Day 8 - Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

Fiordland is one of the southern hemisphere’s great wilderness regions and has achieved World Heritage Status for its stunning natural features, exceptional beauty and role in demonstrating the earth’s evolutionary history. Home to Mitre Peak, the stunning fiords of Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound, the beautiful lakeside towns of Te Anau and Manapouri and the Kepler, Milford and Routeburn Tracks, Fiordland is known as the sightseeing and walking capital of the world. Few visitors are aware that below the tide line there exists a fascinating and unique world. A fresh water layer that sits on top of the seawater filters light to allow normally deep water dwelling species to exist very close to the surface.

Day 10 - Akaroa, New Zealand

On the eastern shores of New Zealand's South Island, Akaroa is a popular tourist destination with a distinctly French flair, its history steeped in legend. It lies on the volcanic Banks Peninsula, which the Maori believe was formed when a hero named Maui piled mountains upon a giant who threatened to eat his children.

The same peninsula was purchased from the local Maori by a French whaler around 1838, and was later settled by both the French and the British, who had just signed the Treaty of Waitangi ensuring New Zealand's existence as a British colony.

With French-named streets leading to restaurants serving French cuisine and colonial architecture all around, Akaroa's heritage as the only French-founded community in New Zealand is unmistakable. Akaroa harbour is home to a diverse array of marine life, including rare Hector's dolphins, and visitors are lured by the area's secluded beaches and quaint boutiques.

Diamond Princess

Day 1 - Sydney

The capital of the State of New South Wales, Sydney is Australia's oldest and largest city. One of the world's greatest cities, Sydney combines cosmopolitan sophistication with a friendly and hospitable charm. Founded in 1788, it is the oldest civilized settlement in the South Pacific. In this year, 760 British convicts arrived on the First Fleet of eleven ships to begin a settlement. The later discovery of gold and the breeding of sheep would accelerate Sydney's growth. Today, Sydney continues to be the busiest port in the South Pacific as well as the most beautiful. Two landmarks grace the harbor: the Harbor Bridge, the longest single- span bridge in the world; and the magnificent Sydney Opera House. Although its population is over 3 million, Sydney is more a cluster of neighborhoods, each with its own personality. Even from a downtown skyscraper, Sydneysiders enjoy easy access to a favorite beach or a local pub. Sydney offers so very much and it is a must-see for visitors to Australia.

Day 5 - Hobart (Tasmania), Australia

Tasmania's capital has much in common with Sydney. Founded but a few years later, Hobart also owes its origins to the establishment of a penal colony - and its natural setting is just as impressive. Seen from its fine deep-water harbor, Hobart spills over the lower reaches of the Derwent Valley as Mt. Wellington towers in the background. Much of the city's heritage is centered on the historic waterfront.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

This sanctuary is dedicated to rehabilitating and releasing Tasmania's injured and orphaned animals, including one of the largest kangaroo and wallaby free-ranging refuges, Tasmanian Devils, Koala Bears, Wombats, Wallabies and Golden Possums.

There are about 80 kangaroos that live in this park. They sure love to eat. 

 

 

This little guy sleeps 20 hours a day

 

Tasmanian devil

Richmond

Settled in the early 1800s, this Georgian town has preserved much of its historic charm and is home to the oldest working bridge in Australia, as well as the oldest Roman Catholic church.

 

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Prinsoner's cell