Adventure 

Take in the best of Canterbury with this scenic drive and train ride. Enjoy a three hour stunning scenic drive up to Arthur’s Pass, stopping at Homebush for morning tea. The old stables are is surrounded by eight acres of woodland gardens and offer a fascinating glimpse of colonial farming. Travel then to Arthur’s Pass where you will board the world famous Tranzalpine Train. A spectacle of unrivalled scenery unfolds as you journey across viaducts and through tunnels in the heart of the Southern Alps. Snow-capped mountains, native rainforest, and river gorges adorn this remote region of New Zealand. Leave Arthur’s Pass National Park, encompassing 24,000 acres of rainforest, pass the town of Springfield and then enter the Canterbury Plains on your journey to Rolleston. Disembark the train in Rolleston and re-join your coach for another scenic drive back to your ship. This is a full day tour. This tour may operate in reverse order.

There is only one place on the planet where you can swim with hector’s dolphins and that is the sheltered Akaroa Harbour. Make a date with the world’s smallest, rarest, and friendliest dolphin. Akaroa’s harbour- a sea-invaded crater- boasts stunning coastal scenery and is home to a plethora of marine species, including the very rare hector’s dolphins. Enjoy a two hour cruise onboard a jet-powered boat where you’ll have the opportunity to swim with these friendly mammals. All crew onboard are highly trained and will provide a great briefing on how best to interact with the dolphins while in the water. If you are new to snorkelling and the use of a wetsuit, the crew will be on hand to help you out. In the case that you are unable to swim with the dolphins, a small partial refund will be given by the operator, not onboard your cruise ship. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Explore independently while enjoying the convenience of pre-arranged transportation between your ship and Christchurch. You'll set the pace and choose the places you want to see with ample time to wander from one intriguing landmark to another. At the time specified by your driver/guide, the motorcoach will depart from the same point for the return drive to Akaroa and your waiting ship. Your motorcoach departs Akaroa and travels around the small bays around the harbour, up to the Hilltop and then passing the township of Little River and Tai Tapu, heading to Christchurch City. Your tour driver will give you a brief orientation and point out the places of interest that you might like to visit during your time in the city. Begin your adventure near the Christchurch visitor information centre. Places of interest include the Canterbury Museum; punting on the Avon River; the Botanic Gardens, Hagley Park and the Cashel Street Mall shopping precinct with the iconic Ballantynes department store. Please be mindful that this excursion is non-guided and is exclusive of lunch and entrance fees. Local currency will be required for entrance to some attractions and lunch, you should plan to either exchange your money onboard the ship, at a currency exchange in the Cashel Street Mall or at a currency exchange in the previous port.

This tour, via three different modes of transport (coach, tussock buggy, and jet boat), offers an in-depth look at the rugged Canterbury High country at the base of the majestic Southern Alps, into areas that even New Zealanders seldom see. Journey by coach from Akaroa and watch the landscape change as you travel across the Canterbury Plains, the Waimakariri River, to enter the foothills of the majestic Southern Alps. Continue on through a 10,000 acre station to a secluded lodge right next to the Waimakariri Gorge. Here board a large all-weather Hamilton jet boat for a six mile scenic river cruise through the spectacular Waimakariri Gorge. Experience the thrill of skimming over the water- a time only inches deep while feeling safe and secure. Next, join a specially designed 4WD tussock buggy and set off on an 12 mile adventure safari through the vast 35,000 acre Flock Hill Station. Learn about the colourful history of this remote and isolated area as your journey takes you along the original stagecoach road, hand-built by the early pioneers to gain access to the gold fields on the west coast. Enjoy a buffet lunch at Flock Hill Lodge before returning on a chartered coach to your ship. The tour may operate in reverse order.

Experience Auckland from a new perspective on an adventure that takes you under, through and over the famous Auckland Harbour Bridge. This unforgettable 1 ½ hour climb is an amazing adventure. Custom engineered walkways provide a safe, enjoyable, and easy going experience for all ages, while showcasing the incredible sights, sounds, and activities of the Harbour and city. This is the only bridge climb in New Zealand complete with a tour guide and full commentary. Cameras are not allowed on the bridge but photographs are available for purchase.

Abseiling (repelling) under showering waterfalls, underground streams into caves, jumps, into hidden pools and mysterious water sculptured gorges. Set amongst the stunning landscape of the Waitakere Ranges a subtropical rainforest over volcanic rock is the scene for your Kiwi Canyoning Adventure. See the site of the historic Kauri Logging Dam, visit the famous black sand Piha surf beach and take time to see an environment of ferns, mosses and palms struggling to survive on the steep walls of the canyon. After breaking for a well deserved lunch, descend further to discover otherwise unreachable views and majestic spots. Continuing through tunnels, over boulders and under logs, you may test your courage by jumping into plunge pools and abseiling right into a waterfall. No experience required! Just a moderate level of fitness. Qualified and experienced instructors guide your trip.

Experience the Waitemata Harbour with some of New Zealand’s renowned adventure experiences with Auckland Adventure Jet’s amazing crew. The trip will take around 35 to 40 min, promising a unique Auckland hair raising experience. Enjoy the thrills of fish tailing, unbelievable spins and awesome power brake tricks. We will stop and talk about the iconic Chelsea sugar refinery and also the harbour bridge and at the same time you are likely to see someone doing a bungy jump right in front of you! Your Auckland Adventure jet experience will also include a roundtrip ferry ticket to Devenport, it sure is going to be a great day in Auckland!

Utilise your day in Albany to explore some of her best secrets, this full day tour will have you travel the South Coast Highway to Denmark, where ancient forests meet the sea. Be inspired by the immense scenery, tantalise your tastebuds and refresh your palette with exquisite wines; all in a day’s adventure. Firstly we take you to explore the canopy of a mature Tingle Forest on a treetop walk through the “Valley of the Giants” in Walpole-Nornalup National Park. A forest of towering kerri and tingle trees you can journey a canopy walkway some 120 feet above the forest floor for a bird’s-eye view of the ancient trees. The walkway’s lightweight steel trusses provide secure support. We will then stop to refresh and enjoy a two-course lunch at the Southern End Restaurant at the Karri Mia Resort .The restaurant features panoramic views of the surrounding farming country and the Great Southern Ocean. Finally we will taste fine wines at Howard Park Winery. Founded in 1986, the estate produces Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Visit the elegant Denmark Cellar Door for a tour of the winemaking facility followed by a tasting.

Leaving from Waitangi, you can feel and sense the spirituality of the Maori warrior as you glide along the peaceful and tranquil waters of the Waitangi aboard a 50 foot traditional Maori Waka (canoe.) Should the tides be favourable, you will make your way up the Waitangi River, whose banks are covered in native flora and fauna of all species. Awe-inspiring is how we describe your arrival at the bottom of the Haruru waterfalls, a spiritual place of the Maori. On completion of sharing histories, you will continue your voyage passing by tropical mangrove forest. Your Waka journey is a perfect combination of eco adventure and interactive cultural encounters. In the event that the tide does not allow access to the waterfalls, you will paddle by a real Maori Marae where the chiefs of 1800 discussed and debated what would eventually become the Treaty of Waitangi. Your guides are direct descendants of the many chiefs who signed the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 and gives you the rare chance to meet the Ngapuhi, the original inhabitants of Northland. Please wear soft sole shoes that can get wet. Your feet will get wet on this tour.

Enjoy a relaxed guided river kayak tour through the Waitangi Estuary and mangrove forest. Paddle up the river to Haruru Falls where you can test your kayak skills by paddling under the waterfall or just relax and enjoy refreshments on the beach. The experienced and friendly guides will ensure you are comfortable during your paddle and will regale you with local legends and information about the area. All gear is provided as well as a light snack. Make sure to bring your camera so the guides can document your paddling!