Christchurch (Lyttleton) to Sydney
Dec 18, 2022 to Jan 2, 2023
Dec 20, 2022 Nelson,
Dec 22, 2022 Dusky Sound,
Dec 23, 2022 Milford Sound,
Dec 26, 2022 Hobart, Tasmania,
Australia Morning Late Evening
Dec 27, 2022 Wineglass Bay,
Australia Morning Evening
Dec 28, 2022 Flinders Island,
Dec 30, 2022 Sydney,
Australia Late Evening Late Evening
Jan 01, 2023 Sydney,
Australia Late Evening 8 AM - 10 AM
Settled in 1841 by the British New Zealand Company, early colonists named the burgeoning city after revered war hero Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson. Over time, Nelson has acquired an offbeat artistic vibe, which culminates in the yearly Wearable Art Festival. See the best of these extravagant costumes at the World of Wearable Art & Classic Cars Museum, which also displays superb examples of vintage automobiles. The city is peppered with serene green spaces, from the enchanting footbridges and sculptures of the Queen's Gardens to the charming bonsai and shrines of the Miyazu Japanese Gardens. Tahunanui Beach is a wide stretch of soft sand ideal for swimming, strolling and enjoying lovely views of the expansive bay. Grab a paddle and kayak to Nelson Haven, a tranquil bay protected by a narrow spit of rocky land punctuated with a picturesque lighthouse. A bit to the north, the Abel Tasman National Park Coast Track leads hikers through the rainforest and past crescent coves at the foot of richly wooded hills. If you choose to stay in town, a plethora of appealing shops, boutiques and cafes fill the storefronts, including cheerful pubs serving the region's much touted craft beers.
Dusky Sound
Split into multiple channels by dozens of lushly forested islands, Dusky Sound offers a sublime array of vistas around every turn in the waterway. Part of New Zealand's Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the sound's wide mouth narrows as you navigate further inland, with majestic, snow-tipped mountains closing in on either side. Careening off sheer cliffs, roaring waterfalls, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, spill countless gallons into the inky fjord. Approach the shoreline in a kayak, perhaps discovering a bounty of delicious mussels or a waddling colony of fur seals. Dusky Sound is a remote, rarely visited section of the national park, making it a superb environment for the region's wildlife to flourish in pristine conditions. Among the striking native birds, you might see South Island saddlebacks, mohuas and the delightful Fiordland crested penguin, with twin yellow stripes atop its head. Astounding creatures such as humpback and southern right wales swim through these waters, often accompanied by bottlenose dolphins. As you explore this ravishing realm, you'll soon find yourself becoming one with nature.
When Rudyard Kipling navigated this breathtaking fjord in 1891, he declared it "the eighth wonder of the world." Such a well-travelled man would surely know, and you'll likely find yourself heartily agreeing. In Maori, this UNESCO World Heritage-listed region is known as Te Wahipounamu, which translates to the place of greenstone, although the vivid greens are mostly provided by the lush forests blanketing the granite peaks. These majestic mountains, which closely hug the sound, rise dramatically at steep angles and are frequently capped with virgin snow. Plunging waterfalls add to the spectacular panorama, with Lady Bowen Falls cascading 532 feet into the indigo waters below. Look to the sound's surface for the appearance of fur seals, bottlenose dolphins, southern right whales and humpback whales, awe-inspiring creatures that thrive in this nutrient-rich environment. In the incredible Milford Sound Underwater Observatory, stay dry while viewing a teeming subaquatic world 33 feet beneath the surface. Hop into a kayak for an up-close exploration of the rocky shoreline and come across nesting grounds of the Fiordland crested penguin, whose vibrant blond crests are another fabulous highlight of stunningly beautiful Milford Sound.
Like many of Australia's oldest cities, Hobart originated as a penal colony, but today is the country's gateway to Antarctica because of its advantageous position in southern Tasmania. The city's rich heritage is on full display at the elegant 1830s sandstone buildings of Salamanca Place, a bustling gathering place brimming with cafes, boutiques and galleries. Immerse yourself further in history at Port Arthur, a UNESCO World Heritage site for its remarkably preserved 19th-century convict facilities, including a penitentiary, hospital and church. Ascend 4,200-foot-tall Mount Wellington on foot, bike or horseback for incredible views over the surrounding landscape and see Tasmania's unique creatures in the wild, or interact with koalas, kangaroos, wallabies and Tasmanian devils at the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. At the thought-provoking Museum of Old and New Art, engage your artistic sensibilities as you study acclaimed, cutting edge exhibits, and see a more genteel side of Hobart among the historic homes of the Battery Point district. Round out your perfect day with a taste of Tasmanian beer at the Cascade Brewery Company, which is housed in a stunning 1824 building and has the distinction of being Australia's oldest operating brewery.
Wineglass Bay
The curiously shaped Freycinet Peninsula, which zigs and zags its way south, is a geographic treasure trove of picture-perfect settings. Even in this preternaturally beautiful place, Wineglass Bay stands out with its perfect sandy crescent and waters that gently transition from surfside teal to deep sapphire. Rising on each side, boulder-strewn pink granite mountains provide a glorious backdrop and outstanding opportunities for exploration. Just to the north, the five peaks known as The Hazards can be hiked along a loop that takes you past postcard-ready lookouts over the bay. During your wanderings, you might catch sight of the peninsula's abundant wildlife, with includes wallabies, wombats, quolls and Tasmanian devils. It might be difficult to pull yourself away from the beach itself, however, as it is consistently rated among the top ten in the world. Dig your toes into the sugar-white sand, float in the crystalline water or just take in the miraculous panorama. If you crave civilization, a scenic walk brings you to the Freycinet Lodge, where you can sit on a terrace with views over Coles Bay and sip on – need we say it? – a glass of wine.
Hovering just off the north coast of Tasmania, Flinders Island is the largest landmass in the Furneaux Archipelago, a sparsely inhabited place once primarily occupied by fur seals. The picturesque granite peaks of the Darling Range slice the sky, offering terrific hiking opportunities through aromatic eucalyptus forests. Mount Strzelecki presents the biggest challenge but the greatest reward, with sweeping views of the entire island and even a glimpse of Tasmania on the clearest days. In the Patriarchs Wildlife Sanctuary, catch sight of quintessentially Australian creatures such as wallabies and wombats, and perhaps help to feed their young. Uncover the island's turbulent history at the Furneaux Museum, where highlights include artifacts recovered from shipwrecks, and at the Wybalenna Chapel, final resting site of the island's Aborigines. Gather faux diamonds, in fact translucent topaz, during a stroll on marvelous Killiecrankie Bay, and dip your toes into the water at any of dozens of beaches, where the only footsteps in the sand are likely to be your own. Walk to the edge of Trousers Point and admire the massive boulders, many of which are highlighted by bright-orange lichen. On spellbinding Flinders Island, feeling like the last person on Earth has never seemed so wonderful.
Glide into Sydney past the iconic silhouette of the Opera House, a bravura architectural statement recognizable the world over. If you can't catch a performance in this UNESCO World Heritage site, take a tour of the equally astonishing interior. Soak up the sun on see-and-be-seen Bondi Beach and stroll along the Coogee Coastal Walk past several cozy beaches and rugged coastal scenery. At the venerable Royal Botanic Gardens, founded in 1816, delight in a dazzling variety of vegetation with the glittering harbor as a backdrop. Stroll along cobblestone lanes at The Rocks, Sydney's first neighborhood and a wonderful assortment of historic buildings transformed into galleries, shops and bistros. Shed light on Australia's origins as a penal colony at two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the enlightening Hyde Parks Barracks Museum and Cockatoo Island, which is reachable via vista-filled ferry ride. For a remarkable window into life in the 1830s, wander the house and gardens of the Elizabeth Farm, the country's oldest homestead. Soar like a bird over the city on a seaplane tour or perch like one atop the Tower Eye, the highest observation platform in Sydney. At Circular Quay, sate your appetite at one of the world-class restaurants housed in this culinary hub while enjoying magnificent harbor views.
The pedicures my husband and I had on deck as we sailed out of Civitavecchia to begin the voyage were fantastic Mrs. Betsy BrownFalmouth, Maine