29 nights · New Zealand · Departs Auckland · Visiting Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Lyttelton-Christchurch, Dunedin, Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle NSW, Brisbane, Hamilton Island QLD, Townsville QLD, Cairns, Thursday Island, Darwin, Komodo Island Indonesia, Lembar, Benoa · Aboard Viking Cruises on the Viking Orion
Image courtesy of Viking Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Viking Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Viking Orion |
| Duration | 29 nights |
| Port calls | 19 |
| Departures | 2 sailings |
| From fare | $20,198 per person |
| Year built | 2018 |
| Guests | 928 |
| Cabins | 464 |
| Crew | 465 |
| Length | 228 m |
| Beam | 29 m |
| Cruising speed | 20.0 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Newcastle is a working harbour city with surf beaches, sandstone heritage and a confident food scene. Begin in the East End, where Fort Scratchley overlooks the Pacific and recalls the city’s military past. Follow the Bathers Way, a coastal walk linking beaches, ocean baths and dramatic headlands. At the table, look for fresh seafood and Hunter Valley wines, produced in the region west of the city.
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.
Hamilton Island puts the Whitsundays within easy reach, with flights from several Australian capitals and regular ferries from the mainland. It sits among the Whitsunday Islands, beside the Great Barrier Reef. Swap driving for a golf buggy, then take a boat to Whitehaven Beach or join a reef trip. A marina, walking trails and restaurants make this a practical base for exploring by land and water.
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.
Thursday Island, known as Waiben, is the administrative centre of Australia’s Torres Strait Islands, north of Cape York. Its sheltered harbour once drew pearling fleets, and the industry’s history remains visible in the town’s multicultural character. At Green Hill Fort, a former coastal defence post, island views frame the passage between Australia and Papua New Guinea. Visit the Gab Titui Cultural Centre for Torres Strait art and stories that bring this remote maritime world into focus.
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 September 29, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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