Kiwi Quest: Sydney to Auckland on Seven Seas Mariner®

Start your holiday in style with complimentary UK airport lounge access before boarding your overnight flight to Sydney.

On arrival in Sydney, a transfer will bring you to the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel, which enjoys a prime location on the edge of The Rocks (Sydney’s most historic neighbourhood) and Circular Quay, with superb views of both the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. Replete with a heated outdoor pool, a spa, a fine dining restaurant and an elegant cocktail bar, it’s a perfect base for your three-night pre-cruise stay.

On your first full day in Australia, after breakfast, you’ll board a luxury coach to the Blue Mountains National Park – a UNESCO-listed area known for its dramatic sandstone escarpments, vast eucalyptus forests, tumbling waterfalls and deep-rooted Aboriginal cultural heritage. A local ranger will share stories about the history of the area before you embark on a guided walk through the native bushland, offering the chance to fully immerse yourself in the park’s natural beauty. Then, enjoy a picnic lunch before heading back to Sydney via the picturesque town of Leura.

The following day, you’ll visit the world-famous Bondi Beach, where you’ll have ample time to walk along the promenade, relax on the soft, golden sands and enjoy refreshing dips in the sea. Afterwards, you’ll return to the city centre for a guided interior visit of another iconic Australian landmark: the Sydney Opera House. Cap off a memorable day with an evening dinner cruise around Sydney Harbour, with delicious food and wine served to a backdrop of the magnificent Sydney skyline glowing across the water. 

Stay: Four Seasons Hotel Sydney (Deluxe) or similar

You’ll have some further time to explore Sydney at leisure this morning – or simply relax at the hotel – before a transfer to the port where you’ll embark Seven Seas Mariner®, your luxurious home at sea for the next 14 nights. Settle into your spacious, ocean-view balcony suite and take the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the ship’s superb amenities, including a state-of-the-art spa, an outdoor pool deck, a putting green, a well-equipped fitness centre, a casino and a library. This evening, as your ship departs Sydney, you’ll enjoy your first gourmet dinner onboard, with an enticing selection of restaurants covering a diverse variety of global cuisines. Afterwards, you may be tempted to watch some live music or theatre or head to one of several plush bars and lounges for a glass of wine or an expertly mixed cocktail. 

Stay: Seven Seas Mariner®

Today is an opportunity to relax and make the most of the ship’s world-class amenities as you sail south towards Tasmania. Take a dip in the outdoor pool, unwind on the sun deck, enjoy a workout in the well-equipped fitness centre or treat yourself to a soothing massage at the spa. 

Stay: Seven Seas Mariner®

This morning, you’ll arrive in Hobart, the vibrant capital of Tasmania and the second-oldest city in Australia. Nestled in a natural harbour on the island’s southeast coast, Hobart is renowned for its thriving arts scene, artisan food markets and dramatic backdrop of Mount Wellington, which rises 1271 metres above the city. Disembark to explore the history, culture, cuisine and beautiful surroundings of Hobart on your choice of guided shore excursions. 

Stay: Seven Seas Mariner®

The next couple of days are a further chance to relax onboard as you sail east across the Tasman Sea towards New Zealand. Perhaps try your hand at shuffleboard or bocce, practice your swing at the golf net or putting green, soak up the sun on the pool deck, and savour the culinary delights on offer at the ship’s exquisite restaurants. 

Stay: Seven Seas Mariner®

Arriving on the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island, today you’ll be greeted by the majestic landscapes of Milford Sound, which forms part of the Fiordland National Park and the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage area. This serene, glassy fjord is surrounded by towering mountains, lush rainforests and cascading waterfalls, and is widely considered one of New Zealand’s most stirring natural spectacles. As you cruise through its mirror-like waters, there’s also the possibility for wildlife sightings, including the likes of New Zealand fur seals, bottlenose dolphins and penguins (either the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin or the tiny Little Blue Penguin).

From here, you’ll sail south before entering Doubtful Sound, which also lies within Fiordland National Park. It’s three times longer but receives considerably fewer visitors than Milford Sound, owing to the fact it cannot be accessed by road. As such, it reveals a quieter, more remote side of this pristine wilderness region. Finally, round off a memorable first day in New Zealand by cruising through Dusky Sound, the country’s largest fjord – accessible only by sea. Dotted with more than 350 islands and flanked by soaring cliffs, it’s another awe-inspiring sight with further potential for wildlife sightings. 

Stay: Seven Seas Mariner®

The next leg of your voyage brings you to Dunedin, a city tucked away in Otago Harbour on the southeast coast of New Zealand’s South Island, surrounded by rolling green hills and valleys. Fuelled by the Otago Gold Rush during the 1860s, Dunedin grew to become New Zealand’s largest and wealthiest city at the time. Grand Victorian and Edwardian architecture from the late 19th and early 20th centuries remains a defining feature of the city today, alongside deep-rooted Scottish heritage which gives it the nickname ‘Edinburgh of the South’. You’ll have the chance to explore the city in-depth on a guided tour, visit nearby Larnach Castle, or discover the striking coastal landscapes and rich wildlife of the Otago Peninsula. 

Stay: Seven Seas Mariner®

Between the Pacific Ocean and the Southern Alps on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island lies the port city of Timaru. It’s also home to some of the country’s best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian architecture (built from volcanic bluestone) and a delightful sandy beach at Caroline Bay. You may wish to explore the town on a guided walking tour, including a visit to the Te Ana Maori Rock Art Centre, or you might be tempted to venture inland across the Canterbury Plains to explore the snow-capped peaks and glacial lakes of New Zealand’s spectacular Southern Alps region. 

Stay: Seven Seas Mariner®

Today you’ll arrive in Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand. It's in the midst of a stark transformation following the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, with a heavily rebuilt city centre featuring cutting-edge architecture and colourful murals that reflect the city’s spirit of resilience and innovation. Stroll through Hagley Park, which contains a botanical garden filled with indigenous and exotic plants, peruse the enticing food stalls of Riverside Market, visit the vibrant Arts Centre, or perhaps take a ride on the Christchurch Gondola to the summit of Mount Cavendish. Alternatively, you might venture beyond the city to explore the Canterbury Plains, the Southern Alps, or the world-class vineyards of the Waipara Valley. 

Stay: Seven Seas Mariner®

Your next stop is the pretty port town of Picton, gateway to both the Marlborough Sounds – a labyrinthine network of ancient, ocean-filled river valleys flanked by forest-cloaked hills – and the acclaimed Marlborough wine region. Optional excursions here include a kayaking adventure or boat cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound, during which you may be able to spot the likes of fur seals and dolphins, and a tour of several esteemed Marlborough wineries, offering the chance to sample some of the world’s finest Sauvignon Blancs direct from the source. 

Stay: Seven Seas Mariner®

After sailing across the Cook Strait, the next stage of your voyage brings you to New Zealand’s North Island and the cosmopolitan, compact capital city, Wellington. Visit Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s national museum, for a fascinating insight into the country’s natural history and cultural heritage, ride the Wellington Cable Car from Lambton Quay to the Botanical Gardens, take in panoramic harbour views from Mount Victoria, or visit the Wētā Workshop for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of famous films including The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Wellington is also renowned for its thriving craft beer scene and coffee culture, so you’ll find no shortage of characterful bars and cafes while you explore.

Stay: Seven Seas Mariner®

Continuing along the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, you’ll next arrive in Napier, a seaside city known for its extensive collection of 1930s Art Deco, Spanish Mission and Stripped Classical architecture. It lies within Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand’s oldest wine region, whose warm, temperate climate and rich variety of fertile soils provides optimal conditions for many of the country’s finest vineyards – which you’ll have the chance to visit today on your choice of excursions.

Stay: Seven Seas Mariner®

Awake this morning in Gisborne, the coastal city where Captain James Cook first landed on his Pacific voyage aboard HM Endeavour in October 1769. Gisborne is known for its Māori heritage, superb surfing beaches and acclaimed wineries – hence its nickname, ‘the Chardonnay Capital of New Zealand’. It’s also the first city in the world to see the sunrise each day. Optional shore excursions here include a guided orientation tour by coach, a city cycling tour, visits to several of the region’s most prestigious vineyards, and a guided walk to the Tatapouri Reef, including the chance to see stingrays, octopuses and other marine life. 

Stay: Seven Seas Mariner®

Your penultimate port of call is the city of Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty, a region of spectacular, sun-drenched beaches and geothermal wonders. You may opt to explore Tauranga itself, immerse yourself in the region’s Māori culture, or venture inland to discover the otherworldly landscapes of Rotorua, where explosive geysers, bubbling mud pots, steaming hot springs and hissing fumaroles await. Alternatively, you could go kayaking on Lake Rotoiti, relax in the mineral-rich waters of the Ngāti Whakaue-owned Wai Airiki hot springs and spa, or visit the Hobbiton Movie Set, which was used as a filming location in both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies. 

Stay: Seven Seas Mariner®

Enjoy one final breakfast aboard Seven Seas Mariner® before disembarking in Auckland, where a transfer will bring you to the airport for your overnight flight home. Alternatively, if you’d like to extend your stay in New Zealand, get in touch with one of our specialists to discuss the range of options available.