12D11N Australia & New Zealand: Dusky Sound & Melbourne from Auckland, New Zealand

Auckland is a nature lover's paradise. The 48 volcanic cones that dot the surrounding area provide stunning panoramic views of the city and harbour. New Zealand's largest city is also a shopper's paradise offering everything from top designers to local open-air markets.

Head to the beach or discover Tauranga's lovely parks and rich history. Visit a village buried by a volcanic eruption and captured in a moment of time - a fascinating yet moving experience. Take a selfie at Hell's Gate, an aptly named geothermal park with boiling pools, fantastic geysers and mud baths, the largest of which is Poutamu, "the stairway to heaven

At Sea

Lyttelton is a charming port town with a long history. Back in 1850, the first European settlers landed in Christchurch before heading over the Port Hills to establish their new home. Lyttelton is accessed by an impressive road tunnel. It's a vibrant town, home to a small community of 3,000 residents, filled with bohemian artists, cafés, restaurants and unique shops to discover.

This dramatic South Island coastal town offers a mix of unique natural beauty and fascinating history. New Zealand's only castle sits high above the city and offers sweeping views from its famous gardens. Shop for a locally made souvenir, with crafts, artwork, wool and leather items being popular.

 Milford Sound, which is really a fjord, is the crown jewel of Fiordland National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its vertical cliffs covered in verdant rainforests provide a breathtaking backdrop to thundering waterfalls, misty rainbows and the tannin-stained waters of the fjord. Milford Sound receives an amazing 22 feet of precipitation annually, yet there are only two permanent waterfalls, Lady Bowen and Sterling Falls. Rising upwards of 5,555 feet, the iconic landmark of Milford Sound is Mitre Peak, named for its resemblance to a bishop's hat, known as a mitre. Five individual peaks create its distinctive shape.

Doubtful Sound is the second longest in New Zealand-and the country's second most famous tourist attraction. Doubtful Sound sits at the far southwest corner of the country and winds its way for 24 miles, past small islets and lush mountains covered in dense, native rainforest. With a staggering amount of precipitation, up to 240 inches. Doubtful Sound is also home to fur seals, crested penguins, bottlenose dolphin and whales. Black coral even grows here at relatively shallow depths (35 feet) thanks to the sunlight's inability to penetrate the top layer of freshwater, stained heavy with tannins from the forests.

Dusky Sound is the largest and most spectacular fjord in Fjordland National Park. Captain Cook named Dusky Sound in 1770, as he sailed past its entrance at twilight. Dusky Sound is only accessible by boat or plane making its remoteness a haven for birds and a breeding site for Fjordland crested penguins. These endangered creatures are easy to spot with their bright yellow eyebrows. Upon entering Dusky Sound, it's customary to make a resolution as you sail past Resolution Island, named after Cook's ship.

At Sea

At Sea

Melbourne is Australia's cultural capital with striking architecture, chic galleries and boutiques. Wave at a wallaby or get close to a koala at a wildlife park. Feel closer to the land on a ride on the Puffing Billy steam locomotive through the mountains and countryside. Back in the city, explore a different culture and visit Chinatown - the oldest one in the West.

Burnie has long a history as a community that makes things, with locally crafted European-style cheeses, fine papers, ceramics and single-malt whisky. Surrounded by accessible wilderness areas, in Burnie you can still get a glimpse of little penguins and the platypus, a duck-billed mammal, in the wild. The vibrant shopping district spills onto the beach where you can sit down at a café and watch the world slow down for a little while.

Eden - a beautiful natural wonderland. Situated on the rugged coastline of Australia's New South Wales, Eden is nestled among national parks, wilderness areas and enticing beaches. It's considered one of Australia's best locations for oyster farming, so bring your appetite. Eden and its surrounding landscapes offer an abundance of outdoor activities on the water and by land.

Sydney's harbour is the hub from which there's much to see and do.  Admire the skyline, swim at a harbour beach or cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Rocks district is a shopper's mecca offering a wide variety of goods, from woodcrafts and unique art to outback fashions.