Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australias largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby. Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.

Imagine a scene of regal sailing boats floating on top of blue waters, hugged by a picturesque landscape of rolling green mountains and cloud-sprinkled skies. This is Picton, New Zealand, a charming seaside town at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound. Settled by early 19th century whalers, Picton is now a bustling seaport surrounded by award winning restaurants, delightful local art galleries, watersports activities plus beautiful yet challenging nature trails.

Named after a college at the University of Oxford, England, Christchurch has a reputation for being a conservative, “British” city. This may be true on the surface, but a bit of poking around this largest city of the South Island, population 360,000, will reveal a vibrant arts culture and adventurous spirit thats 100% “Kiwi.”

On the southeast coast of New Zealands South Island, on the Otago Peninsula, youll find Dunedin. The city basks in its Scottish heritage — its name is actually the Gaelic word for Edinburgh. No Scottish city would be complete without a castle: Explore Dunedins Larnach Castle and Gardens, a Gothic Revival mansion surrounded by impeccably manicured rows of rhododendrons, azaleas and Scottish heathers. Then, check out Baldwin Street, the worlds steepest residential street. Cruise to Dunedin and explore St. Pauls Cathedral in the citys center, the Octagon. Or head to Taiaroa Head at the end of the Otago Peninsula, where unique wildlife abounds: Spot the rare yellow-eyed penguin, New Zealand fur seals and royal albatross.

Dusky Sound lies among the grand fjords of Fiordland National Park in the southwest part of New Zealands South Island. Named by Captain Cook when he sailed by at dusk on his first voyage in 1770, this spot holds one of the areas largest fjords, at almost 25 miles long. During the rainy season, you can spot hundreds of waterfalls splashing down from the verdant green hills into the dark deep waters. During your Dusky Sound cruise, keep an eye out for sunbathing seals in repose on Seal Rock. Look out for Astronomers Point, a former observatory dating back to 1773 that overlooks the dramatic fjord.

Mountains and waterfalls abound in South Islands Milford Sound, one of New Zealands top attractions and a site of otherworldly beauty. Called the eighth wonder of the world by Rudyard Kipling, the sound (technically a fjord) is part of Fiordland National Park and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site. Take in the surrounding water on nature on your Milford Sound cruise, passing by green cliffsides and plummeting waterfalls like Lady Elizabeth Bowen Falls. Along the way, take in the famous Milford Track: Suspension bridges, boardwalks and mountain passes take you past stunning vistas of emerald green mountains and valleys, as well as Sutherland Falls, the tallest waterfall in New Zealand.

Mountains and waterfalls abound in South Islands Milford Sound, one of New Zealands top attractions and a site of otherworldly beauty. Called the eighth wonder of the world by Rudyard Kipling, the sound (technically a fjord) is part of Fiordland National Park and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site. Take in the surrounding water on nature on your Milford Sound cruise, passing by green cliffsides and plummeting waterfalls like Lady Elizabeth Bowen Falls. Along the way, take in the famous Milford Track: Suspension bridges, boardwalks and mountain passes take you past stunning vistas of emerald green mountains and valleys, as well as Sutherland Falls, the tallest waterfall in New Zealand.

Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australias largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby. Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.