New Zealand may be about as far away as it is possible to be from the UK, but in many ways it is the most similar to our own country being comparable in size, climate and culture. Another similarity with the UK is that like our own islands the two major islands of New Zealand are purpose made for coastal cruising with the vast majority of the ‘must see’ places being either on the coast or close by in the hinterland. Of course there are some major differences, the most significant being a population of just 4 million to our 60 million. It is these similarities and differences that make a trip to New Zealand such a special experience and why anyone considering a trip should look at a minimum of two weeks but preferably longer.
With vast open spaces filled with stunning rugged landscapes and a temperate climate, New Zealand is a land of rare natural beauty and contrasts. There are steep-sided fjords, geysers and boiling mud, coastal rainforests, snow-capped mountains, rolling green pasture lands, often spectacular geothermal and volcanic activity, enchanting sandy bays and coves, fast flowing rivers and a variety of birdlife. During our voyage, we will visit Stewart Island in the south and explore the dramatic southern coast fjords, admire the unique Art Deco architecture of Napier in the North Island and walk in the stunning Abel Tasman National Park as well as historic Ship Cove.
For this voyage we will be working with our New Zealand associates, Heritage Expeditions, and their vessel the 140-passenger Heritage Adventurer which offers all the comforts of a larger vessel, but with the luxury of a small number of passengers. With the added advantage of our Zodiac landing craft we will be able to land in otherwise inaccessible places making the most of New Zealand’s extraordinary natural attractions.
Heritage Adventurer
The Heritage Adventurer is a pioneering expedition vessel of exceptional pedigree. The vessel was purpose built for small ship adventures in 1991 in Finland’s Rauma shipyard. Formerly known as the MS Hanseatic, we know the vessel well and she is ideal for our small ship explorations. When required, the onboard fleet of 14 Zodiac landing craft enables guests to reach every spectacular site, no matter how remote and explore otherwise inaccessible fjords and waterways.
Originally designed to accommodate 184 guests, the Heritage Adventurer now welcomes between 100 to 140 passengers (depending on region) ensuring ample space on board and the opportunity to accommodate more solo travellers than is usual for a vessel of this size. The vessel offers an informal and relaxed atmosphere and you will be joined on board by a knowledgeable cruise team including a Guest Speaker who will provide informative talks in the comfort of the Presentation Theatre whilst the excellent crew will offer attentive service on board.
Itinerary
Day 1 London to Christchurch, New Zealand.
Fly by scheduled indirect flight.
Day 2 En-Route.
Day 3 Christchurch.
Arrive this morning into Christchurch and transfer to our hotel for a two night stay. The remainder of the day and evening is free to acclimatise and recuperate after our flight.
Day 4 Christchurch.
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a morning tour of this most English of cities where we enjoy an overview of the city showing how it is recovering from the devastating earthquake of February 2011. We will view the Southern Alps from the Port Hills, ride a restored tram, tour the Canterbury Museum with its acclaimed Antarctic collection and enjoy morning tea at a private home and garden. The afternoon and evening are free for independent exploration. Alternatively, join an optional full day tour on the Tranz Alpine Express Train to Arthur’s Pass in the heart of the Southern Alps, one of the world’s most famous train journeys. Wonderful views are revealed from the train’s huge windows as we pass snow-capped mountains and mountain beech forests. After some free time in Greymouth for lunch and to explore the town we re-board the train and return to Christchurch for an evening of leisure.
Day 5 Christchurch to Bluff.
This morning is free to explore the city further at your own pace before we transfer to the airport for our early afternoon flight to Invercargill. On arrival we will transfer to the Heritage Adventurer moored in Bluff and embark before we sail this evening.
Days 6 & 7 Fiordland.
We have two days to explore the incredible wilderness of fjords in the southwest corner of the South Island. This is an area rich in history, Captain Cook landed here on HMS Resolution in 1773, with majestic scenery and abundant wildlife. It is only accessible by sea, making it the most remote region of New Zealand. Our schedule may include Astronomers Point, Doubtful Sound and Dusky Sound but final itinerary decisions will be made by the Captain and Expedition Leader based on weather conditions. Zodiacs will be used daily either to shuttle from the ship to a landing site or as our transport to explore the fjords beyond the ship’s anchorage position.
Day 8 Stewart Island.
New Zealand’s third island is well off the usual beaten tourist track. It is a wonderfully tranquil place, the scenery of untouched bushland is stunning. We will enjoy a morning on the small Ulva Island where we will use Zodiacs to go ashore for a choice of walks with our local guides. We will explore the dense vegetation and keep an eye out for the amazing birdlife. This afternoon we land at Oban on Stewart Island and have the chance to wander amongst the shops and see the museum or join a drive along some of the 15 miles of sealed road to some of the beauty spots including Observation Rock with views over Iona and Ulva Island and the beaches lining the East coast.
Day 9 Dunedin.
Arrive this morning in Dunedin and enjoy a guided tour including the gracious 19th century buildings and the beautiful botanical gardens, the oldest in New Zealand containing over 6,800 plant species. Alternatively choose to drive to the Otago Peninsula where we board local boats to view Tairoa Head, the world’s only mainland albatross nesting place. We may also see fur seals on the rocks or be joined by dolphins around our boats. Continue to the Royal Albatross Centre where we can learn more about these fascinating birds. Return to Dunedin for a free afternoon to explore further at your own pace.
Day 10 Akaroa.
Akaroa meaning, ‘Long Harbour’, in Maori, was founded by French whaling Captain Jean Langlois on his ship Cachelot in 1838. He returned in 1840 with 60 settlers on the Comte de Paris to create a French colony. We spend a morning here and there will be a choice of excursions including a dolphin watching trip using local boats to explore the scenic coastline and search for the rare Hector’s dolphin or a guided historic walk in Akaroa and through the native bush of the Garden of Tane. Return to the ship and spend the afternoon at sea as we sail to the North Island.
Day 11 Wellington.
Spend the day in Wellington, the nation’s capital. From our central berth we will explore the city on a guided walk to see St Paul’s Cathedral, the parliament buildings, stroll through the Botanical Gardens and take a ride on the iconic cable car which offers panoramic views over the city. Return to the ship for lunch and a free afternoon to explore further at your own pace. Alternatively you can choose to be dropped off at the Te Papa National Museum of New Zealand with its impressive interactive displays and marvellous Maori collection, from here you can explore the museum at your own pace and take an independent lunch ashore.
Day 12 Abel Tasman National Park & Nelson.
Anchoring this morning at Kaiteriteri we have a choice of excursions today. Choose to visit Abel Tasman, New Zealand’s smallest national park, protecting over 23,000 hectares of the most easily accessible coastline in the country. Enjoy a coastal walk and scenic cruise with excellent wildlife opportunities including seal colonies and numerous aquatic birds including penguins. Alternatively enjoy a morning exploring Nelson which has for many years attracted resident artists. There are more than 350 working artists and craftspeople living in Nelson and their work is often inspired by the region’s exceptionally beautiful geography – coastal, forest and valley landscapes. Join an excursion of the area’s highlights or maybe take a walk along the riverside to the Queens Garden. Return to the ship via one of the region’s vineyards where we can enjoy a tasting.
Day 13 Resolution Bay & Ship Cove.
Sail through the Marlborough Sounds which divide the North and South Islands of New Zealand and arrive in the early morning at Resolution Bay on the South Island where keen walkers can enjoy a longer hike over to Ship Cove along the Queen Charlotte Track enjoying fantastic views over the archipelago of islands. Alternatively alight a little later at Ship Cove where Captain James Cook spent much of his time in New Zealand. View the monument dedicated to Cook or maybe walk the forest trail to the nearby waterfall. Return to the ship for lunch and spend the afternoon at sea.
Day 14 Napier.
Arrive this morning in Napier and join a tour of this beautiful town including its charming Art Deco buildings. Totally rebuilt after the 1931 Hawkes Bay earthquake, Napier’s Art Deco is unique, with Maori motifs and the buildings of Louis Hay, an admirer of the great Frank Lloyd Wright. We also visit a local vineyard to sample the local wines. This afternoon is free for independent exploration of the town or alternatively join the excursion to the gannetry at Cape Kidnappers where you are able to get amazingly close to the birds. The 13 hectare reserve includes the saddle and black reef gannet colonies.
Day 15 At Sea.
Join our lecturers in the lounge or find a spot on deck as we spend a day at sea.
Day 16 Tauranga for Rotorua.
From our berth in Tauranga we drive inland to the famous thermal springs at Rotorua. Discover Wai- O-Tapu, meaning Sacred Waters, an active geothermal area with colourful hot springs, steaming ground and boiling mud pools. Marvel at the incredible palette of vibrant hues displayed in the pools, lakes and craters, and enjoy the melodic sounds of birds singing in the native forest. From here we visit a local Maori Marae where we will enjoy a traditional Maori welcome and lunch before returning to the ship in the late afternoon.
Day 17 Auckland.
Disembark this morning and join a city tour including the Domain and the excellent Auckland Museum, overlooking Waitemata Harbour and housing the world’s largest collection of Polynesian artefacts. After lunch we transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay. The remainder of the afternoon and evening are free to explore further at your own pace.
Day 18 Auckland to London.
After breakfast in the hotel we will check out in the late morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled indirect flight to London.
Day 19 London.
Arrive today.
Dates and Prices
25 February to 15 March 2025 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Price | |
1 Deluxe Twin/Double Cabin with Portholes | Fully Booked | |
2 Superior Twin/Double Cabin with Panoramic Windows | Fully Booked | |
3 Superior Twin/Double Cabin with Panoramic Windows | Fully Booked | |
4 Worsley Suite with Panoramic Windows | Fully Booked | |
5 Heritage Suites with Double Panoramic Windows | Fully Booked | |
6 Deluxe Twin/Double Cabin with Portholes for sole occupancy | Fully Booked | |
7 Superior Twin/Double Cabin with Panoramic Window for sole occupancy | Fully Booked | |
8 Superior Twin/Double Cabin with Panoramic Window for sole occupancy | Fully Booked |
Tour Reference Code: SCHA250225
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • Two nights hotel accommodation in Christchurch with breakfast • Overnight hotel accommodation in Auckland with breakfast • 12 nights aboard the Heritage Adventurer on a full board basis • House wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch & dinner • Onboard expedition team • Noble Caledonia Tour Manager • Shore excursions • Gratuities • Transfers • Airport taxes • Port taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance, New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), optional train excursion on day 4.
Ship to Shore: This voyage is a combination of both expedition style cruising and small ship destination cruising. Whilst we will be alongside in most ports, we will be at anchor in Fiordland, Stewart Island, Akaroa, Kaiteriteri and Ship Cove. The vessel’s Zodiacs will be utilised to transport passengers ashore and for Zodiac cruising to explore the more remote regions we will be visiting. The use of the Zodiacs will be key to the operation of the itinerary as shown. If you have any queries pertaining to the use of Zodiacs or the level of fitness required for this voyage please do not hesitate to ask one of our experienced travel consultants.
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Heritage Adventure Deckplan
Heritage Adventurer
The Heritage Adventurer is a pioneering expedition vessel of exceptional pedigree. The vessel was purpose built for small ship adventures in 1991 in Finland’s Rauma shipyard. Formerly known as the MS Hanseatic, we know the vessel well and she is ideal for our small ship explorations. When required, the onboard fleet of 14 Zodiac landing craft enables guests to reach every spectacular site, no matter how remote and explore otherwise inaccessible fjords and waterways.
Originally designed to accommodate 184 guests, the Heritage Adventurer now welcomes between 100 to 140 passengers (depending on region) ensuring ample space on board and the opportunity to accommodate more solo travellers than is usual for a vessel of this size. The vessel offers an informal and relaxed atmosphere and you will be joined on board by a knowledgeable cruise team including a Guest Speaker who will provide informative talks in the comfort of the Presentation Theatre whilst the excellent crew will offer attentive service on board.
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Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000