We're a winner of Conde Nast Traveler's 2022 Readers Choice Awards
Aboriginal Art, Fjords, Waterfalls
Australia & New Zealand—two vastly distinct countries with exceptional ways to explore them.
Discover Australia's best kept secret—the majestic Kimberley—a land so old that vast tracts predate fossils, and see it in the manner befitting its immense scale: by sea. A rare look at the stunning, isolated northwest coast of Australia, see spectacular gorges formed by geological forces, extraordinary Aboriginal cave paintings, and remarkable wildlife. Then venture into Indonesia for incredible snorkeling and meet welcoming people who live close to their ancestral traditions. Plus, search for Komodo dragons, crocodiles, and more.
And when a film script calls for a backdrop of stunning scenery, New Zealand steps up with its dramatic peaks, scenic fjords, and white-sand beaches. The last country to be inhabited by humans, New Zealand’s pristine landscapes impress with endemic flora and fauna. Add Māori culture, cities known for their quality of life, the beautiful Subantarctic Islands, and celebrated wines and gastronomy, and it’s easy to understand the country’s longstanding appeal.
*Important note: Australia permits are pending; guests will be notified immediately if there are itinerary changes due to permits.
(4) Australia and New Zealand Itineraries
Loading...
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged. More details.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jan
Oct
Nov
From
$18,022
Prices are per person
Highlights
Australia and New Zealand
Coastal New Zealand: Scenic Fjords, Māori History, and Abundant Wildlife
Duration
16 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jan
Oct
Nov
From
$18,022
Top Highlights
Glide into three phenomenal fjords: the legendary Milford Sound; Doubtful Sound, New Zealand’s deepest; and the lesser-known Dusky Sound
Delve into the rich culture of the Māori on a visit to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Look for little blue penguins on the beaches of the Otago Peninsula, and hike the rainforests of Stewart and Ulva islands to spot rare birdlife
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
May
Jun
Jul
From
$16,577
Prices are per person
Highlights
Australia and New Zealand
Indonesia & Papua New Guinea
Kimberley Expedition: Northwest Australia & Indonesia
Duration
16 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
May
Jun
Jul
From
$16,577
Top Highlights
Experience both Gwion Gwion and Wandjina rock art dating from 4,000 to 12,000 years in age
Zodiacs land virtually anywhere and take us up close to the unique wildlife in this region—watch for crocodiles, migrating humpback whales, and endearing wallabies
Visit the remarkable Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to go in search of the legendary Komodo dragon
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jan
Oct
Dec
From
$12,864
Prices are per person
Highlights
Australia and New Zealand
French Polynesia & Pacific Islands
Roots of the Pacific: Exploring New Zealand and Melanesia
Duration
18 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jan
Oct
Dec
From
$12,864
Top Highlights
Encounter an impressive diversity of cultures from the Māori of the Bay of Islands to the spear dancers of the Solomons, and delve into their artistic and spiritual traditions
Venture to the former penal colony of Norfolk Island, now a UNESCO World Heritage site boasting the unusual trees called Norfolk Island pines
Visit the island nation of New Caledonia, made up of immaculate beaches and steep coral cliffs, and hike into the tropical forest to a vanilla plantation or enjoy world-class snorkeling among diverse coral species
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Nov
Dec
From
$26,092
Prices are per person
Highlights
Antarctica
Australia and New Zealand
Southern Odyssey: New Zealand and the Subantarctic Islands
Duration
22 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Nov
Dec
From
$26,092
Top Highlights
Get immersed in beauty: scenic beaches and lush native forests in the North Island and deep fjords and dramatic landscapes in the South Island
Discover the history and dynamic culture of New Zealand and the Māori people.
Explore the sub-Antarctic islands which remain almost completely protected from human activity and are home to a diverse collection of endemic plant and animal species
Travel to a part of the world where the landscapes are ancient, the air and water pristine, and the wildlife rare and abundant. National Geographic Orion, purpose-built to explore the most remote places while providing maximum comfort and safety, is the perfect “base camp” to discover all the nooks and crannies of Australia and New Zealand.
See more
Highlights
Discover
Expedition Spotlight: Exploring Fiordland National Park
This trip was classic Lindblad. Excellent staff, weather challenges creatively addressed, beautiful and inspiring places that are very difficult to visit. The superb National Geographic Orion staff continue to provide a remarkable sense of world-class hospitality that makes the ship home.
Guest aboard Southern Odyssey: New Zealand and the Subantarctic Islands, January 2023
It is a privilege to visit Australia and New Zealand, two richly diverse and culturally fascinating geographies. And to the privilege of cruising around Australia and New Zealand, National Geographic Orion adds the luxury of comfort—a quality of shipboard life and a philosophy of wellness designed to relax and revitalize body, mind, and spirit.
Explore with National Geographic Experts: Photographing New Zealand with Ricky Qi
National Geographic Photography Expert Ricky Qi goes in-depth on the natural and cultural richness of New Zealand and the rewarding experience of teaching guests how to capture the region’s beauty.
Enter New Zealand’s Glenfern Sanctuary, a Haven for Native Wildlife
Join Cultural Specialist Alexander Hillary as he leads us through Glenfern Sanctuary, a haven of native plant restoration on New Zealand’s Aotea Great Barrier Island, and once the site of a colossal ancient forest.
Discovering New Zealand with Lindblad Expeditions
In our latest webinar, learn about the many penguin species you can only see in this region, where you can sip the best cup of cappuccino at sea, and the stunning remote islands we privately visit with our exclusive access.
Only 1,000 permits are approved each year for Australia’s remote Macquarie Island. Pair that with the fragile weather systems which can make landfall difficult, and it quickly becomes a destination that very few people are privileged to see. But as guests aboard National Geographic Orion recently discovered, those who arrive are richly rewarded with dazzling sights that include 800,000 breeding pairs of the endemic royal penguin.
5 Things You Didn’t Know About Australia’s Kimberley Region
One of the least populated areas on Earth, the Kimberley is as remote as it is spectacular. Here are five things you didn’t know about this ancient and wildly scenic corner of the world.
Discover some of New Zealand’s most delightful feathered fauna, including one of the world’s largest flying birds, smallest penguins, and a flightless owl-parrot.
Māori comprise around 16.5 percent of New Zealand's population, and many proudly work to keep their heritage alive—both by interweaving Māori values with modern life and by sharing their cultural taonga (treasures) with visitors.
The remote and wildly beautiful subantarctic islands of New Zealand and Australia, teeming with endemic wildlife and plants found nowhere else in the world, are rarely seen by humans. In fact, they are some of the Earth’s least-disturbed places.
See, do, and learn more by going with engaging experts who have been exploring this region for decades. Go with an expedition leader, naturalists, historians, and more.
Expedition Leader
Veteran expedition leaders are the orchestrators of your experience. Many have advanced degrees and have conducted research or taught for years. They have achieved expedition leader status because they possess the skills, the experience, and the depth of knowledge necessary to continually craft the best expedition possible for our guests.
Undersea specialists are your eyes on the world that lies beneath the waves. Using an array of tools including a high-definition camera, our Cousteau-like undersea specialist dives frequently during the voyage to show you strikingly clear images of the seldom-seen world beneath the ship.
Every expedition aboard a ship in our National Geographic-flagged fleet offers an exclusive service—a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor. This naturalist is specially trained to offer assistance with camera settings and the basics of composition, and to help you become a better, more confident photographer.
Shoot with a National Geographic Photography Expert at your side, on deck and in the field, who will inspire and advise you. They share their secrets and tips and actively lead special photo walks on shore or on Zodiac cruises to help photographers of every skill level capture the best shots possible.
It was a beautiful, sunny morning when the first groups of our National Geographic Orion explorers set out for the golden, sandy shores of Abel Tasman National Park. Dutch navigator Abel Tasman was the first European explorer to set foot here in 1642. In the Maori language, the northern region of the South Island of Aotearoa is called Te Tauihu o Te Waka o Maui, the prow of Maui’s canoe. Local guides led our groups on hiking trails. Guests were treated to beautiful scenery, spectacular views, rich flora, and a multitude of birds of different species, which the national park is known for. It was a great way to burn off the extra calories after our first week of enjoying National Geographic Orion’s cuisine. A kayak adventure awaited another group. Guides helped our explorers discover a natural environment brimming with wildlife. Lucky guests crossed paths with a short-tailed stingray that seemed to enjoy the interaction as much as our kayakers did. A weather front blew in some clouds, covering the site and helping our hikers cool off after the one-and-a-half-hour trek. Some guests even took the opportunity to swim in the cool water. On-board festivities for the 20th anniversary of National Geographic Orion were just starting. At teatime, crew members greeted guests returning from the morning adventure with champagne and cake. After a hearty dinner, it was time for guests to put on their dancing shoes to celebrate two decades of adventure with the staff.
A gorgeous, sunny day on the rocky coast with the rolling hills and stunning snowcapped mountains of Kaikoura. National Geographic Orion was positioned just offshore to allow everyone to hop in a Zodiac and head to town for a tour to see magnificent albatrosses or a whale watching adventure. Many people chose to take in the town before their respective tours and did some shopping and/or tasted the local seafood and real fruit ice cream. Those on the albatross tour went out to the edge of the incredibly deep underwater canyon that offers the correct conditions for a variety of bird species and marine life to thrive. Several types of albatrosses and petrels came close to see if there was anything of interest to eat. The larger whale watching vessel headed out to sea to a different area of the canyon. They saw a sperm whale come up and breathe before returning to the depths to catch the giant squid they enjoy eating. A huge pod of hundreds of dusky dolphins came to interact with the whale boat, much to the delight of the passengers aboard. Local oysters purchased in town were featured at dinner and a talk on plankton rounded out a great day in Kaikoura.
During the night, National Geographic Orion worked its way north along the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Dawn found us coming into the harbour in the lovely Scottish-influenced town of Dunedin. After a scrumptious breakfast, we split into three groups for the day. Our first group took off to visit the Orokonui Ecosanctuary, 307 hectares of Otago cloud forest dedicated to the preservation of native and endemic species of birds and reptiles. Our second group headed out to explore the Otago Museum and the Olveston Historic Home, and our third group went on the Nature’s Wonders tour. This beautiful piece of land is dedicated to New Zealand fur seals and little blue penguins, amongst other animals. In the afternoon, we cruised north towards our next destination, Kaikoura. Along the way, guest speaker Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr regaled us with his presentation, “Canoes of Our Ancestors.” Undersea specialist Kim Nesbitt asked this question in her presentation, “Are we smart enough to know how smart whales are?” To cap off a beautiful day, Michael Nolan and the photo team held a photo feedback session in the lounge to celebrate the photography efforts of our guests.
Kia Ora! Happy Thanksgiving, and welcome to Aotearoa, New Zealand, where we spent our day on Ulva and Stewart Islands. Ulva Island is a pristine, forested island and home to one of New Zealand’s predator-free nature sanctuaries. It is situated near Stewart Island, which is the third largest of New Zealand’s islands. Around 6:00 AM, National Geographic Orion pulled into Patterson Inlet. We enjoyed a glorious sunrise and calm seas. Guests were given the opportunity to visit Ulva Island to experience the island’s serenity and nature. Local guides pointed out numerous endemic birds, like the rarely seen saddleback, yellowheads, bellbirds, tūīs, Stewart Island robins, tomtits, kākās (or New Zealand parrots), and many more. We visited golden sand beaches and forests with native trees, plants, orchids, and flowers. The walk was easy and peaceful, and we enjoyed a very comfortable temperature. After an amazing Thanksgiving lunch prepared by Executive Chef Rannie and his team, our adventurous guests were transferred by trusty Zodiacs to Oban, the main town on Stewart Island. It was a relaxed visit, and guests had time to leisurely roam to the museum or take a walk around Oban for those feeling energetic. All in all, it was a relaxing day in a very special part of the world. Cheers!
As National Geographic Orion cruised down the west coast of New Zealand from Milford Sound to Dusky Sound, guests were kept busy with two presentations in the lounge entitled, ‘Biodiversity of New Zealand,’ and, ‘Customary Practice of the Maori.’ After lunch, we anchored in Dusky Sound – probably the most complex and beautiful of all the fiords in this region. Guests boarded Zodiacs with two expedition staff for a tour around this majestic area. Rain fell yesterday and we had a few light sprinkles today, so numerous waterfalls cascaded down the slopes into the sound. Occasionally, the sun appeared from behind the cloudy curtain, adding a further dimension to this stunning area. We spotted a few of the local bird species, including kelp gulls, pied shags, bellbirds, and tuis. As it was low tide, we also spotted several variable oystercatchers feeding on black mussels from the exposed banks. Back on the ship, it was time for a special Thanksgiving dinner.
With deeply indented coastlines, unique cultures, varied coastal geology, and rare wildlife, New Zealand is perfect for exploring by expedition ship.
Get inbox inspiration you'll look forward to: photos, videos, live webinar invites, special offers, and updates. Fields in bold with an asterisk (*) are required.