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Cruising into a beautiful harbor for the first time is full of magical moments. From the deck of the ship you first spot the lighthouse standing guard on a grassy strip of land buttressed by rocks. The ship turns ever so slightly, and a warm wind picks up, gently rushing your face. Inside the harbor, sailboats dot the liquid landscape; their colorful sails bobbing up and down to a rhythm you don’t hear but feel. Slowly the harbor town comes into view, and your mouth falls open ever so slightly as you release your first of many “wows.”
On a cruise to Oceania—that remarkable corner of the world anchored by Australia and New Zealand—this scene becomes frequent but never common, for there is nothing common about these coastal cities. Australians know this well, where 80 percent of the population lives near the coast in uncommon towns of uncommon beauty. New Zealanders are avid coastal dwellers as well; no spot is farther than 79 miles from the sea. From beaches of solitude and sand to giant glaciers of unyielding serenity, New Zealand’s coastal splendors dare you to forget them—a dare they never lose.
Travel agents know that the best way to explore these storied ports is from the luxuries of the water, entering new harbors with a fresh “wow” ready on the tip of your tongue. Luckily, the Tasman Sea, a body of water stretching from Australia’s southeastern tip to New Zealand, is outlined with dazzling seaports like a constellation of stars. These stars—Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin in New Zealand; Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney in Australia—provide an exceptional glimpse of Oceania’s coastal treasures.
Your journey begins on the North Island in New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, the City of Sails. Cruising into this harbor, your ship is playfully surrounded by sailing vessels of every shape and color, for New Zealanders have a passion for ocean-going craft second to none. While docked, enjoy the vibrant waterfront, walk to the summit of Rangitoto, a black lava volcanic island, or ascend 328 meters straight up at Sky Tower, the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere, for a view unimaginable.
Hopping down to the New Zealand’s South Island, the city of Christchurch will surprise you with English charm, reflected in its well-tended gardens and Victorian architecture. Enjoy the city’s extraordinary range of flora and fauna by visiting both the Botanic Gardens, the finest collection of exotic and indigenous plants found anywhere in the country, and Orana Wildlife Park, internationally recognized for its breeding of rare and endangered New Zealand and African animals.
Leaving Christchurch will be difficult, but well worth it once you reach Dunedin, an old city with a distinctly Scottish feel. Whether you explore Larnach Castle, take a ferry ride around Otago Harbour or walk up Baldwin Street, the world’s steepest street, your memories will stay with you for a long time. Even Mark Twain once remarked on a visit, “The people here are Scots. They stopped here on their way home to heaven, thinking they had arrived.”
Departing New Zealand waters, you glide across the Tasman Sea to the wild island-state of Tasmania to discover Hobart, one of the world’s most picturesque harbor cities. If you can tear yourself away from the scenic waterfront, then cruise the leisurely Derwent River, ascend Mt. Wellington to experience a view unrivaled, or, if it’s Saturday, lose yourself in the shoppers paradise of Salamanca Market, where thousands come to buy arts and crafts straight from the artists, along with antiques and collectibles.
Without spotting any Tasmanian devils (they’re nocturnal), you’ll disembark for the big island and land in Melbourne, the cultural heart of Australia. Melbourne comfortably blends 100 cultures for a rich, international air that deliciously lingers in the city’s 15,000 dining venues. Take a quaint tram ride through the downtown area past lush gardens and sleek high-rises to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the country's biggest and most popular stadium that has expanded into both an entertainment center and tourist destination.
While much of the country’s national praise is aimed at Melbourne, international eyes are set on Sydney, where the distinctive profile of the Opera House and the proud arch of the Harbour Bridge gladly greet your ship. Sydney knows it is one of the world’s great cities, and that confidence is warmly reflected in its residents. Step off the boat in Circular Quay and meander through the Rocks, the original old city; take the Sydney Explorer bus around town where you can hop off and on whenever you feel; or, for a breathtaking view of a breathtaking harbor, take the Bridge Climb to the very top.
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