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Heritage Explorer, Top of the South ex Nelson to Blenheim

Cruise Heritage Explorer, Top of the South ex Nelson to Blenheim
Cruise Line Heritage Expeditions
Ship Heritage Explorer
Destination South Pacific & New Zealand
Brief Description 8 Night Cruise sailing from Nelson to Picton aboard Heritage Explorer.
Type of Cruise Expedition
Departure Date 23 Apr 2024
Cruise Description 8 Night Cruise sailing from Nelson to Picton aboard Heritage Explorer.

Cruise Overview:

Explore the hidden coves, beaches, tranquil waterways, wildlife and rich history of the top of New Zealand's South Island on this unforgettable 9-day adventure.

This unique expedition cruise of Queen Charlotte and Pelorus Sounds, French Pass and d'Urville Island, and Abel Tasman National Park offers an unparalleled exploration of the breath-taking beauty of their winding cobalt waterways, iconic landscapes, lush native forests, wildlife, gold sand beaches and remote coastlines. These regions are also rich in early New Zealand history and the location of some of the country's most important conservation efforts.

Formed by a system of submerged valleys carved out following the last ice age around 10,000 years ago, the scenic playground of Marlborough Sounds encompasses some 1,500-kilometres of forested coastline, sheltered inlets and bays awaiting exploration, many only accessible by sea. The union of three main bodies of water - Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds - Marlborough Sounds has more than 50 Department of Conservation managed reserves and several predatorfree wildlife sanctuaries.

Just 500 treacherous metres from the mainland, d'Urville Island was named after French admiral Jules Sebastian Cesar Dumont d'Urville and his ill fated passage of the infamous French Pass in January 1827. After several near misses while seeking passage inside the island, he came close to losing his ship Astrolabe after hitting the reef. Now a conservation reserve, it is one of the last strongholds of the critically endangered Long-tailed Bat and provides a respite for the world's rarest shag - the King Shag - and several species of rare birds and geckos.

This expedition also includes an exploration of the beautiful maritime landscape of Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand's smallest national park, its waters home to New Zealand Fur Seals and Little Blue Penguins.
Sailing Dates
23 Apr 2024
Pricing
Please enquire for pricing
Cruise Itinerary
Date Port Arrive Depart
23 Apr 2024 Nelson, New Zealand Embark
24 Apr 2024 Abel Tasman National Park
25 Apr 2024 d'Urville Island, New Zealand
26 Apr 2024 d'Urville Island, New Zealand
27 Apr 2024 Pelorus Island, Queensland, Australia
28 Apr 2024 Pelorus Island, Queensland, Australia
29 Apr 2024 Queen Charlotte Sound, New Zealand
30 Apr 2024 Queen Charlotte Sound, New Zealand
1 May 2024 Picton, New Zealand Disembark Transfer to Blenheim
1 May 2024 Blenheim, New Zealand
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

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