Cruising North up New Zealand's South Island

DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND

After two days at sea crossing the Tasman Sea to New Zealand, we spotted the lighthouse at the head of the inlet into Otago Harbor in Port Chalmers. The Orion docked at Port Chalmers, about 15 miles from Dunedin, at 9 am.

 

Overston House

We took the optional "Great Houses of Dunedin" tour. The first stop was a guided tour of the Olverston House. This 35-room Edwardian mansion, built in 1904, is filled with treasures from around the world.

 

Larnach Castle

We also visited Larnach Castle, built in 1871. This is New Zealand's only castle. Before our tour started, we were served an afternoon tea and delicious scones in the castle's ballroom.

Tea and Scones in the Ballroom

 

View from the Castle Tower

Central Staircase

Looking up

Formal Gardens where we enjoyed listening to a bellbird.

 

Dunedin Railway Station

This Renaissance revival railway station was built in 1906.

The colorful inside was beautiful.

 

After our tour ended we walked around Dunedin's Octagon and then took the Viking shuttle back to the ship.

 

Municipal Chambers

 

St. Paul Anglican Cathedral

Since it was Christmas Eve, the organist was practicing for the 6 pm service.

 

CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND

Christmas Day we docked at Lyttelton, about 10 miles from Christchurch. We had a 12:30 Christchurch and Mona Vale Gardens tour. Damage from the 2011 earthquake that destroyed most of the city, was still visible.

Monument on Hill Above Pier

 

Gatehouse at the Mona Vale Gardens

The damaged Christchurch Cathedral is awaiting restoration

The Cardboard Cathedral, a transitional cathedral, is just blocks away from the damaged Christchurch Cathedral.

Christchurch Art Gallery

Modern Art Atop the Gallery

Cruising South Along the Australian Coast

We departed Sydney aboard the Viking Orion on Monday, December 17, at 6 pm. We noticed throughout the cruise, we arrived and departed promptly on time at each port.

Tugboat and pilot boat escorting our departure from Sydney Harbor.

It was a beautiful evening for departure.

Sydney bids us farewell.

Fort Denison, built in 1840, is a military fort sitting on Pinchgut Island, a small island at the center of Sydney Harbor. It is now an Australian National Park. It was closed for renovations.

The pilot boat leads us to the mouth of the harbor as we head into the open sea.

We watched as the Harbor Pilot jumped from the Orion to the pilot boat. 

While following the Australian coast we spotted a pod of four orca, some porpoise, many birds, and even a flying fish from our veranda.

 

MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA

After sailing the Tasman Sea all day Tuesday, we arrived at Melbourne at 9:30 on Wednesday morning. We boarded a bus for our four hour Melbourne Highlights Tour.

Our first stop was the Fitzroy Gardens, in the heart of the city. At the entrance to the gardens sits Cook's Cottage, the charming family home of Captain Cook, the British explorer. This home, built in England in 1775 was shipped to Melbourne in 1934, and reassembled.

The 64 acre Fitzroy Gardens are located near the downtown area.

The beautiful purple jacaranda tree seen in the background were blooming around the city.

Hotel Windsor in the Parliamentary District

Melbourne Royal Exhibition Building built in 1880

Shrine of Remembrance War Memorial

We departed Melbourne at 10:30 pm.

 

HOBART, TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA

After sailing overnight and through the Bass Strait we arrived at Hobart, Tasmania at 7 am. The island of Tasmania is Australia's smallest state with the city of Hobart as its state capital. Hobart was founded as a British penal colony that originally housed about 300 inmates. It served as a prison throughout the 18th and 19th century. Our included Hobart City Tour was scheduled for 2:30, so after breakfast we set out for a self-guided walking tour.

Orion was docked in close proximately to Hobart's city center.

St. David's Anglican Cathedral, built in 1874. 

We took a guided tour of The Hobart Convict Penitentiary and Chapel.

Criminal Courtroom

Passage between the dungeon and the courtroom

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Prison Cell 

After lunch on the ship, we boarded our bus for a three hour Hobart Sights Tour.

 The tour included a stop at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.

A very unusual Cork Tree

We departed Hobart at 4 pm for a two day trip across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand.