Koalas, penguins and red kangaroos abound throughout this remarkable 25-day cruise that touches the warm beaches, small villages and coastal cosmopolitan cities on New Zealand’s North and South Islands and Australia’s eastern coastline. Ride bikes through Marlborough, New Zealand’s most famous wine country, and enjoy wine tasting paired with a light private lunch sourced from local ingredients. Watch sheepdogs herd sheep on a working farm outside Christchurch. Seek out penguins, great albatross and colorful avian wildlife aboard a restored wooden launch cruising along the remote reaches of the Otago Peninsula. Observe koalas, wombats and wallabies at the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary near Hobart, Tasmania. Kayak amid turquoise waves and vibrant marine life off the warm sandy tropical coast of Airlie Beach, Australia. Explore with a guide from the Kuku Yalanji tribe near Port Douglas and learn how to source food from mangroves and tidal lagoons, then examine native artifacts and hear stories about indigenous land.

Here is the gateway to see the Great Barrier Reef and no one should miss it if you’ve come this far, so plan to expand your stay here. Other highlights of Cairns include the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park with stories of the indigenous aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, the beautiful gorges, beaches and mountainous rainforest of Daintree National Park and the Cairns Esplanade full of local flavor in its bars and restaurants.

Port Douglas is known for sitting adjacent to two UNESCO sites, the world’s largest reef system, Great Barrier Reef and the biodiverse Daintree Rainforest. It has delightful beach resorts and popular Macrossan Street, lined with boutique shops and restaurants. Swim in crystal-clear Mossman Gorge, crocodile watch at Daintree River, relax on the palm-fringed golden sands of Four Mile Beach or snorkel the Low Isles and the outer reef.

Located on the Great Barrier Reef, Airlie Beach is also home to the well-known Whitsunday islands. This relaxed resort town is also home to one of the most famous beaches in the world – Whitehaven Beach, only accessible by sea or air. Find the Airlie Beach Lagoon or the award-winning Fish D’Vine & the Rum Bar.

There are many activities to do on this former logging station island full of towering trees. Stroll along the Wanggoolba Creek boardwalk with its King ferns and freshwater flowing across the sand. Look for birds of prey above and dingoes along 75-Mile Beach, float down Eli Creek or take a swim in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Makenzie.

This is the home of the Crocodile Hunter’s family and the Australian Zoo they have been involved in. This is where you can have the opportunity to hold a koala. The lush rainforest here is perfect for a walk to the waterfall. Located on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, a walk along the Mooloolaba Beachfront Esplanade will take you past outdoor cafes, juice bars, alfresco restaurant and chic fashion boutiques.

Best known for its distinctive harbor-front Opera House, which is a UNESCO site, Sydney is viewed as not only one of the most expensive cities in the world, but also one of the most livable. The metropolis surrounds the world’s largest natural harbor and covers about 44 miles. Sydney’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk offers a 360 degree view of the city and surrounding area. Other sites to see include the Royal National Park, the Royal Botanic Garden, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Best known for its distinctive harbor-front Opera House, which is a UNESCO site, Sydney is viewed as not only one of the most expensive cities in the world, but also one of the most livable. The metropolis surrounds the world’s largest natural harbor and covers about 44 miles. Sydney’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk offers a 360 degree view of the city and surrounding area. Other sites to see include the Royal National Park, the Royal Botanic Garden, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge

The heart and soul of Eden is its location on Twofold Bay, the shore-based whaling station there and Old Tom, the legendary killer whale whose story is told at the Eden Killer Whale Museum.  Eden remains a working port so rest assured the seafood eaten there will be the freshest around.  Eden is a popular whale watching site and whales migrate to and from the Antarctic twice a year.

The capital and most populated city of the state of Victoria, Melbourne is located on the large natural bay of Port Philip. The abundance of parks and gardens here has resulted in Melbourne being referred to as Australia’s “Garden City.”  The Story of the Kelly Gang, the world's first feature film, was shot in Melbourne in 1906 and On the Beach was filmed here in 1959. The city’s delightful mix of architecture includes the UNESCO-listed Royal Exhibition building, the Venetian-gothic style Old Stock Exchange, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Flinders Street Station.

Encircling Emu Bay on Bass Strait, Burnie is known for delicious cheese and whisky and claims to have the best milk in the world for cheese making. Even with only 20,000 residents Burnie has a delightful number of restaurants and cafes to tempt you. The area around Burnie is rich with impressive gardens and parks and lovely beaches.

Freycinet National Park, which consists of pink granite mountains surrounded by secluded azure bays, like Coles Bay, and white-sand beaches, protects a delightful array of plants and animals including black swans. These pristine waters provide an excellent opportunity for activities like swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and diving.
 

Be prepared for an island setting of stunning landscapes, old-growth forests, picturesque harbor and the rugged Mount Wellington in Hobart’s background.  Hobart offers excellent local produce, interesting Tasmanian wines and eclectic art in the galleries. The capital of Tasmania is not only an Antarctic gateway, but also the gateway to the UNESCO Tasmanian wilderness.

Be prepared for an island setting of stunning landscapes, old-growth forests, picturesque harbor and the rugged Mount Wellington in Hobart’s background.  Hobart offers excellent local produce, interesting Tasmanian wines and eclectic art in the galleries. The capital of Tasmania is not only an Antarctic gateway, but also the gateway to the UNESCO Tasmanian wilderness.

Be out on deck to experience the beauty of Fiordland National Park, the largest of the 14 national parks in New Zealand. It is a major part of the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO site. Two rare bird species live here – the Takahe, thought to be extinct was found in the mountains here, and the Kakapo, the world’s only flightless parrot has refuge here as well.

Dusky Sound is 25 miles (40 kilometers)in length and 5 miles (8 kilometers) wide at its widest point and over 300 islands in this Sound. Keep an eye out for the endangered Fiordland Penguin with its distinctive wild yellow-striped eyebrows.

This small town is the country's closest port to Australia, making it an access point for immigrants: something that may account for the hint of a Scottish burr in the local dialect. World famous for Bluff Oysters, the city is also the gateway to Stewart Island with its rare kiwis.

The main settlement of Stewart Island is a haven for bird life like kaka, parakeets, tui and New Zealand’s national bird, the kiwi.  Pleasantly located on a vista of picturesque bays and coves with lush vegetation, activities around Oban include hiking, sea kayaking, diving, or take one of New Zealand’s Great Walks to Maori Beach, the site of a 1913 lumber mill.

Scottish Dunedin offers the best of both worlds. Take in grand Victorian and Edwardian building like the iconic Railway Station and New Zealand's only castle. Head to the Otago Peninsula to see rare yellow-eyed penguins. Or ride a historic train through spectacular Taieri Gorge.

If Dunedin is a bit of Scotland then Christchurch is a bit of England, right down to the Avon River flowing through the city and its plethora of parks and gardens. The Botanical Garden is well worth a trip, or set your sights on a different terrain. This city has been a gateway to the Antarctic since the early 1900s and you can gain insight into the frozen frontier at the International Antarcrtic Center.

The inviting compact capital of New Zealand has a waterfront promenade, sandy beaches, an interesting working harbor and colorful wood houses in the surrounding hills. Strong winds frequently through the strait here have given it the nickname “Windy Wellington.” Work in a visit to Te Papa, an interactive and innovative national museum that showcases Maori culture, art heritage and the fascinating history of New Zealand.

Beautiful Tauranga with its sparkling harbor, warm climate and blue skies is New Zealand’s fifth largest city and is known for the relaxed lifestyle there.  Among the attractions is the Waitomo Glowworm Caves where a glowworm species exclusive to New Zealand can be found. This is also the home of The Hobbit on the movie set where many scenes from Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were filmed.

The first thing to notice when you see Auckland is the 1,076-foot-high Sky Tower, the tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere offering amazing panoramic views.  The area was settled by the Maori around 1350 and was settled by Europeans in the early 1800s.  The land here is rich and fertile and the economy is good.  Take a ferry to Waiheke Island, known for its beaches, forests, vineyards and olive groves or stroll along Ponsonby Street known for arts, cafes, culture and historic villas.