Australia & New Zealand (13 days)

13 days • World / Long

🚢 Book this cruise — Princess Cruises · $1699

🧭 The trip

Embark on a refined 13-day voyage across the Tasman Sea, specifically curated for the seasoned traveler who values comfort, culture, and the majesty of the Southern Hemisphere. This itinerary perfectly balances the vibrant urban energy of Sydney and Melbourne with the serene, breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand’s South and North Islands. We move at a pace that allows you to savor every moment, from the dramatic peaks of the fjords to the rich tapestry of Maori heritage. Designed for those who appreciate world-class service, the journey emphasizes accessibility, intellectual enrichment, and the sheer joy of discovery without the rush. Whether you are sipping a flat white in a Melbourne laneway or listening to the echoes of history in a Dunedin castle, this cruise offers the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. It is more than a vacation; it is a grand southern odyssey crafted for those who have earned the time to see the world properly.

🗓️ Day by day — full guide

Day 1

⚓ Sydney, Australia 📍 Full local guide →

Board; sail under the Harbour Bridge

🍽️Food: Enjoy a classic Australian meat pie or a fresh seafood platter at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, easy to digest and perfect for a light lunch.

Café Sydneyℹ️

Doyles on the Beachℹ️

The Tea Cosyℹ️

👀See & do: The Royal Botanic Garden offers flat, paved paths with stunning harbor views. Alternatively, relax at the Circular Quay promenade to watch the ferries glide by.

Royal Botanic Garden Sydneyℹ️

Sydney Opera Houseℹ️

🎉Events & evenings: The evening sail-away party on the top deck provides a magnificent view of the city skyline as it illuminates at twilight.

🎉

Vivid Sydney
📅 Late May to mid-June

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🎉

Sydney Royal Easter Show
📅 March or April

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🎉

New Year's Eve Fireworks
📅 December 31

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Day 2

⚓ Sydney 📍 Full local guide →

Opera House tour, Bondi Beach coach

🍽️Food: Indulge in a pavlova, a light meringue-based dessert topped with seasonal passionfruit, available at most harbor-side cafes.

Doyles on the Beachℹ️

The Tea Room QVBℹ️

Café Sydneyℹ️

👀See & do: The Opera House tour features elevators and accessible seating. Bondi’s coastal walk has benches placed frequently for rest and ocean gazing.

Royal Botanic Gardenℹ️

Art Gallery of New South Walesℹ️

🎉Events & evenings: Check the Sydney Opera House schedule for a matinee performance; the acoustics are world-renowned and the seating is very comfortable.

🎉

Vivid Sydney
📅 Late May to mid-June

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🎉

Sydney Royal Easter Show
📅 Easter (March/April)

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🎉

New Year's Eve Fireworks
📅 December 31

ℹ️

Day 3

⚓ At Sea

Tasman Sea crossing

🍽️Food: The ship’s afternoon tea service is a must, featuring delicate finger sandwiches and warm scones with clotted cream.

👀See & do: The expansive library on the observation deck is the perfect spot to watch the horizon. Keep an eye out for wandering albatrosses following the ship.

🎉Events & evenings: Attend a guest speaker series in the main lounge, focusing on the maritime history of the early explorers of the Pacific.

Day 4

⚓ Melbourne, Australia 📍 Full local guide →

City tram tour, laneways & coffee culture

🍽️Food: Melbourne is famous for its 'flat white' coffee; pair it with a buttery almond croissant from a local bakery in the Block Arcade.

Hopetoun Tea Roomsℹ️

Grossi Florentinoℹ️

Pellegrini's Espresso Barℹ️

👀See & do: Federation Square is level and spacious, while the Royal Botanic Gardens offer gentle golf-cart tours for a comfortable experience.

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoriaℹ️

National Gallery of Victoria (NGV International)ℹ️

🎉Events & evenings: The Queen Victoria Market is a local institution; wander the covered aisles for artisan crafts and high-quality Australian wool products.

🎉

Australian Open
📅 January

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🎉

Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show
📅 March

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🎉

Melbourne Cup Carnival
📅 November

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Day 5

⚓ At Sea

Tasman Sea crossing

🍽️Food: The ship’s afternoon tea service is a must, featuring delicate finger sandwiches and warm scones with clotted cream.

👀See & do: The expansive library on the observation deck is the perfect spot to watch the horizon. Keep an eye out for wandering albatrosses following the ship.

🎉Events & evenings: Attend a guest speaker series in the main lounge, focusing on the maritime history of the early explorers of the Pacific.

Day 6

⚓ Dunedin, New Zealand 📍 Full local guide →

Larnach Castle & Otago Peninsula

🍽️Food: Try a bowl of hearty New Zealand lamb stew, which is tender and seasoned with local herbs.

Speight's Ale Houseℹ️

Vault 21ℹ️

The Perc Cafeℹ️

👀See & do: Larnach Castle has beautiful gardens that are mostly flat. The Otago Peninsula drive offers incredible wildlife vistas from the comfort of your seat.

Dunedin Railway Stationℹ️

Olveston Historic Homeℹ️

Dunedin Botanic Gardenℹ️

🎉Events & evenings: Visit the Dunedin Railway Station, a stunning piece of architecture that often hosts local craft markets.

🎉

Dunedin Fringe Festival
📅 March

ℹ️

🎉

New Zealand International Science Festival
📅 July (Biennial)

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🎉

Dunedin Midwinter Carnival
📅 June

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Day 7

⚓ Akaroa 📍 Full local guide →

French village charm, dolphin cruise

🍽️Food: Sample local Akaroa salmon, known for its buttery texture, served in almost any waterfront bistro.

Bully Hayes Restaurant & Barℹ️

The Little Bistroℹ️

Akaroa Fish & Chipsℹ️

👀See & do: The village is small and picturesque; take a slow stroll through the Giant’s House gardens. The dolphin cruise is smooth and offers comfortable indoor viewing areas.

The Giants Houseℹ️

Akaroa Waterfront Promenadeℹ️

🎉Events & evenings: Browse the local boutique shops selling French-inspired ceramics and lavender products.

🎉

Akaroa French Festival
📅 October (Biennial)

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🎉

Hector's Dolphin Sightings
📅 December - March

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🎉

Akaroa Summer Festival
📅 January - February

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Day 8

⚓ Wellington, New Zealand 📍 Full local guide →

Te Papa museum, cable car

🍽️Food: Try a 'Wellington-style' hot chocolate or a savory cheese scone from a local cafe near the waterfront.

Logan Brownℹ️

Nikau Cafeℹ️

Chocolate Fish Cafeℹ️

👀See & do: Te Papa Museum is entirely accessible with elevators and wide corridors. The Cable Car provides a seated, scenic ride to the Botanic Garden summit.

Te Papa Tongarewa Museumℹ️

Wellington Botanic Gardenℹ️

🎉Events & evenings: The Wellington waterfront often hosts weekend artisan markets featuring local painters and jewelry makers.

🎉

New Zealand Festival of the Arts
📅 February-March (Biennial)

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🎉

Wellington on a Plate
📅 August

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🎉

Christmas at the Waterfront
📅 December

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Day 9

⚓ Tauranga (Rotorua) 📍 Full local guide →

Maori village, geysers & thermal pools

🍽️Food: Experience a Hāngī-style meal, where food is slow-cooked in the earth; it is incredibly tender and culturally significant.

Mount Bistroℹ️

Harbourside Waterfront Diningℹ️

Picnic Cafeℹ️

👀See & do: Te Puia offers boardwalks that make viewing the geysers easy and safe. The thermal pools are soothing for joints and offer a quiet, restorative experience.

Te Puia (Rotorua)ℹ️

Mount Maunganui Beach and Base Trackℹ️

🎉Events & evenings: A traditional Maori cultural performance, including the Haka, is a moving and essential experience held daily at the village.

🎉

Tauranga Arts Festival
📅 October (Biennial)

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🎉

Rotorua Night Market
📅 Every Thursday evening

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🎉

Summer Concert Series
📅 January - February

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Day 10

⚓ Auckland, New Zealand 📍 Full local guide →

Sky Tower, harbor walk

🍽️Food: Enjoy fresh New Zealand green-lipped mussels, a local delicacy that is both delicious and packed with health benefits.

Orbit 360 Diningℹ️

The Fed (Federal Delicatessen)ℹ️

Depot Eateryℹ️

👀See & do: The Sky Tower has high-speed elevators and panoramic viewing decks. The Viaduct Harbour area is flat and perfect for a gentle stroll.

Auckland Domain and Wintergardensℹ️

Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarterℹ️

🎉Events & evenings: Check the Auckland Art Gallery schedule for world-class exhibitions that are quiet and easy to navigate.

🎉

Auckland Lantern Festival
📅 February

ℹ️

🎉

Auckland Arts Festival
📅 March

ℹ️

🎉

Farmers Santa Parade
📅 November

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Day 11

⚓ Bay of Islands 📍 Full local guide →

Historic Russell, dolphin watching

🍽️Food: Enjoy a fresh fish and chips lunch on the wharf, a classic Kiwi tradition that is simple and satisfying.

Charlotte's Kitchenℹ️

Duke of Marlborough Hotelℹ️

Alfresco's Restaurant & Barℹ️

👀See & do: The Pompallier Mission and Printery in Russell offers a fascinating, easy-to-walk look at early colonial history.

Waitangi Treaty Groundsℹ️

Russell Waterfrontℹ️

🎉Events & evenings: Spend your evening at the ship's lounge for a 'Kiwi Wine Tasting' event, featuring world-renowned Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

🎉

Bay of Islands Sailing Week
📅 Late January

ℹ️

🎉

Waitangi Day
📅 February 6

ℹ️

🎉

Winter Wildlife Season
📅 June - August

ℹ️

Day 12

⚓ At Sea

Tasman Sea crossing

🍽️Food: The ship’s afternoon tea service is a must, featuring delicate finger sandwiches and warm scones with clotted cream.

👀See & do: The expansive library on the observation deck is the perfect spot to watch the horizon. Keep an eye out for wandering albatrosses following the ship.

🎉Events & evenings: Attend a guest speaker series in the main lounge, focusing on the maritime history of the early explorers of the Pacific.

Day 13

⚓ Sydney, Australia 📍 Full local guide →

Board; sail under the Harbour Bridge

🍽️Food: Enjoy a classic Australian meat pie or a fresh seafood platter at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, easy to digest and perfect for a light lunch.

Café Sydneyℹ️

Doyles on the Beachℹ️

The Tea Cosyℹ️

👀See & do: The Royal Botanic Garden offers flat, paved paths with stunning harbor views. Alternatively, relax at the Circular Quay promenade to watch the ferries glide by.

Royal Botanic Garden Sydneyℹ️

Sydney Opera Houseℹ️

🎉Events & evenings: The evening sail-away party on the top deck provides a magnificent view of the city skyline as it illuminates at twilight.

🎉

Vivid Sydney
📅 Late May to mid-June

ℹ️

🎉

Sydney Royal Easter Show
📅 March or April

ℹ️

🎉

New Year's Eve Fireworks
📅 December 31

ℹ️

🎯 Ready to book? Check live prices:

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