Silversea CruisesSydney to AucklandItineraryMonday - Sydney, AustraliaSydney is the heart of New South Wales and the state's capital. A bustling center for industry and business and a major world port, it boasts 3.5 million inhabitants. Spreading over some 670 square miles, the city seems to stretch as far as the eye can see to the west, north and south. Where Sydney's metropolitan area ends, the wide-open bush of New South Wales begins. Sydney is located roughly the same distance from the equator as San Diego, California, and enjoys an equally superb sunny climate. Its beautiful harbor is studded with bays and inlets and crowned by the billowing sails of the incomparable Opera House. In 1770, Captain James Cook sailed his ship the Endeavor into Botany Bay, claiming the east coast of the island continent for England and naming it New South Wales. The timing was perfect as England was seeking a suitable venue for a penal colony. On May 13, 1787, Captain Arthur Phillip was dispatched to this new destination with some 1,000 convicts. Today this international metropolis has long outgrown the stigma of its convict origins. The harbor is undoubtedly the key to Sydney's splendor. It gives the city a pronounced maritime character and immense vitality. The city is divided into Sydney proper on one side of the harbor and North Sydney on the other. The famous Harbour Bridge spans the bay linking these two metropolitan areas. Like many of the world's major cities, Sydney is a contrast of old and new. Soaring glass and steel skyscrapers and the dramatic Opera House are offset by interesting historical buildings. Where Captain Arthur Phillip and his convicts set foot on the shores of Sydney Cove in 1788 there is now a beautifully restored area, called The Rocks.
Tuesday - Newcastle, Australia
Wednesday - Day At Sea
Thursday - Fraser Island
Friday - Day At Sea
Saturday - Day At Sea
Sunday - Port Vila
Monday - Pine Island
Tuesday - Noumea Yet just down the road, the indigenous Kanak people dress in colorful ankle-length dresses and fish the reef with spears for the evening’s meal. This stark contrast of modern and ancient cultures illustrates the dichotomy of paradise: the natives who have survived a century of repression, and the French settlers who represent the last surviving stronghold of colonialism in Melanesia. Not far off the coast, the longest barrier reef in the world shelters 350 species of coral and 1,500 species of fish. Inland, a full third of the world’s reserves of nickel is mined, as well as other minerals such as cobalt, copper and manganese. Captain Cook was the first European to arrive on the island's north coast in 1774 and, because the land reminded him of the Scottish Highlands, he named his discovery New Caledonia. Years later, the French arrived along with Protestant missionaries. To keep order, Napoleon III sent one of his admirals who declared New Caledonia a French Territory in 1853, followed by the establishment of a penal colony. Noumea's location was selected in 1852 by an English sandalwood merchant, James Paddon. Noumea's modern history has been dominated by World War II and the discovery of nickel, which created land tenure problems. Many Kanaks were forced into reservations. The territory became an important Allied base in 1942, and after the war the Kanak people were given French citizenship. However, pro-independence Melanesians have continued to clash with pro-France settlers, and during the 1980s, these head-on collisions often resulted in bloodshed. Outside Noumea, many of the 60,000 Kanaks continue to lead the lifestyle of their ancestors. The system of chiefs continues in tact and it is still customary to present a small gift to the chief when entering a Kanak village. French is the official language, although English is common and various forms of Melanesian are still used in the villages. Noumea is a pretty city with sidewalk cafes and little bistros, and if it weren't for the climate, you could be in a French provincial town. It looks its best from November through January when the Poincianas, or flame trees, turn red.
Wednesday - Day At Sea
Thursday - Norfolk Islands
Friday - Day At Sea
Saturday - Bay Of Islands, New Zealand The Bay of Islands is New Zealand's cradle of European civilization, with many points of interest relating to both early European and Maori settlement. Before the arrival of European explorers and settlers, the Maori lived in this area for hundreds of years, their culture adding an underlying Polynesian graciousness to the country. There are many "firsts" associated with the Bay of Islands, such as the first European community, the oldest home and church in the country and the first capital of New Zealand, among others. A long, irregular coastline shelters the numerous islands, many of which are part of the Bay of Islands Maritime and Historic Park. Within its boundaries lie historically significant sites as well as scenic and recreational lands. In addition, there are reserves that have been established to protect what is left of the once vast native kauri forests. These magnificent trees rival California's redwoods in age, height and girth. The Maori could carve a canoe for one hundred warriors from the trunk of one kauri tree. The valuable timber became the country's first major export, but the supply depleted fast as pioneer settlers cut trees down at a rapid rate. Major sites around the Bay of Islands include Waitangi, one of the country's most historical sites, and Paihia, a subtropical marine resort popular as a starting point for cruises around the bay and fishing excursions. Visitors will not want to miss Russell, one of the oldest towns in New Zealand. Once a village of swashbuckling sailors, whalers and traders, it was known as the "Hell Hole of the Pacific." In the 1920s, Zane Grey immortalized the area with his famous big game fishing exploits. Today, anglers still regard the Bay of Islands as a top fishing area, while residents cherish its unhurried pace, balmy climate and serenity.
Sunday - Tauranga, New Zealand The area of the Bay of Plenty is blessed with a good climate and fine beaches. It is a thriving agricultural district, especially noted for the cultivation of kiwifruit, which is an essential export item and vital to New Zealand’s economy. Tauranga also plays an important role as gateway to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua, known as one of New Zealand’s most famous tourist attractions. Tauranga played a significant role in New Zealand’s history; many of the wars over Maori land were fought nearby in the early 1860s. It was after the famous Treaty of Waitangi, in which Maori chiefs acknowledged British sovereignty, that Tauranga started to become a thriving farm community and port. The Elms Mission House and an 1860s military campsite provide some insight into the area’s history. Other attractions include the Waitomo Caves, a vast underground network of water-sculpted, cathedral-like limestone grottoes. In addition to visiting Rotorua, visitors also enjoy such activities as big-game fishing, scuba diving and flightseeing excursions over White Island, site of New Zealand’s most active volcano.
Monday - Auckland, New Zealand Auckland, with 1,000,000 inhabitants, is New Zealand's largest city. Nearly a quarter of the country's population lives here. The "City of Sails," as Auckland is often called, boasts more boats per capita than any other city in the world. With 70,000 powerboats and sailing craft, this means there is one boat for every four households. No one lives far from the sea and Auckland's balmy year-round climate encourages water-oriented recreation. The waters off Auckland Harbour were the site of the exciting America's Cup event in 2000 and 2003. Auckland is the country's commercial and industrial center, as well as North Island's transportation hub. As such, the city is the arrival point for most overseas visitors. Auckland's cosmopolitan flavor is enhanced by its large Maori community, immigrants from various European and Asian countries, and Pacific Islanders who are attracted by employment and educational opportunities. Some of the city's major attractions stem from its love affair with the great outdoors. Even the downtown area, with its expansive farm-like parks, exudes a sense of spacious beauty. At Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World, exhibits offer a glimpse of the frozen continent and its marine and bird life. Tarlton was New Zealand's most celebrated undersea explorer and treasure hunter. New waterfront development, including modern shopping and office complexes, distinguishes Auckland's downtown area. In the older suburbs, restored Victorian buildings provide a nostalgic contrast. The city's most striking man-made structure is the Harbour Bridge. It arcs dramatically across Waitemata Harbour, linking the city with the fast-growing North Shore. Auckland, with its cosmopolitan flair, offers excellent dining opportunities to satisfy the most refined tastes.
Tuesday - Auckland, New Zealand Cost of This Itinerary15 Night Trip:
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