This is without doubt one of the most inspirational and informative journeys or expeditions into the Southern Ocean ecosystem that one can make anywhere in the world. Long recognised for their rich biodiversity, the Subantarctic Islands lying to the south of New Zealand are UNESCO World Heritage sites. This places them in a select group of only 180 natural sites that have been designated as ‘the most important and significant natural habitats’ on the planet. On this 13-day expedition we offer you the unique chance to explore, photograph and understand these wonderful places in the company of some of the most knowledgeable and passionate guides.
Experience four of the unique Subantarctic Islands: The Snares, Auckland, Macquarie and Campbell
Witness the vast array of wildlife including albatross, penguins, petrels and marine mammals.
Take a Zodiac cruise to see the amazing flora and fauna up close
Itinerary in Brief:
Day 1: Hobart, Australia
Day 2: Port of Hobart
Day 3-5: At Sea
Day 6-7: Macquarie Island
Day 8: Day at Sea
Day 9-10: Campbell Island & Persverance Harbour
Day 11: Auckland Islands - Carnley Harbour
Day 12: Auckland Islands - Enderby Islan
Day 13: The Snares - North East Island
Day 14: Port of Bluff, New Zealand
Day 1: Hobart
Arrive in Hobart, capital of Australia’s Island state of Tasmania. Fringed by forest this bustling port town is rich in culture and colonial history, and features a renowned foodie scene all wrapped in stunning waterfront surrounds. Our group will spend the first night of the expedition at a city hotel, this evening there will be an informal get-together at the hotel for dinner; an excellent opportunity to meet fellow adventurers on your voyage and some of our expedition team.
Day 2: Port of Hobart
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel; a compulsory luggage security check in the foyer this morning will also be undertaken. There maybe some time to explore the city before a coach transports you to the Port of Hobart, after completing security formalities on arrival at the port your expedition team welcomes you as you embark Akademik Shokalskiy. There will be time to settle into your cabin and familiarise yourself with the ship, and we will also take the opportunity to conduct a number of safety briefings.
In the early evening we depart the Port of Hobart, once one of Australia’s finest deep-water ports and the centre for the Southern Ocean whaling and sealing trade; it is now a busy seaport and also serves as the home port for both Australian and French Antarctic operations. You are invited to join the expedition team and captain on the bridge as we set sail across Storm Bay, strong winds can sometimes blow through the bay, coming straight up from Antarctica, via the Southern Ocean. We sail past Bruny Island and the Tasman Peninsula and set our course for Macquaire Island.
Day 3-5: At Sea
As we make our way south through the roaring ‘40s to Macquaire Island, we will prepare for our visit, and there will be a series of video supported lectures on the biology and history of the island and the Southern Ocean. Birding opportunities may include the Wandering Albatross, Royal Albatross, Black-browed Albatross, Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, Salvin’s Albatross, Grey-headed Albatross, Northern and Southern Giant Petrel, Sooty Shearwater and Little Shearwater. We will endeavour to spot the Fairy Prion, Fulmar Prion and Antarctic Prion – never an easy task – but we should get some great views.
Day 6-7: Macquiarie Island
The great Australian Antarctic Explorer Sir Douglas Mawson once called Macquarie Island “One of the wonder spots of the world”. You are about to discover why as we spend two days exploring this amazing Island. It was one of the first of the Subantarctic Islands to obtain World Heritage Status and that was largely due to its unique geology. It is one of the few places on earth where midocean crustal rocks are exposed at the surface due to the collision of the Australian and Pacific Plates.
Day 8: At Sea
Sailing north through the Furious Fifties, also known as the Albatross latitudes, we will have a series of informal lectures on the biology and history of the Subantarctic Islands and prepare for our visit to Campbell Island.
Day 9-10: Campbell Island - Perserverance Harbour
We have plenty of time to explore Campbell Island, New Zealand’s southernmost Subantarctic territory. Its history is as rich and varied as the other islands we have visited. We will offer a number of options which will enable you to explore the island. There will be extended walks to Northwest Bay and possibly Mt Honey. There will also be an easier walk to the Col Lyall Saddle. All of these options will allow you the opportunity and time to enjoy the Southern Royal Albatross which nest here in large numbers. We also visit areas of the island which contain outstanding examples of the megaherbs for which the island is renown. Other birds we should see include Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, Northern Giant Petrel, Southern Skua, Red-billed Gull, Black-backed Gull, Antarctic Tern, Redpoll, Dunnock and New Zealand Pipit.
Day 11: Auckland Island - Carnley Harbour
The Auckland Islands group was formed by two volcanoes which erupted some 10-25 million years ago. They have subsequently been eroded and dissected by glaciation creating the archipelago as we know it today. In the south of the archipelago there is a very large sheltered harbour rich in human history including shipwrecks, treasure hunters, Coastwatchers and, of course, scientific parties. We plan to arrive early morning from our anchorage at Enderby Island. We enter the harbour through the eastern entrance which is guarded on both sides by dramatic cliffs and rugged, tussock-covered hills.
Our activities here today are totally weather dependent. We have a number of options. If the weather is OK there will be an opportunity for the more energetic expeditioners to climb to the South West Cape and visit the Shy Mollymawk colony. Above the colony we occasionally see Gibson’s Wandering Albatross nesting. This climb provides magnificent views in all directions, especially over the western entrance to Carnley Harbour, Adams Island and Western Harbour. For those not able to make the climb (it is reasonably difficult) there will be an opportunity to Zodiac cruise along the coast of Adams Island and Western Harbour, with landings at the latter.
Day 12: Auckland Islands - Enderby Island
Enderby Island is one of the most beautiful islands in this group and is named after the same distinguished shipping family as one of our own vessels. This northern most island in the archipelago is an outstanding wildlife and birding location and is relatively easy to land on and walk around. The island was cleared of all introduced animals (pests) in 1994 and both birds and the vegetation, especially the herbaceous plants, are recovering both in numbers and diversity.
Our plan is to land at Sandy Bay, one of three breeding areas in the Auckland Islands for the Hooker’s or New Zealand Sea Lion, a rare member of the seal family. Beachmaster bulls gather on the beach, defending their harems from younger (ambitious) males, to mate with the cows shortly after they have given birth to a single pup. Hooker’s or New Zealand Sea Lion numbers are in a slow decline, for reasons which are not obvious but most probably connected with a nearby squid fishery.
Day 13: The Snares - North East Island
The closest Subantarctic Islands to New Zealand, they were appropriately called The Snares as they were once considered a hazard for sailing ships. Comprising of two main islands and a group of five islands called the Western Chain; they are uninhabited and enjoy the highest protection as Nature Reserves. It is claimed by some that these islands are home to more nesting seabirds than all of the British Isles together.
Day 14: Port of Bluff, New Zealand
Early this morning we will arrive in the Port of Bluff. After a final breakfast and completing Custom formalities we bid farewell to our fellow voyagers and take a complimentary coach transfer to either a central city point or to the airport.
