Sydney and New Zealand Discovery

20 Days

Spend time in stunning Sydney before joining a Holland America cruise which takes in the spectacular Fiordland region, vibrant cities and cultural heartland of New Zealand.

Day 1 - 5 - Sydney

Arrive in Sydney and enjoy time to explore the city. You have 3 days to soak up the sights, perhaps had across the harbour to Manley for lunch, scale the heights of the harbour bridge or take a trip out to the Blue Mountains.

Day 6 - Holland America Line Cruise

Depart Sydney early evening for your sailing to New Zealand.

Day 7 - 8 - At Sea

2 days at sea as you cross the Tasman gives plenty of time to relax and enjoy the myriad facilities of your cruise ship, the ms Nordaam.

Day 9 - Fiordland National Park

Discover the magical charms of the Fiordland National Park. With landscapes straight from the pages of Middle Earth, this spectacular national park encompasses mountains, lakes, fiords and rainforests.

Day 10 - Dunedin

This distinctly Scottish city, named after the Gaelic name for Edinburgh, rose to prominence during the late 19th century gold rush. Edwardian and Victorian architecture takes centre stage and it’s where you’ll find the Otago Peninsula, home to royal albatross and the yellow-eyed penguin.

Day 11 - Christchurch

Christchurch is the South Island’s largest city and whilst now inextricably linked to the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, is a fabulous city of reinvention, resilience and renovation.

Day 12 - Wellington

New Zealand’s cool little capital, bursts with creativity, charm, and coastal beauty. Nestled between hills and harbour, it blends vibrant culture, world-class coffee, and indie spirit. Discover inspiring art, cinematic history, and windswept walks.

Day 13 - Napier

With elegant Art Deco architecture, glorious weather and a thriving food and wine scene, Napier is a joy to explore. Lying within the Hawke’s Bay wine region and flanked by a rugged coastline the range of attractions is varied and plentiful.

Day 14 - Gisborne

This small town on the North Island’s east coast is where New Zealand was first spotted by explorer Captain James Cook. It’s also the first place to welcome the sunrise each day and is a place rich in Māori culture.

Day 15 - Tauranga

Sitting on the gently curving shoreline of the Bay of Plenty, this is the place for surfing and strolling on white sand beaches. From here enjoy excursions to Rotorua, New Zealand’s geothermal heartland and the spectacular Coromandel Peninsula.

Day 16 - Auckland

The aptly named City of Sails lies on the Hauraki Gulf and is a vibrant, waterfront city. Take to the water on an America’s Cup yacht, experience the thrill of wearing an All Blacks jersey and the full force of the iconic haka. Or, head to Waiheke Island, home to pretty bays and beaches and a clutch of superb wineries.

Day 17 - Bay of Islands

Historic sites—including the place where the most important treaty in New Zealand's history was signed—winemaking, golfing, sailing and scenic beauty all combine to make the Bay of Islands a compelling region. Located at the top of the North Island, the area has a subtropical microclimate that gives it an abundance of flora and fauna and a lengthy beach season.

Day 18 - 19 - At Sea

Day 20 - Sydney

Disembark and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.