AUCKLAND ISLANDS – Scenic Zodiac Cruising
Latitude: 50°31'S
Longitude: 166º17'E

Orion's guests will cruise in Zodiacs in Sandy Bay on Enderby Island at the northern end of Auckland Island, to view a large Hooker Sea Lion colony with pups all jostling for position. If we are fortunate, we may see the rare Yellow-Eyed Penguin as they move to and from their nests in the forests beyond the beach.

BALLS PYRAMID – Scenic Zodiac Cruising
Latitude: 31°45’S
Longitude: 159°15’E

Just 23km southeast of Lord Howe,spectacularly spearing 552 metres out of the sea is the jagged basalt spire of Balls Pyramid. Formed about 7 million years ago, windswept and inhospitable, it is regarded as the world’s tallest sea stack.

Ball's Pyramid has a few satellite islets. Adding to the drama of this almost mythological seascape are Observatory Rock and Wheatsheaf Islet, both located nearby, and Southeast Rock, some 3.5 km from Ball's Pyramid.

If conditions permit, Zodiac exploration will take guests for a close-up view of this pinnacle and surrounding islets. No landings are permitted on Balls Pyramid.

BAY OF ISLANDS, NZ – Dry landing
Latitude: 38°34’S
Longitude: 142°49’E

On the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand we enjoy our first taste of Aotearoa. Here a coastline of bays and white sandy beaches embraces a sea dotted with 150 islands. The Maoris believe that the Bay of Islands was originally discovered by their legendary navigator Kupe. This is where the Maoris first arrived, and not so long ago was a base for whalers, sealers and sailors, preparing the way for a fusing of Maori and European culture. It is famously known as being the home of the Treaty of Waitangi, the first official agreement between Maori and the British.

BLUFF (INVERCARGILL), New Zealand – Disembark
Latitude: 46°35’S
Longitude: 168°18'E

The largest urban centre in ’s Southland is Invercargill, a city of 49,000 people. Visitors come to admire the elegant Victorian and Edwardian buildings, gardens and landscaped parks. The fishing port of Bluff is a half hour drive south from Invercargill and is home to the famous Bluff oyster and a lively annual seafood festival. On days of embarkation or disembarkation transfers will operate between Bluff and Invercargill.

BRISBANE, Australia – Embark
Latitude: 27°28′S
Longitude: 153°02′E

Situated midway up the east coast of Australia is Brisbane, capital city of Queensland. With the Gold Coast beaches to the south and the Sunshine Coast to the north, Brisbane is well situated to commence your Orion journey and it is well worth arriving a few days prior to enjoy the city and surrounds.

CAMPBELL ISLAND – Wet landing
Latitude: 52°33'S
Longitude: 169º09'E

Campbell Island was first discovered in January 1810 by Captain Frederick Hasselburg, master of the sealing brig, Perseverance. He named the island after his employers Robert Campbell and Co. of Sydney and sadly drowned later that year after a boat capsized in Perseverance Harbour. Campbell is a volcanic island with fascinating rock formations. 50 years ago, between 2 and 3 million Rock Hopper Penguins were nesting on the island but since then 90% have been decimated by bacterial infection. Erect Crested Penguins are found here in small numbers and less than 20 pairs of Wandering Albatross nest. Approximately 8,500 pairs of Royal Albatross and about 74,000 pairs of Black Browed Mollymawk also call the island home. Over 40 other breeds of birds including the Southern Royal Albatross have also been observed on Campbell Island.

DUSKY & DOUBTFUL SOUNDS, NZ – Wet landing
Latitude: 45°16'S
Longitude: 166°52'E

Experience spectacular cruising though pristine wilderness in the very heart of Fiordland National Park, the largest in New Zealand and one of the largest in the world. The park is bordered to the east by glacial lakes and to the west by the 14 fiords that give Fiordland its name. Orion enters via Thompson Sound enroute to Doubtful and Dusky Sounds.

At 421 metres depth, Doubtful is the deepest of these fiords. Exuding a peaceful serenity it is sometimes called “the Sound of Silence”. Abundant in both flora and fauna, these fiordlands are renowned for their excellent dolphin and seal viewing opportunities, either from Orion or onboard one of Orion's Zodiacs. Fiordland Crested Penguins are often seen on many of the small islets at the entrance of the fiord and at Nee Islets there is a fur seal colony.

FJORDLAND
Latitude: 44°36'S
Longitude: 167°50'E

World Heritage listed Fjordland is considered one of the most dramatic and beautiful parts of New Zealand. Orion will have two days to explore hidden bays and isolated coves including Milford and Doubtful Sounds. The Maori were the first to ascribe creation of the fiords to a “titanic mason”, Tute Rakiwhanoa – a concept you will find totally believable as Orion slips beneath sheer granite cliffs, not yet worn smooth by time.

You will experience spectacular cruising though pristine wilderness in the very heart of Fiordland National Park, the largest in New Zealand and one of the largest in the world. The park is bordered to the east by glacial lakes and to the west by the 14 fiords that give Fiordland its name.

Abundant in both flora and fauna, these fiordlands are renowned for their excellent dolphin and seal viewing opportunities, either from Orion or onboard one of Orion's Zodiacs. Fiordland Crested Penguins are often seen on many of the small islets at the entrance of the fiord and at Nee Islets there is a fur seal colony.

HAURAKI GULF (Waiheke), NZ – Dry landing
Latitude: 36°53’S
Longitude: 174°46’E

The Hauraki Gulf is the marine gateway to Auckland and stretches between the Waitemata Harbour and the Coromandel Peninsula. Over 50 islands and islets sit within these sheltered waters. Waiheke Island, one of the largest islands in the Gulf is considered by many to be the most magical part of the Auckland experience (and is only 35 minutes from downtown Auckland by local ferry). Its beautiful beaches and native forest reserves harmonise with small cafes, vineyards, olive groves and art studios to make it a favourite leisure destination for Auckland residents.

HOBART, Australia – Embark/Disembark
Latitude: 42°52'S
Longitude: 147°19'E

Set on the River Derwent, Hobart is very much a city of the sea with views of the Derwent estuary appearing around every corner. Historic 19th century waterfront warehouses remain, still bordering the commercial fishing harbour, though today it is easier to feast on seafood at one of the restaurants they now house. Hobart is the finishing line for the famed blue water Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and its deep harbour precinct once bustled with whalers, soldiers, petty bureaucrats and opportunistic businessmen. A walk through the town will reveal that the city has resisted the pressure to move with the times, having retained and preserved old buildings such as the Parliament built by convicts in the 1830's.

LORD HOWE ISLAND – Dry landing
Latitude: 31°30’S
Longitude: 159°05’E

Set in the South Pacific Ocean, crescent shaped Lord Howe is a remarkable eroded remnant of one of a series of volcanic pinnacles, part of a submarine ridge that links to the north island of New Zealand. Dominated by the twin volcanic peaks of Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird, Lord Howe is known for its spectacular beauty, picturesque lagoon and amazing coral reef (the southern most coral reef in the world), and is one of justfour island groups in the world possessing World Heritage status.

Discovered in 1788, early visitors to the island included ships travelling between Sydney and Norfolk Island, as well as American whaling and trading vessels. The island's extensive flora and fauna has been attracting botanists, zoologists and naturalists ever since. There are over 240 different species of native plants and at least 168 bird species either living at, or regular visitors to, this island group which comprises Lord Howe Island, Admiralty Islands, Mutton Bird Islands and Ball's Pyramid.

MACQUARIE ISLAND – Wet landing
Latitude: 54°29'S
Longitude: 158°56'E

Often described as one of the "wonder spots" of the world, the sub-Antarctic island of Macquarie has been said to rival South Georgia in its magnificence, scenic diversity and prolific wildlife. Designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1933 and a World Heritage Site in 1977, Macquarie now operates a full-time manned station where biological and meteorological research is conducted. The station, located on the isthmus at Buckles Bay, is from where we will collect the Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife rangers who will be our guides.

Sandy Bay, situated halfway down the island's eastern seaboard, is our planned landing site. The Zodiacs will traverse breakwaters of giant kelp before reaching rocky beaches where landing conditions can best be described as "wet and challenging". Once ashore you'll find the bay, with its rugged backdrop of mountains and tussockcovered headlands, is home to 20,000 breeding pair of royal penguins, king penguins, rock hopper penguins, gentoo penguins and elephant seals. This profusion of wildlife wasn't always so protected, the rusting remains of machinery used by whalers being stark reminders of the exploitation which took place on the island during its early history.

MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS MARITIME PARK, NZ – Wet landing
Latitude: 41°8′30’S
Longitude: 174°5′22’E

Maori legend describes the entire South Island as Maui's waka (canoe), wrecked on a reef during a fishing expedition, the shattered bow of the canoe became the Sounds.

For centuries, Marlborough has offered safe harbour to travellers. First to Maori traders and war parties; then to European explorers, such as Captain James Cook and Dumont D'Urville; and now Orion guests seeking new landscapes and rejuvenating experiences.

This relaxed sojourn will provide opportunistic Zodiac exploration and landings, including historic Ship Cove (Endeavour Inlet) where Captain James Cook was based for a period during his 1770 voyage, Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary and the adjacent Long Island Marine Reserve.

NAPIER- HAWKES BAY, NZ – Dry landing
Latitude: 38°37'S
Longitude: 142°59'E

Enjoying a sunny Mediterranean-style climate, Hawke’s Bay is famous for its wineries, orchards and artisan food producers. Lavender gardens, orchards and olive plantations thrive under the Hawke's Bay sun.

The regional feature is the town of Napier, famous for its concentration of buildings in the styles of the 1930s - Stripped Classical, Spanish Mission, and above all Art Deco. Almost leveled by an earthquake in 1931, Napier rebuilt and today has one of the most outstanding collections of 1930's architecture to be seen anywhere in the world. This is a living film set where you can step back in time to an elegant era.

SNARES ISLAND, NZ – Scenic Zodiac Cruising
Latitude: 48°0'S
Longitude: 166°37'E

Two small rocky islands, North East and Broughton, comprise The Snares, the closest sub-Antarctic islands to New Zealand. The islands are covered with heavy tussock grass and wind-beaten forests of tree daisies. Weather permitting we’ll launch our Zodiacs for an exploration of the sheltered eastern coastline as the island’s wildlife protection program precludes landings. The Snares are home to huge numbers of breeding birds, 99 recorded species including albatross, Antarctic Terns and Snares Crested Penguin.

STEWART ISLAND, NZ – Wet landing
Latitude: 47°0'S
Longitude: 168°0'E

Stewart Island is the southern-most island of New Zealand, the forest a haven for bird-life including Kaka, parakeets and bellbirds as there are fewer predators than on the mainland. New Zealand's national bird, the kiwi, is found all round the Island, often seen feeding on sandhoppers at the beach. Most sand is golden however there is black iron sand on some beaches while others are white with quartz, or red with garnet.

Orion will make her way along the sheltered eastern coast of Stewart Island (Rakiura), 96% of which is designated as Rakiura National Park.

We will Anchor in Paterson in the afternoon to visit the quaint fishing village of Oban in Halfmoon Bay with its art and craft shops as well, as the wildlife sanctuary on Ulva Island.

TAURANGA, NZ – Dry landing
Latitude: 37°41′S
Longitude: 176°10′E

When James Cook sailed into the bay onboard the Endeavour he was so impressed he named it The Bay of Plenty. You will not be disappointed, for this is a Bay of Plenty, with dazzling white sand, crystal clear water, surf beaches and beautiful harbours. The town of Tauranga is located at the head of a large harbour, protected by Matakana Island. Not surprisingly the word Tauranga comes from Maori, which roughly translates to "a sheltered anchorage".

WELLINGTON, NZ – Embark/Disembark
Latitude: 41°15'S
Longitude: 174°50'E

Wellington, the Capital of New Zealand, is located in the centre of at the southern end of the North Island, dominated by Wellington harbour and hills. It is the world's most southern capital and the only capital in the "Roaring Forties" latitudes. With a population of around 170,000 Wellington has a relaxed, cosmopolitan style about it and with a city centre just 2 kilometres in diameter is a convenient twenty minutes walk from one side to the other.

The city is home to an astonishing number of art galleries, libraries, museums and schools of drama, music, dance and ballet yet with over 300 eateries has more restaurants, bars and cafes per head than New York! A vibrant city, there is always plenty to do for young and old and it is worth adding a few days to your Orion expedition to take advantage of its offerings.

WHITE ISLAND, NZ – Wet landing
Latitude: 34°57'S
Longitude: 117°58'E

In 1769, James Cook gave the island its name because of the dense clouds of steam hanging over it. Today the island still emits visible plumes of steam, often ejecting clouds of ash that rise as high as 10km on clear, still days. The crater, containing a lake, often fluorescent green in colour, is over 100 metres deep.

This is a fascinating place to visit as there is continuous thermal activity on the surface of the island, with boiling pools, pot holes of sulphuric acid, steam and natural gas vents.

Located 48km offshore, White island has built up over 15,000 years of ongoing volcanic activity. About 70 percent of the volcano remains under the sea, making this massive volcanic structure the largest in New Zealand.

NOTE FOR ALL CRUISES: The order in which ports are visited is subject to prevailing tidal and weather conditions.