Discover the Subantarctic Islands

Arrive independently to Dunedin on New Zealand’s South Island, where you will be met by your tour representative, and join your group transfer to your assigned hotel for an included overnight stay. Throughout the day, a hospitality desk will be available to you for you to ask any questions about the upcoming trip and meet some of your crew members. In the early evening, a Welcome Reception and Pre-Embarkation Briefing will be held, with light refreshments provided, and the rest of the evening will be at your leisure. Your expedition team can provide suggestions for dining this evening and things to do and see in Dunedin.

On day 2, after breakfast and checking out of the hotel, the rest of the morning will be at your leisure, allowing you some more time to explore Dunedin or simply relax before the adventures ahead. In the afternoon you will transfer to the port to board your luxury expedition vessel. Settle into your beautiful cabin and explore your sumptuous surroundings as we set sail for your expedition.

The first landing of your memorable Subantarctic Islands expedition cruise will take you to Stewart Island (Rakiura) which is the northernmost of the New Zealand subantarctic islands and is a sanctuary for an array of rare and endemic species. As we make land for the first time, we expect to head firstly to Oban, a quaint fishing village that is known as being New Zealand’s southernmost settlement and where brown kiwis outnumber the humans! Here we will enjoy a wander along the beach to look out for the rare and fascinating yellow-eyed penguins and blue penguins that are often spotted waddling along the rocky coastline as New Zealand white-capped albatrosses soar overhead.

Later that day, we will make our way to nearby Ulva Island for an insight into what New Zealand may have been like centuries ago, before humans arrived here. A sanctuary for endangered and endemic birds, including 18 natives, the island is a wonderful area to explore and we will carefully meander through the forests surrounded by the tranquil birdsongs. Species we will be on the lookout for will include the elusive endemic South Island Rifleman (Tītipounamu), Yellowhead (Mohoua) and South Island Saddleback (Tieke).

We will now enjoy a truly memorable day sailing through some of New Zealand’s magnificent Fiordlands area. Make yourself comfortable on deck or in one of the ship’s many observation spaces as we sail through the area’s deep glacial sounds and weave around picturesque uninhabited islands, keeping a keen eye on the waters below for the inquisitive cetaceans that are commonly spotted here including bottlenose dolphins and humpback whales. We can also keep an eye out for fur seals, and you may even be rewarded with a rare sighting of the Fiordland crested penguin (tawaki).

It’s time for another memorable day as we reach the Snares, a cluster of untouched and rarely explored craggy islands and islets. Completely free from introduced land predators and therefore an invaluable sanctuary for millions of shearwaters, petrels and other seabirds, we will explore here at sea level via Zodiac boats. As we cruise along the bustling coastlines, we will be on watch for endemic Snares crested penguins and Buller’s albatross (toroa) along with sea lions and maybe even the tiny Snares Island tomtit.

Spend these two days relaxing at sea as we make our way towards stunning Macquarie Island. Spend time chilling out on deck by the heated pool and jacuzzi, looking out for marine mammals in the waters below and iconic seabirds flying overhead. Pamper yourself with a sauna, a visit to the Wellness Centre, or enjoy a workout at the onboard gym. Relax in the bar with your fellow expeditioners, or join one of the fascinating talks, lectures and presentations delivered by your team of enthusiastic onboard destination experts who will offer insights on the wildlife, history and nature of the areas you have visted or will visit, as well as offering tips on birdwatching and perfecting your photography skills.

Next up, we arrive at beautiful Macquarie Island where we plan to spend two days exploring around this enchanting area. As you sail aboard the Douglas Mawson, you will learn more here about the great explorer and geologist that your ship was named after. As they sailed towards Antarctica, Mawson and his men encountered ‘an exquisite scene’. Macquarie Island (known affectionately as Macca) rises steeply from the Southern Ocean in a series of emerald summits: a beautifully fierce, elemental landscape teeming with life.

Home to one of the largest concentrations of life in the Southern Ocean, including 3.5 million breeding seabirds, with four species of penguin bustling for space alongside three types of fur seals and a large proportion of the world’s elephant seals, this is a wildlife wonderland that is simply a delight to explore. In addition to being a globally recognised and protected wildlife refuge, Macquarie Island played an important role in Antarctic history. It was here, in 1911, that five men disembarked Mawson’s Aurora and established a radio relay station which would transmit the first communication from Antarctica to the outside world.

After a relaxing day at sea, over the next three days you will have the unique and privileged opportunity to explore around some more of the remote and spectacular Subantarctic Islands which offer up an incredible example of natural biodiversity. Centuries ago, Māori navigators were the first to set foot on these islands, which hold immense cultural importance for Ngāi Tahu, the indigenous people of New Zealand’s South Island. Today, their stunning natural landscapes and remarkable biodiversity have gained worldwide recognition. Likely places for exploration include Campbell Island and the Auckland Islands.

Following one final relaxing day at sea, you will arrive back in Dunedin in the early morning of day 15, and after breakfast it will sadly be time to disembark and bid a fond farewell to your expedition team and newfound friends.