NSW Australia Cruise from Sydney to Auckland — 17 Days

16 nights · NSW Australia · Departs Sydney (Australia) · Visiting Melbourne, Hobart, Dunedin, Lyttelton-Christchurch, Picton, Wellington, Gisborne, Tauranga, Bay of Islands, Auckland · Aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises on the Seven Seas Explorer

Regent Seven Seas Cruises logo
Cruise lineRegent Seven Seas Cruises
ShipSeven Seas Explorer
Duration16 nights
Port calls11
Departures1 sailings
From fare$44,998 per person
Year built2016
Guests829
Cabins375
Crew552
Length224 m
Beam31 m
Cruising speed22.0 kn
  1. Day 1

    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.

  2. Day 3

    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.

  3. Day 6

    Hobart, Australia

    Hobart gives you a rare pairing: a handsome harbour, a lively food scene and wilderness within easy reach. Founded in 1804, Tasmania’s capital sits beneath kunanyi / Mount Wellington, whose changing weather shapes the city’s skyline. Browse Salamanca Place’s sandstone warehouses, then sample local oysters, cheese and cool-climate wine along the waterfront. Beyond town, MONA offers a provocative art collection, while Bruny Island and the Tasman Peninsula reward a longer excursion.

  4. Day 10

    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 11

    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.

  6. Day 12

    Picton

    Picton is the gateway to the Marlborough Sounds, where forested hills descend into sheltered waterways. From the harbour, ferries cross Cook Strait, while boat tours reach coves inaccessible by road. Ashore, stroll the waterfront promenade or visit the Edwin Fox Maritime Museum. Its namesake vessel is one of the world’s oldest surviving merchant ships. Marlborough’s celebrated vineyards lie inland, offering an easy excursion for a tasting in New Zealand’s largest wine region.

  7. Day 13

    Wellington

    Wellington lies between a natural harbour and steep green hills, facing the Cook Strait. Explore its compact centre on foot, from the waterfront to cafés and independent shops on Cuba Street. At Te Papa, the national museum, Māori history and New Zealand’s landscapes come into view. Ride the historic cable car uphill for harbour views, then stroll through the Botanic Garden. Its famously changeable weather comes with a lively food scene and strong creative culture.

  8. Day 14

    Gisborne

    On New Zealand’s east coast, Gisborne rewards visitors who look beyond the shoreline. Māori heritage runs deep here, and Tūranganui-a-Kiwa is where Captain James Cook first came ashore in 1769. The city is known for Chardonnay, surf beaches and its place among the world’s first to greet the sun. Visit Tairāwhiti Museum for local stories, then follow the coast or settle in for a vineyard lunch. Gisborne feels relaxed, yet rich in character.

  9. Day 15

    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.

  10. Day 16

    Bay of Islands

    Northland’s Bay of Islands rewards a day ashore with sheltered water, Māori history and access to New Zealand’s oldest settlements. Its 144 islands scatter across a blue gulf, where ferries link Paihia with historic Russell. At Waitangi, the Treaty Grounds mark the signing of New Zealand’s founding document in 1840. Take a boat for coastal views, or stay ashore for cafés, galleries and a waterfront walk.

  11. Day 17

    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.

Seven Seas Explorer Cruises

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


Cruise Disclosure

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