Explore More - 2019

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND A cruise to the “Land Down Under” gives you the chance to see spectacular scenery and wildlife, explore vibrant cities and experience amazing cultures 64 EXPLORE MORE 2018

TRAVEL Sydney, Australia There are plenty of famous sites you can explore in Sydney, one of Australia’s largest cities. Visit the historic waterside Rocks area, built by convicts, and gaze across the magnificent harbor. Nature lovers can head out of town to the beautiful Blue Mountains. Relax on the many beaches or visit the shops for retail therapy. Sydney is your oyster—and Sydney rock oysters are delicious. Melbourne, Australia Melbourne is renowned as Australia’s cultural capital, boasting chic shops, rooftop bars and trendy cafés. You can also find historic trams and majestic European architecture. Highlights include Fitzroy Gardens and Cook’s Cottage, which you can visit on your included tour. Or get close to the wildlife, including kangaroos and koalas. Hobart, Australia You will have plenty of time to explore, following a guided tour of Tasmania’s waterfront. Its historic streets hold plenty of charm while its sandstone warehouses and pretty cottages hint at its colonial past. To learn more about Australia’s history, you can visit UNESCO-listed Port Arthur. First a timber camp, then a penal colony from 1830 to 1877, Hobart’s heritage center now houses a museum charting Hobart’s convict history. Dunedin, New Zealand Known for its Scottish and Māori heritage, Dunedin—called “Little Edinburgh”—even has its own tartan. A tour around this historic city uncovers charming weatherboard houses, smart Victorian buildings and the Octogon, the civic center of the city. To discover New Zealand’s stunning scenery and wild animals, including penguins and fur seals, you can take an optional cruise along the Otago Peninsula. Christchurch, New Zealand Christchurch is known as the “Garden City” for good reason; at its heart is Christchurch Botanic Gardens, a beautiful and elegant park founded in 1863 that is home to a collection of plants from all over the world. Take an optional excursion to the International Antarctic Center, where you can meet little blue penguins, cuddle huskies in the Husky Zone, learn how to survive an Antarctic storm and discover what it is like to live in modern-day Antarctica. Wellington, New Zealand Located on New Zealand’s North Island, Wellington is a fantastic city to explore. View panoramic sights and watch ferries sail in and out of the harbor from the top of Mt. Victoria, or visit some of the stunning locations made famous in The Lord of the Rings. Wellington’s cafés offer plenty of opportunities to relax and admire the architecture. Napier, New Zealand The coastal city of Napier boasts beautifully preserved 1930s buildings, offering a unique charm. Facing page, clockwise from top left: Christchurch Botanic Gardens; Napier's Soundshell, an entertainment venue; the distinctive Sydney Opera House; the Tasman Arch, found in the Tasman National Park; vineyards on Waiheke Island; a buzzing street scene in Melbourne; Tauranga's Mt. Maunganui at sunset; fresh oysters; a seal in Dunedin Highlights include the many vineyards that surround the city, and you can take an optional excursion to sample some of its vintages—pinot gris and Syrah are the region’s signature styles. Rotorua (Tauranga), New Zealand A glittering waterfront with great restaurants and bars, beaches and marine adventures awaits in the sunny harborside city of Tauranga. Settled by Māori in the late 13th century, Tauranga means “the place of rest or anchorage.” Take in Tauranga’s natural beauty, then learn more about fascinating Māori history. You can also sample the Māori feast, the hangi, where food is cooked in an “earthen oven” of hot rocks, resulting in a distinct smoky flavor. Auckland, New Zealand As New Zealand’s largest city, there is so much to see and do in and around Auckland—nicknamed the “City of Sails”—from dining to shopping and hiking. You can also take an optional tour to visit Waiheke Island, with its perfect emerald waters and beautiful sandy beaches. Here you can enjoy scenic nature walks. Waiheke is also home to some of New Zealand’s many world-class wineries. GETTING THERE: Embark on the 15-day Australia & New Zealand cruise in 2019. Go online: Find out more and watch a video about our Australia & New Zealand cruise at voc.com/videos EXPLORE MORE 2019 VIKING.COM 65