25 nights · New Zealand · Departs Auckland · Visiting Tauranga, Gisborne, Napier, Wellington, Akaroa, Picton, Sydney, Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Townsville QLD, Cairns, Darwin, Komodo Island Indonesia, Lembar, Benoa · Aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises on the Seven Seas Explorer
Image courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Regent Seven Seas Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Seven Seas Explorer |
| Duration | 25 nights |
| Port calls | 16 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $64,198 per person |
| Year built | 2016 |
| Guests | 829 |
| Cabins | 375 |
| Crew | 552 |
| Length | 224 m |
| Beam | 31 m |
| Cruising speed | 22.0 kn |
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.
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.
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.
Napier rewards a closer look: a compact coastal city with one of the world’s finest concentrations of Art Deco architecture. Rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake, its streets preserve the optimism and clean lines of the 1930s. Walk Marine Parade for sea views, gardens and the National Aquarium, then head inland to Hawke’s Bay’s celebrated vineyards. For a dramatic change of scene, Cape Kidnappers’ gannet colony lies beyond the city, reached by guided tour.
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.
Akaroa sits on Banks Peninsula, where an old volcanic crater opens into a deep, sheltered harbour. French settlers arrived in 1840, and their legacy remains in street names, architecture and a distinctly European air. Take a boat trip to seek Hector’s dolphins, among the smallest marine dolphins on earth. On shore, browse galleries and cafés, then climb to a viewpoint for broad harbour and peninsula views.
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.
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.
Brisbane is a river city with a relaxed subtropical pace and a confident cultural scene. Ride a CityCat ferry for an easy view of its bridges, riverside parks and skyline. At South Bank, galleries, restaurants and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre sit close to a man-made beach. Two leading art museums anchor the Queensland Cultural Centre. Afterward, explore the city’s dining precincts, where Queensland produce and global influences share the menu.
Airlie Beach is the mainland gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef, on Queensland’s Coral Sea coast. Boats leave its marina for island beaches, reef snorkelling and sailing, on day trips or overnight cruises. The foreshore lagoon offers a saltwater swim and bay views; cafés and shops line the town centre. Conway National Park’s rainforest trails provide a quieter inland counterpoint.
Townsville puts tropical North Queensland within reach, with the Great Barrier Reef offshore and Magnetic Island just across the water. Take the ferry to Magnetic Island, where walking trails, quiet bays and koalas make a compelling day ashore. Back in town, The Strand follows the waterfront, while Castle Hill rewards a climb with broad views over the harbour. Allow time for the Museum of Tropical Queensland, whose exhibits explore the region’s maritime and natural history.
Cairns puts two World Heritage landscapes within reach: the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforest. Boats leave the marina for coral reefs and islands. Inland, the scenic railway and Skyrail connect Cairns with Kuranda, a mountain village above the rainforest. The Esplanade’s waterfront lagoon offers a refreshing pause in the tropical city. Allow time for Cairns itself: its markets, cafés and relaxed waterfront reward a slower pace between excursions.
Darwin is Australia’s northern gateway, where the Timor Sea meets a city shaped by tropical heat and Asian influence. Its compact waterfront puts the harbour within easy reach. The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory offers insight into Indigenous cultures and the region’s wartime past. Beyond town, Kakadu’s wetlands and Litchfield’s waterfalls reward a longer stay. Visit in the dry season for easier travel and clear, warm days.
Komodo is a rare landfall where the world’s largest lizard still lives in the wild. The island lies within Komodo National Park, a UNESCO-listed landscape of dry hills, clear bays and coral-rich waters. Ranger-guided walks offer a chance to see the dragons, while boat trips reach quiet coves and rewarding snorkeling. Expect heat and uneven trails; the island rewards those who explore at an unhurried pace.
Lembar is Lombok’s working harbour, where ferries connect the island with Bali. The port lies about 25 kilometres south of Mataram, Lombok’s compact capital. Explore Sasak heritage in traditional villages, surf beaches in the south, and rice fields across the inland foothills. The island’s best experiences lie well beyond the waterfront, so plan to travel.
Benoa is Bali’s principal cruise gateway, set on the island’s sheltered southeast coast. From the pier, Bali’s contrasts are close at hand: Nusa Dua’s resorts and Sanur’s seafront. Denpasar offers markets, museums, and a glimpse of daily life beyond the resort belt. Allow time for traffic; journeys inland can take longer than the map suggests. For a deeper excursion, Ubud pairs galleries and rice terraces with a lively arts scene.
Published August 4, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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