12 Night New Zealand Journey Of Discovery
This is a 12 night journey of discovery into New Zealand’s heart and soul. The itinerary follows the east coast of both the North and South Islands, affording many opportunities to explore the land, meet the people and interact with some of the unique native wildlife of this amazingly diverse and ultimately satisfying destination.
Comparable in size and/or shape to Great Britain, Colorado or Japan, New Zealand has a population of only 4 million - making it one of the world's least crowded countries. A temperate climate with relatively small seasonal variation makes it an ideal year-round holiday destination.
The Maori were New Zealand's first settlers. They made an epic journey from the legendary Hawaiki, probably in Polynesia to the north of New Zealand, about 1000 years ago. The great explorer Kupe, who legend says first discovered New Zealand, named the new land Aotearoa - Land of the Long White Cloud.
The first documented European to discover New Zealand was Dutch navigator Abel Tasman, who came here in 1642 in search of the fabled great southern continent. Over a 125 years later, Captain James Cook claimed it for Britain in 1769 and produced a map of the country.
From Auckland, the aptly named City of Sails in the north, through to whale-watching off the Kaikoura coastline; photographing birdlife in exotic mainland colonies, to enjoying a traditional Maori welcome and cultural show; from experiencing the tranquility of the deep Fiordland waterways to embracing the remoteness of the rugged eastern coast line.
| CRUISE ITINERARY | ||
| Day | Southbound | Northbound |
| 1 | Depart Auckland | Depart Milford Sound |
| 2 | White Island | Dusky Fiord |
| 3 | Gisborne | Stewart Is. |
| 4 | Napier | Dunedin |
| 5 | Marlborough Sounds | Akaroa |
| 6 | Marlborough Sounds | Kaikoura |
| 7 | Kaikoura | Marlborough Sounds |
| 8 | Akaroa | Coastal Cruise |
| 9 | Dunedin | Napier |
| 10 | Stewart Is. | Gisborne |
| 11 | Dusky Fiord | White Island |
| 12 | Doubtful Fiord | Mercury Islands |
| 13 | Arrive Milford Sound | Arrive Auckland |
