New Zealand Cruise from Auckland to Sydney — 12 Days

11 nights · New Zealand · Departs Auckland · Visiting Tauranga, Lyttelton-Christchurch, Dunedin, Fiordland National Park, Melbourne, Burnie, Eden, Sydney · Aboard Norwegian Cruise Line on the Norwegian Spirit

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Cruise lineNorwegian Cruise Line
ShipNorwegian Spirit
Duration11 nights
Port calls9
Departures5 sailings
From fare$1,859 per person
Year built1998
Guests2414
Cabins1006
Crew912
Length268 m
Beam37 m
Cruising speed24.0 kn
  1. Day 1

    Auckland

    Few cities bring water so close to daily life as Auckland. Set between the Waitematā and Manukau harbours, New Zealand’s largest city is shaped by the sea. From the waterfront, ferries reach Waiheke Island, with vineyards, beaches and coastal walks. Climb volcanic Maungawhau, or Mount Eden, for sweeping views across the city and its harbours. Back downtown, Viaduct Harbour offers galleries, restaurants and a vivid sense of Auckland’s maritime life.

  2. Day 2

    Tauranga

    Tauranga opens onto the Bay of Plenty, where a working harbour meets long beaches and a distinctly easy pace. At Mount Maunganui, climb Mauao’s well-marked paths for sweeping views across the coast and harbour. In Tauranga, discover Māori and maritime stories, or browse cafés along the waterfront. Rotorua’s geysers, hot pools and Māori cultural experiences make a rewarding inland excursion, about an hour away by road.

  3. Day 4

    Lyttelton-Christchurch

    Lyttelton is Christchurch’s historic harbour, tucked beneath the volcanic hills of Banks Peninsula. Explore its compact centre, where seafaring heritage meets hillside streets and a lively arts scene. A short drive through the Lyttelton Road Tunnel connects the port with Christchurch. Choose the city’s gardens and museums, or venture farther across Banks Peninsula for coastal bays, wildlife and walking tracks.

  4. Day 5

    Dunedin

    Your ship docks at Port Chalmers, a compact harbour town about 13 kilometres from Dunedin. Dunedin reflects Scottish roots and gold-rush prosperity. Granite and sandstone buildings frame the centre; its ornate railway station is a standout. The Otago Peninsula offers chances to see royal albatross, penguins and fur seals. Visit a wildlife centre, or follow the peninsula road to Larnach Castle and harbour viewpoints. It is a rewarding port for architecture, wildlife and coastal views.

  5. Day 6

    Fiordland National Park

    Fiordland is not a town but a vast wilderness on New Zealand’s southwest coast, best approached by sea. Steep-sided peaks rise above deep, glacier-carved sounds, where waterfalls spill through rainforest after rain. Milford Sound is the best-known landmark, while Doubtful Sound offers a quieter passage into the park. Watch for dolphins and seals, and, in season, Fiordland crested penguins. Short walks ashore reveal the scale of this remarkable landscape.

  6. Day 9

    Melbourne, Australia

    Melbourne is a city best explored with curiosity, a good appetite and comfortable walking shoes. From Station Pier, the centre is roughly six kilometres away, with tram and taxi connections into town. Explore its arcades and laneways, lined with shops, espresso bars and street art, then visit the National Gallery of Victoria. At Queen Victoria Market, browse local produce and Australian specialties; along the Yarra, find restaurants and skyline views.

  7. Day 10

    Burnie, Australia

    Burnie brings Tasmania’s working character into sharp focus. On Tasmania’s north-west coast, this compact port pairs a busy harbour with a proud paper-making past and lively arts scene. At the waterfront Makers’ Workshop, local craftspeople turn timber, glass and wool into distinctive souvenirs. Come at dusk in season, and the Little Penguin Observation Centre offers a memorable glimpse of penguins returning ashore. Beyond town, green valleys lead toward Tasmania’s wild interior.

  8. Day 11

    Eden, Australia

    Eden sits above Twofold Bay on New South Wales’s Sapphire Coast, where deep water meets forested headlands. Its harbour once supported a thriving whaling industry. The Killer Whale Museum tells how orcas famously worked alongside local whalers. Migrating humpback whales can be spotted from shore. Explore Ben Boyd National Park’s rugged coves, or try oysters from nearby Pambula Lake. Coastal walks and quiet beaches make Eden a rewarding base for exploring this stretch of New South Wales.

  9. Day 12

    Sydney, Australia

    From the water, Sydney’s harbour frames the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and ferries crossing between historic quays. Beyond the waterfront, central Sydney pairs nineteenth-century buildings with contemporary architecture and leafy streets. Walk the Royal Botanic Garden for harbour views, or take a ferry to Manly for a coastal perspective. Allow time to explore The Rocks, where the city’s colonial beginnings meet galleries, cafés and a lively weekend market.

Norwegian Spirit Cruises

Published August 9, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard


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