13 Day New Zealand Aotearoa (Northbound)

13 Day New Zealand Aotearoa (Northbound) Touring Route:

Cruise Inclusions:

• Accommodation charges on board
• All meals
• Captain's welcome and farewell cocktails
• Services of expedition staff including lectures, briefings, slide/film presentations, and other group activities
• Group transfers during the cruise
• 24 hour tea/coffee station
• Port & landing fees
• Coach transfer on day of arrival/departure between Milford Sound and Queenstown
• Selected shore excursions in Kaikoura, Gisborne (Whangara) and White Island

Cruise Highlights:

• Deep Fiordland waterways of Dusky Sound, Doubtful & Milford Sound
• Stewart Island
• Discover Dunedin's Scottish heritage
• Opportunity to swim with one of the smallest and rarest dolphins
• Ultimate marine experience of whale watching joined by dusky dolphins, seabirds & fur seals
• Spend two days exploring an array of spectacular waterways of the Abel Tasman National Park
• Guided visits to Moturoa Island
• Whangara Beach exclusive Maori cultural experience including a traditional welcome, Kapa Haka cultural show and tour of the Marae
• Excursion to explore White Island's active volcano

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Dusky Sound
Join the expedition crew on an exploratory cruise through rarely visited Dusky Sound, amongst an array of islands, marine and bird life. We land at historic Astronomer’s Point, where Captain Cook anchored his ship Resolution using a tree as a gangway, a tree which still exists today. Rejoin Oceanic Discoverer to cruise the spectacular passages through the fiord before a further expedition around the coastline of Pidgeon Island and Facile Harbour where we are sure to encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, penguins, dolphins and other wildlife. (B/L/D)

Stewart Island Wilderness
Discover the natural delights and scenic beauty of Stewart Island, a large island that is almost totally wilderness and home to a vast number of seals, birds and other wildlife. Landing ashore at Paterson Inlet, join a guided walk to encounter native birds such as the Weka, Tui, Bellbird, Kaka and New Zealand’s iconic national bird, the kiwi. Unlike other species of kiwis, the Stewart Island Kiwi is active both during the day and night and is often seen foraging on the beach for sandhoppers and other insects. (B/L/D)

Dunedin
The Otago Harbour welcomes us as we cruise past the world’s largest mainland albatross colony at Tairoa Heads, also home to the world rarest penguin, the Yellowed Eyed Penguin. Of Scottish heritage, Dunedin offers a great diversity of experiences from abundant wildlife to the historic Edwardian and Victorian architecture, the Otakou Maori Marae, the famous Speights Brewery, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Settlers Museum and New Zealand’s oldest botanical gardens. We spend a full day in port providing you the option explore areas of interest at your leisure. (B/L/D)

Akaroa
This morning we cruise in to the secluded Akaroa Harbour. This picturesque’ bay hosts a myriad of wildlife including penguins and dolphins. For a special nature experience, you have the opportunity to swim with one of the smallest and rarest dolphins – the Hector’s or New Zealand Dolphin. The town originally settled by the French in the early 19th century, retains its Gallic heritage and ambience. (B/L/D)

In key locations there are opportunities for guests with special interests to enhance the cruise experience through the purchase of additional shore excursions. This itinerary is an indication of the destinations we visit and activities on offer. Whilst every effort will be made to follow this itinerary we do reserve the right to vary this itinerary to make allowances for weather, tidal conditions and any other event that may effect the operation of the vessel.