New Zealand Yacht Harbors - 4315 Seabourn Odyssey departing 23 Feb 2023

Auckland is one of the few cities in the world to have harbors on two separate bodies of water. The central part of urban Auckland covers a narrow isthmus between the Manukau Harbor on the Tasman Sea, and the Waitemata Harbor on the Pacific Ocean. In addition, Auckland’s diverse geography and warm, humid climate has inspired a lifestyle regularly ranked in the world’s top ten. A half hour drive from the city there is an abundance of activities: sailing to a secluded island, trekking through the rainforest, picnicking on a volcano, sampling wines at a vineyard or exploring a black sand beach.

Tauranga, the principal city on the Bay of Plenty, is the largest export town in New Zealand. Its name, fittingly enough, means “resting place for canoes”, as this was the landing place of some of the first Maoris to arrive in New Zealand. The 19th-century missionaries left a legacy of well-planned parks and gardens for today’s residents and visitors to enjoy. Tauranga is one of New Zealand’s primary kiwi fruit and orchard regions, and the gateway to the geothermal park, Rotorua.

Gisborne is a city on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island. It’s known for wineries and surf beaches such as Makorori. The Tairawhiti Museum has exhibits on indigenous and colonial history, with Wyllie Cottage, an early European house, and Maori artefacts. Titirangi Reserve has lookouts and a monument to explorer James Cook. Nearby, Te Poho-o-Rawiri is a Maori meeting house with carvings of ancestral figures.

Port Chalmers is the main port for the city of Dunedin. Situated in a natural amphitheater at the head of a long fjord-like inlet, Dunedin was the first permanent European settlement in New Zealand, founded in 1848. Not long afterwards, gold was discovered in the region, and the province quickly became the richest and most influential in the colony. While Christchurch is New Zealand’s most English town, Dunedin is its most Scottish; the name Dunedin is the old Gaelic name for Edinburgh. Numerous distinctive and historic buildings remain from the time of its predominantly Scottish settlers, preserving its architectural heritage.

South of the Canterbury Plain on the South Island, Timaru is built on the rolling volcanic hills surrounding Mt. Horrible. Originally a whaling station, it grew to serve the sheep stations in the surrounding countryside. Visit the South Canterbury Museum, filled with artifacts and information about the history of the region from the Maori arrival to the present day, and the Aigantighe Art Gallery, housed in a homestead dating from 1908.

Although it is known as the “Garden City” because of its beautiful parks and world-renowned gardens, Christchurch is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with exciting festivals, theatre, modern art galleries, great shopping and award-winning attractions. Named after Christ Church, a college at the University of Oxford in London, Christchurch is often described as the most English of New Zealand’s cities. Located in the city center is the Christchurch Cathedral, an outstanding example of Gothic Revival architecture. Other grey-stone nineteenth century buildings, tree-lined avenues and extensive leafy parks give the city it’s elegant, English atmosphere.

Visually stunning, Wellington is nestled between a magnificent harbor and a natural amphitheatre of forest-clad hills. Its compact size, combined with cultural sophistication, makes it New Zealand’s most inspiring urban destination. Wellington’s cultural crowning jewel is Te Papa, a donation-only museum that celebrates Australasian natural history, science and culture. Exhibits include Maori artifacts, an extensive Pacific Cultures collection and interactive science exhibits. The city’s art scene is flourishing, with numerous galleries and craft markets displaying the work of the country’s top artists and craftspeople.

Located on the northwest end of the South Island, Nelson enjoys the sunniest weather in New Zealand, giving it the dual nicknames “Sunny Nelson” and “Top of the South.” The city is the oldest on South Island, and the second-oldest in New Zealand, having been founded in 1841 as a speculative endeavor by a development company, which purchased land from the Maori inhabitants. The scheme did not thrive, because the arable land was too limited by mountain ranges on three sides and the Tasman Bay on the fourth. Today, however, Nelson is the biggest fishing port in the Australasian region. The town is also a renowned center for creative types including artists and artisans. It holds an annual Festival of Wearable Art and a permanent museum is dedicated to the entries and to collectible cars. The abundant sunlight helps ripen the sauvignon blanc grapes that have made the nearby Marlborough region a global wine mecca. To the west, the Abel Tasman National Park offers outdoor action, while to the east a bit, Havelock is the self-proclaimed “Greenlip Mussel Capital of the World!” The surrounding mountains are honeycombed with caverns, including some of the world’s most extensive explored caverns.

New Plymouth is a city on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island. It’s known for its coastal walkway stretching from Bell Block to Port Taranaki. Te Rewa Rewa Bridge has views of towering Mount Taranaki. The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery shows contemporary exhibitions. Close by, Pukekura Park has botanical gardens and birdlife. Subalpine forests and waterfalls characterise Egmont National Park to the south.

This picturesque town near the border of New South Wales and Victoria was the site of a thriving shore-based whaling industry that depended on the cooperation of orcas, which herded baleen whales into Twofold Bay. Learn about it at the small but informative Killer Whale Museum. The Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre concentrates on smaller sea-life. Ben Boyd’s Tower looms over Disaster Bay in the scenic national park named after the eccentric 19th-century magnate. The town’s name is unrelated to the biblical garden. It was named for George Eden, first Earl of Auckland.

Sydney is a cosmopolitan, multicultural city surrounded by golden sand beaches, World Heritage areas, lush national parks and acclaimed wine regions. Sydney owes much of its splendor to its magnificent harbor. Arriving by ship provides an unequaled impression, showing off the city’s famous landmarks: the dramatic white sails of the iconic Opera House and the celebrated Harbor Bridge, looming over the skyline.