Itinerary
- Day 1
Wellington
You'll arrive in Wellington and board the Coral Adventurer, getting settled into your cabin. After you've unpacked and had time to explore the ship, there's a relaxed dinner where you'll meet the other travelers on this cruise.
- Meals
- Dinner (Relaxed dinner on board)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Coral Adventurer)
- Day 2
Motuara Island
Head to the James Cook memorial at Meretoto/Ship Cove to see where HMS Endeavour anchored back in 1770. Then you'll walk through Motuara Island's wildlife sanctuary to spot various birdlife, and later take a gentle shoreline stroll with views over Tōtaranui/Queen Charlotte Sound.
Included Activities
- Visit James Cook memorial at Meretoto/Ship Cove
- Walk through Motuara Island wildlife sanctuary
- Shoreline walk with views of Tōtaranui/Queen Charlotte Sound
Landmarks Meretoto/Ship Cove Motuara Island Tōtaranui/Queen Charlotte Sound - Day 3
Kaikōura
You'll get out on a catamaran for whale watching where sperm, humpback and pilot whales show up regularly, along with dolphins, seals and wandering albatrosses. Back on land, there's a 3.5 kilometer peninsula walk with scenic views and chances to see wildlife. A shuttle bus will pick you up at the end, or you can stick around the township if you'd prefer some free time.
Included Activities
- Whale watching excursion by catamaran with hydrophones
- Peninsula track walk (3.5 kilometres)
Optional Activities
- Free time in Kaikōura township
Landmarks Kaikōura - Day 4
Akaroa to Christchurch
The drive from Akaroa port takes you to Christchurch, the South Island's capital. You'll explore the city center at your own pace, checking out the museum and Botanic Gardens. Optional tram rides include live commentary if you want that guided experience.
Included Activities
- Scenic drive from Akaroa to Christchurch
Optional Activities
- All-day hop-on hop-off tram tickets with live commentary
Landmarks Christchurch City Centre Christchurch Museum Christchurch Botanic Gardens 
- Day 5
Dunedin
After a relaxed morning on the ship, you'll disembark following lunch for a Dunedin city tour. There's a special welcome presentation at Araiteuru community meeting space from a Marae member, then you'll see Ovalston House, the Flemish Renaissance Railway Station, Dunedin University and Baldwin Street, which happens to be the world's steepest street. Free time is available if you'd rather explore independently.
Included Activities
- Welcome presentation at Araiteuru from Marae member
- City tour including Ovalston House, Railway Station, Dunedin University and Baldwin Street
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Dunedin at your own pace
Landmarks Araiteuru Ovalston House Dunedin Railway Station University of Otago Baldwin Street 
- Day 6
Stewart Island/Rakiura
On remote Stewart Island, you'll mix guided exploration with free time to do what interests you. There are hikes for different fitness levels through ancient forests, and you can visit Oban, a coastal town Scottish settlers established in the 1840s. There's also a former whaling station with connections to Norwegian Antarctic expeditions to check out.
Included Activities
- Guided discovery and free time on Stewart Island
Optional Activities
- Various hikes to suit different fitness levels
- Visit ancient forests
- Explore Oban township
- Visit former whaling station
Landmarks Stewart Island/Rakiura Oban - Day 7
Fiordland National Park
You'll experience Dusky Sound in Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site called Te Wāhipounamu. Watch from deck as the captain navigates Acheron Passage, taking in the fjord scenery and spotting wildlife along the way.
Included Activities
- Navigation through Acheron Passage
- Viewing of Dusky Sound fjord scenery and wildlife
Landmarks Dusky Sound Fiordland National Park Acheron Passage - Day 8
Fiordland National Park
The captain navigates through 'The Gut' into Doubtful Sound, which drops 40 kilometers deep. You'll experience 'Patea' (place of silence in Māori), New Zealand's deepest fjord with three branching arms and waterfalls. Choose an easy walk between Deas Cove and Neck Cove to see unique plants and animals, or explore by tender vessel.
Included Activities
- Navigation through 'The Gut' into Doubtful Sound
- Viewing of Doubtful Sound fjord scenery
Optional Activities
- Easy walk between Deas Cove and Neck Cove
- Tender vessel cruise exploring fjord coastline
Landmarks Doubtful Sound (Patea) Thompson Sound Tasman Sea Deas Cove Neck Cove - Day 9
Fiordland National Park
Milford Sound is considered one of New Zealand's most famous natural attractions, and you'll see why with the towering peaks, dark waters and forest-covered cliffs. You can visit waterfalls by tender vessel or explore the coastline looking for fur seals, dolphins and possibly penguins.
Included Activities
- Viewing of Milford Sound fjord scenery
Optional Activities
- Tender vessel excursion to visit waterfalls
- Explore rugged coastline from tender vessel for wildlife viewing
Landmarks Milford Sound Fiordland National Park 
- Day 10
Te Niho a Kewa (Solander Island)
Today's a sea day sailing past Te Niho a Kewa (Solander Island), an Important Bird Area where Buller's albatrosses, common diving petrels and New Zealand's southernmost gannet colony breed. Weather permitting, the captain may sail alongside the island so you can see the birdlife up close.
Included Activities
- Sailing past Te Niho a Kewa (Solander Island)
Optional Activities
- Scenic sailing alongside Solander Island (weather permitting)
Landmarks Te Niho a Kewa (Solander Island) - Day 11
Bluff to Queenstown
The cruise ends this morning after breakfast. You'll disembark in Bluff and transfer to Queenstown for your accommodation. Tonight you can choose from several dining options: a vintage steamer cruise with gourmet barbecue at Walter Peak High Country Farm, a gondola ride to Stratosfare Restaurant with panoramic views, Fergburger, Finz Seafood & Grill, or your hotel restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Two Nights: Millennium Hotel Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Disembarkation and transfer from Bluff to Queenstown
Optional Activities
- Vintage steamer cruise to Walter Peak High Country Farm with gourmet barbecue dinner
- Gondola ride to Stratosfare Restaurant with buffet dinner and panoramic views
- Dinner at Fergburger
- Dinner at Finz Restaurant (seafood and grill)
- Dinner at hotel restaurant
Landmarks Bob's Peak Lake Wakatipu The Remarkables Walter Peak High Country Farm Stratosfare Restaurant 
- Day 12
Queenstown
Spend your day in Queenstown exploring at your own pace with various sightseeing experiences available. This evening you'll gather with fellow travelers for a farewell dinner at the hotel.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- Farewell dinner at hotel
Optional Activities
- The Lord of the Rings 4WD Safari visiting filming locations
- Wine tour of Queenstown wine region with tastings
- Skippers Canyon 4WD adventure following the Shotover River valley
- Million Dollar Cruise on Lake Wakatipu
- Dart River Wilderness Jet boat journey into Mount Aspiring National Park
- Best of Queenstown tour including Arrowtown, Gibbston, wine tasting and Lake Wakatipu cruise
Landmarks Queenstown Shotover River valley Lake Wakatipu Mount Aspiring National Park Dart River Arrowtown Gibbston - Day 13
Queenstown to Airport
Your tour concludes today after breakfast. You'll say goodbye to everyone and head to the airport for your flight out.
- Meals
- Breakfast
