Hobbits, koalas and didgeridoos … it’s worth the long haul Down Under

The advent of long-haul flying certainly put Australia and New Zealand on the map, and it has also opened the door to exploring the wonders of this faraway Continent on cruises that circumnavigate their shores.

Any adventure Down Under combines unique wildlife – you’ll never forget cuddling a koala – and extraordinary landscapes.

The cities offer a friendly welcome and you’ll have the chance to learn about the rich aboriginal and Maori cultures.

Don’t miss the didgeridoo shop in Sydney’s Darling Harbour where you’ll be treated to an amazing concert if you time it right.

And for Lord of the Rings fans, New Zealand is a must. The entire trilogy was filmed there.

Australia

Adelaide
Southern Australia’s most graceful city lies nestled along the coastal plain between the Gulf St. Vincent and the Adelaide Hills. The city was designed from the very beginning with wide streets and numerous town squares, marvellous Victorian and Edwardian architecture, parks and wide-open spaces. The city preserved many of its unique stone houses built by the original settlers, as well as the more grand historic public buildings constructed during the Gold Rush years.

Albany
Albany is a small city on the southern corner of Western Australia. Once a whaling town, it’s today known for its beautiful beaches, coastal granite formations, nearby wineries and majestic forest.

Barrier Reef
The largest living thing on earth, the 1,232 mile long Great Barrier Reef is entirely composed of tiny corals – over 300 types have been counted here. The reef is populated with technicolour fish and rare bird species. Its ethereal combinations of white surf, azure and lapis lazuli waters and cloudless skies add up to a day of wondrous beauty which you will remember forever.

Brisbane
The capital of Queensland, Brisbane is Australia’s third city. Notable buildings include the Observatory (built by convicts), Parliament House and the extensive stadia and pavilions built for the 1982 Commonwealth Games. Naturally, you can count on sampling fine wines here – but one delicacy you’ll never have heard of is delicious Moreton Bay Bugs, halfway between a crayfish and a lobster.

Cairns
A cosmopolitan city flanked by pristine rainforests and golden beaches, Cairns is the gateway to destinations such as the Great Barrier Reef, Kuranda, and the Daintree, a World Heritage protected area. Cairns Esplanade features an excellent facility incorporating an outdoor amphitheatre, a large sandy swimming lagoon, grassy picnic areas, walking tracks, free public barbeques, children’s playground, shops and restaurants and an environmental interpretation center.

Cooktown
Australia’s first non-indigenous settlement, discovered and settled by Captain Cook and his crew in 1770. A small frontier town located at the far north end of North Queensland, it boasts a unique character born from its years of geographic isolation and hard living. It was not until the current North Queensland tourist boom that it began to achieve a level of success comparable with the Palmer Fiver Gold Ruish years of 1870s and 1880s.

Darwin
A rollicking town with a frontier spirit, and named after its most famous visitor, Darwin is the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory. Surrounded by rain forests and acres of sugar cane, Darwin itself is surprisingly modern, largely due to the fact that the city has been rebuilt following typhoon damage. For spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife, head out of town to the wide open spaces of Kakadu National Park.

Fremantle/Perth
‘Freo’ as the locals call it is a charming city with a profusion of Victorian pubs, hotels and shops to divert you. Six miles inland is Perth, the wealthiest city in the Antipodes and home to many millionaires. Its also the most remote major city on earth. Tour its leafy suburbs with their fabulous homes, consider the exhibits in the Western Australia Museum, or shop in the city centre in a half-timbered mall.

Hobart
Tasmania’s remoteness from the continent of Australia means that is has retained superb and substantial echoes of its stately colonial past in the form of elegant mansions, picturesque villages and towns rich in Georgian architecture. Here you’ll also find wombats and the elusive Tasmanian Devil haunting a nearby wildlife park.

Melbourne
The second largest Australian city after Sydney, there’s no way that Melbourne is a runner up. Instead, its a vibrant and gracious metropolis, boasting sweeping parks, revered universities and splendid theatres. Sports lovers will be more than familiar with the famous cricket ground and the race track. Melburnians are convinced that, unlike Sydney, the reason for their city’s dignity is that it was founded by free men – not convicts. The city is notable for its mix of Victorian, Gothic and contemporary architecture, its extensive tram network and beautiful Victorian parks and gardens.

Port Arthur
No call at Port Arthur is complete without visiting its once-feared and ever-infamous prison colony, a UNESCO historical site. Explore the fascinating ruins, once booming dockyard and restored houses.
After a spell in prison, you might like to visit the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park, where you’ll get to meet some notoriously bad-tempered and increasingly rare marsupials.

Sydney
This is a city with a breezy and invigorating attitude that will prove infectious. In the historic ‘Rocks’, you’ll see where it all started when the first convicts founded the city. You’ll have seen both the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge as you docked, but you can tour the former and cross the latter. Dining ashore is tempting, with literally hundreds of restaurants to choose from. Shopping, too, is rewarding. Located just west of Sydney are the magnificent Blue Mountains, and on a north shore promontory is the acclaimed Taronga Zoo, with a distinct emphasis on an open, natural environment for the animals.

New Zealand

Aukland
Sited on a splendid and hilly isthmus, this is New Zealand’s largest and most vibrant city. The newly redeveloped pierside offers intimate bars and splendid restaurants, while the harbour is a constantly shifting panorama of yachts that has earned the city its nick-name, the City of Sails. Travel south to experience the mighty geysers and plopping mud pools of Rotorua, or go underground in Waitomo and walk through grottoes illuminated by a million glow-worms. Auckland’s highest point, Mount Eden (643ft), offers incredible city views, reinforcing the claim that its twin harbors are among the most beautiful in the world.

Bay of Islands
North of Auckland, along the narrow Northland peninsula, lies a shady ‘cathedral’ of some of the world’s largest trees. These hulking specimens stand up to 170 feet tall, and are over 1,200 years old.
The captivating Bay of Islands shelters 150 islands and enchanting wetlands of birdlife, fish, seals, dolphins, and even whales. No wonder it’s one of New Zealand’s favourite destinations.

Christchurch
This vibrant, energetic city is ever-evolving. Discover amazing street art, innovative projects, a booming hospitality scene and state-of-the-art architecture that is changing the way the city looks, feels and functions. Recovery from natural and terror tragedies of the past few years is gradual but they are getting there.

Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city on New Zealand’s South Island and principal of the Otago region. Its population boomed during 1865, with a steady stream of new settlers arriving in search of gold.
During your time here, the outstanding Dunedin Railway Station is a must-visit, and a ride on the world famous Taieri Gorge Train is a scenic experience you’ll cherish for years to come.

Napier
Napier is New Zealand’s Art Deco city. ‘Thanks’ to the huge earthquake of 1931, large parts of Napier were rebuilt in Deco and classical Revival architectural styles. It is set in the Hawke’s Bay

New Plymouth
Lying at the base of New Zealand’s most perfectly formed volcano – Mount Taranaki – sunny New Plymouth is brimming with vibrant art galleries and gorgeous parks.
At 8,261 feet Mount Taranaki dominates the skyline of New Plymouth.

Picton
The town itself is full of charm. It’s built around a sheltered harbour, whose curved flanks hold the sparkling blue waters in their dark green embrace. The seafront here has several spots to sip a drink, have a bite to eat and take it all in. There are several galleries and shops too, when you can tear your gaze away from the views. You may even have a chance to appreciate Maori traditions at the Omaki Marae, a local meeting house that often showcases elements of their rich culture.

Tauranga
The largest city in the Bay of Plenty has several historically significant areas to view during a scenic walk. The modern Strand waterfront is a lively home to a number of cafés, restaurants, pubs and nightclubs. One of New Zealand’s most popular beach towns, Mount Maunganui, is a short drive away. Climb 700ft to the top for great views, and to walk off some excess pounds. But wear strong shoes as its quite tricky in places.

Wellington
Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, sits near the North Island’s southernmost point on the Cook Strait, just a short hop from the South Island and its famous Marlborough wine district. Enjoy the waterfront promenade, working harbour and colourful timber houses, and be sure to take the the iconic red Wellington Cable Car from Lambton Quay to the Wellington Botanic Gardens for wonderful views of the city.