From New Zealand's Fjords to Tasmania

Full Transcript

Intro

Hello and welcome aboard the TSJ CruisePod - your journey beyond the waves.

I’m Thomas Sebastian Jensen, and this is the official podcast of the TSJ CruiseBlog.

Whether you’re listening from home, on the road, or maybe even from a balcony cabin somewhere at sea - I’m really glad you’re here.

In this episode, we’re continuing our journey on the World Cruise 2025 aboard the MSC Magnifica.

Today, we’re exploring Dunedin, Milford Sound, and Hobart.

DUNEDIN - HISTORY AND HERITAGE

Dunedin…

feels different from the very beginning.

There’s a certain elegance to it.

A strong sense of history.

And a noticeable European influence.

Our day started with a visit to Olveston House.

A beautiful Edwardian mansion.

And stepping inside…

felt like stepping back in time.

Rooms filled with art… furniture from around the world… personal stories of a family that lived here over a century ago.

What made it especially interesting…

Was learning about Dorothy.

The daughter of the family.

Her life, her interests, her photography…

It gave the house a very personal touch.

After that, we visited the Dunedin Botanic Garden.

And the atmosphere changed immediately.

Quiet paths… ponds… flowers everywhere.

A peaceful place.

Perfect to slow down for a moment.

To finish the excursion, we took a drive along Otago Harbour.

Open views… coastal landscapes… fresh air.

And later, back on the ship…

We simply enjoyed the evening.

Sitting on the balcony… watching the coastline pass by…

Sometimes, those quiet moments are just as important as the big highlights.

After Dunedin…

The next day wasn’t about a city.

It was about nature.

One of the most iconic landscapes in New Zealand.

Milford Sound.

MILFORD SOUND - A NATURAL WONDER

Milford Sound…

is one of those places that feels almost unreal.

As the ship slowly entered the fjord…

Everything changed.

Massive rock walls rising on both sides… waterfalls cascading down… dense rainforest clinging to the cliffs.

And silence.

Almost complete silence.

We decided to watch it all from our balcony.

Wrapped in layers of clothing…

because it was cold.

But it was worth it.

The fresh air… the closeness to the water… the feeling of being part of the landscape…

That’s something you don’t forget.

At the end of the fjord…

The ship turned around.

And we got to see everything again.

From a different angle.

And somehow…

It felt even more impressive the second time.

Because now, you start noticing the details.

After this incredible experience…

We left New Zealand behind.

And headed toward a new country.

Australia.

HOBART - WILDLIFE AND WILDERNESS

Hobart…

feels like a mix of everything.

History… nature… and a bit of adventure.

After two days at sea - and some rough conditions…

We finally arrived in Tasmania.

Immigration was quick and smooth.

And then…

We were ready to explore.

Our first stop:

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.

And this was something special.

Getting close to animals you don’t usually see up close.

Tasmanian devils… wombats… kangaroos… wallabies…

And learning about their stories.

Many of them rescued.

Protected.

Part of important conservation work.

About an hour into our visit…

The rain started.

Heavy.

We took shelter…

But honestly…

It didn’t take away from the experience.

If anything…

It made it feel more real.

More authentic.

The drive back to the ship took longer than expected.

Traffic… weather…

But our guide kept things interesting.

Sharing stories… explaining more about the region…

So even that became part of the experience.

Before heading back on board…

We got a short glimpse of the city.

Historic buildings… harbor views… a relaxed atmosphere.

Hobart feels small…

But full of character.

Outro

From the historic charm of Dunedin… to the breathtaking beauty of Milford Sound… and the wildlife of Tasmania…

This episode once again shows just how diverse this journey is.

And we’re not done yet.

In the next episode, we continue exploring new destinations and new experiences.

Until then: thanks for listening, fair winds, and I’ll see you beyond the waves.