Explore with Viking—Australia & New Zealand

Visit key sites of the Kulin people to learn about their rich history, contemporary culture and art. Embark on a panoramic drive through the city of Melbourne to the Koorie Heritage Trust, an Aboriginal-owned and operated center, dedicated to presenting and celebrating the contemporary art of Victorian First Peoples. Here, you will meet your Aboriginal cultural guide, who will lead you through Birrarung Marr or “river of mists,” a park that runs along the Yarra River, and tell you about the history of the land and the Kulin Nation. Visit the Birrarung Wilam or “river camp,” an art installation and gathering place where cultural practices help maintain the Kulin Nation’s connection to the land. Return to the Koorie Heritage Trust to see its collection of Aboriginal artwork and exhibitions. After, enjoy lunch inspired by Indigenous flavors before returning to your ship.

See the highlights of the best-preserved Victorian city in the world. Drive along scenic Otago Harbor to Dunedin, founded by Scottish settlers in 1848 and named after the Gaelic term for “Little Edinburgh.” Then enjoy a scenic drive past a wealth of Victorian and Edwardian buildings, richly festooned with spires, gables and gargoyles. Pass Dunedin Botanic Garden, the country’s oldest; and the Otago Museum, with its colonnaded entry; and the magnificent Dunedin Railway Station, a jewel in New Zealand’s architectural crown. Enjoy your journey around the Octagon, the eight-sided plaza overlooked by the Dunedin Town Hall, the twin-spired St. Paul’s Cathedral and a statue of Scottish poet Robert Burns. You will also see Baldwin Street, the world’s steepest residential street, and admire striking views from Unity Park before returning to your ship.

View breathtaking real-life sites from the Lord of the Rings film series and explore filmmaking behind the scenes. A Lord of the Rings specialist guide will share anecdotes about the filming. Pass by Courtenay Place, whose Embassy Theater hosted the world premieres of The Return of the King and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Take in the views from Mt. Victoria and visit the Green Belt forest, where iconic scenes were filmed. See Wellywood, heart of the Wellington film industry, and Miramar, where director Peter Jackson and Wētā NZ have studios and postproduction facilities. At the Wētā Cave’s behind-the-scenes exhibit, hear stories from the people who crafted the props, costumes and more to bring these cinematic worlds to life. Gain insight into the innovation that drives their work and trace the evolution of their craft at an interactive exhibition, before returning to your ship.

Experience a landscape of bubbling hot springs, mudpools and geysers, and immerse yourself in Māori culture. Journey through the scenic countryside toward Rotorua. Its Te Puia Thermal Reserve is home to the renowned spouting Pohutu geyser and a wonderland of silica terraces, pools of boiling mud and dramatic steam vents. Your guide will explain this fascinating geothermal phenomenon. Enjoy a traditional Te Puia Māori cultural performance featuring a spine-tingling wero—a challenge by a Māori warrior to ensure that visitors come in peace—followed by a pōwhiri, or welcome ritual. Then, visit the Māori Arts & Crafts Institute for an introduction to skills such as carving, weaving and the creation of flax skirts and patterned bodices. Pause to see a replica Māori village; after lunch, you will have time to browse a gift shop for traditional handicrafts before returning to your ship.

Enjoy a panoramic drive of Auckland’s major sights and visit the Auckland Museum to learn about Māori culture. Meet your guide at the pier and embark on a narrated drive, passing many of the city’s landmarks. Amid its bustling streets, modern skyscrapers stand beside restored Victorian-era buildings, coexisting in perfect harmony. In the charming suburb of Parnell, pass quaint colonial-style shops. By the Central Business District lies the Auckland Domain, the city’s largest park. Here, you will call at the Auckland Museum. Housed in one of New Zealand’s finest heritage buildings, it tells the nation’s story; from award-winning natural history exhibits to galleries which investigate New Zealand's cultural origins. Explore the museum’s exhibits on your own, and pay your respects at the War Memorial, located just outside. Afterward, return to your awaiting ship.

Take in the beautiful scenery of the Bay of Plenty as you discover more about the kiwifruit capital of the world. Meet your guide and board your motor coach as you set off through Tauranga, crossing the city’s harbor to Te Puke. Pronounced “tay-pookey,” this is New Zealand’s premier region for the production of the nation’s namesake fruit. During your panoramic ride, you will learn more about the orchards that pepper the surrounding landscape. At a local village community hall, enjoy refreshments and a taste of locally picked kiwi, along with free time to browse for kiwi-inspired products and mementos at a boutique marketplace. Members of the local Māori tribe will welcome guests, then provide entertaining insight into their culture. Reboard your coach for a drive along Marine Parade, with panoramic views over Ocean Beach and the Bay of Plenty, before arriving back at your ship.

Discover Sydney’s iconic sights and its most famous ocean playground, Bondi Beach. Start where modern Australia began as a penal colony in 1788, the Rocks district. This historic enclave nestled in the shadow of the Sydney Harbour Bridge depicts the heritage of two centuries along its twisting streets. Then, discover the distinctive Sydney Opera House, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, during a short guided tour and viewing of the sail-like roof. Continue along the shoreline to The Gap at Watson’s Bay, the southern head of Sydney Harbour. Take in spectacular views before heading to Bondi Beach, a renowned surfing haven and magnificent arc of golden sand. Stop for photos before returning to Sydney along the narrow streets of Paddington, their picturesque terraces framed with iron-laced balconies, sandstone houses, designer boutiques, galleries and cafés.

Explore the island state of Tasmania—a land rich in history, wilderness and wildlife. Depart the dock and enjoy a brief, yet scenic drive into the rugged countryside, traveling through Tasmania’s earliest settlements. You will cross the oldest bridge in Australia—Richmond Bridge, which was completed in 1825. Enjoy sweeping views of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, one reminder of the devout 19th-century settlers who brought Christianity to Tasmania. Little has changed since the historic town of Richmond’s beginnings more than 120 years ago, and you will get a glimpse into Australia’s early history as you stroll past the town’s quaint stores, charming tea houses and local art and craft shops. Next, you will continue on to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary to see the famous Tasmanian devil. You will also have the chance to observe and learn more about the native wildlife, including wombats, emus and kangaroos before returning to your ship.