This was a pretty and quiet little seaside village. Take a walk up the look out and admire the view; visit the little shops in the main street (there are some lovely little art treasures to be found); and visit the museum. Relax and stretch your legs!
The ship actually stopped in Akaroa - and then passengers could take an excursion to Christchurch. We explored Akaroa which a sleepy little seaside village with French influences. I got the feeling that Akaroa comes to life whenever a cruise ship comes along - it was definitely a tourism driven town. Tenders were required to get to and from Akaroa. This was an efficient process managed well by the ship.
We felt quite underwhelmed by Wellington port. It seemed to be a harbour under construction. Wellington city was a 20 minute walk from the port. Nothing stood out in the city in particular and we are not keen to return.
This is such a beautiful port with the relaxed and laid back air of a seaside holiday village. We went for a long scenic walk and had drinks at one of the many cafes in town. This port is a wonderful example of some of the extraordinary natural beauty that New Zealand is renowned for.
Auckland is a wonderful, cosmopolitan city. We walked all over the main city and visited some beautiful parks and historic buildings. Definitely a highlight of the trip and a city I would love to visit again. Loved all the little lane ways between main roads in the city - with little boutique shops and restaurants.
Sydney is a city of such great beauty. Just sailing into Sydney Harbour takes your breath away. It is a joy to walk and explore Sydney on foot - especially the parts around Circular Quay and The Rocks. Sydney is however, quite an expensive city, which seemed to surprise many fellow travellers.
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