16-Day ~ Australia and New Zealand Knitting Cruise (Feb 2024)
Holland America Line
Start Date: |
February 22, 2024 |
End Date: |
March 9, 2024 |
Australia and New Zealand Knitting Cruise (Feb 2024) ~ Knitting Cruises Description
16-Day New Zealand and Australia Knitting Cruise w/ Beth Brown-Reinsel Feb 22-Mar 9, 2024
Join Craft Cruises and Beth Brown-Reinsel on a knitting cruise adventure Downunder! Cruise from Auckland to Sydney, visiting some of the most popular ports, including Waitangi (Bay of Islands), Napier, Wellington, Akaroa, Timaru, Dunedin, Fiordland National Park, Melbourne, Burnie, Hobart, Port Arthur, and Sydney. This cruise perfectly balances time in port and relaxing days at sea.
New Zealand is ideally seen from a cruise ship since you only need to pack and unpack once. Arrive early to explore Auckland and its surrounding areas, including Waiheke Island. Sample wines at local vineyards, jump off the Sky Tower or head out to see the wild black sand beaches in Piha, where the movie, The Piano was filmed.
Visit Gumtree Gully Alpaca farm and shop for yarn in Auckland, go to Skeinz Natural Yarn Store and mill in Napier, see the prettiest alpaca farm in the world, Shamarra, in Akaroa, tour Ashford Wheels and Looms on the South Island where you will shop for the best yarns produced in New Zealand. Visit Tasmania, one of the most remote destinations on earth, and Melbourne. From Melbourne, the group will enjoy a trip to the beloved Tarndie Homestead to learn about Polwarth sheep and what it is like to farm sheep in the rugged Outback.
This fantastic cruise ends in Sydney, where knitters can extend their stay to see the iconic Sydney Opera House, stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens, and visit Jane Slicer-Smith and her Signature Handknits Studio for a trunk show. Finally, shop for gorgeous yarn at Skein Sisters, Sydney's best yarn shop, for a last souvenir skein.
Beth Brown-Reinsel will be offering her most popular classes onboard, where participants will learn a range of new knitting skills.
16-Day Australia and New Zealand Knitting Cruise Highlights
- Visit Gumtree Gully Alpaca Farm where you will learn about alpaca farming in New Zealand and shop for yarn
- Shop for hand-dyed yarn at Happy Go Knitting just north of Auckland.
- Tour the Waitangi Treaty grounds and learn about New Zealand's rich cultural history.
- See ancient kauri trees, waterfalls and pristine beaches in Northland while learning about some of the rich traditions of the Maori people, who have lived in this area for more than 800 years.
- Shop for yarn and learn about Skeinz Natural Yarn Store and their mill in Napier.
- Visit Shamarra Alpacas overlooking the Akaroa harbor and learn about sheering, skirting, classing fleeces with an opportunity to buy alpaca yarn.
- From Timaru, spend the day at the Ashford Wheels & Looms, touring the mill and factory and shopping for yarn at the Ashford Craft Village.
- In Dunedin, the New Zealand city most reminiscent of Scotland, enjoy a tour of Lanarch Castle or visit the Royal Albatross Visitor's Center.
- Experience dense rainforest, crystal clear waters, towering peaks, wilderness scenery and marine wildlife in Fiordland National Park.
- While cruising in Milford Sound, try to catch a glimpse of a Fiordland Crested Penguin in the wild.
- Delight in food, wine, and wool on Craft Cruise's Wool Lovers Tour in Hobart, Australia.
- Learn all about Polwarth sheep and sheep farming in the Outback at the Tarndie Homestead. This working sheep ranch has been developing and adapting the genetics and color of their sheep's fleece so that it is best suited for the environment of Victoria and the demands of hand knitters.
- Enjoy a farm-fresh lunch at the Tarndie homestead with a menu including rustic pies made with lamb and sweet potato and fresh baked scones topped with clotted cream and homemade jam.
- Extend your stay in Sydney to see the iconic Sydney Opera House, visit the historic Rocks or take a stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens.
- Visit Jane Slicer-Smith's studio where you'll enjoy a trunk show of Jane's popular knitwear designs.
- Shop at Skein Sisters, the best yarn shop in Sydney where knitters will enjoy trying on tons of samples by local designers and shopping for souvenir yarn from popular indie dyers including White Gum, Adagio, Pirate Purl, Dingo Dyeworks and more.