New Zealand & Sub-Antarctic Wildlife Adventure

Itinerary

Day 1: Bluff (Invercargill), New Zealand / Embark

The largest urban center in Southland is Invercargill, a city of 49,000 people. Visitors come to admire the elegant Victorian and Edwardian buildings, gardens and landscaped parks. The fishing port of Bluff is a half-hour drive south from Invercargill and is home to the famous Bluff oyster and a lively annual seafood festival. On days of embarkation or disembarkation transfers will operate between Bluff and Invercargill.

Day 2: Milford Sound

Orion is the perfect viewing platform from which to see World Heritage listed Milford Sound; a memorable scenic cruise that includes glacial carved hanging valleys, the iconic 1600-meter high Mitre Peak and magnificent Stirling Falls. The Maori were the first to ascribe creation of the fjords to a “titanic mason,” Tute Rakiwhanoa – a concept you will find totally believable as Orion slips beneath sheer granite cliffs, not yet worn smooth by time.

Days 3-4: Dusky & Doubtful Sounds

Experience spectacular cruising through pristine wilderness in the very heart of Fjordland National Park, which is the largest in New Zealand and one of the largest in the world. The park is bordered to the east by glacial lakes and to the west by the 14 fiords that give Fjordland its name. Orion enters via Thompson Sound en route to Doubtful and Dusky Sounds. At a depth of 421 meters, Doubtful is the deepest of these fjords. Exuding a peaceful serenity, it is sometimes called “the Sound of Silence.” Abundant in both flora and fauna, these fjordlands are renowned for their excellent dolphin and seal viewing opportunities, either from Orion or onboard one of Orion's Zodiacs. Fjordland Crested Penguins are often seen on many of the small islets at the entrance of the fjord and at Nee Islets there is a fur seal colony. Doubtful and Dusky both include spectacular ship-based cruising as Orion winds her way through the fjords. Due to strict national park controls, Zodiac cruising is tightly monitored, but does allow a cruise and a landing at Astronomer’s Point where a short walk is possible.

Day 5: Stewart Island

Stewart Island is the southernmost island of New Zealand. The forest is a haven for bird-life including Kaka, Parakeets and Bellbirds, as there are fewer predators than on the mainland. New Zealand's national bird, the Kiwi, is found all around the island, often seen feeding on sandhoppers at the beach. Most sand is golden, however, there is black-iron sand on some beaches, while others are white with quartz or red with garnet. Orion will make her way along the sheltered eastern coast of Stewart Island (Rakiura), 96% of which is designated as Rakiura National Park. Your ship will anchor in Paterson Inlet to visit the quaint fishing village of Oban in Halfmoon Bay with its art and craft shops and the wildlife sanctuary on Ulva Island. Zodiac transfers to Golden Bay Wharf to allow you access to Oban township are offered today. You will also have the choice of a guided walking tour of Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary or a guided coach tour of Oban township and surrounds on the “Village and Bay Tour.”

Day 6: Snares Island

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. Weather permitting, Zodiacs will be launched for an exploration of the sheltered eastern coastline as the islandÂ’s wildlife protection program precludes landings. The Snares are home to huge numbers of breeding birds, 99 recorded species including albatross, Antarctic Terns and Snares Crested Penguin. The Snares group is highly protected and landings are forbidden, but Zodiacs allow you to get up as close as practical to the abundant birdlife. You will enjoy Zodiac exploration of the coastline with your Expedition Team looking out for the numerous bird species along the way.

Day 7: Auckland Islands

You will cruise in Zodiacs in Sandy Bay on Enderby Island at the northern end of Auckland Island, to view a large Hooker Sea Lion colony with pups all jostling for position. If you are fortunate, you may see the rare Yellow-Eyed Penguin as they move to and from their nests in the forests beyond the beach.

Day 8: Campbell Island

Campbell Island was first discovered in January 1810, by Captain Frederick Hasselburg, master of the sealing brig, Perseverance. He named the island after his employers, Robert Campbell and Co. of Sydney, and sadly drowned later that year after a boat capsized in Perseverance Harbor. Campbell is a volcanic island with fascinating rock formations. Fifty years ago, between 2 and 3 million Rock Hopper Penguins were nesting on the island, but since then 90% have been decimated by bacterial infection. Erect Crested Penguins are found here in small numbers and less than 20 pairs of Wandering Albatross nest. Approximately 8,500 pairs of Royal Albatross and about 74,000 pairs of Black Browed Mollymawk also call the island home. Over 40 other breeds of birds, including the Southern Royal Albatross have also been observed on Campbell Island.

Day 9: At Sea

At sea, the expedition team will be on hand to give you an overview of all aspects of sub-Antarctic life, with lectures and presentations on wildlife, environmental sustainability and the history of this region. These lectures are given by some of the foremost experts in their fields including botany, marine biology, anthropology and history. They will highlight the many things to look forward to as you make your way to Macquarie Island. The closer you get, the more abundant the birds will become. Spend some time on deck viewing and photographing the beautiful wildlife of this region.

Days 10-11: Macquarie Island

Often described as one of the "wonder spots" of the world, the sub-Antarctic island of Macquarie has been said to rival South Georgia in its magnificence, scenic diversity and prolific wildlife. Designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1933 and a World Heritage Site in 1977, Macquarie now operates a full-time manned station where biological and meteorological research is conducted. The station, located on the isthmus at Buckles Bay, is from where you will collect the Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife rangers who will be your guides. Zodiacs will take you ashore at Sandy Bay, your planned landing site. Once ashore you'll find the bay, with its rugged backdrop of mountains and tussock covered headlands, home to 20,000 breeding pairs of royal penguins, king penguins, rock hopper penguins, gentoo penguins and elephant seals. This profusion of wildlife wasn't always so protected, the rusting remains of machinery used by whalers being stark reminders of the exploitation which took place on the island during its early history.

Days 12-14: At Sea

As you sail toward Hobart, enjoy learning more from your experienced expedition team, either at a formal lecture in the theater or over a gourmet meal in the dining room.

Day 15: Hobart, Australia / Disembark

Set on the River Derwent, Hobart is very much a city of the sea with views of the Derwent estuary appearing around every corner. Historic 19th century waterfront warehouses remain, still bordering the commercial fishing harbor, though today it is easier to feast on seafood at one of the restaurants they now house. Hobart is the finishing line for the famed blue water Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and its deep harbor precinct once bustled with whalers, soldiers, petty bureaucrats and opportunistic businessmen. A walk through the town will reveal that the city has resisted the pressure to move with the times, having retained and preserved old buildings such as the Parliament built by convicts in the 1830's. Today, you will disembark and say farewell to your new friends and fellow travelers as you prepare to make the journey home.