Port Tours

[yahooelvis]

Hello! We will be going on the Solstice from Auckland to Sydney. We have gotten a couple tours at the ports. However, there are a few we haven't reserved. Are there tours once we dock? For example, when we get to Akaroa, will we find tours on the dock to go on? When we were in Alaska, a couple of the ports did have tour companies on the dock to book that day.

 

Anyone recommend any tours for Akaroa, Wellington, and Melbourne?

 

Thank you!

[Beanb41]

Yes you will find tour operators at the end of the jetty once you get ashore

[roslyn01]

Hi, most ports do have tours & information representatives.... In Wellington check out shoretrips & tours- $55 for half day tour of sights including a ride in cable car & visiting Mt Victoria. In Melbourne (my hometown) you dock not far from city- Southbank has great eateries & shopping along Yarra river, there's the Aquarium, Eureka skytower with viewing platform. Other places to consider- Royal Botanical Gardens, Shrine of Remembrance, Zoo, The Observation Wheel at Docklands, Queen Victoria Market (great for cheap souvenirs- not open everyday though) & Bourke street Mall. Lots to see. Enjoy!

 

 

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[OzKiwiJJ]

Akaroa harbour is gorgeous and the home to rare and tiny Hectors Dolphin. There will be dolphin watch tours, some which even allow you to swim with them.

 

Akaroa town is small and worth wandering around, especially for it's French influence. The Giant's House, with it's marvellous garden and mosaic statues, is a wonderful place to visit. http://www.thegiantshouse.co.nz/ It's walkable from the wharf, about 1.4kms up a gently sloping road, with a final steep climb up the driveway to the house.

 

Wellington will probably have shuttle buses running which stop in two places:

Brandon St which is a short walk to the Cable Car entrance.

Wakefield St, near the Information Centre, which is close to Te Papa Museum.

I'd suggest a visit to the museum in the morning, a walk along the waterfront, perhaps with a stop for lunch. Once you've passed Shed 5 restaurant head back into the city - that will be Brandon St - right though to Lambton Quay, cross that, turn left and look for the Cable Car entrance. Take a ride on the Cable Car and enjoy the views from the top. From there you could walk down through the botanical gardens and back to the wharf, or you could go back down the Cable Car and catch the Shuttle Bus back to the ship.

[Aus Traveller]

Akaroa harbour is gorgeous and the home to rare and tiny Hectors Dolphin. There will be dolphin watch tours, some which even allow you to swim with them.

 

Akaroa town is small and worth wandering around, especially for it's French influence. The Giant's House, with it's marvellous garden and mosaic statues, is a wonderful place to visit. http://www.thegiantshouse.co.nz/ It's walkable from the wharf, about 1.4kms up a gently sloping road, with a final steep climb up the driveway to the house.

 

Wellington will probably have shuttle buses running which stop in two places:

Brandon St which is a short walk to the Cable Car entrance.

Wakefield St, near the Information Centre, which is close to Te Papa Museum.

I'd suggest a visit to the museum in the morning, a walk along the waterfront, perhaps with a stop for lunch. Once you've passed Shed 5 restaurant head back into the city - that will be Brandon St - right though to Lambton Quay, cross that, turn left and look for the Cable Car entrance. Take a ride on the Cable Car and enjoy the views from the top. From there you could walk down through the botanical gardens and back to the wharf, or you could go back down the Cable Car and catch the Shuttle Bus back to the ship.

Another place we enjoyed in Wellington is Parliament House. Tours are free :) and include a video of how they earthquake-proofed the building. (A design by a Kiwi engineer.) Visitors are taken down into the basement where the alterations were made. This might sound dull, but it is fascinating.:)