Southern Odyssey: New Zealand & The Sub-Antarctic Islands

Have breakfast at the hotel before joining a tour of this vibrant city center. Stop for lunch midday before embarking the ship in the late afternoon.

Continue south along the North Island’s verdant coast and let nature be the guide as the captain and expedition leader choose the next site for exploration.

Today, delve into the cultural riches of Gisborne–the site of the first European landing place in New Zealand in 1769. The city’s warm, sun-filled climate reflects its disposition and complements its rich soils, bountiful islands, miles of sandy beaches and resource-rich oceans. Visit a local Marae and gain insight into the history and culture of the people of this region. In the afternoon, discover the greenery of a local arboretum, and cap the day off with a wine tour and tasting.

Spend the morning getting to know Napier, the Art Deco capital of New Zealand. Choose to discover the city’s unique architecture on an art tour, or leave the city behind and join a Gannet Safari Tour for close encounters at a large Australasian gannet colony.

Today, arrive at the South Island of New Zealand where golden beaches and dense rainforests border the snow-capped Southern Alps. Begin discovering this stunning island in Abel Tasman National Park, exploring on hikes and walks with the ship’s naturalists. Spend the next day at sea, sailing south toward Fiordland National Park.

Over the course of 2 days, explore Fiordland National Park, home to 14 individual fiords. Here, discover hundreds-meter high waterfalls, snowcapped peaks, and hope for a glimpse of Doubtful Sound’s resident bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and penguins.

Located south of the New Zealand mainland in the remote Southern Ocean, today begin exploration of the wild and beautiful sub-Antarctic islands. These remote islands play host to abundant and unique wildlife, with many species of birds, plants and invertebrates found nowhere else in the world. Two small rocky islands, North East and Broughton, comprise The Snares, the closest sub-Antarctic islands to New Zealand. The islands are covered with heavy tussock grass and wind-beaten forests of tree daisies. The Snares are home to huge numbers of breeding birds: the 99 recorded species include albatross, Antarctic terns and Snares crested penguins.

Spend the next several incredible days discovering New Zealand and Australia’s sub-Antarctic islands and their surrounding waters—the entire marine landscape designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. The ship has special permission to explore these strictly regulated islands, which are protected at the highest level of conservation status by the New Zealand government and considered bird central among top ornithologists around the world. Keeping a flexible weather-dependent schedule, plan to explore several intriguing islands.

The Auckland Islands are the largest of New Zealand’s sub-Antarctic islands, with the richest flora, prolific birdlife and an interesting human history. Conditions permitting, cruise in Zodiacs to Enderby Island to view a large New Zealand sea lion colony with pups all jostling for position. With luck, spot rare yellow-eyed penguins as they move to and from their nests in the forests beyond the beach.

Spend 2 days at remote Macquarie Island, a protectorate of Australia and a World Heritage site. Macquarie is home to a large variety of wildlife, including thousands of seals and millions of penguins. Four species of penguin breed here. The endemic royal penguin has a population estimated at 850,000. Gentoo and southern rockhopper penguins also breed here. And imagine landing on a single beach with 100,000 pairs of king penguins, the third largest such colony in the world!

With whales beneath and birds above, time at sea between islands presents an opportunity to head up to the bridge to spot marine life and watch the calm business of navigation. Or spend these days enjoying the ship’s spa and fitness center. Take some time to browse the library or play a board game in the glass-enclosed observation lounge. And listen to a variety of engaging talks from the staff, including photo talks.

A large island, surrounded by four smaller islands and innumerable rocks and islets, the Campbell Island group is officially the southernmost territory of New Zealand. Covered with endemic grasses and thick vegetation and boasting steep terrain, Campbell is dramatic and beautiful. Here, find six species of albatross, an endemic duck (the Campbell Island teal) and an endemic snipe, as well as numerous songbirds and sea birds who breed on the island. Three species of penguin also make their home here, and southern right whales breed in the surrounding waters.

Stewart Island, known in Maori as Te Punga o Te Waka a Maui, is positioned firmly at the heart of Maori mythology. Today, explore the island’s rare native birdlife as well as its well preserved podocarp forest. In the afternoon, discover Stewart Island’s nearby neighbor, Ulva Island, and hike with naturalists to discover unspoiled rainforest.

Today, disembark on New Zealand’s South Island in Dunedin, known for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture. Have breakfast aboard before transferring to the airport for flights home.

Have breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the airport for a flight to Dunedin. Spend the day touring and stop for lunch midday before embarking the ship in the late afternoon.

Stewart Island, known in Maori as Te Punga o Te Waka a Maui, is positioned firmly at the heart of Maori mythology. Today, explore the island’s rare native birdlife as well as its well preserved podocarp forest. In the afternoon, discover Stewart Island’s nearby neighbor, Ulva Island, and hike with naturalists to discover unspoiled rainforest.

A large island, surrounded by four smaller islands and innumerable rocks and islets, the Campbell Island group is officially the southernmost territory of New Zealand. Covered with endemic grasses and thick vegetation and boasting steep terrain, Campbell is dramatic and beautiful. Here, find six species of albatross, an endemic duck (the Campbell Island teal) and an endemic snipe, as well as numerous songbirds and sea birds who breed on the island. Three species of penguin also make their home here, and southern right
whales breed in the surrounding waters.

Spend 2 days at remote Macquarie Island, a protectorate of Australia and a World Heritage site. Macquarie is home to a large variety of wildlife, including thousands of seals and millions of penguins. Four species of penguin breed here. The endemic royal penguin has a population estimated at 850,000. Gentoo and southern rockhopper penguins also breed here. And imagine landing on a single beach with 100,000 pairs of king penguins, the third largest such colony in the world!

With whales beneath and birds above, time at sea between islands presents an opportunity to head up to the bridge to spot marine life and watch the calm business of navigation. Or spend these days enjoying the ship’s spa and fitness center. Take some time to browse the library or play a board game in the glass-enclosed observation lounge. And listen to a variety of engaging talks from the staff, including photo talks.

Spend the next several incredible days discovering New Zealand and Australia’s sub-Antarctic islands and their surrounding waters—the entire marine landscape designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. The ship has special permission to explore these strictly regulated islands, which are protected at the highest level of conservation status by the New Zealand government and considered bird central among top ornithologists around the world. Keeping a flexible weather-dependent schedule, plan to explore several intriguing islands.

Located south of the New Zealand mainland in the remote Southern Ocean, today begin exploration of the wild and beautiful sub-Antarctic islands. These remote islands play host to abundant and unique wildlife, with many species of birds, plants and invertebrates found nowhere else in the world. Two small rocky islands, North East and Broughton, comprise The Snares, the closest sub-Antarctic islands to New Zealand. The islands are covered with heavy tussock grass and wind-beaten forests of tree daisies. The Snares are home to huge numbers of breeding birds: the 99 recorded species include albatross, Antarctic terns and Snares crested penguins.

Over the course of 2 days explore Fiordland National Park, home to 14 individual fiords. Here, discover hundreds-meter high waterfalls, snowcapped peaks, and hope for a glimpse of the Sounds’ resident bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and penguins.

Today, arrive at the South Island of New Zealand where golden beaches and dense rainforests border the snow-capped Southern Alps. Begin discovering this stunning island in Abel Tasman National Park, exploring on hikes and walks with the ship’s naturalists. Spend the next day at sea, sailing south toward Fiordland National Park.

Spend the morning getting to know Napier, the Art Deco capital of New Zealand. Choose to discover the city’s unique architecture on an art tour, or leave the city behind and join a Gannet Safari Tour for close encounters at a large Australasian gannet colony.

Today, delve into the cultural riches of Gisborne–the site of the first European landing place in New Zealand in 1769. The city’s warm, sun-filled climate reflects its disposition and complements its rich soils, bountiful islands, miles of sandy beaches and resource-rich oceans. Visit a local Marae and gain insight into the history and culture of the people of this region. In the afternoon, discover the greenery of a local arboretum, and cap the day off with a wine tour and tasting.

Continue south along the North Island’s verdant coast and let nature be the guide as the captain and expedition leader choose the next site for exploration.

Have lunch aboard the ship before disembarking and transferring to the airport for flights home.