Australia & New Zealand

October 29 - November 20, 2018

Our Australia & New Zealand cruise was a back-to-back sailing. That means we stayed on the same ship, the Solstice for two cruises. The first cruise was a round trip cruise from Sydney, Australia and the second cruise started in Sydney and terminated in Auckland, New Zealand.

Sydney is an amazing city. Most of us arrived a few days prior to the cruise and enjoyed discovering the city by walking. The main attractions are the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Botanical Garden, Sydney Tower, The Rocks, and Darling Harbour.

While strolling through the city, visitors can see many exotic birds.

Our first port was Newcastle, the second largest city in New South Wales. We became familiar with the city during a narrated sightseeing tour. The tour included a stop at the Newcastle Museum, a stop at Blackbutt Reserve where we saw animals like Koalas, and a stop at Fort Scratchley.

The crew members did a great job decorating the ship for Halloween. The pastry chefs surprised us with sophisticated Halloween themed deserts. Irresistible and very tasty!

Some of our guests came well prepared for the onboard Halloween Party.

Our group near Kuranda Village where we could practice our boomerang skills and learn a lot about the daily live of the Aboriginals.

Getting together for dinner in the ship's Grand Dining Room.

... and always something to celebrate.

Our cruise was a back-to-back cruise. Thus, we had additional time in beautiful Sydney where most of us joined a tour that included a visit of the famous Opera House.

Our group received a special invitation to the Heli Pad for the Sydney Sail Away

Waiving Good-by to Sydney.

Our group received an exclusive invitation to the back stage area. Some of the singers and dancers took the time to give us a tour.

Our group at the Captain's Bridge (left) and back stage in the singers and dancers' dressing room (right).

City tour in Melbourne with a cruise along the Yarra River.

Our group with the Captain during the Cocktail Hour

Our arrival in misty Milford Sound, New Zealand. We disembarked the ship and were tendered ashore. Then, we started our two day land tour with an overnight stay in Queenstown.

New Zealand is a country of stunning beauty.

Magnificent views of snow-capped mountains and lush valleys of the Southern Alps.

Lunch stop in the enchanting lakeside resort community of Te Anau. The lamb shank was soooo delicious!

We enjoyed a stop in Arrowtown, a picturesque and charming gold rush village nestled below the beautiful mountain peaks along the banks of Arrow River.

Queenstown is a charming lakeside town surrounded by an impressive mountain scenery. We stayed in Queenstown overnight.

We embarked the steamer "Earnslaw" in Queenstown and sailed across Lake Wakatipu to the Walter Peak High Country sheep station, where we were treated to dinner and a remarkable sheep dog herding demonstration.

Arriving at Walter Peak High Country sheep station.

We visited Kawarau Suspension Bridge, the birthplace of bungee jumping. Afterwards, we enjoyed a wine tasting at Gibbston Valley Winery, the southernmost winery in the world.

After two fun-filled days traveling by coach, we reached Dunedin where the our ship, the Celebrity Solstice, was waiting for us. But before we embarked the ship, we visited Dunedin's famous railway station.

Sheep are everywhere and so cute.

Kathryn performing at the "lawn piano" in Christchurch.

We visited Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand during a bus sightseeing tour.

The tour at the Hobbiton Movie Set was a lot of fun.

Our Australia & New Zealand tour had many highlights. But visiting Hobbit hamlet was definitely a highlight for all fans of the "Lord of the Rings".

After a traditional warrior's welcome by some members of the Maori Ngapuhi tribe, we were taught how to paddle a Maori war canoe.

We paddled on the Waitangi River to the Haruru Falls and paid attention to our Maori story teller.

Picture Source: Janice Dermon

The end of your cruise in Auckland wasn't the end of the fun. Our first stop was the Maritime Museum.

After the museum visit, we embarked two sailing boats. Here is one of the crew with the captain.

The last attraction to be visited by our group in Auckland was the Aquarium. Although it is a very long flight from the U.S. or Canada to get to Australia and New Zealand, it is absolutely worth the effort. It is a trip of a life time.

What our clients said after the tour:

Hi Kerstin, We had a wonderful time with a group of Deaf travelers, amazing interpreters and YOU. You were very caring and organized. We are glad that we finally traveled to Australia/New Zealand. What a rich experience ! So hopefully we will go on another one of your trips. Doug & Kim

Hi kerstin.. We want to say thank you so much for planning the trip for us. lois / bryan

Hi Kerstin, Always appreciated your superb services. Tom and Kathryn

Thank you note from Bebe

Thank you note from Lillian

Thank you note and hand made gift from Natalie.

Contact Kerstin's Deaf Travel to book your next cruise or land tour by sending an e-mail to kerstin@kerstinstravel.com