What better way to acquaint yourself with the volcanic landscape and lush forests of New Zealand and the multicultural verve and wild outback of Australia than with some wine? Whether you are dreaming of exploring the vineyards of Auckland and sipping wine harbor-side in Sydney — or are simply in the mood for some wine from Down Under, we have some delicious choices for you. Read on for our sommelier’s top three selections!
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By Guest Lecturer Dr. Ken Beattie, PhD
Australia, the amazing southern continent, has much more to offer than kangaroos, koalas and Uluru. Australia’s land surface was part of a much larger land mass for most of its history – first as Pangaea, when all continents were amalgamated into one supercontinent, and then it was followed by the great southern continent, Gondwana. The island continent didn’t occur until its separation about 45 million years ago. This massive movement over an extreme timeline birthed Terra Australis with its ever-changing populations of animals, plants and peoples. The Australian relic rainforests offer a unique glimpse at what this region of earth was like millions of years ago, before humankind was here.
As Destination Immersion Specialists, we never stop seeking captivating new destinations to share with our guests. From extraordinary landscapes and rare wildlife to indigenous art and ancient history, our exciting 2016-2017 Winter Collection introduces an array of exotic ports of call throughout Australia.
Rotorua sits in the middle of the Taupo Volcanic Zone, a highly active volcanic area in northern New Zealand that attracts visitors from all over the world. Marina has been sailing the coast of New Zealand this week, and yesterday guests got an up-close look at the remarkable effects of this geothermal hot spot at Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, about 15 miles south of Rotorua.
Oceania Cruises Blog 