Travel Dates
Departing 31st Oct 2025
Package Provider: ANZCRO
Package Type: Package
Region: Australia/ New Zealand
Duration: 14 Nights
Adventure, Your Way: Choose 1 of 3 experiences below to add to your pre-cruise package for FREE
1) All Black Experience Auckland
2) Waitomo Glowworm Caves
3) Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari Ancient Forest Guided Tour
Your Holiday Package Includes:
Pricing is per person twin share and based on departures during 31 October – 14 November 2025
Itinerary:
Day 1: Auckland
Arrive in Auckland and collect your rental car before checking into your accommodation. Spend the rest of the day exploring New Zealand’s largest city – stroll along the waterfront, browse boutique shops in Britomart, or visit the Auckland Domain for sweeping city views and a touch of greenery.
Day 2: Auckland - Rotorua
Depart Auckland and enjoy a scenic drive south to Rotorua. Along the way, stop in Matamata to experience the famous Hobbiton Movie Set Tour – wander the charming film set and immerse yourself in Middle-earth. After your tour, continue on to Rotorua and check into your accommodation. For a free activity, take a walk through Kuirau Park, where you’ll find bubbling mud pools and steaming geothermal vents in a central city setting.
Day 3: Rotorua
Spend the morning exploring Rotorua at your own pace – perhaps visit the lakeside, wander through Government Gardens, or pop into local artisan shops. After lunch, unwind with a 2-hour restorative journey at Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa, blending wellness and cultural heritage. In the evening, enjoy a captivating cultural experience at TE PĀ TŪ, where stories, performance, and traditional Māori cuisine come together in a memorable night of connection and celebration.
Day 4: Rotorua - Auckland
After breakfast, begin the drive back to Auckland. Return your rental car upon arrival and prepare for your onward journey or departure. Guests should make their way to the designated hotel where we will spend the first night of the expedition. This evening there will be an informal get-together at the hotel for dinner; an excellent opportunity to meet fellow adventurers on your voyage and some of our expedition team.
Day 5: (Board Cruise) Auckland - Tauranga
Today we enjoy breakfast in the hotel restaurant and have free time to explore Auckland before lunch and embarking Heritage Adventurer. You will have time to settle into your accommodation and familiarise yourself with the ship. You are invited to join the expedition team in the Observation Lounge and up on the Observation Deck as we set our course to Tauranga and our adventure begins.
Day 6: Tauranga/Rotorua
From our berth in Tauranga we drive inland, passing the rich horticultural region of the Bay of Plenty as we travel to the geothermal heartland of Rotorua. Marvel at the abundance of steam vents, geysers and bubbling mud pools as we explore one of the most geologically active regions on the planet and experience Māori arts, crafts and culture.
Day 7: At Sea
Sailing down the scenic North Island, enjoy a day at sea attending lectures, relaxing on board or looking for whales and dolphins from the Observation Deck, Lounge and Bridge as we sail to Wellington.
Day 8: Wellington
New Zealand’s ‘coolest little capital’, Wellington is an exceptional natural harbour, where Heritage Adventurer will be docked in the centre of the action. From here you can easily explore this vibrant city. Visit the cable car, explore the world-renowned Zealandia nature reserve, discover the Botanic Gardens and visit Te Papa New Zealand’s national museum.
Day 9: Kaikōura
World famous for its abundant wildlife, seafood and, recently, dark sky status this picturesque small coastal town boasts a plethora of things to do. Take a walk along the Hinau Track, Point Kean Viewpoint and observe the colony of New Zealand Fur seals and seabirds or continue on to Whalers Bay Lookout. If you’re a keen hiker the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway combines stunning wildlife and views while the quirky town includes fascinating shops, museum and galleries to explore. Options here include joining a whale watching cruise or guided sea kayaking experience.
Day 10: Akaroa
Heritage Adventurer will make her way through the Akaroa heads and anchor in the sheltered waters off Canterbury’s largest harbour. It was here, beneath the eroded volcanic hills of Banks Peninsula, that the French attempted to settle in 1840. The French connection remains to this day with a certain je ne sais quoi imbibing the township of Akaroa. Explore Akaroa, greater Banks Peninsula or one of the local nature walks.
Day 11: Dunedin
This morning sail into the beautiful Otago Harbour, watch closely for Northern Royal Albatross at the Tairoa Head Albatross Colony. Explore the famed fashion-forward city of Dunedin, the Edinburgh of the south, and its rich history as the gateway to Otago. Explore the scenic Otago Peninsula where New Zealand Sea Lions rest and former Bird of the Year Yellow-eyed Penguins/Hoiho can be spotted in one of their last mainland strongholds, and where the beautiful, farmed hills roll down towards white sand beaches.
Day 12: Stewart Island
New Zealand’s third island is well off the usual beaten tourist track. It is a wonderfully tranquil place; the scenery of untouched bushland is stunning. We will enjoy a morning exploring Ulva Island which is rich in history and wildlife, being a predator-free island since 1997 the bird song and wildlife is some of the best. In Paterson Inlet you will have time to explore the sandy beaches of Boulder Bay and West End Beach or just enjoy some time around Post Office Bay and Sydney Cove. Some of the wildlife you may get to see while walking the tracks on Ulva Island include Stewart Island Robin, Stewart Island Weka, South Island Kaka, Kereru (Wood Pigeon), Mohua (Yellowhead), Red-crowned Parakeet, Fantail, Bellbird and Tui. There are many more species that may also be seen, our knowledgeable expedition guides will be listening for bird calls and keeping a close watch in overhead canopies and the surrounding shrubs to identify further species. During our time in Paterson Inlet there will also be the opportunity to explore the quirky town centre Oban in Halfmoon Bay where a drink with a view can be enjoyed at the iconic South Sea Hotel. There are also some beautiful walks in the surrounding forests.
Day 13-14: Fiordland
We have two days to explore the incredible wilderness of Fiordland in the south-west corner of the South Island. This is an area rich in history, majestic scenery and abundant in wildlife. Fiordland was well known to local Māori, with the demi-god Tu-teraki-whanoa being said to have used his adze, Te Hamo, to carve out the region’s fiords. Captain Cook and his crew landed here on HMS Resolution in 1773, they were the first Europeans to visit Fiordland, subsequently spending five weeks in Dusky Sound. Cook’s records of his discovery and maps attracted sealers and whalers. Historically this region is very important and shaped the future of the country. Fiordland’s coast is only accessible by sea, making it the most remote region of New Zealand’s mainland. Waterfalls, streams, rivers, and fiords are enveloped with misty veils that come and go, revealing steep gradients of mountain peaks and sheltered valleys. A rugged terrain, the thickly forested floors are covered with ferns, lichens, and mosses. Bottlenose Dolphins, Fiordland Crested Penguins and Little Blue Penguins are all residents of the fiords; during our time here we will look for them. Our schedule gives us the flexibility to visit as much as possible, areas we plan to explore include Doubtful, Dusky and Milford Sound, Acheron Passage, Astronomer’s Point and Pickersgill Harbour. Enjoy a stunning sunset cruise in one of New Zealand’s most iconic destinations, Milford Sound. During our time in Dusky Sound there will be the optional opportunity to experience an unforgettable helicopter flight through the Sound swooping down alongside Cooper Island and Cook Channel with a landing on Mt Pender where spectacular vistas across constellations of islands stretching into the horizon and dotting the winding fiords can be enjoyed. Our final plan will be determined by the weather. The Captain and Expedition Leader will work hard to make the best use of our time in this incredible region of New Zealand, including areas that a few New Zealanders have visited.
Day 15: Invercargill/Queenstown
Early this morning we will arrive in the Port of Bluff. After a final breakfast we bid farewell to our fellow voyagers and take a complimentary coach transfer to either Invercargill or Queenstown Airports. In case of unexpected delays due to weather and/or port operations we ask you not to book any onward travel until after midday from Invercargill and after 3pm from Queenstown.
Conditions apply. Subject to availability and change without notice. Full supplier conditions apply. Valid for new bookings only. Prices valid at the time of publication. Prices are per person based on twin share occupancy unless otherwise stated and displayed in AU$. Member savings are calculated using the original advertised price.