New Zealand Coastal Odyssey - FLY FREE*

Pre-cruise Itinerary

Date	Activity
3 Nov 2025	Fly Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne to Auckland, make own way to hotel

Cruise Itinerary

Date	Port	Arrive	Depart
3 Nov 2025	Auckland, New Zealand
4 Nov 2025	Auckland, New Zealand
4 Nov 2025	Tauranga, New Zealand
5 Nov 2025	Tauranga, New Zealand
5 Nov 2025	Rotorua, New Zealand
6 Nov 2025	At Sea
7 Nov 2025	Wellington, New Zealand
8 Nov 2025	Kaikoura, New Zealand
9 Nov 2025	Akaroa New Zealand
10 Nov 2025	Dunedin (Port Chalmers), New Zealand
11 Nov 2025	Oban, Halfmoon Bay, Stewart Island
12 Nov 2025	Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
13 Nov 2025	Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
14 Nov 2025	Invercargill, New Zealand
14 Nov 2025	Queenstown, New Zealand

Post-cruise Itinerary

Date	Activity
14 Nov 2025	Transfer to airport, Fly Queenstown to Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane

Heritage Expeditions pioneered expedition cruising in New Zealand in 1984 and have been supporting New Zealand conservation for more than 50 years. Our New Zealand Coastal Odyssey voyage rolls all this experience into one voyage as we share the hidden gems of Aotearoa/New Zealand and its three main islands (the North Island, South Island, and Stewart Island) with you on this unforgettable 12-day expedition cruise. From the bright lights of New Zealand’s largest city to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua, Wellington’s capital of cool, Dunedin’s avant garde fashion labels, Fiordland and Milford Sound’s iconic scenery to the adventure playground of Queenstown – this is the ultimate Kiwi adventure to experience it all.

With the 9th longest coastline in the world measuring some 15,000 kilometres you will wind through narrow fiords, circumnavigate small islands, explore secluded bays, and visit quaint seaside towns. Bordering the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean, and once part of Gondwanaland, New Zealand has a fascinating natural and cultural history from its first Polynesian arrivals through European settlement, early sealing and whaling and world leading conservation efforts. Places of interest include the sunken valleys and towering mountains of Fiordland’s Milford, Doubtful and Dusky Sounds; the volcanoes, hot springs and geysers of Rotorua; the ‘World’s Coolest Little Capital’ (Wellington); the stunning marine mammal playground of Kaikoura and home of New Zealand whale watching where the mountains meet the sea; the Scottish city of Dunedin; the iconic wildlife havens of Stewart Island and nearby predator free Ulva Island; and many Kiwi towns along the way including the French-infused village of Akaroa.

Those looking for a thrilling exploration filled with wildlife encounters will enjoy observations of dolphins and whale watching, exceptional birdwatching including a number of rare endemic species and an albatross colony on the Otago Peninsula. Those with a taste for gourmet delights will enjoy experiencing some of New Zealand’s award-winning cuisine including the wines of Canterbury and Marlborough and cheese in Akaroa.

Our vessel Heritage Adventurer is built for exploring regions like New Zealand’s intricate coastline, navigating through fiords, cruising up harbours, and allowing for Zodiac cruising to remote and isolated bays. We invite you to join us on this in-depth exploration of New Zealand.

Heritage Adventurer is a true pioneering expedition vessel of exceptional pedigree. Often referred to as the 'Grande Dame of Polar Exploration' due to her celebrated history and refined design, she was purposebuilt for adventure in 1991 at Finland's Rauma shipyard and specifically designed for Polar exploration.

Setting a peerless standard in authentic expedition travel, Heritage Adventurer (formerly known as MS Hanseatic) combines the highest passenger ship iceclass rating (1A Super) with an impressive history of Polar exploration. Having held records for the most northern and southern Arctic and Antarctic navigations, and for traversing both the Northwest and Northeast Passages, makes Heritage Adventurer perfect for pioneering New Zealand-based Heritage Expeditions signature experiential expedition travel.

Originally designed to accommodate 184 guests, Heritage Adventurer now welcomes just 140 expeditioners ensuring spacious, stylish and comfortable voyages, while a fleet of 14 Zodiacs ensures all guests are able to maximise their expedition adventure. Heritage Adventurer proudly continues our traditions of exceptional, personalised expedition experiences as Heritage Expeditions flagship.

Every year Heritage Expeditions voyages with small groups of between 18 and 140 intrepid travellers to some of the most unique and remote islands, coasts and shorelines on earth aboard their expedition ships Heritage Adventurer and Heritage Explorer on voyages ranging from 5 – 28 days.

Founded in 1985 by the Russ family in Christchurch, New Zealand, Heritage Expeditions is still proudly family-owned and operated. Contributing to conservation through experiential learning and providing funds for research and management, they are pioneers in environmentally-responsible expedition travel offering intimate group excursions to Antarctica and the Subantarctic Islands, through the Pacific, and around New Zealand on their purpose built expedition ships.

Each expedition is meticulously planned and led by a team of botanists, ornithologists, naturalists and experts in their field, ensuring guests maximise every opportunity to learn, discover and experience as much as possible, while minimising the impact of their visit and returning as ambassadors for these very special places.