Yellow-eyed Penguin, Enderby Island
Yellow-eyed Penguin, Enderby Island
Campbell Island Albatross in flight  | Kylie Jones
Female New Zealand hooker sea lion enjoying the sunshine  | Rachel Imber
Juvenile male Southern Royal Albatross practice their mating songs.
Megaherbs on Enderby Island  | Rachel Imber
A Pippit takes flight  | Rachel Imber

New Zealand's Forgotten Islands

Explore New Zealand's remotest islands

8 Days from

$6125 USD

 $6145 USD
Trip Code: FNZ
View dates to BookEssential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Superior Triple
$6775 USD
Superior Deck 4
$7345 USD
Superior Deck 5
$7895 USD
Main Deck Single
$9085 USD
Worsley Suite
$9395 USD
Superior Single
$9395 USD
Heritage Suite
$15000 USD

Duration

  • 8 Days

Activities

  • 6 days expedition cruising

Accommodation

  • 1 night hotel
  • 6 nights aboard Heritage Adventurer

Meals

  • 7 Dinners
  • 6 Lunches
  • 7 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading  

1 / 10

Discovery and Cruising

Trip highlights

  • Walk on New Zealand's rarely visited sub-antarctic islands
  • See the 'mega herbs' found only on these islands
  • Encounter amazing wildlife including various types of albatross, petrels, penguins and the rare Hooker Sea Lion
  • Visit Auckland Islands, the largest of the New Zealand and Subantarctic Islands with a rich variety of vegetation and wildlife
  • Explore islands classified by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) as a world centre of floristic diversity
  • Photograph the 35 vascular plants only found in the region – and no where else in the world!

Overview

You won't hear much in the media about these rarely visited but majestic sub-antarctic islands which lie south of New Zealand. The 'forgotten islands' - The Snares, Auckland & Campbell Islands, have long been recognised for their rich biodiversity. UNESCO placed them in a select group of only 180 natural sites that have been designated as 'the most important and significant natural habitats' on the planet. While zodiac cruising at The Snares we hope to see the endemic Snares Crested Penguin, whilst in the Auckland's we can hike through the magnificent windswept Rata forests of Enderby Island. Our voyage is timed to coincide with the flowering of Campbell Islands amazing 'megaherbs' and the island is also home to the majestic Southern Royal Albatross, the endemic Campbell Island Flightless Teal and the Snipe.

Itinerary

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Guests should make their way to the designated hotel in Invercargill where we will spend the first night of the expedition, or join our 3pm Queenstown transfer from a designated meeting point to Invercargill. This evening there will be an informal get-together at the hotel for dinner; an excellent opportunity to meet fellow adventurers on your voyage and some of our expedition team.

Meals: D

Today we enjoy breakfast in the hotel restaurant and have the morning free to explore Invercargill before returning to the hotel for lunch and departing for the Port of Bluff to embark your ship. You will have time to settle into your cabin and familiarise yourself with the ship; we will also take the opportunity to conduct a number of safety briefings. You are invited to join the expedition team in the Observation Lounge and up on the Observation Deck as we set our course to Campbell Island and our adventure begins. We will sail past Ruapuke Island, formerly a local Maori stronghold supporting a population of over 200 people. We will also be able to see Stewart Island. Despite appearing quite small on most maps it is really quite large and has a 700 kilometre coastline. Seabirds that we may encounter at this early point in the voyage include: albatross, petrels, cormorants, gulls and Little Blue Penguins.

Meals: B,L,D

As we make our way through the Southern Ocean we can expect some of the best pelagic birding on this leg of the journey with great views during the crossing which may include Wandering Albatross, Royal Albatross, Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, Campbell Island Albatross and Sooty Shearwater & Little Shearwater.

Meals: B,L,D

We have a full day to explore Campbell Island, New Zealand’s southernmost Subantarctic territory. We will offer a number of options which will enable you to explore the island including an extended walk to Northwest Bay. There will also be an easier walk to the Col Lyall Saddle. All of these options will allow you the opportunity and time to enjoy the Southern Royal Albatross which nest here in large numbers. We also visit areas of the island which contain outstanding examples of the megaherbs for which the island is renowned. Birds we may see include Teal, Snipe, Rockhopper Penguins and Antarctic Tern.

Meals: B,L,D

This very large sheltered harbour is rich in human history, we plan to arrive mid-morning entering the harbour through the eastern entrance which is guarded on both sides by dramatic cliffs and rugged, tussock-covered hills. Our activities here today are totally weather dependent. If the weather is fine there will be an opportunity to climb to the South West Cape and visit the Shy Mollymawk colony. Above the colony we occasionally see Gibson’s Wandering Albatross breeding. Alternatively, there will be an opportunity to Zodiac cruise along the coast of Adams Island, Western Harbour and Victoria Passage. We may visit Camp Cove, the Tagua Bay Coastwatcher’s station and lookout, or Epigwaitt where the remains of the ‘Grafton’ which was wrecked here in 1864, can be seen.

Meals: B,L,D

Enderby Island is one of the most beautiful islands in this group, this northern most island in the archipelago is an outstanding wildlife and birding location and is relatively easy to land on and walk around. Our plan is to land at Sandy Bay, one of three breeding areas in the Auckland Islands for the Hooker’s or New Zealand Sea Lion. During our day ashore there will be several walking options, and time to spend just sitting and enjoying the wildlife. Birds that we are likely to encounter include Southern Royal Albatross, Northern Giant Petrel, Auckland Island Shag, Auckland Island Flightless Teal, Auckland Island Tomtit, Bellbird, Red-crowned Parakeet, Yellow-eyed Penguin and Light-mantled Sooty Albatross.

Meals: B,L,D

The closest Subantarctic Islands to New Zealand, comprising of two main islands and a group of five islands called the Western Chain; they are uninhabited and enjoy the highest protection as Nature Reserves. Zodiac cruising along the sheltered eastern side of the main island we should see the endemic Snares Crested Penguin, Snares Island Tomtit and Fernbirds.

Meals: B,L,D

Spend the morning exploring Stewart and Ulva Islands. Rich in history and wildlife, Ulva Island has been predator-free since 1997 and its bird song and wildlife is some of the best in New Zealand. Say your farewells and be transferred to either Invercargill or Queenstown Airport. In case of unexpected delays, we ask you not to book any onward travel from Invercargill before 3pm or before 6pm from Queenstown.

Meals: B

Ready to start your adventure?

View dates to Book

What’s included?

Included

  • 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners
  • 1 night twin share accommodation in Invercargill
  • Transfers from Invercargill to ship and vice versa
  • Comfortable cabin accommodation and use of all public areas on cruise
  • Services of expedition leaders
  • All sightseeing and shore excursions from the ship including the use of Zodiacs
  • Lectures, videos, slide and film shows and guide services
  • Port taxes and port charges imposed by government authorities
  • Pre-departure information
  • Mandatory Landing Fees

Not included

  • Travel to and from start /end point of trip
  • Accommodation and meals or other services not included in the ship cruise itinerary
  • Laundry, postage, personal clothing, medical expenses, travel insurance and items of a personal nature such as bar charges, wine and phone calls
  • Emergency evacuation charges
  • Customary end of voyage tips

Responsible travel

Extra trip info

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