Detailed Itinerary

Embark Azamara Pursuit beginning at 1:00PM. All aboard by 4:30PM. 

Welcome Cocktails & Briefing this evening.  Meet your fellow participants and PerryGolf staff.

SIGHTSEEING:  Melbourne has the honor of being named “the world’s most livable city” and “Australia’s cultural capital”.  It is UNESCO City of Literature, the hub of the country’s film and television industry, and the unquestioned sporting capital of Australia. But don’t mistake Melbourne for a relentless overachiever, it’s got a laid-back and easy vibe that will leave you wanting more.  Stroll through Melbourne’s interconnected arcades and laneways, filled with vibrant street art, boutiques, restaurants and cafés, or enjoy a leisurely walk through the heart of the city center at the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Enjoy Melbourne on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.

Overnight: At Sea

Today it’s time to relax and reset. Make your reservations early for The Sanctum Spa, a world-class wellness facility offering a full range of health, beauty and restorative treatments. Complimentary fitness and nutrition classes are available along with a fully equipped gym on Deck 9 offering magnificent sea views. There’s room for everyone on the Pool Deck both in and out of the sun. Service to your lounge chair is available from The Pool Bar where the attentive staff is always ready to offer an inclusive cocktail, beer, bottled water, soft drink or fresh towel. The Patio restaurant serves casual fare during the day then completely transforms itself into a sit-down al fresco dining experience at night with table linens and candles. Elegant specialty dining is available for beef at Prime C and Italian at Aqualina. Windows Café serves casual buffet dining with every imaginable choice indoors and out at the sensational Sunset Bar.

What a way to spend a day!

Overnight: At Sea

Your first stop should be the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Sydney Opera House, a prominent feature of Sydney’s famous skyline. Get out and explore the streets to shop, dine, and view spectacular architecture and heritage buildings including Parliament House, Sydney Town Hall, and the Australian Museum. For a chance to feel like you’re away from the city without having to travel far, hop on the ferry and head to Manly Beach to enjoy miles and miles of white sand and turquoise water. In nearby Darling Harbor you can visit The Rocks, where much of Sydney’s past is hidden in plain sight alongside hip restaurants, cafés, and shops, not to mention spectacular views of Sydney’s other iconic landmark—the Harbor Bridge.

Overnight: In Port - Sydney, Australia

GOLF: Terrey Hills Golf & Country Club is consistently rated as one of Australia’s top courses, set amongst the breathtaking beauty of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The golf course was designed by renowned architect Graham Marsh, and opened for play in 1994. The layout enjoys great balance. The green complexes are large with a wide variety of bunkers, green-side water, humps, hollows and other challenges.

SIGHTSEEING: A second day in Sydney to enjoy all the city has to offer.

Enjoy Sydney on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.

Overnight: In Port – Sydney, Australia

A final morning to further explore Sydney.

In the early afternoon, we pass under the Sydney Harbor Bridge, and head out to sea for the crossing to New Zealand.

Enjoy Sydney on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.

Overnight: At Sea

A relaxing day onboard Azamara Pursuit, enjoying its many amenities.

Overnight: At Sea

Another relaxing day onboard Azamara Pursuit, cruising the Tasman Sea enroute for New Zealand.

Overnight: At Sea

Early morning arrival into iconic Milford Sound, where we make a scenic cruise of this incredible fjord before continuing our coastal cruising around the southern tip of New Zealand.

Overnight: At Sea

GOLF: Otago Golf Club was formed in 1871, and is one of the oldest golf clubs in the entire Southern Hemisphere. In 1893 the first New Zealand Amateur Championship was held here, and The Otago has gone on to host this tournament on ten further occasions. In 1971, the great Peter Thomson won the New Zealand Open at The Otago. Other golfing legends such as Gene Sarazen, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player have graced this historical golf course’s fairways.  

SIGHTSEEING: Dunedin is located on the southwest coast of the South Island of New Zealand, bordered by the Tasman Sea. The gold rush in the early 1860s made it the richest province in the country, and brought people from far and wide in search of wealth. Settled by Scotland, a statue of the poet Robbie Burns looks over the Octagon in the city’s center. Take a guided tour around the city and view the Flemish architecture and the Otago Peninsula.  Stroll along one of the many beautiful, white sandy beaches. View some of the wildlife unique to the area, like the Northern Royal Albatross, the Little Blue Penguin, and the Kiwi.  Learn more about local culture at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, where you’ll discover the story of the people who settled here. 

Enjoy Dunedin on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.

Overnight: At Sea

GOLF: Christchurch Golf Club has a proud history that dates back to 1873. The club is the second oldest in New Zealand and the fifth oldest outside the United Kingdom. Its Shirley Links course has held numerous New Zealand Open and Amateur Championships. In 1990 it hosted the World Amateur Team Championship. The course is renowned world-wide as a challenging championship course of the highest quality which offers a fair test of golf for both club and professional golfer. The Club Patron is former Club Champion Sir Bob Charles, New Zealand’s most successful professional golfer, best known for winning the 1963 British Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, England.

SIGHTSEEING: “Otautahi”, “The Garden City”, “The Most English City outside England”. Christchurch may go by many names, but one thing is certain: there’s so much to see and do in this lovely, energetic city you’re going to have to plan strategically. You can go punting through the city center on the Avon River, or hop on a tram, double-decker bus, or bike to take advantage of the excellent cycleways and paths. Or why not head to the Christchurch Gondola for a spectacular 360° view of the City, Canterbury Plains, Southern Alps, and Banks Peninsula?

No matter where you end up be sure to get a taste of Christchurch’s food scene. Enjoy everything Māori Hāngī and an afternoon of high tea, to traditional meat pies, whitebait fritters, and fish and chips. Try a dessert of Anzac biscuits, pavlova, or hokey pokey ice cream and top it all off with a glass of world-renowned sauvignon blanc or a local craft beer.

Enjoy Christchurch on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.

Overnight: At Sea

GOLF: Royal Wellington Golf Club was the first club to receive “Royal” status in New Zealand. It enjoys a beautiful setting alongside the Hutt River near Silverstream. Founded in 1895 at Miramar, the club moved to Heretaunga in 1908 and built an 18 hole course along with its current historic and elegant club house. The course was expanded from 18 to 27 holes in 1972. The present championship course was redesigned by Greg Turner and Scott Macpherson and opened in 2013. Royal Wellington has been host to seven New Zealand Open Championships and host venue of the 2017 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship

SIGHTSEEING:  Wellington is located at the southwestern tip of the North Island of New Zealand and is often referred to as “the coolest little capital in the world”. It has fantastic nightlife, including renowned entertainment district of Courtenay Place as well as an internationally recognized coffee culture which has made Wellington both a cosmopolitan and relaxed city. From 19th-century wooden cottages to streamlined art deco structures, the city is filled with sculptures, fountains, and art galleries; be sure to visit The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the national museum and art gallery. Take a ride on the Wellington Cable Car, enjoy stunning panoramic views from the top of Mount Victoria, or tour the famous Oscar-winning Weta Cave—home to props, collectibles, and souvenirs of such movies as Lord of the Rings, Avatar, Man of Steel, and Narnia.

Enjoy Wellington on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.

Overnight: At Sea

Picton is a seaside town situated in the Marlborough region, close to the head of Queen Charlotte Sound on the South Island and can act as a great starting point for exploring the Marlborough Sounds. The area offers a variety of adventures including fishing, swimming, and bird watching—not to mention enjoying delicious local seafood. The Edwin Fox Maritime Museum is also a popular attraction, showcasing the fascinating adventures of the Edwin Fox, one of the oldest ships in the world, as she sailed around the globe. Take a wine tour through one of the vineyards of Picton, and sample acclaimed wines such as Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Visit the playful fur seal pups at their colony near the waterfall at Ohau Point or conquer The Queen Charlotte Track on foot or by mountain bike.

Enjoy Picton on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.

Overnight: At Sea

GOLF: Cape Kidnappers is consistently rated the #1 course in New Zealand and has received critical acclaim from around the golfing world. This Tom Doak design occupies a huge expanse of property, with the drive from the public road to the clubhouse taking you through a sheep and cattle station. The golf course is set on pristine land, wedged between the station and the huge cliffs of the Cape. The much photographed course has a number of holes separated by deep ravines which run down to the South Pacific Ocean. The course also offers commanding views over the wine region of Hawke's Bay and the nearby small port town of Napier.

SIGHTSEEING: Napier is located in Hawke’s Bay on the eastern coast of the North Island. It has a population of 60,000 and together with its sister city Hastings, is referred to as one of “The Bay Cities.” Its exceptional concentration of 1930s Art Deco architecture is symptomatic of the city having been razed by the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake. Make a pilgrimage to Pania of the Reef, a statue of a figure of Māori mythology, and one of the most photographed tourist attractions in the country. Take a guided walk around the city, or visit the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers.

Enjoy Napier on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.

Overnight: At Sea

Gisborne is known for its superb cuisine, wineyards and surf beaches. It is labelled the “Chardonnay Capital of New Zealand” and does not disappoint with its all-encompassing wine trail. Historically, Captain Cook’s first New Zealand landing – in October 1796 – was Kaiti Beach, which neighbors scenic Te Poho O Rawiri Marae.  Maori culture is evident in Gisborne with records recognizing Titirangi (Kaiti) Hill as the site of arrival for the migratory waka (canoe), ‘Horouta’, which carried the first Maori to the region.

Enjoy Gisborne on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.

Overnight: At Sea

Enjoy a relaxing morning at sea before early afternoon arrival into Whangarei.

Whangarei will capture your explorer spirit, and a little bit of your heart with its uniquely Kiwi way of life. The Māori first came here by canoe to enjoy the region’s abundance of seafood. The town center is welcoming and charming, with colonial architecture and central streets filled with excellent art galleries, bars, restaurants, and cafes. Mount Parihaka, an ancient volcano, dominates the skyline as we pull into port, but for the best views around, we suggest making your way to the top; it’s worth the trip to see one of the world’s more remote WWII monuments, and sweeping views of the harbor.

Even those that call New Zealand home are still discovering the pristine natural beauty of Whangarei. Most come for some of the world’s best diving and snorkelling excursions, caves where glow-worms emit an otherworldly glow, and curtain waterfalls that will take your breath away.

Enjoy Whangarei on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.

Overnight: At Sea

GOLF: Kauri Cliffs was designed and built by David Harman of Golf Course Consultants, Orlando, Florida. It is a par 72 championship golf course that measures 7,119 yards with a selection of  five sets of tees to challenge every skill level. Tee selection is an important decision here, with gorges and fairways with some of the healthiest and thickest grass in the world making it easy to mount up a tally of lost balls. Fifteen holes view the Pacific Ocean, six of which are played alongside cliffs which plunge to the sea. The beautiful inland holes wind through marsh, forest and farmland. Kauri Cliffs is currently ranked by Golf Digest as #39 among the top 100 in the world.

Short VIDEO - Kauri Cliffs Golf Course

SIGHTSEEING: Waitangi is the home of the Māori culture. If one of us walks right up, leans in close, and touches noses with you, don’t be alarmed. We’re just saying a friendly “hongi” hello. You may have seen the haka dance, which has been made famous by the New Zealand Rugby team before the start of a match or watched the movie Whale Rider. However when it comes to really understanding and appreciating the Māori culture and people, the best way to do so is visit Waitangi. Māori chiefs signed their 1840 accord with the British Crown at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, making it New Zealand’s most historic site. Not only does Waitangi honour the birthplace of a nation and offer stunning views of the Bay of Islands, but it also features cultural and musical performances, including, yes, the haka. So if you’ve ever wanted to dive into an absolute treasure trove of all things Māori, come with us to Waitangi.

Enjoy Bay of Islands on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.

Overnight: At Sea

Disembark Azamara Pursuit by 9:00AM.

SIGHTSEEING: Auckland is the capital and most populous city in New Zealand. The only city in the world built on an active basaltic volcanic field;  its warm, coastal climate allows for surfing at black-sand beaches, picnics in secluded coves, or horseback riding.  Tour a sheep farm, take a guided tour of the coastal rainforest, or go on a harbor cruise. Immerse yourself in Auckland’s art, Māori culture, and history.  View the beauty of the coastline from above when you go hang gliding, or take a trip around the winemaking regions of either Matakana or Waiheke Island.