AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

Southern Stars

The country that’s also a continent, geographically isolated yet a global leader in everything from gastronomy to sport, home to plants and wildlife found nowhere else on Earth, and with the world’s oldest continuous culture... everything about Australia amazes and intrigues. You’ll be familiar with its most iconic sights – the soaring sails of the Sydney Opera House, dazzling white against the deep-blue sky, the rust-red rock of Uluru rising from out of nowhere in the middle of the Outback, the tropical Technicolor paradise of the Great Barrier Reef – but nothing can prepare you for seeing them in real life.

And then there’s New Zealand, often grouped together with Australia because of its relative proximity, but with its own distinct personality, climate, and one-of-a-kind marvels to discover. From its proud Māori culture to world-renowned vineyards and diverse scenery, New Zealand thrills at every turn.

Our luxury cruises in Australia and New Zealand bring you to the heart of it all, ticking off blockbuster cities and nature's wonders as we go. We take a sun-soaked journey up Australia’s east coast, with stops including a trio of the country’s most dynamic cities: uber-cool Melbourne, with its hip coffee shops and restaurants, street art sitting alongside high-end galleries, and laid-back riverside lifestyle; glamorous Sydney, with its show-stopping architecture, glossy lifestyle stores, and world-famous beaches; and Brisbane, a cultural hub where sophisticated urban life is infused with tropical charm.

On our cruises in Australia, you can sip award-winning wines in the Hunter Valley, snorkel on the world’s largest coral reef system at Airlie Beach and Cairns, and be amazed by the ancient rock formations, Indigenous culture, and vast gorges of the mesmerizing outback. And not forgetting Australia’s legendary wildlife – it's not unusual to see kangaroos hopping down a residential street, koalas snoozing in gum trees, and dingoes running along a beach.

In New Zealand, our cruises deliver cosmopolitan cities and cinematic landscapes, while world-class restaurants and vineyards are always within easy reach. Auckland is a small city with big personality, idyllically set on two harbors and surrounded by black-sand beaches, native bush and even a volcano cone. Napier delights with its beautifully preserved Art Deco architecture and proximity to the wines of Hawkes Bay, while Wellington, the country’s capital, thrums with creative energy, evidenced in its waterside sculpture trail, the fascinating immersive national museum Te Papa, and Weta Workshop, the mastermind behind the special effects in movies such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Avatar.

The South Island, meanwhile, brings the historic cities of Christchurch and Dunedin, and the epic scenery of the Milford and Doubtful Sounds – vast fjords of jaw-dropping beauty. Throughout your cruise in New Zealand, be sure to seek out experiences showcasing Māori beliefs and culture, from soul-stirring legends and powerful ceremonial dances to ancient trees and healing waters.