Cruise to subantarctic islands of New Zealand and Australia

WHAT TO DO AND WHAT TO SEE IN THE SUB ANTARCTIC ISLANDS OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND?

The cruise itinerary illustrated in this trip review includes the islands of The Snares, Enderby, Auckland, Macquarie and Campbell, belonging to Australia (Macquarie) and to New Zealand (all the others). These islands, lost in the stormy southern ocean, are a wildlife paradise populated by millions of penguins, including the endangered yellow-eyed penguin, and hundred thousands of other endemic birds, like albatross, petrels, prions, cormorants and much more. The islands are also the home for several species of sea lions, elephant seals and other marine mammals. Just on Macquarie, a tiny island 34 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide, live more than 800000 pairs of Royal penguins, the only world's population, in addition to king and rockhopper penguins. The sub-antarctic islands of New Zealand and Australia are thus a fantastic destination for any nature enthusiast, for who likes the idea to hike on uninhabited remote islands unknown by mass tourism, and for who is looking for extreme birding trip.

HOW TO GET TO THE SUB ANTARCTIC ISLANDS?

There are no passenger flights getting to the subantarctic islands and the only way to reach them is through one of the few cruise ships available during spring and summer. Most of the islands are inside a national park area, protected by severe laws that limit also the number of tourists allowed there each year.
The cruise illustrated in this trip review was organized by Heritage Expeditions, early booking (best if 6-12 months in advance) is suggested because there are few departures and the ships are very small. Typical cruise length is 8-12 days, but if you can afford to travel for more than one month, there are also itineraries continuing up to Antarctica.

As the cruise ship departing for the sub antarctic islands will not wait for you in case your flight to New Zealand will be delayed, it's advisable to get to New Zealand at least 2-3 nights before the departure of the ship. This isn't usually a problem because New Zealand is a fantastic country with lot to offer, and this trip review includes a sample itinerary starting from Christchurch, to Mt. Cook, Queenstown, Milford Sound and ending in Dunedin, where I've boarded the Spirit of Enderby ship bound for the islands.

WHAT IS THE BEST SEASON TO GO TO SUB ANTARCTIC ISLANDS?

The best time to visit the sub antarctic islands (and also the only time when cruises are available) is during austral spring and summer, when the weather is better and when the wildlife is at its best.

WILL I SEE PENGUINS IN THE SUB ANTARCTIC ISLANDS?
WILL I SEE THE EMPEROR PENGUIN?

The sub antarctic islands of New Zealand and Australia are populated by millions of penguins, including rare and endemic species that can't be found elsewhere in the world, but not the emperor penguin because they are usually located along the coast of Antarctica (in any case, if you are very lucky, you may spot some lonely emperor penguin in the southernmost sub antarctic islands).

WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION ON OTHER SUBANTARCIC ISLANDS AND ANTARCTICA?

Before visiting the sub-antarctic island south of Australia and New Zealand, I've visited also Antarctica and South Georgia (along the opposite side of the world, south of American continent) and the Falkland islands twice. The trips reviews discussing these destinations can be found below;

- My previous cruise to Antarctica and South Georgia via South America
- Penguins and elephant seals of the Falkland Islands