Wonders of New Zealand with Holland America Line

Your package begins as you fly from the US to your destination.

Touch down in Wellington, New Zealand’s compact and creative capital, where a private transfer takes you to your hotel for a two-night stay. Nestled between hills and harbour, the city offers an easy, atmospheric introduction to your adventure.

Enjoy a full day in Wellington at your own pace. New Zealand’s characterful capital blends dramatic hillside scenery with a thriving arts and coffee culture, offering plenty of scope to explore its museums, harborside paths, and creative pockets before continuing your tour.

Travel onward to Rotorua for a three-night stay in New Zealand’s geothermal heartland. Renowned for its bubbling mud pools, steaming vents, and rich Māori heritage, Rotorua offers an evocative introduction to the country’s volcanic landscapes and cultural traditions.

Tonight, immerse yourself in Māori culture with a traditional Hangi feast and cultural performance at a local village. Savor food cooked in the earth using ancient methods, while storytelling, song, and dance bring centuries of tradition vividly to life.

Take in the volcanic scenery of Lake Taupo before continuing to Waimangu Volcanic Valley, a striking landscape of hissing craters and colourful thermal lakes. Later, ride the Skyline Rotorua gondola for far-reaching views across the lake and surrounding forest.

En route to Auckland for a two-night stay, stop at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Drift silently through limestone caverns lit by thousands of tiny glowworms, a captivating natural spectacle, before a leisurely lunch stop.

Spend a further day discovering Auckland at leisure. Known as the “City of Sails” for its bustling harbour and love of boating, New Zealand’s largest city offers a vibrant waterfront and striking views across its volcanic cones.

Transfer to the port and embark Westerdam, ready to begin your cruise. Expect elegant public spaces, refined dining, and the effortless hospitality Holland America Line is known for, as you set sail across the South Pacific.

Arrive by sea at the port of Tauranga, gateway to the wider Rotorua region you explored during your tour. Enjoy the coastal scenery and relaxed pace of this Bay of Plenty port, a fitting return to landscapes already familiar.

Step ashore in Napier, celebrated for its art deco streetscape rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake. Wander pastel-hued buildings and palm-lined boulevards, or relax by the seafront promenade in this distinctive corner of the Hawke’s Bay wine region.

Return to Wellington by sea for a second glimpse of New Zealand’s capital, this time from the deck as you sail into its sweeping harbour. Revisit favourite spots or discover new corners of this waterside city at your own pace.

Arrive in Picton, gateway to the Marlborough Sounds, where sheltered waterways wind between forested hills. This tranquil port offers a peaceful contrast to the cities, ideal for gentle walks or simply admiring the scenery from the water’s edge.

Call at Lyttelton, the historic port for Christchurch, reached via a scenic route through the Port Hills. Explore the rebuilt city’s blend of heritage and contemporary architecture, or admire the compact harbour setting of this volcanic port town.

Reach Port Chalmers, gateway to Dunedin, a city renowned for its Scottish heritage and striking Victorian and Edwardian architecture. Nearby, the Otago Peninsula shelters rare wildlife, from albatross colonies to little blue penguins, along its rugged coastline.

Spend the day cruising through Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage wilderness of towering peaks, tumbling waterfalls, and deep glacial fjords. Watch from the deck as Westerdam glides silently past some of New Zealand’s most dramatic natural scenery.

Arrive in Hobart, Tasmania’s charming waterfront capital, where colonial sandstone warehouses line the harbour at Salamanca Place. Beyond the city, wild landscapes and a celebrated food and wine culture make Tasmania one of Australia’s most rewarding destinations.

Explore Melbourne, Australia’s cultural capital, known for its laneway cafes, world-class galleries, and effortlessly stylish neighbourhoods. Wander the banks of the Yarra River or discover the city’s vibrant arts and dining scene at your own pace.

Your cruise ends in Sydney where you’ll disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight home.