Sydney to Auckland 2027

Norwegian Cruises

norwegian spirit cruise ship

March 10th-20th 2027 | 10 Nights | Prices Vary‍ ‍

Day 1 | Embark in Sydney, Australia

sydney harbor with skyline and sydney opera house

What are the Best Things to do in Sydney Before Embarking?

Arriving a couple of days early is the perfect way to explore this vibrant harbor city before your cruise sets sail. Here are a few activities that will make the most of your time:

  • Explore Circular Quay – See a show at the iconic Sydney Opera House or walk across the Harbour Bridge for breathtaking views.

  • Relax at Bondi Beach – Take in the sun and tackle the scenic Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk.

  • Take a ferry to Manly Beach – Enjoy a laid-back seaside escape with great cafes, coastal walks, and stunning ocean views.

  • Visit Sydney’s markets – Browse local crafts, fresh produce, and delicious street food.

  • Indulge in fresh seafood – Savor Sydney’s famous fish markets or waterfront dining before embarkation.

🚢 Departure: 6 PM - Must be on board 2 hours before departure.

Day 2 | Eden, Australia

How to Spend Your Day in Eden.

Since this cruise port is only for the day, make the most out of it with a mix of scenic views, rich history, and fresh seafood.

Here's a potential one-day itinerary for Eden that covers the best attractions:

  • Explore Ben Boyd National Park – Follow coastal trails to visit Boyds Tower for remarkable ocean views.

  • Visit Eden Killer Whale Museum – Learn about the town’s whaling history and the story of Old Tom.

  • Cocora Beach – Relax, swim, or take a scenic coastal walk.

  • Eden Lookout & Rotary Park – Enjoy astonishing views over Twofold Bay.

  • Best Fish & Chips in Eden – Try the local favorite fish and chips spot, Eden Fish & Chips.

Back on board by 2:30 PM – Don’t miss the ship!

cliff side of Eden Australia

Day 3 | Phillip Island (Cowes)

koala leaning up agains a tree.

Best Activities for Cruise Passengers in Phillip Island

Phillip Island is all about wildlife and wide-open coast. Make the most of your day in Cowes with a mix of nature and local charm.

  • Cowes Township – Wander the seaside town's cafés, beach, and shops at an easy pace.

  • Koala Conservation Reserve – Boardwalks through the treetops for close, easy koala spotting.

  • Churchill Island Heritage Farm – A working historic farm with coastal views and hands-on demonstrations.

  • Nobbies Centre & Boardwalk – A scenic clifftop walk overlooking the seal colony at Seal Rocks.

Back on board by 6 PM

Day 4 | Melbourne, Australia

Top Shore Excursions in Melbourne.

Since there is a full day at port in Melbourne, there are plenty of options for activities. Here are a few of the top shore excursions you can choose from:

  • Melbourne's Best Nature & Wine Tours - Explore the scenic Yarra Valley and learn about the wine making process with a wine tasting at Rochford Winery. Then visit Healesville Sanctuary to observe native wildlife like kangaroos and koalas. Enjoy a delicious two-course lunch made of entirely locally sourced ingredients.​

  • Melbourne’s Past & Present - Explore some of the many landmarks Melbourne has accumulated, from its 1835 founding to the 21st century.

  • Guided tour through Victoria Countryside - Travel by coach into the Dandenong region for a walk in Sherbrooke Forest. Visit Olinda or another of the area’s charming townships, where villages are known for excellent craft shops.

Back on board by 5 PM.

Melbourne, Australia skyline

Days 5 & 6 | At Sea

norwegian spirit cruise ship dining

What’s On Board the Norwegian Spirit?

The Norwegian Spirit has 13 decks of pure bliss. Choose from 11 different bars & lounges, 2 main restaurants and 7 specialty dining options, a fitness center, pools & spas, a theater, a casino, and much more. You’ll never be bored on board!

Day 7 | Milford Sound & Dusky Sound, New Zealand

Milford sound in Fiordland National Park

Facts About Milford Sound & Dusky Sound

Milford Sound, or Piopiotahi, is one of the most iconic and most visited places in New Zealand, drawing roughly a million visitors a year. Despite the name, it isn't actually a sound at all. It's a fiord, carved by glaciers over millions of years, and early sailors simply misjudged its geography when they named it.

Both fiords are part of Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Milford stretches nine miles inland from the Tasman Sea, its sheer cliffs rising straight out of the water. Because the region sees so much rainfall, a layer of freshwater sits on top of the sea, stained with tannins from the surrounding rainforest. That tea-colored layer filters the sunlight and lets black coral thrive in the shallows, which is part of what gives the water its deep, ink-like color.

Dusky Sound is the quieter counterpart, and the more remote of the two. It's Fiordland's largest fiord, stretching some 40 kilometers and dotted with more than 350 islands. Reachable only by sea, it's one of the most isolated stretches of New Zealand's mainland, which is exactly what has kept it so pristine. Keep an eye on the water and the shoreline as you cruise through. You may spot bottlenose dolphins, New Zealand fur seals, and the rare Fiordland crested penguin.

You'll spend the day cruising through both, so keep your camera close and settle in for some of the most dramatic scenery of the entire voyage.

Larnach Castle outside of Dunedin New Zealand

Day 8 | Dunedin, New Zealand

Best Tours and Activities in Dunedin.

Here are a few ideas of how you can spend your day in Dunedin:

  • Get familiar with the wildlife - Here is where you’ll see rare wildlife. Take a tour with Monarch Wildlife Cruise to spot little blue penguins, yellow-eyed penguins, fur seals, and sea lions.

  • Castle Tours - Visit Larnach Castle, just 20 minutes outside of downtown Dunedin. They even host high tea at 3 pm every day!

Back on board by 6 PM.

Entertainment aboard Norwegian Spirit cruise ship

Day 9 | At Sea

Another day to take advantage of all of the activities and establishments that the Norwegian Spirit has to offer! See a show at the Stardust Theater, win big at the casino, or simply lay out by a poolside bar and take in the sun.

Maiori heritage traditional culture

Day 10 | Tauranga, New Zealand

What Cultural Experiences Does Tauranga Offer?

Here are a few suggestions for cultural appreciation tours in Tauranga:

  • Tauranga & Maori Culture Highlight Tour - Take an intimate cultural journey into Maori heritage at a local indigenous village and catch stunning views of the Bay of Plenty from Minden Lookout.

  • Ngati Makino: The Little Tribe That Could - Become immersed in the culture of the Ngati Makino while visiting this Maori tribe’s fortified settlement, known as a pā. Listen to Māori storytellers recount ancient legends.

Back on board by 6:30 PM.

Auckland, New Zealand skyline

Day 11 | Disembark in Auckland, New Zealand

How to Spend Time in Auckland.

The cruise has come to an end, but that doesn’t mean your vacation has to end. Spend a few days here in Auckland before heading back home.

Here are a few ways that you can spend time exploring Auckland:

  • Auckland’s City Sights - Take a scenic tour to introduce you to Auckland’s distinctive blend of modern cosmopolitan influences and Polynesian traditions.

  • Waitomo Glowworm Caves -One of New Zealand’s wonders since Victorian times, take a tour of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. It’s a bit of a jaunt, but worth it! The glowworm  is unique to New Zealand, making the Waitomo Glowworm Caves an absolute must-do

  • Stargazing on Great Barrier Island - If you add an extra day or 2 in New Zealand you can go on a magical journey and watch the stars in the clear night sky. Great Barrier Island is the first in the world to be designated as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary.

🚢 Arrival: 7 AM

New Zealand Coast line

LET’S JUST GO

DOWN UNDER!

In March of 2027.

Contact for Cabin Fare - Space is limited!