Coastal New Zealand: Auckland to Milford Sound

Depart on an overnight flight, crossing the International Dateline, and arrive in Auckland, where we check in to our hotel. Join us for a welcome briefing this evening to meet your fellow travelers.

Have breakfast at the hotel before joining a tour of this vibrant city center. We’ll stop for lunch midday before embarking National Geographic Orion in the late afternoon. (B,L,D)

The Bay of Islands is an area encompassing more than 140 subtropical islands, boasting an abundance of wildlife and fascinating history. Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, a place of immeasurable cultural, spiritual, and historical significance, and learn of the historical events for which these grounds are remembered. (B,L,D)

Stretch your legs today as we explore Great Barrier Island on exploratory walks and hikes. As we continue south along the North Island’s verdant coast, we let nature guide us as your Captain and Expedition Leader choose our next site for exploration. (B,L,D)

Discover rural life at a 110-year old New Zealand homestead and witness the daily process of sheep herding and sheering. Take in the greenery of a local arboretum, and cap the day off with a winery tour and tasting. (B,L,D)

Spend the morning getting to know Napier, the Art Deco capital of New Zealand. Choose to discover the city’s unique architecture on an art tour or leave the city behind and join us on a Gannet Safari Tour where we’ll have close encounters at a large Australasian gannet colony. (B,L,D)

Today will be exploratory in nature as we discover the many hidden islands and treasures on the northern side of New Zealand’s South Island. (B,L,D)

In Maori, Kaikoura translates to ‘meal of crayfish.’ The region’s abundance of crayfish and nutrient-rich marine system draw impressive quantities of whales, dolphins, and fur seals to its waters. Today we’ll venture out on a whale watching boat in search of various resident and migratory marine mammals as well as the impressive albatross. (B,L,D)

Known for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture and boasting the world’s only mainland albatross colony, Dunedin sits on the verdant southeast coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Discover the world’s smallest penguin, the little blue penguin, and its endangered cousin, the yellow-eyed penguin, on an excursion to the beaches of the Otago Peninsula. Visit the fragrant Dunedin Botanic Gardens, and explore the Otago Museum’s exhibits on nature, culture and science. (B,L,D)

Stewart Island, known in Maori as Te Punga o Te Waka a Maui, is positioned firmly at the heart of Maori mythology. Today we’ll explore the island’s rare native birdlife as well as it’s well preserved podocarp forest. In the afternoon, discover Stewart Island’s nearby neighbor, Ulva Island, where we’ll hike with naturalists to discover its unspoiled rainforest. (B,L,D)

Over the course of two days we will explore Fiordland National Park, home to fourteen individual fiords. Here we’ll discover hundreds-meter high waterfalls and snowcapped peaks. (B,L,D)

Have breakfast aboard the ship before disembarking and transferring to Queenstown for flights home. (B)

Depart on an overnight flight, cross the International Date Line, and arrive in Queenstown, where we check in to our hotel. Join us for a welcome briefing this evening to meet your fellow travelers.

Have breakfast at the hotel before joining a tour and transfer to Milford Sound. We’ll stop for lunch midday before embarking National Geographic Orion in the late afternoon. (B,L,D)

Over the course of two days we will explore Fiordland National Park, home to fourteen individual fiords. Here we’ll discover hundreds-meter high waterfalls and snowcapped peaks. (B,L,D)

Stewart Island, known in Maori as Te Punga o Te Waka a Maui, is positioned firmly at the heart of Maori mythology. Today we’ll explore the island’s rare native birdlife as well as it’s well preserved podocarp forest. In the afternoon, discover Stewart Island’s nearby neighbor, Ulva Island, where we’ll hike with naturalists to discover its unspoiled rainforest. (B,L,D)

Known for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture and boasting the world’s only mainland albatross colony, Dunedin sits on the verdant southeast coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Discover the world’s smallest penguin, the little blue penguin, and its endangered cousin, the yellow-eyed penguin, on an excursion to the beaches of the Otago Peninsula. Visit the fragrant Dunedin Botanic Gardens, and explore the Otago Museum’s exhibits on nature, culture and science. (B,L,D)

In Maori, Kaikoura translates to ‘meal of crayfish.’ The region’s abundance of crayfish and nutrient-rich marine system draw impressive quantities of whales, dolphins, and fur seals to its waters. Today we’ll venture out on a whale watching boat in search of various resident and migratory marine mammals as well as the impressive albatross. (B,L,D)

Today will be exploratory in nature as we discover the many hidden islands and treasures on the northern side of New Zealand’s South Island. (B,L,D)

Spend the morning getting to know Napier, the Art Deco capital of New Zealand. Choose to discover the city’s unique architecture on an art tour or leave the city behind and join us on a Gannet Safari Tour where we’ll have close encounters at a large Australasian gannet colony. (B,L,D)

Today we delve into the cultural riches of Gisborne—the site of the first European landing place in New Zealand in 1769. The city’s warm, sun-filled climate reflects its disposition and complements its rich soils, bountiful islands, miles of sandy beaches and resource-rich oceans. Gain insight into the history and culture of the people of this region. In the afternoon, discover the greenery of a local arboretum, and cap the day off with a wine tour and tasting. (B,L,D)

Stretch your legs today as we explore Great Barrier Island on exploratory walks and hikes. As we continue south along the North Island’s verdant coast, we let nature guide us as your Captain and Expedition Leader choose our next site for exploration. (B,L,D)

The Bay of Islands is an area encompassing more than 140 subtropical islands, boasting an abundance of wildlife and fascinating history. Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, a place of immeasurable cultural, spiritual and historical significance, and learn of the historical events for which these grounds are remembered. (B,L,D

Have lunch aboard the ship before disembarking and transferring to the airport for flights home. (B)

Arrive in Auckland and transfer to our hotel. Join us for a welcome briefing this evening to meet your fellow travelers.

Have breakfast at the hotel before joining a tour of this vibrant city center. We’ll stop for lunch midday before embarking National Geographic Orion in the late afternoon. (B,L,D)

The Bay of Islands is an area encompassing more than 140 subtropical islands, boasting an abundance of wildlife and fascinating history. Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, a place of immeasurable cultural, spiritual, and historical significance, and learn of the historical events for which these grounds are remembered. (B,L,D)

Stretch your legs today as we explore Great Barrier Island on exploratory walks and hikes. As we continue south along the North Island’s verdant coast, we let nature guide us as your Captain and Expedition Leader choose our next site for exploration. (B,L,D)

Discover rural life at a 110-year old New Zealand homestead and witness the daily process of sheep herding and sheering. Take in the greenery of a local arboretum, and cap the day off with a winery tour and tasting. (B,L,D)

Spend the morning getting to know Napier, the Art Deco capital of New Zealand. Choose to discover the city’s unique architecture on an art tour or leave the city behind and join us on a Gannet Safari Tour where we’ll have close encounters at a large Australasian gannet colony. (B,L,D)

Today will be exploratory in nature as we discover the many hidden islands and treasures on the northern side of New Zealand’s South Island. (B,L,D)

In Maori, Kaikoura translates to ‘meal of crayfish.’ The region’s abundance of crayfish and nutrient-rich marine system draw impressive quantities of whales, dolphins, and fur seals to its waters. Today we’ll venture out on a whale watching boat in search of various resident and migratory marine mammals as well as the impressive albatross. (B,L,D)

Known for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture and boasting the world’s only mainland albatross colony, Dunedin sits on the verdant southeast coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Discover the world’s smallest penguin, the little blue penguin, and its endangered cousin, the yellow-eyed penguin, on an excursion to the beaches of the Otago Peninsula. Visit the fragrant Dunedin Botanic Gardens, and explore the Otago Museum’s exhibits on nature, culture and science. (B,L,D)

Stewart Island, known in Maori as Te Punga o Te Waka a Maui, is positioned firmly at the heart of Maori mythology. Today we’ll explore the island’s rare native birdlife as well as it’s well preserved podocarp forest. In the afternoon, discover Stewart Island’s nearby neighbor, Ulva Island, where we’ll hike with naturalists to discover its unspoiled rainforest. (B,L,D)

Over the course of two days we will explore Fiordland National Park, home to fourteen individual fiords. Here we’ll discover hundreds-meter high waterfalls and snowcapped peaks. (B,L,D)

Have breakfast aboard the ship before disembarking and transferring to Queenstown for flights home. (B)

Arrive in Queenstown and transfer to our hotel. Join us for a welcome briefing this evening to meet your fellow travelers.

Have breakfast at the hotel before joining a tour and transfer to Milford Sound. We’ll stop for lunch midday before embarking National Geographic Orion in the late afternoon. (B,L,D)

Over the course of two days we will explore Fiordland National Park, home to fourteen individual fiords. Here we’ll discover hundreds-meter high waterfalls and snowcapped peaks. (B,L,D)

Stewart Island, known in Maori as Te Punga o Te Waka a Maui, is positioned firmly at the heart of Maori mythology. Today we’ll explore the island’s rare native birdlife as well as it’s well preserved podocarp forest. In the afternoon, discover Stewart Island’s nearby neighbor, Ulva Island, where we’ll hike with naturalists to discover its unspoiled rainforest. (B,L,D)

Known for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture and boasting the world’s only mainland albatross colony, Dunedin sits on the verdant southeast coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Discover the world’s smallest penguin, the little blue penguin, and its endangered cousin, the yellow-eyed penguin, on an excursion to the beaches of the Otago Peninsula. Visit the fragrant Dunedin Botanic Gardens, and explore the Otago Museum’s exhibits on nature, culture and science. (B,L,D)

In Maori, Kaikoura translates to ‘meal of crayfish.’ The region’s abundance of crayfish and nutrient-rich marine system draw impressive quantities of whales, dolphins, and fur seals to its waters. Today we’ll venture out on a whale watching boat in search of various resident and migratory marine mammals as well as the impressive albatross. (B,L,D)

Today will be exploratory in nature as we discover the many hidden islands and treasures on the northern side of New Zealand’s South Island. (B,L,D)

Spend the morning getting to know Napier, the Art Deco capital of New Zealand. Choose to discover the city’s unique architecture on an art tour or leave the city behind and join us on a Gannet Safari Tour where we’ll have close encounters at a large Australasian gannet colony. (B,L,D)

Today we delve into the cultural riches of Gisborne—the site of the first European landing place in New Zealand in 1769. The city’s warm, sun-filled climate reflects its disposition and complements its rich soils, bountiful islands, miles of sandy beaches and resource-rich oceans. Gain insight into the history and culture of the people of this region. In the afternoon, discover the greenery of a local arboretum, and cap the day off with a wine tour and tasting. (B,L,D)

Stretch your legs today as we explore Great Barrier Island on exploratory walks and hikes. As we continue south along the North Island’s verdant coast, we let nature guide us as your Captain and Expedition Leader choose our next site for exploration. (B,L,D)

The Bay of Islands is an area encompassing more than 140 subtropical islands, boasting an abundance of wildlife and fascinating history. Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, a place of immeasurable cultural, spiritual and historical significance, and learn of the historical events for which these grounds are remembered. (B,L,D

Have lunch aboard the ship before disembarking and transferring to the airport for flights home. (B)