Le Laperouse, Best of New Zealand ex Auckland to Dunedin

Details

9 Night Cruise sailing from Auckland to Dunedin aboard Le Laperouse.

9 Night Cruise sailing from Auckland to Dunedin aboard Le Laperouse.

On this cruise, PONANT invites you to discover New Zealand, a unique destination with a multitude of natural treasures.

Set sail aboard Le Lapérouse for a 10-day cruise from Auckland to Dunedin.

From Tauranga, you will be able to explore many treasures: volcanoes, hot springs, geysers, rivers and gorges, and lakes that range in colour from deep blue to orange-tinged.

You will also sail to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. This ancient site of the Maori people, as demonstrated by the Te Papa Tongarewa museum, perfectly combines local traditions and bustling nightlife.

In New Zealand’s south-west, on the South Island, Le Lapérouse will cruise to the heart of a park with landscapes shaped by successive glaciations. You will discover Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound and the well-known Milford Sound − three fiords bordered by majestic cliffs.

Surrounded by the blue waters of the Pacific, the twin islands of New Zealand are the promise of an incredible mosaic of contrasting panoramas.

Highlights of this cruise:

Auckland
Auckland is New Zealandﾒs largest, most populated and busiest city. Located on an isthmus linking the peninsula of Northland to the expansive North Island, it seems to float between land and sea. It is one of ﾠthe few cities in the world to have two separate harbours ﾖ Manukau Harbour on the Tasman Sea and Waitemata Harbour on the Pacific Ocean. Youﾒll understand why Auckland is known as ﾓthe city of sailsﾔ when you see the forest of masts in the marina. The 328 metre-high Sky Tower offers splendid views of the city. Surrounded by dormant volcanoes such as Mt Eden, Auckland is noted for its abundant nature and magnificent black-sand beaches. A blend of Maori, European and Asian cultures give the city a vibrant atmosphere.

Tauranga
Located to the north of Rotorua, Tauranga stretches the length of the Bay of Plenty, sheltered from the ocean by the island of Matakana. This coastal city boasts a flourishing economy thanks to its port, and is a pleasant and pretty town with a peaceful, relaxed feel. The seafront area is contemporary and lively, dotted with cafés and restaurants. The town centre reveals more picturesque charms, while the surrounding area is packed full of natural delights. Travel on to the town of Rotorua to visit the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland: a fantastic opportunity to experience an absolutely exceptional geothermal phenomenon.

Wellington
Crowned with gentle green hills, Wellington harbour is located in the far south of North Island. This city offers a charming pell-mell of traditional and modern cultures, bestowing on the New Zealand capital, a unique atmosphere, at once friendly and avant-guard. Where some sites, like the large National Te Papa Tongarewa museum, reflect the city’s Maori past, others, like the many cafés and restaurants, affirm the inhabitants’ incredible lust for life.

Milford Sound
Milford Sound fjord is among one of the most beautiful natural sites in New Zealand. So much beauty will quite simply take your breath away. Located on the south-west coast of South Island, in the Fiorldland National Park, this sumptuous inlet carved out by glaciers advances over at least 15 kilometres inland, in the Southern Alps. Majestic cliffs seem to surge out of the dark waters, rising several hundred metres high: an abrupt relief from where impressive waterfalls cascade.

Dunedin
Located to the East of New Zealand’s South Island, the Victorian city of Dunedin blends natural beauty and a fascinating cultural history. Surrounded by spectacular hills at the foot of a long port, this city is part of the Otago Peninsula, a long strip of volcanic land shaped like a finger and displaying sumptuous undulating landscapes. Do not miss your chance to visit the Royal Albatross Center in Taiaroa Head, and to discover the tip of the peninsula, home to rare native animal species such as the blue penguins or the yellow- eyed penguins. Aboard a train, cross the fertile lands of the Taieri Gorge, famous for its sheer cliffs and spectacular ravines, as well as its railway, built by the first pioneers along the roughest of terrain.