Description

Join us for an exciting journey towards the Sub-Antarctic Islands of New Zealand and Australia. By combining the South Island’s Fiordland with the Sub-Antarctic Islands, there is the chance to possibly see ten different species of penguins on this voyage –and a variety of albatrosses and mollymawks. Apart from endemic birds the plant life on these islands is quite fascinating and it will become obvious why most of these islands have UNESCO World Heritage status. 

Bonus:  Fly Free plus one night stay in Dunedin

Your Fly Stay & Cruise package includes:

• Economy class flights from Brisbane to Dunedin
• Luxury private car transfer from Airport to Hotel
• 1 night accommodation in Dunedin including breakfast
• 14 night cruise onboard Silver Explorer
• Includes  gourmet dining in a choice of restaurants, beverages in-suite & throughout the ship including champagne, select wines & spirits, butler service in every suite, Parka, unlimited Wifi, all guided zodiac, land & sea tours + more
• Port charges, pre paid gratuities onboard your cruise & airline taxes

 Extend your flights and stay longer - talk to our travel experts about more options

Cruise highlights:

Stewart Island and Ulva Island, New Zealand

To gain an insight into New Zealand’s southernmost community one can explore Oban and the surrounding bays at one’s own pace. Neighbouring Ulva Island is a world renowned open bird sanctuary looked after by the Department of Conservation. 

Macquarie Island, Australia 

Macquarie Island is known as Australia’s Sub-Antarctic jewel and is home to a large variety of wildlife, including thousands of elephant, leopard and fur seals and millions of penguins. The island has been designated a World Heritage site. Since 1948 the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) has maintained a permanent base, the Macquarie Island Station, which usually varies from 20 to 40 people over the year. Weather and tides will play heavily on the decisions made by the Captain and Expedition Leader to make the most of the two days visiting the island. 

Campbell Island, New Zealand 
We will use our Zodiacs to land on Campbell Island, New Zealand’s southernmost sovereign territory some 700 kilometres southeast of South Island. High and rugged in the south (up to 1,867 feet), it slopes off more gently to the north where smoothed ridges and open valleys suggest considerable recent glaciation. Farmed since 1894, Campbell Island was used for sealing and whaling, wartime coastal defence, and meteorological observation

Enderby Island and Auckland Island, New Zealand –
Enderby Island and Auckland Island are composed of eroding volcanic remains. Under New Zealand’s ecological management, which included the removal of all introduced mammals, the rata forests are regenerating and herbaceous plants are resurging. Enderby Island is home to the rare Yellow-eyed Penguin, New Zealand Bellbirds and Red-crowned Parakeets, as well as Southern Royal Albatross that nest on the plateau. Auckland Island has an abundance and diversity of seabirds, including Gibson’s Albatross and White-capped Mollymawks. It is also the primary breeding ground for the most rare and endangered sea lions in the world, the New Zealand (Hooker) sea lion, and the breeding ground for 30% of the world’s population of the Yellow-eyed Penguin.

The Snares, New Zealand –
The Snares is a small island group approximately 200 kilometres south of New Zealand's South Island and covers a total of approximately 3.5 square kilometres. Unlike other Sub-Antarctic islands that were greatly affected by the whaling and sealing industry in the nineteenth century, The Snares remains one of the last near pristine areas in New Zealand. Depending on sea and weather conditions we intend to use the fleet of Zodiacs on board the Silver Explorer to go in search of the endemic Snares Crested Penguin, listening for Tuis and bellbirds and looking for New Zealand fur seals.