New Zealand cruise

We did a similar trip in 2019. Well worth every penny.
We cruised from Sydney to Auckland via Tasmania and the NZ fjords.
I could go on.
What would you like to know Rosiebee?

Could you not cruise from Australia TO New Zealand, then do coach tours. I have been twice to NZ and the countryside is lovely - especially in the North Island with beautiful Tree Ferns. Having said that, I think you would still see a lot if you cruise. I would not advise driving. A lot of the roads are totally empty and breaking down would be daunting. Also we thought how few petrol stations there were and so many places close early. We were younger then but, now in our 70s, I don't think I'd feel totally at ease if just the two of us were driving round. The population outside the cities is very low and I would feel vulnerable.

We had no trouble driving. SatNav and mobiles make you less vulnerable nowadays. You can always call the Car Hire company. Our route and overnights were booked by a NZ travel agent. All organised by email beforehand.
That said we took some excellent tours at the cruise stops that were also prebooked. We never use the ship tours and save money. We always get back in plenty of time. In fact it's usually the official excursions that are late back.

Google is your friend and the world is your oyster.

We drove around both islands easily but we were 60ish then. People were very friendly and helpful everywhere we went. What I would absolutely recommend though is an overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound, it was a truly magical experience and one of the highlights of our trip.
We also had a 2 night stop in Singapore which we enjoyed, a welcome break from flying!
Enjoy the planning and the trip itself, it’s a long way to go but imho it’s worth it!

It all sounds wonderful, but would suggest a slightly longer stop in Singapore if you can manage it. There's so much to see there, it would be a shame to miss out. We drove around South Island last year, and there was no problem with lack of petrol stations.

Thanks for all replies. I think I'm concerned about getting a real flavour of New Zealand through cruise stops. I do enjoy doing research before a holiday and like the idea of getting local tours rather than the ones from the ship. We prebooked a local tour when we stopped at St Petersburg a few years ago and had a brilliant time in a minibus, lots of stops and local knowledge. I will ask about doing an extra night in Singapore as the holiday includes a tour of the City and there doesn't seem time to just wander and take it all in.
I think the driving is out on this holiday. So it's cruise or a rethink of destination.
My other query is the flight back from Sydney doesn't allow for any stop overs. Is this too much or can anyone recommend somewhere to break the flight? Many thanks.

There isn't a non stop flight from Sydney to the UK, so you'll have a break somewhere. We spent a few hours in Dubai airport where we snoozed on loungers. It's a comfortable airport with showers and food.

Book a long cruise all around NZ....its not very big....and you'll get a good flavour of the islands.

We used Viator to book local trips and joined up with others on the cruise via Cruise Critic. There are also Facebook groups for individual cruises where plans can be made.

Drove 2000 miles in NZ in my early 60s. It's wonderful, every geographical feature except desert. Personally if I did it now in my 70s, I'd fly there and do a coach trip, maybe cruise to Sydney afterwards and do a train excursion. Not a fan of coach trips btw, but you'll see more of NZ than through the cruise ports I think.

I regret not arranging a longer stopover in Singapore. I spent two nights and appreciated a bus tour of the city, though I missed out on Raffles Hotel. I would have loved to see the orchid gardens but there just wasn't enough time. Two nights was not enough.

annodomini

I regret not arranging a longer stopover in Singapore. I spent two nights and appreciated a bus tour of the city, though I missed out on Raffles Hotel. I would have loved to see the orchid gardens but there just wasn't enough time. Two nights was not enough.

The Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore is lovely - beautiful gardens and a lovely big pool. The rooms with balconies overlooking the gardens are IMO the best.

We stayed at the Raffles many years ago, well before it was tarted up more or less out of recognition. I loved it then - it had a Somerset Maugham-y feel, if you know what I mean.

Although NZ has breathtaking scenery, there is little of historical significance. Once you've seen one town you've seen them all so, if you miss one, it doesn't matter. There is hardly anything of architectural interest although that's not what you go there for. A friend of mine visited NZ and said there was nothing much there. I know what she means as it has so much empty space but that is what is so refreshing about it. It does have unique places of interest like Rotorua and Millford Sound. The Bay of Islands in the North Island is beautiful and I expect cruise ships go there. It is interesting and scenic as a country but it does have problems and it is not as safe as it once was. Personally I would not go it alone but would undertake organised trips. I agree with other posters that it is worth spending a bit of time in Singapore.

Sorry Skydancer I couldn't disagree more. Obviously if depends on what people visit a country for, but the Maori culture is fascinating, the history east meets west is really interesting, as is the story of Pacific peoples. Napier is architecturally interesting. The hot springs on the beach, and the thermal springs inland, the geology, the geography, the whales, seals, penguins, kiwi in their natural habitat - there's nothing there!! I travelled for 6 weeks and would be thrilled to spend another 6 weeks there.

Also: The Waitomo Caves, take a boat trip and see the glow worms, if you like wine a vineyard tour, various geysers, some more spectacular than others, learn about Maori culture and sample the food in various places including Rotorua.
Devonport is worth visiting if you are in Auckland, plus there is a Naval Museum there.

For Lord of the Ring fans there are filming locations to visit as well as Hobbiton.

It is a fascinating country with beautiful scenery.

We did that exact cruise in 2019 and it was wonderful. We learnt a lot about Māori culture and really enjoyed the scenery. The Sounds are absolutely breathtaking. We took several days in Sydney too, and enjoyed exploring and also a trip to the Blue Mountains. Our first port was Melbourne, before we crossed the Tasmanian Sea to NZ. We cruised with Celebrity but several cruise lines do similar cruises.

Subsequently my daughter moved to live in NZ, but she is currently fighting her ex husband to try to bring the children back to live in England, but that’s a different story. Anyway since she moved out there we have visited each winter (their summer) and stayed for a prolonged visit. She lives on the South Island near Christchurch. We were there for Waitangi Day this year, when the whole country celebrates NZ’s national day. It celebrates the signing of the Waitangi Treaty between the Māoris and the British.
The scenery in NZ is gorgeous. The culture is very similar to British, but not quite the same. Food is expensive. There isn’t any beautiful old architecture, but there are other interesting things to see.

Taking a couple of days to visit Singapore is well worthwhile. We didn’t do that because we’ve already visit Singapore on a previous cruise. Two days is enough I’d say. We took the hop on, hop off bus and got of in all the different areas. You should visit the botanical gardens and don’t forget to go to Raffles and drink a Gin Sling.

We went on escorted train and bus tour of New Zealand South Island and it was absolutely magical. Saw the glaciers and even walked up to one of them seeing the blue ice. There are a few tours around if you google them. I don’t want to advertise any particular one but if you get a local New Zealand one you won’t go wrong. Another place to see is where they filmed The Hobbit. Akaroa is gorgeous,too but avoid the days the big cruise ships come in !

My DIL's parents are just back from a similar trip.
They had an overnight in Dubai, two nights in Sidney and then cruised round NZ.
They said it was a fabulous trip and are alteady planning another one.

If you go to Tasmania I'd recommend the Bonorong Animal Sanctuary. This was the one ship's excursion we did as they went after closing at dusk when the animals were most active.

I must admit that we took several wine tours and a nostalgic trip to places where DH lived as a toddler.

Dunedin and Christchurch on South Island are very interesting for their more recent history.

What lovely replies! Lots to think about. We'll definitely be looking to add some extra time in Singapore. The cruise part starts and ends in Sydney. I did wonder about the possibility of disembarking at the end in NZ rather than do the 2 days at sea getting back to Sydney. Maybe flying back via Los Angeles....???? But we're off to check out insurance this morning then hopefully a visit to Trailfinders, Manchester. I really have appreciated all replies and will post if /when we do settle on an itinerary.

The earthquake museum in Christchurch is very interesting, also the Antarctic Museum. The gondola trip into the Cashmere hills gives outstanding views, and a trip on the tram around Christchurch is lovely. They do an evening dinner one if you’re in Christchurch overnight, but best to book in advance. Akaroa is gorgeous, one of my favourites, as is Kaikora, and the little blue penguin colony at Oamaru is wonderful. These places are all around, or a couple of hours drive from Christchurch.

Depending on what time of year you go, it can be very chilly in winter.
Some New Zealanders would have you believe they only need to light a fire or put their heat on a couple of times a year! I took vests, layers but a very light mac and I was frozen some of the time! It snowed on North Island when we were there in their spring.

We have just booked a similar cruise , the one we have booked with co op on princess cruises , February next year . We get 2 days in Auckland then cruise for 14 days and back to Sydney for 2 nights
Get a 3 hour stopover in Hong Kong so going to book a lounge
I’m really looking forward to it hope you decide

Hi there there is always the train
The Northern Explorer – a day-long trip between Auckland and Wellington
The Coastal Pacific – travels the east coast of the South Island between Picton and Christchurch
The TranzAlpine – an internationally-renowned train trip that crosses the Southern Alps on its journey between Christchurch and Greymouth.
I think you can get off and back on. There is only one a day so plan you stop offs. Well worth doing as you both get to see NZ and also you get to see parts that you can’t if on the roads. Nz is stunning especially the South Island.

Singapore: the Night Safari is a,wonderful trip to a nocturnal zoo.
Visitors are taken on silent open cars, stopping by various enclosures to view the nocturnal animals and their activities. A low light is turned on for the duration of the stop.
DH and I really enjoyed it. Do make time for that trip.