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Aboriginal Art, Fjords, Waterfalls
Australia & New Zealand—two vastly distinct countries with exceptional ways to explore them.
Discover Australia's best kept secret—the majestic Kimberley—a land so old that vast tracts predate fossils, and see it in the manner befitting its immense scale: by sea. A rare look at the stunning, isolated northwest coast of Australia, see spectacular gorges formed by geological forces, extraordinary Aboriginal cave paintings, and remarkable wildlife. Then venture into Indonesia for incredible snorkeling and meet welcoming people who live close to their ancestral traditions. Plus, search for Komodo dragons, crocodiles, and more.
And when a film script calls for a backdrop of stunning scenery, New Zealand steps up with its dramatic peaks, scenic fjords, and white-sand beaches. The last country to be inhabited by humans, New Zealand’s pristine landscapes impress with endemic flora and fauna. Add Māori culture, cities known for their quality of life, the beautiful Subantarctic Islands, and celebrated wines and gastronomy, and it’s easy to understand the country’s longstanding appeal.
*Important note: Australia permits are pending; guests will be notified immediately if there are itinerary changes due to permits.
(5) Australia and New Zealand Itineraries
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NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged. More details.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jan
Feb
Oct
Nov
From
$23,330
Prices are per person
Special Offers (4)
Highlights
Australia and New Zealand
New
Coastal New Zealand: Scenic Fjords, Māori History, and Abundant Wildlife
Duration
16 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jan
Feb
Oct
Nov
From
$23,330
Top Highlights
On guided walks through a rare podocarp forest, a rainforest, botanical gardens, and arboretums, learn about the country’s fascinating plant life
Visit sites important to Maori history and culture, Napier’s well-preserved art deco city center, and cosmopolitan Auckland, “the City of Sails”
New Zealand’s celebrated wines and culinary specialties add to the many pleasures of this inspiring expedition
Book by June 30, 2023. Airfare included up to a ticket value of $2,500 per person when booking a Category 1-4 cabin, including solo cabins, or up to $5,000 per person when booking a Category 5 cabin or higher. To qualify for the offer, it must be ticketed by Lindblad Expeditions. In the case that airfare at the time of booking is higher than $2,500 or $5,000 per person (as applicable), guest will be required to pay any amount in excess of $2,500 or $5,000 per person (as applicable). Valid on select departures, for new bookings only, subject to availability, may not be combinable with other offers, and is not applicable on extensions. Baggage fees may be additional and seat assignments may not be guaranteed. Call for details.
20% OFF BACK-TO-BACK NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION VOYAGES
20% savings is valid for new bookings only on select back-to-back National Geographic Orion voyages, subject to availability, applicable on voyage fares only and is not valid on extensions or airfare. May not be combined with other offers.
FREE BAR TAB AND CREW TIPS INCLUDED
We will cover your bar tab (including alcoholic beverages aboard the ship except certain premium brands of alcohol), and all tips for the crew on all National Geographic Resolution, National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endurance, and National Geographic Orion voyages.
SOLO OFFER
Book by June 30, 2023, and we will WAIVE THE SOLO PREMIUM on select departures. New bookings only. Not applicable on extensions and may not be combined with other offers.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jun
Jul
From
$11,150
Prices are per person
Special Offers (2)
Highlights
Australia and New Zealand
New and Noteworthy
New
Kimberley Expedition: Australia’s Wild Northwest
Duration
14 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jun
Jul
From
$11,150
Top Highlights
Zodiacs take you up the spectacular King George River, where you’ll feel dwarfed by the towering red rock canyon walls, then cooled by the mist of King George Falls.
View an outdoor Aboriginal art gallery, portraying images of the Wandjina spirits.
Explore the Ord River, one of the most stunning river systems in Australia.
Visit Montgomery Reef, where the tide drops so rapidly that waters trapped atop the reef create a raging torrent as they escape.
International airfare included with 2023 departures of Kimberley Expedition: Australia’s Wild Northwest in a Category 3 cabin or higher. Airfare must be ticketed by Lindblad Expeditions on the recommended flights to/from Los Angeles, for a value up to $2500 per person. In the case that the airfare at the time of booking is higher than $2500 the guest will be required to pay the airfare amount over $2500. Baggage fees may be additional. Valid for new bookings only, may not be combined with other offers, and is subject to availability.
FREE BAR TAB AND CREW TIPS INCLUDED
We will cover your bar tab (including alcoholic beverages aboard the ship except certain premium brands of alcohol), and all tips for the crew on all National Geographic Resolution, National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endurance, and National Geographic Orion voyages.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
May
Jul
Aug
From
$15,610
Prices are per person
Special Offers (1)
Highlights
Australia and New Zealand
Indonesia & Papua New Guinea
New and Noteworthy
New
Kimberley Expedition: Northwest Australia & Indonesia
Duration
18 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
May
Jul
Aug
From
$15,610
Top Highlights
Zodiac up the King George River to explore it at water level and experience its towering red rock canyon walls.
Zodiacs land virtually anywhere and take you up close to the unique wildlife in this Region -- see crocodiles, migrating humpback whales, and endearing wallabies.
Visit the world-renowned Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to go in search of the legendary Komodo dragon.
Snorkel and dive remote reefs with galaxies of colorful fish in Indonesia and pristine Rowley Shoals in Australia.
We will cover your bar tab (including alcoholic beverages aboard the ship except certain premium brands of alcohol), and all tips for the crew on all National Geographic Resolution, National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endurance, and National Geographic Orion voyages.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jan
Feb
Oct
Dec
From
$15,610
Prices are per person
Special Offers (4)
Highlights
Australia and New Zealand
French Polynesia & Pacific Islands
Roots of the Pacific: Exploring New Zealand and Melanesia
Duration
18 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jan
Feb
Oct
Dec
From
$15,610
Top Highlights
Encounter an impressive diversity of cultures from the Māori of the Bay of Islands to the spear dancers of the Solomons, and delve into their artistic and spiritual traditions
Venture to the former penal colony of Norfolk Island, now a UNESCO World Heritage site boasting the unusual trees called Norfolk Island pines
See the stunning limestone geology of New Caledonia at Isle of Pines and visit a cave filled with primitive tree ferns
Visit important World War II sites, including the wreck of the S.S. President Coolidge and the Battle of Guadalcanal
See the fantastic fishing canoes of the people of Utupua and take a Zodiac ride along their mangrove-studded lagoon
Book by June 30, 2023. Airfare included up to a ticket value of $2,500 per person when booking a Category 1-4 cabin, including solo cabins, or up to $5,000 per person when booking a Category 5 cabin or higher. To qualify for the offer, it must be ticketed by Lindblad Expeditions. In the case that airfare at the time of booking is higher than $2,500 or $5,000 per person (as applicable), guest will be required to pay any amount in excess of $2,500 or $5,000 per person (as applicable). Valid on select departures, for new bookings only, subject to availability, may not be combinable with other offers, and is not applicable on extensions. Baggage fees may be additional and seat assignments may not be guaranteed. Call for details.
SOLO OFFER
Book by June 30, 2023, and we will WAIVE THE SOLO PREMIUM on select departures. New bookings only. Not applicable on extensions and may not be combined with other offers.
20% OFF BACK-TO-BACK NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION VOYAGES
20% savings is valid for new bookings only on select back-to-back National Geographic Orion voyages, subject to availability, applicable on voyage fares only and is not valid on extensions or airfare. May not be combined with other offers.
FREE BAR TAB AND CREW TIPS INCLUDED
We will cover your bar tab (including alcoholic beverages aboard the ship except certain premium brands of alcohol), and all tips for the crew on all National Geographic Resolution, National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endurance, and National Geographic Orion voyages.
Travel to a part of the world where the landscapes are ancient, the air and water pristine, and the wildlife rare and abundant. National Geographic Orion, purpose-built to explore the most remote places while providing maximum comfort and safety, is the perfect “base camp” to discover all the nooks and crannies of Australia and New Zealand.
See more
Highlights
Discover
The Remote Kimberley: Australia's Best-Kept Secret
This trip was classic Lindblad. Excellent staff, weather challenges creatively addressed, beautiful and inspiring places that are very difficult to visit. The superb National Geographic Orion staff continue to provide a remarkable sense of world-class hospitality that makes the ship home.
Guest aboard Southern Odyssey: New Zealand and the Subantarctic Islands, January 2023
It is a privilege to visit Australia and New Zealand, two richly diverse and culturally fascinating geographies. And to the privilege of cruising around Australia and New Zealand, National Geographic Orion adds the luxury of comfort—a quality of shipboard life and a philosophy of wellness designed to relax and revitalize body, mind, and spirit.
Making Landfall on Remote Macquarie Island
Only 1,000 permits are approved each year for Australia’s remote Macquarie Island. Pair that with the fragile weather systems which can make landfall difficult, and it quickly becomes a destination that very few people are privileged to see. But as guests aboard National Geographic Orion recently discovered, those who arrive are richly rewarded with dazzling sights that include 800,000 breeding pairs of the endemic royal penguin.
5 Things You Didn’t Know About Australia’s Kimberley Region
One of the least populated areas on Earth, the Kimberley is as remote as it is spectacular. Here are five things you didn’t know about this ancient and wildly scenic corner of the world.
Photo Tip: Shooting Waterfalls in Kimberley, Australia
From Crocodile Creek in Australia's Kimberley region, National Geographic Photography Expert Jeff Maurtizen provides tips on the best camera settings and equipment to use when capturing the motion of a waterfall.
The Wild, Wonderful & Weird Birds of New Zealand
Discover some of New Zealand’s most delightful feathered fauna, including one of the world’s largest flying birds, smallest penguins, and a flightless owl-parrot.
Māori comprise around 16.5 percent of New Zealand's population, and many proudly work to keep their heritage alive—both by interweaving Māori values with modern life and by sharing their cultural taonga (treasures) with visitors.
The remote and wildly beautiful subantarctic islands of New Zealand and Australia, teeming with endemic wildlife and plants found nowhere else in the world, are rarely seen by humans. In fact, they are some of the Earth’s least-disturbed places.
See, do, and learn more by going with engaging experts who have been exploring this region for decades. Go with an expedition leader, naturalists, historians, and more.
Expedition Leader
Veteran expedition leaders are the orchestrators of your experience. Many have advanced degrees and have conducted research or taught for years. They have achieved expedition leader status because they possess the skills, the experience, and the depth of knowledge necessary to continually craft the best expedition possible for our guests.
Undersea specialists are your eyes on the world that lies beneath the waves. Using an array of tools including a high-definition camera, our Cousteau-like undersea specialist dives frequently during the voyage to show you strikingly clear images of the seldom-seen world beneath the ship.
Every expedition aboard a ship in our National Geographic-flagged fleet offers an exclusive service—a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor. This naturalist is specially trained to offer assistance with camera settings and the basics of composition, and to help you become a better, more confident photographer.
Shoot with a National Geographic Photography Expert at your side, on deck and in the field, who will inspire and advise you. They share their secrets and tips and actively lead special photo walks on shore or on Zodiac cruises to help photographers of every skill level capture the best shots possible.
National Geographic Orion entered the barrier reef of Utupua just after sunrise, and we anchored in a sheltered bay. Soon after breakfast, we went ashore and were greeted by smiling faces and a traditional welcome. We learned about life in the village and observed some incredible dances. Later, it was time to explore. A Zodiac ride through the mangroves, self-exploration of the school, and kayaking amongst the mangroves were enjoyed by many. My favorite part was how the local kids played with us on the kayaks and Zodiacs. It was absolutely incredible to see how much fun could be had. We set sail in the afternoon, leaving the village behind. Until next time!
The early bird got the worm this morning aboard National Geographic Orion . In the wee hours, we circumnavigated the active volcanic island of Tinakula. Arriving around 4:00 a.m., those willing to wake up early were greeted by the sounds of rocks plopping into the ocean, the gurgling of the lively mountain, and sights of red-hot magma piercing through the darkness. It was a fitting start to a true expeditionary day. The afternoon brought us to the awe-inspiring Reef Island of Fenualoa. We were greeted by a few villagers who showed up for our arrival. Tradition is prominent in these off the beaten path villages, and our guests participated. After a welcome from the chief, we enjoyed cultural performances from the villagers and the musical talents of a conglomerate of nearby tribes. It was a true site to behold and a cultural display that will certainly remain in the memory bank. As the performances came to an end, the logical thing to do was refresh with a coconut and cool off in the waters off the beach. It was only right that all the kids joined in the fun. We had bonded with the tribe, and children were jumping off shoulders and playing games with everyone in the water. It was a truly sensational day. We capped off the evening with a Polynesian barbecue outside on our aft deck with decorations of palm fronds donated by the village.
In the early morning, National Geographic Orion pulled alongside a dock just outside of Vanuatu’s second largest city, Luganville. After being hit hard by back-to-back tropical cyclones Judy and Kevin, we were the first ship able to clear into the country. The island of Espiritu Santo wasn’t hit as hard as some of the more southern islands, but our arrival was a welcomed distraction, nonetheless. Upon arrival at the dock, we sent out our passionate birders into the highland jungles in search of island endemics. These brave individuals endured heat, humidity, and a downpour, but luckily, our local guide brought along “natural umbrellas.” The rest of the group took a tour of a World War II museum that showcases the impacts of the war in the Pacific, specifically Vanuatu. The tour was followed by our first snorkel outing of the trip at Million Dollar Beach. The area gained the name because at the end of the war, it was too expensive to transport all the gear and vehicles back to the states, so the U.S. military essentially drove all the remaining vehicles into the water. The submerged relics are now home to corals and reef fish, and they offer an interesting and historical snorkel. Post snorkel, we were treated to kava, a local drink. In the afternoon, we took vans slightly north to a remote and secluded blue hole. We sat back, relaxed, and enjoyed the beauty of Espiritu Santo in this freshwater oasis. Guests enjoyed swimming, swinging from a rope into the water, and just decompressing as they took in the view. We were also treated to a water performance. Women of the village create beautiful performances by singing and making beats using the percussive properties of water manipulation. The performance was enjoyed by all.
After days of worrying about our friends in Vanuatu, we received word that they were okay last night. They also indicated that we were welcome to make our way to visit them in Espiritu Santo. This happy news came as we were exiting the tropical paradise of New Caledonia to begin the voyage north. The long distance between New Caledonia and Espiritu Santo requires a day of travel, so today was a day at sea. The Coral Sea contains numerous islands and reefs, as well as the world's largest reef system, the Great Barrier Reef, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1981. The Battle of the Coral Sea, a significant conflict involving the navies of the Empire of Japan, the United States, and Australia, took place in this sea during World War II. Like most days, today began with the birders rising before the sun to scan the horizon. Sea days are nice for taking it easy and enjoying our ocean view, starting with breakfast at the outdoor café. Throughout the day, we enjoyed three presentations: “There Are No Moa: Evolution and Extinction on Islands,” with ornithologist Pepper Trail, “Expedition Photographs,” with photo instructor Mike Rigney, and, “Top 10 Reef Fish Families,” with naturalist Mike Greenfelder. Midafternoon, our hotel team set up a tasty ice cream social to get us out of naptime. What a great surprise. After a nice, lazy day that led into cocktail hour and a humor-filled recap, we all went to sleep excited to wake up to our first glimpses of Vanuatu.
Located in the Loyalty archipelago, Lifou Island is a populated island community within the French territory of New Caledonia. The limestone cliffs surrounding the bays were dotted by emerging Araucaria conifers, the relic trees of Gondwanan times. Kanak people have a mix of Melanesian and Polynesian heritage, and they gave us a warm welcome to their delightful island today. Upon our arrival, we were treated to a traditional welcome with cultural dancing and singing from local men and women from the town of Easo. Lots of activities kept us busy throughout the day, including a nature and photo walk with expedition naturalists, swimming at the local beach, and a guided tour of the nearby region in the afternoon.
With deeply indented coastlines, unique cultures, varied coastal geology, and rare wildlife, New Zealand is perfect for exploring by expedition ship.
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