From the buzz of Sydney – surely one of the world’s most breath-taking harbours – to the natural beauty of Milford Sound on New Zealand’s South Island, there is just so much to take in.

That’s why Australia and New Zealand are perfect cruise holiday partners and it’s easier than ever to combine the neighbouring countries as more southern hemisphere cruise itineraries become available.

Sights of Australia

Well-known ports in Australia such as Darwin, Brisbane, Melbourne and Fremantle can now be combined with more off the beaten track calls at Townsville for the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island and Tasmania.

Shore excursions range from crocodile hunting and kangaroo spotting in the Kakadu National Park to snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef.

For foodies, Sydney’s amazing array of restaurants and bars around the historic Rocks area is a gastronomic adventure in itself. Take a ferry from Circular Quay to experience the beach at Manly to take in the fabulous spectacle of the Harbour Bridge on one side and the iconic Opera House on the other.

Vineyard trails and bush walks compete with the culture of Melbourne’s galleries and famous sporting venues to make a once in a life time experience.

New Zealand

Then hop across the Tasman sea for New Zealand’s breathtaking landscape, captured so superbly in the Lord of the Rings series of films.

Unspoilt coastlines, steep fjords and volcanoes set the scene for amazing outdoor activities ranging from bungee jumping, whitewater rafting, to glacier skiing on Mount Cook and hiking the wonderful Milford Track.

Don’t miss out on the spouting thermal geysers in Rotorua in the North Island and tasting the fabulous Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir from award-winning vineyards around Hawke’s Bay or Marlborough.

Ports of call feature the sleepy harbour of Picton and the scenic Milford and Marlborough Sounds through to Auckland, known as the City of Sails as it is almost entirely surrounded by water. In the Bay of Islands there is the finest maritime park in New Zealand where the year round warm water attracts an abundance of marine life, from dolphins to whales.

A typically itinerary will cover Auckland, the `garden city’ of Christchurch, Dunedin, the southern hemisphere’s equivalent to Edinburgh, and the famous South Island Sounds to the capital Wellington and Napier’s pastel-tinted architecture.