Sub-Antarctic Island Discovery

Begin your journey with an overnight stay in New Zealand’s famous resort town of Queenstown. In the evening, join your fellow travellers at an informal get-together over dinner.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and spend the morning exploring Queenstown. This afternoon you will transfer to Bluff, located in New Zealand’s far south, before embarking the ship.

A rugged cluster of uninhabited craggy islands and islets make up the Snares, the closest sub-Antarctic islands to New Zealand. These islands are home to endemic birdlife including Snares crested penguins, Snares Island Tomtit, Sooty Shearwaters, Fernbirds and Antarctic terns. Landing on The Snares is prohibited but if time and weather permit, you’ll get the chance to explore the coastal environments and view the amazing wildlife by zodiac.

Enderby Island, the northernmost gem of the Auckland Islands archipelago, is both stunning and easy to explore. It’s a wildlife and birdwatcher’s paradise, thanks to the successful removal of non-native species in 1994, which allowed the native birds and plants to thrive again. Possible landing sites here include Sandy Bay, one of three breeding areas for the Hooker’s or New Zealand Sea Lion, a rare member of the seal family.

In the south of the archipelago lies Carnley Harbour. This large, sheltered harbour is rich in human history including shipwrecks, treasure hunters, Coastwatchers and scientific expeditions.

Make the most of the many services and activities on board. Visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to spot some incredible birds. You may see 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.

Macquarie Island rises dramatically in a series of steep, emerald summits. This stunning island supports one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in the Southern Ocean. Vast colonies of king, gentoo, and southern rockhopper penguins – as well as almost one million breeding pairs of the endemic royal penguin can be found on the island. Elephant seals can be seen lolling on the beaches and dunes. Look out for various fur seal species, such as the New Zealand fur seal.

Leave Macquarie Island behind and begin your journey north to Campbell Island.

Explore the sub-Antarctic New Zealand Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Campbell Island, where you’ll be surrounded by lush, blooming vegetation. The displays of large flowering megaherbs are spectacular here. The island is also a haven for wildlife, with a large, easily accessible colony of southern royal albatross on the main island and several other albatross species breeding on the nearby islands. Three penguin species – eastern rockhopper, erect-crested and yellow-eyed – also breed here. Although seals were hunted to extinction in the 18th century, populations of elephant seals, fur seals, and sea lions have made a remarkable comeback since their re-introduction. Look out for them lounging on the rugged coastline and secluded beaches.

As your journey draws to a close, take some time to reflect on an incredible experience.

Arrive in Bluff where a coach transfer will take you to either Invercargill or Queenstown Airports.