29 March, Melbourne

Melbourne is set around the shores of Port Phillip Bay. The city itself, laid out in a large rectangle and boasting a lively and cosmopolitan pulse, sits on the northern banks of the Yarra River, about five kilometres from the bay.

Melbourne is a city that knows how to live. Choose from high-end cuisine to low brow rock gigs, plays, festivals and blockbuster sporting events, all taking place across a city full of parks, gardens and historic architecture.

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2 April, Auckland Distance: Leg 1721NM, Total 1721NM

Auckland's waterside location has fostered the locals' love affair with the sea, earning this place the nickname "City of Sails".

Auckland sprawls over a narrow isthmus between the sparkling waters of the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours. A cloak of rainforest covers the surrounding hills, dozens of dormant volcanic cones dot the landscape and enchanting holiday islands are scattered throughout the vast Hauraki Gulf. Two of the best island getaways are Waiheke Island and Great Barrier Island

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3 April, Tauranga Distance: Leg 94NM, Total 1815NM

The Bay of Plenty's main centre is Tauranga, and the coastal suburbs of Mount Maunganui and Papamoa have long been popular with visitors. The region is also home to the heart of the kiwifruit industry in Te Puke, the art-loving town of Katikati, quiet coastal village of Waihi Beach, historic Maketu and the tourist activity centre of Paengaroa.

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4 April, Napier Distance: Leg 115NM, Total 1930NM

Napier is one of New Zealand's most attractive cities, located at the south of the Hawkes Bay, just 20 minutes out of Hastings. Palm trees line the inner-city streets and the wonderfully sculpted Marine Parade, as the name suggests, runs along the shore of the city. Along Marine Parade various parks, gardens and memorials give the water's edge its distinct character.

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5 April, Wellington Distance: Leg 161NM, Total 2090NM

New Zealand's capital city is nestled between rolling hills and a stunning harbour, and has a vibrant and compact down town area that's best explored on foot.

The city is home to Te Papa, the national museum, which tells the story of New Zealand's history through bold and interactive exhibits. In Wellington you'll discovery an amazing range of cafes, art galleries, theatres, attractions and a humming night life. The gourmet and wine experiences of the Wairarapa region are also just a short drive away.

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6 April, Akaroa Distance: Leg 179NM, Total 2269NM

Just 75 kilometers from the city of Christchurch, New Zealand, Akaroa is a historic French and British settlement nestled in the heart of an ancient volcano. Explore the village with its colonial architecture, galleries, craft stores, and cafes.

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7 April, Dunedin (Port Chalmers) Distance: Leg 177NM, Total 2446NM

Port Chalmers is situated on the northern shore of Otago Harbour. It functions as a deep water port for Otago and serves as a base for commercial fishing.

New Zealand's first shipment of frozen meat for the London market left Port Chalmers in 1882; the last Antarctic expedition led by Captain R. F. Scott sailed from Port Chalmers on 28 November 1910. Something of an artists' colony today, Port Chalmers has a several galleries and a small seafaring museum.

This area is popular for salmon and trout fishing from October to April.

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8 April, Fiordland National Park Distance: Leg 211NM, Total 2657NM

Extraordinary scenic beauty has earned this region a reputation as a significant sightseeing and walking destination, and a 'must see' for anyone travelling to New Zealand.

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11 April, Melbourne Distance: Leg 1331NM, Total 3988NM