New Zealand Small Ship Expedition Cruise - Wellington to Queenstown

Arrive in Wellington and transfer to the Coral Adventurer, your home for the next 10 nights. Settle into your cabin, and this evening get to know your fellow travellers at a relaxed dinner on board.

Visit the James Cook memorial at Meretoto-Ship Cove, where he anchored HMS Endeavour in 1770. Continue to nearby Motuara Island for a walk through a wildlife sanctuary rich in birdlife. A gentle stroll along the shoreline offers impressive views of Totaranui/Queen Charlotte Sound.

Kaikoura is a premier destination in New Zealand's South Island for whale watching. From the stable comfort of your catamaran, you have the opportunity to see whales and other marine life in their natural habitat. It's common to see various whale species like sperm, humpback, and pilot whales. Onboard hydrophones offer the extra benefit of hearing the whales communicate with each other. You're also likely to see acrobatic dolphins, playful seals, and elegant wandering albatrosses during this thrilling excursion.

Back on land, embark on a 3.5 kilometre walk over the peninsular track with breath taking scenery throughout the entire route. Along the way, you'll encounter cattle, sheep, spot sea lions and rich bird life. A shuttle bus will meet you at the end of the walk and transfer back to the marina, where your tender vessel will shuttle you back to the ship. Alternatively, enjoy some free time in the township and be transferred back to the ship by tender vessel afterwards.

From Lyttleton port, take a scenic drive to Christchurch, capital of South Island, where you'll explore the charming city at your own pace. Christchurch is New Zealand's second largest city and the city centre is a vibrant spot offering a world-class museum and the renowned Botanic Gardens that are a delight to explore. An unbeatable way to explore the centre is by tram (additional expense). The all-day hop-on hop-off tickets allow you to visit the highlights of the city centre at your leisure, and the knowledgeable drivers provide informative live commentaries along the way.

After a leisurely morning on board, disembark the ship after lunch for a city tour of Dunedin. Visit the local Araiteuru (a community meeting space) to receive a special welcome presentation from a Marae member. The remainder of the tour will include highlights of Dunedin including famous Ovelston House, the marvellous Flemish Renaissance-style Railway Station, Dunedin University, and Baldwin Street the world's steepest street. Alternatively, enjoy free time to discover the delights of Dunedin at your own pace.

Experience a blend of guided discovery and free time to explore Stewart Island at leisure. This serene, remote island is rich in wildlife, where you can discover ancient forests, or choose from various hikes to suit your interests and level of fitness. The island's European heritage comes to life at Oban, a coastal town established by Scottish settlers in the 1840s, while a former whaling station provides links to Norwegian expeditions to Antarctica during the Golden Age of Exploration.

Bask in the splendour of Dusky Sound in the Fiordland National Park, one of New Zealand's treasured natural icons and recognised as part of the wider UNESCO World Heritage site of Te Wahipounamu (Place of the Greenstone). It's home to glaciers, alpine ranges, and unique flora and fauna.

As you leave Tamatea, secure a place on deck and watch the captain masterfully steer the ship through Acheron Passage, where you can marvel at the breathtaking fjord scenery and wildlife.

Find a comfortable place on deck or in the observation lounge, and watch as the captain navigates a narrow passage of the fiord known as 'The Gut' from Thompson Sound into Doubtful Sound.

'Patea' (Doubtful Sound) meaning 'place of silence' in M?ori, spans a staggering 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the head of the fiord to the Tasman Sea. It is the deepest of New Zealand's 14 fjords and its enormity leaves all who visit feeling humbled and in awe of its powerful presence. The fjord branches into three arms and offers impressive waterfalls that provide shelter to New Zealand's southernmost population of bottlenose dolphins and tawaki, the Fiordland crested penguin.

An easy short walk between Deas Cove and Neck Cove offers the chance to see unique local flora and fauna. Alternatively, embark on a thrilling cruise aboard your tender vessel, exploring the coastline of the fjord and hearing tales of local history.

Deep within Fiordland National Park lies Milford Sound, arguably New Zealands most famous natural attraction. With its beguiling combination of towering mountain peaks, ink-dark waters and forest-covered cliffs, it mesmerises those who see it. Here, you can enjoy a thrilling excursion aboard your tender vessel to visit thundering waterfalls, or explore the rugged coastline and look for fur seals, dolphins and, perhaps, spot penguins.

Enjoy a day at sea, sailing past remote Te Niho a Kewa (Solander Island), recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International due to its significance as a breeding site for Buller's albatrosses and common diving petrels. New Zealand's southernmost gannet colony also thrives on Solander Island. If conditions and time permits, your skillful captain will endeavour to offer a scenic sailing alongside the island, or perhaps even from the ship's tenders, to provide you with an up-close view of the island's incredible birdlife.

Your cruise comes to an end this morning after breakfast, where you disembark in Bluff and be transferred to Queenstown airport or hotel.