New Zealand, the land of the long white cloud has attracted Aussie travellers for decades with its alluring natural beauty and warm community.

In 2017, New Zealand was the third most popular destination for Australian cruisers to visit, with around 101,00 passengers visiting. And the cruise lines are pouring ships into the region and offering a host of shore excursions.

Some of the destinations cruise lines visit include Fiordland National Park where you can kayak and go on treks. And you can also immerse yourself in Māori culture, see glow worms twinkle in underground caves outside Auckland, stroll the famed Art Deco city of Napier, and join The Lord of the Rings movie location tour in Wellington.

Cruise ships in Dunedin
Cruise ships in Dunedin

The itineraries range from a week to a month and are offered by contemporary and luxury cruise lines such as Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises Australia, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Oceania Cruises and Silversea.

These is something for everyone, from those looking for a short getaway to others who are looking to thoroughly explore the various ports and shores of New Zealand and beyond.

1. seven-night cruise from Sydney to Auckland from $1,429

This week-long itinerary offered by Princess Cruises is perfect for those looking for at short getaway. Golden Princess departs Sydney on April 8, 2020 and sails straight to Marlborough Sounds where you can take in the majesty of the New Zealand’s fjords before heading on to Wellington, Napier, Tauranga and Auckland.

2. 10-night cruise from Melbourne to Auckland from $2,006

Celebrity Cruises also sails to Auckland from Melbourne in one of the shorter getaways in this list. This itinerary starts February 29, 2020 and Celebrity Solstice docks at Sydney before heading to the New Zealand Sounds, Dunedin, Akaroa, Tauranga and Auckland.

Akarao Harbour
Akarao Harbour

3. 11-night return South Pacific and New Zealand cruise from Sydney from $1,112

Royal Caribbean offers this return cruise on the Ovation of the Seas and she departs on November 23, 2019. She sails to the Bay of Islands from Sydney then makes her way to Auckland before stopping at Vanuatu and New Caledonia.

4. 13-night return cruise departing from Sydney from $2,356.50

Hop on Pacific Explorer from November 24 to December 7, 2018 with P&O Cruises as she sails from north to south New Zealand while stopping at a total of eight ports along the way. The ship departs from Sydney to the Bay Of Islands, followed by Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Akaroa, Dunedin – Port Chalmers, Fjordland National Park, before returning to Sydney.

Fjordland National Park
Fjordland National Park

5. 14-night cruise from Sydney to Auckland from $7,920

For those looking for a more intimate and luxurious New Zealand adventure, consider going on Silversea’s Silver Muse which stops at 11 ports and two countries. Silver Muse departs on December 6, 2019 and will be porting at Melbourne and Hobart before heading to the famed New Zealand Sounds, Milford, Dusky and Doubtful. She continues to Dunedin, Lyttelton, Picton and Tauranga before concluding her journey in Auckland.

6. 16-night cruise from Fremantle to Auckland from $2,185

Celebrity Solstice of Celebrity Cruises departs Fremantle, Perth on February 28, 2019. This itinerary is a good option for those who like to explore Australia together with New Zealand as she stops at Esperance (home of the Pink Lake), Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney before continuing to the New Zealand Sounds, Dunedin, Tauranga to finally arrive at Auckland.

7. 17-night Pacific Odyssey cruise from Brisbane to Auckland from $2,999

This longer itinerary on the Maasdam by Holland America Line gives you an opportunity to explore the Pacific Islands together with north New Zealand. She departs Brisbane on March 28, 2019 and makes two stops in New Caledonia, three stops in Vanuatu as well as Fiji before arriving at New Zealand’s Bay of Islands, Tauranga and Auckland.

8. 28-night Pacific Treasures, Australia and New Zealand cruise from $3,969

Holland America Line offers another long voyage in the region. For those who are looking to take a long vacation, take this month-long cruise to leisurely explore the Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand. Noordam departs Sydney on January 14, 2019 and the voyage end on February 11, 2019 in Auckland. She first makes five stops in the Pacific Islands before returning to Sydney for a day after two weeks. She then continues on the Australia leg of her journey to Eden, Melbourne, Hobart before heading on to sail north and south New Zealand.