New Zealand Cruise from Auckland to Melbourne — 16 Days

15 nights · New Zealand · Departs Auckland · Visiting Tauranga, Picton, Lyttelton-Christchurch, Dunedin, Bluff-Invercargill NZ, Fiordland National Park, Hobart, Eden, Melbourne · Aboard Silversea Cruises on the Silver Moon

Silversea Cruises logo
Cruise lineSilversea Cruises
ShipSilver Moon
Duration15 nights
Port calls10
Departures1 sailings
From fare$15,200 per person
Year built2021
Guests691
Cabins288
Crew408
Length213 m
Beam26 m
Cruising speed20.0 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

    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.

  4. Day 5

    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.

  5. Day 6

    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.

  6. Day 7

    Bluff-Invercargill NZ

    Invercargill is New Zealand’s southernmost city and a grounded introduction to Southland. Broad streets, Victorian buildings and open skies set an unhurried pace. From Bluff, about 27 kilometres south, travel inland to Queens Park’s gardens, museum and heritage buildings. Bill Richardson Transport World adds a remarkable collection of vehicles and transport history. Beyond town, Southland’s coast and the route to Stewart Island reveal the region’s scale.

  7. Day 8

    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.

  8. Day 11

    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.

  9. Day 14

    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.

  10. Day 16

    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.

Silver Moon Cruises

Published September 16, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard


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