: Napier, New Zealand Today, we'll get to experience the Art Deco beauty of Napier. Following the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 1931, the city was rebuilt in the art deco architectural fashion of the time, leaving an authentic treasure-trove of 30s style buildings. We will enjoy a scenic excursion aboard the elegant Hawke's Bay Express, a modern road-train with the look and feel of an old-fashioned steam engine, featuring velvet-covered cushioned seats, spacious carriage benches, tall windows, polished wooden floors, and crimson-tasseled curtains. As the bell rings and whistle blows, we will be transported back in time for an Art Deco experience along scenic Marine Parade with its' seascape view of Cape Kidnappers, given its name following a clash between Captain Cook’s settlers and the local Maori population. Continuing through the elegant city center of Napier, we will enjoy some of the world's most stunning examples of Art Deco architecture before leaving the town center to visit Bluff Hill, an older area featuring early settlers' homes, and continuing on to Ahuriri, an old port village, where we will learn about New Zealand's culture and hear the fascinating Maori legends.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodations: Silver Nova Day 13: Day at Sea Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side. Day 14: Auckland, New Zealand Sadly, today we say goodbye to the beautiful coasts of Australia and New Zealand fringed with gorgeous beaches and turquoise water. Depending on your scheduled departure time, you may have time to explore Auckland. Known as the ‘City of Sails’, its two harbours will tempt you with waterfront walks, and the chance to breathe fresh sea air deep into your lungs while absorbing spectacular views of Auckland’s grand harbour bridge’s span.
Meals: Breakfast Accommodations: Silver Nova
Itinerary specifics subject to change. New Zealand: Maori Culture | Maori Legend | New Zealand Wine | Books & Movies |