Best of Australia & New Zealand by Cruise
Cruising
Enjoy the very best of New Zealand and some of Australia's favourite cities on this amazing cruise holiday aboard Holland America Line's ms Oosterdam.
The ms Oosterdam is a fascinating destination in her own right; with a great new bar, entertainment and dining venues, there is something for everyone on this ship. Furthermore, the suites have been completely reimagined offering a tranquil and relaxing setting.
On board, enjoy live entertainment with Music Walk, including Lincoln Centre Stage, B.B. King's Blues Club and Billboard Onboard. Learn culinary skills at a cooking show or hands-on workshop with America's Test Kitchen. Enrich your travel experience at the Exploration Central atop the shop, offering local insights, activities and cultural encounters or perhaps explore the natural world with BBC Earth Experiences available on board.
Product Ref: 512447
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Your Itinerary
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Day 1-2
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Day 3-5
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Day 6
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Day 7
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Day 8
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Day 9
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Day 10
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Day 11-12
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Day 13
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Day 14
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Day 15
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Day 16
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Day 17
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Day 18
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Day 19
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Day 20-22
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Day 23
Day 1-2 : Depart UK - Arrive Sydney
Leave the UK for your overnight flight Down Under.
Arrive into Sydney and make your way to your downtown hotel for a three night stay.
Day 3-5 : Sydney
Free time to explore Sydney, a vibrant Australian gem, offering a kaleidoscope of activities. Scale the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge for breathtaking views, surf the waves at Bondi Beach, or explore the historic Rocks district. Immerse yourself in culture at the Art Gallery of NSW, savor diverse cuisines in Darling Harbour, and cap off the day with a sunset ferry ride. Sydney's dynamic blend of nature, culture, and adventure awaits!
Day 6 : Embark Ship
A free morning before making your way to the cruise terminal to board the ms Oosterdam early afternoon. Be on deck as the ship sets sail and see the Harbour Bridge and Opera House disappear in the distance
Day 7 : At Sea
Enjoy the ship facilities as you cruise the Tasman sea.
Day 8 : Melbourne
Melbourne is consistently voted one of the world's most liveable cities - and for good reason. This is Australia's cosmopolitan heart with cutting-edge art and architecture, historic galleries, attractions and museums, plus a dizzying range of restaurants, bistros, markets and bars. It's a melting pot of cultures and a city of gourmands who demand excellent food and find it everywhere-from modern Australian cuisine and delicious Asian fusion fare to low-key cafes serving the best coffee you've ever tasted.
Day 9 : Day at Sea
Enjoy the ship facilities as you cruise the sea.
Day 10 : Hobart
Hobart has one of the world's best museums of contemporary art, vibrant markets, a cosmopolitan dining scene and eclectic music festivals. It's also achingly beautiful, with a natural harbour setting and rugged Mount Wellington looming in the background.
Day 11-12 : At Sea
Relax and enjoy your onboard facilities as you head for New Zealand.
Day 13 : Milford Sound & Fiordland National Park
Milford Sound, or Piopiotahi (its name in Maori), sits on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island and was first called the Eighth Wonder of the World by none other than Rudyard Kipling, who had seen some pretty wonderful places. As you sail up the 15 kilometre sound, with soaring snowtopped peaks looming above you'll understand Kipling's enthusiasm. The natural wonders continue offshore: Seals, dolphins and whales frequent these waters.
Day 14 : Dunedin
This is a city with a distinctly Scottish feel. Dunedin's prominence during the gold rush in the late 19th century resulted in many grand Victorian and Edwardian buildings. Thanks to the beautiful University of Otago (the country's oldest), there's a large student population to keep the city vibrant and modern. But Dunedin's heritage is always proudly on display to see in the magnificent Dunedin Railway Station and Larnach Castle
Day 15 : Christchurch
The South Island’s biggest city, Christchurch is now inextricably linked with the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, which leveled the planned city center and many historic buildings.
Day 16 : Picton
Tucked into the north-eastern end of the South Island, the petite and picturesque port town of Picton is your starting point for exploring the region of Marlborough. This seaside gateway connects the majestic maritime beauty known as Queen Charlotte Sound to the luscious wine country of Marlborough, heaven for sauvignon blanc lovers.
Day 17 : Wellington
New Zealand's capital is at the southern tip of the North Island, with a beautiful waterfront and fresh seafood. Politics is a hot topic too, with government workers buzzing about the Beehive, as the distinctive Parliament building is colloquially known. Learn about Maori history and Kiwiana at Te Papa, the national museum; go behind the scenes of the Lord of the Rings movies in Wellywood; and wash down a plate of chilled bluff oysters with a crisp sauvignon blanc at a Cuba Street restaurant.
Day 18 : Napier
Art Deco Napier is a perfect mix of natural and manmade beauty. The historic district, which was mostly constructed after a massive earthquake and subsequent fires destroyed the city in 1931, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. Surrounded by the rolling vineyards of the Hawke's Bay wine region and edged by pristine waters, Napier has attracted a host of culinary innovators that has put it on the foodie map over the past two decades.
Day 19 : Tauranga
The curved shoreline of the Bay of Plenty is home to incredible surfing, white-sand beaches and New Zealand's only active marine volcano. Tauranga, is the largest city on the Bay of Plenty and a great starting point for the world-famous geothermal wonderland of Rotorua
Day 20-22 : Auckland
Arrive in the “City of Sails” this morning and after disembarking make your way to your hotel for a three night stay. Start your day sipping a flat white while you plan your explorations: art gallery crawl, winery tour or volcano hike? It's possible to do all three without losing sight of the Sky Tower, from which you can get a bird's-eye view of the gateway to Aotearoa. You’ll enjoy the sights on an included city tour.
Day 23 : Departure
Transfer to the airport in time for your return flight.
