Birding Down Under aboard Heritage Adventurer itinerary:
show reverse itinerary
Day 1: Queenstown
Guests should make their way to
the Copthorne Lakefront Hotel where we
will spend the first night of the
expedition. 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.
Day 2: Port of Bluff
Today we enjoy breakfast in
the hotel restaurant and have
the morning free to explore
Queenstown 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 introduce
you to your expedition team and
our voyage plans. You are invited
to join the expedition team in the
Observation Lounge and up on
the Observation Deck as we set
our course to The Snares and our
adventure begins.
Day 3: The Snares – North East Island
The closest Subantarctic Islands
to New Zealand, they were
appropriately called The Snares
as they were once considered
a hazard for sailing ships.
Uninhabited, they enjoy the
highest protection as Nature
Reserves. It is claimed by some
that these islands are home to
more nesting seabirds than all of
the British Isles together. We plan to
arrive early in the morning and as
landings are not permitted we will
Zodiac cruise along the sheltered
eastern side of the main island if
weather conditions are suitable.
In the sheltered bays, we should see the endemic Snares Crested
Penguin, Snares Island Tomtit and
Fernbirds. There are hundreds of
thousands of Sooty Shearwaters
nesting on The Snares; the actual
number is much debated.
Day 4: Auckland Islands – Enderby Island
The Auckland Islands group
was formed by two volcanoes
which erupted some 10-25
million years ago. They have
subsequently been eroded and
dissected by glaciation creating
the archipelago as we know
it today. Enderby Island is one
of the most beautiful islands in
this group and is named for the
distinguished shipping family.
This northern most island in the
archipelago is an outstanding
wildlife and birding location and
is relatively easy to land on and
walk around. The island was
cleared of all introduced animals
(pests) in 1994 and both birds and
the vegetation, especially the
herbaceous plants, are recovering
both in numbers and diversity.
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,
a rare member of the seal family.
Beachmaster bulls gather on the
beach defending their harems
and mating with the cows shortly
after they have given birth of a
single pup. During our day ashore there
will be several options, some
longer walks, some shorter walks
and time to spend just sitting
and enjoying the wildlife. The
walking is relatively easy, a
board walk traverses the island
to the dramatic western cliffs
from there we follow the coast
on the circumnavigation of the
island. Birds that we are likely to
encounter include the following
species: Southern Royal Albatross,
Northern Giant Petrel, Auckland
Island Shag, Auckland Island
Flightless Teal, Auckland Island
Banded Dotterel, Auckland
Island Tomtit, Bellbird, Pipit, Red-
crowned Parakeet, Yellow-eyed
Penguin and Light-mantled
Sooty Albatross. There is also a
very good chance of seeing the
Subantarctic Snipe.
Day 5: At Sea
As we make our way south
through the Furious Fifties also
known as the Albatross latitudes,
the birding especially south of
the Auckland Islands should be
good. We will have a series of
presentations on the biology
and history of the Subantarctic Islands. We will also prepare you
for our visit to Macquarie Island.
Species that we may see include
the Wandering Albatross, Royal
Albatross, Black-browed Albatross,
Light-mantled Sooty Albatross,
Salvin’s Albatross, Grey-headed
Albatross, Northern and Southern
Giant Petrel, Sooty Shearwater
and Little Shearwater. There should
be plenty of prions including Fairy,
Fulmar and Antarctic, identifying
them is not easy – but we should
get some great views. Other
species to be on the lookout for
include the Soft-plumaged Petrel,
Mottled Petrel, White-headed
Petrel, Grey-faced Petrel, White-
chinned Petrel, Grey-backed
Storm-Petrel, Wilson’s Storm-Petrel
and Black-bellied Storm-Petrel.
Days 6 to 7: Macquarie Island
The great Australian Antarctic
Explorer Sir Douglas Mawson once
called Macquarie Island “One of
the wonder spots of the world.”
You are about to discover why as
we spend two days exploring this
amazing Island. It was one of the
first of the Subantarctic Islands to
obtain World Heritage Status and
that was largely due to its unique
geology. It is one of the few
places on earth where mid-ocean
crustal rocks are exposed at the
surface due to the collision of
the Australian and Pacific Plates.
The island was discovered in 1810
and was soon ravaged by sealers
who introduced various animals
including rats, mice, cats and
rabbits. The native bird population
was virtually eliminated and plants
destroyed. The Tasmanian National
Parks and Wildlife Service which
administered the island recently
embarked on a very ambitious
eradication program which
appears to have been successful.
The island is now predator free
and both the birds and plants are
responding. It is amazing to witness
the regeneration and the increase
in the number of birds.
Macquarie Island is home to four
species of penguin, Kings, Royals,
Gentoo and Rockhopper. The
Royal Penguin occurs nowhere else
in the world. During our visit we will
land at two sites (subject of course
to weather and sea conditions)
and you will get a chance to see,
observe and photograph all four
species, although the Rockhopper
is much harder to capture than
the others. Macquarie also has
a large population of Southern
Elephant Seals. Pups are born
in October and weaned in
November when the breeding
adults return to sea. The weaners
and sub adults lie around on the
beaches. The weaners go to sea
sometime in January, running the
gauntlet of Orcas or Killer Whales
who are waiting offshore. We
plan a landing at the Australian
Antarctic Research Base at Buckles Bay where you will be able to
meet with scientists and base
staff. The original base was
established in 1947 and the
island has been ‘manned’ since
then. It is one of the longest
continuously occupied bases in
the Subantarctic.
Day 8: At Sea
At sea en route to Campbell
Island and time to unwind after
the adventures of Macquarie
Island. Look for cetaceans
and albatross, join a lecture or
catch up on your photos and
journaling.
Day 9: Campbell Island – Perseverance Harbour
Today we explore Campbell
Island, New Zealand’s
southernmost Subantarctic
territory. Its history is as rich and
varied as the other islands we
have visited. Discovered in 1810
(by the same sealing captain
who discovered Macquarie
Island) it too was soon occupied
by sealers who introduced rats
and cats which have since been
eradicated. The vegetation
which the great English botanist,
Sir Joseph Hooker described in
1841 as having a “Flora display
second to none outside the
tropics” is now flourishing and is
nothing short of spectacular.
We will offer a number of
options which will enable you
to explore the island. There will
be extended walks towards
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. Other
birds which we will search for include the teal and snipe, and
the endemic shag can be seen
on the harbour. Other birds we
should see include Light-mantled
Sooty Albatross, Northern Giant
Petrel, Southern Skua, Red-billed
Gull, Black-backed Gull, Antarctic
Tern, Redpoll, Dunnock and New
Zealand Pipit.
Day 10: At Sea
At sea en route to the Antipodes,
it is a day for pelagic birding.
Species commonly seen in this
area include Wandering Albatross
species, Southern Royal Albatross,
Black-browed Albatross,
Campbell Island Albatross, Light-
mantled Sooty Albatross, Salvin’s
Albatross, Grey-headed Albatross,
Northern and Southern Giant
Petrel, the Sooty Shearwater and the Little Shearwater. This region of
the Southern Ocean is one of the
few places where the Fairy Prion,
Fulmar Prion and Antarctic Prion
occur together, providing a good
opportunity for comparison. Other
species to be on the lookout for
include the Soft-plumaged Petrel,
Mottled Petrel, White-headed
Petrel, Grey-faced Petrel, White-
chinned Petrel, Grey-backed
Storm-Petrel, Wilson’s Storm-Petrel,
Black-bellied Storm-Petrel and the
Common Diving-Petrel.
Day 11: Antipodes Islands
The Antipodes group of islands is
the most isolated and perhaps
the least known of New Zealand’s
Subantarctic Islands. Sealers lived
here in the decades immediately
after their discovery in 1806. Mice
are the only introduced animal on
the islands but efforts to eradicate
them will hopefully see that their
days are numbered. The islands
are of volcanic origin, but are
heavily eroded especially the
western shoreline. The largest of
the group is Antipodes Island.
Landings are not permitted so we
plan to cruise, along the coastline
by Zodiac where we have a good
chance of seeing the Antipodes
Parakeet, the largest of New Zealand’s parakeets. This species
has an entirely green head. We
will also look for the Reischek’s
Parakeet, a subspecies of the
Red-crowned Parakeet found in
the Auckland Islands and on the
Chatham Islands. We also see the
Antipodes subspecies of the New
Zealand Pipit. Good views of both
Erect-crested and Rockhopper
Penguins can be expected along
the coast where they often breed
in mixed colonies.
Day 12: Bounty Islands
We arrive at the incongruously
named Bounty Islands, the remote
northernmost of the five New
Zealand Subantarctic groups; they
were discovered by Captain Bligh
just months before the infamous
mutiny. Here inhospitable granite
knobs, tips of the submerged
Bounty Platform, are lashed by the
Southern Ocean. They are home
to thousands of Salvin’s Albatross,
Erect-crested Penguins, Fulmar
Prions and the endemic Bounty
Island Shag – the world’s rarest. We
plan to arrive in the early morning
and if conditions are suitable
we will cruise by Zodiac around
the granite outposts to take a
closer look at the birds which
breed there. New Zealand Fur
Seals which were almost hunted
to extinction in the Subantarctic
Islands are present in large
numbers.
Sailing towards the Chatham
Islands there are opportunities to
see a good selection of birdlife
as we sail. These should include
Wandering Albatross, Northern
Royal Albatross, Mottled Petrel,
Soft-plumaged Petrel, Broad-billed
Prion, White-chinned Petrel and
Black-bellied Storm-Petrel as well as
Wilson’s Storm-Petrel. Other possible
sightings include White-capped
Albatross, Northern Giant Petrel,
Cape Petrel, Antarctic Fulmar,
Sooty Shearwater, Little Shearwater and Grey-backed Storm-Petrel.
We will also start to keep a lookout
for the Chatham Island Petrel.
Day 13: Pyramid Rock and South East Island
As we continue toward the
Chatham Archipelago, there
are excellent opportunities
for pelagic birding today. In
particular, we will look out for
the Chatham Island Petrel which
has been seen on this leg of the
voyage before. In the past we
have observed the very rare
Chatham Island Taiko in this area.
Endemic to the Chatham Islands,
the Chatham Island Taiko – also
known as the Magenta Petrel –
is among New Zealand’s most
endangered species. It is one of
the world’s rarest seabirds with a
population estimated to number
less than 150. This afternoon we
will cruise around spectacular
Pyramid Rock, a basalt outcrop south of Pitt Island. This is the only
breeding place of the Chatham
Island Albatross.
During the afternoon we arrive
at South East Island. This has to
be one of the world’s greatest
nature reserves and landings
are not permitted. However we
should obtain good views of the
very rare New Zealand Shore
Plover and Chatham Island
Oystercatcher from the Zodiacs
as we cruise along the coast.
We should also see the Pitt Island
Shag which nests on the island.
Day 14: Chatham Islands – Waitangi
The Chatham Archipelago
consists of one large island and
numerous smaller islands and
rocky islets. Only two of the islands
are inhabited. They represent
New Zealand’s eastern most
territory. The islands were originally
settled by East Polynesians.
In the 1400s the population
became isolated and interestingly
developed its own distinct culture.
The islands were discovered by
Europeans in the 1790s. Sealers
and settlers followed and then
in the 1830s Maoris from New
Zealand invaded killing and
enslaving many of the indigenous
people. The impact of the original
settlers, the European and later
the Maori people on the native
flora and fauna was disastrous.
Introduced animals, hunting, fires
and land clearing wiped out
many species of endemic birds.
Fortunately a number survived
on the offshore islands in the
archipelago.
With a new generation has
come a new awareness and
a willingness to be part of a
concerted conservation effort.
A number of private reserves
have been established, a lot
of replanting has taken place
and predators are being
controlled. Today we will visit one
of the original private reserves
established by a local family
on the south coast of the main
island where there is a very good
chance to see the endemic
Chatham Island Pigeon and
Warbler. The pigeon was close
to extinction until recently, and
is now in good numbers. We
will travel by local bus to the
reserve. The road takes us through
developed farmland where we
will undoubtedly see numerous
introduced species and possibly
the Weka. Near our landing in
Waitangi there is a good chance
of seeing the endemic Chatham
Island Shag. This afternoon we
cruise back along the south
coast, this is where the only
known population of the Taiko
breeds and also where they are
attempting to establish a new
population of the Chatham Island
Petrel in a predator free area.
We have seen both Taiko and
Chatham Island Petrel in this area
on previous expeditions.
Days 15 to 16: At Sea
En route to Bluff we will cross the
Chatham Rise, a large, relatively
shallowly submerged part of
the Zealandia continent that
stretches east from near the South
Island of New Zealand. Nutrient-
rich waters from the south mix
with warm northern waters and there is an overlap between
northern pelagic species and
birds from southern latitudes, so
we can expect great pelagic
sightings. Species we expect to
encounter include Wandering
Albatross, Royal Albatross, Black-
browed Albatross, White-capped
Albatross and Salvin’s Albatross.
Petrel species we should be able
to identify are the Northern Giant
Petrel, Cape Petrel, Westland
Black Petrel, White-chinned
Petrel, Great-winged Petrel,
Grey-backed Storm-Petrel, White-
faced Storm-Petrel, the Diving-
Petrel and Cook’s Petrel.
Additional birdlife will include
species of shearwater seabirds.
These tubenose birds fly with stiff
wings and use a ‘shearing’ flight
technique to move across wave
fronts with the minimum of active
flight. Photographic opportunities
can include Flesh-footed
Shearwater, Buller’s Shearwater,
Sooty Shearwater and Little
Shearwater. Small petrels on the
horizon and close by include Fairy
Prion and Broad-billed Prion. We
will recap the highlights of our
expedition and enjoy a farewell dinner tonight as we complete
the last few miles of our journey.
Day 17: Invercargill/Queenstown
Early this morning we will arrive
in the Port of Bluff. After a final
breakfast and completing
Custom formalities we bid farewell
to our fellow voyagers and take a
complimentary coach transfer to
either Invercargill or Queenstown
Airports. In case of unexpected
delays due to weather and/or
port operations we ask you not to
book any onward travel until after
midday from Invercargill and after
3pm from Queenstown.
Please Note:
During our voyage,
circumstances may make it
necessary or desirable to deviate
from the proposed itinerary.
This can include poor weather
and opportunities for making
unplanned excursions. Your
Expedition Leader will keep
you fully informed. Landings at
the Subantarctic Islands of New
Zealand are by permit only as
administered by the Government
of New Zealand. No landings
are permitted at The Snares,
Antipodes or Bounties.
Birding Down Under aboard Heritage Adventurer reverse itinerary:
show main itinerary
Please Note: *
During our voyage,
circumstances may make it
necessary or desirable to deviate
from the proposed itinerary.
This can include poor weather
and opportunities for making
unplanned excursions. Your
Expedition Leader will keep
you fully informed. Landings at
the Subantarctic Islands of New
Zealand are by permit only as
administered by the Government
of New Zealand. No landings
are permitted at The Snares,
Antipodes or Bounties.
Day 17: Invercargill/Queenstown *
Early this morning we will arrive
in the Port of Bluff. After a final
breakfast and completing
Custom formalities we bid farewell
to our fellow voyagers and take a
complimentary coach transfer to
either Invercargill or Queenstown
Airports. In case of unexpected
delays due to weather and/or
port operations we ask you not to
book any onward travel until after
midday from Invercargill and after
3pm from Queenstown.
Days 15 to 16: At Sea *
En route to Bluff we will cross the
Chatham Rise, a large, relatively
shallowly submerged part of
the Zealandia continent that
stretches east from near the South
Island of New Zealand. Nutrient-
rich waters from the south mix
with warm northern waters and there is an overlap between
northern pelagic species and
birds from southern latitudes, so
we can expect great pelagic
sightings. Species we expect to
encounter include Wandering
Albatross, Royal Albatross, Black-
browed Albatross, White-capped
Albatross and Salvin’s Albatross.
Petrel species we should be able
to identify are the Northern Giant
Petrel, Cape Petrel, Westland
Black Petrel, White-chinned
Petrel, Great-winged Petrel,
Grey-backed Storm-Petrel, White-
faced Storm-Petrel, the Diving-
Petrel and Cook’s Petrel.
Additional birdlife will include
species of shearwater seabirds.
These tubenose birds fly with stiff
wings and use a ‘shearing’ flight
technique to move across wave
fronts with the minimum of active
flight. Photographic opportunities
can include Flesh-footed
Shearwater, Buller’s Shearwater,
Sooty Shearwater and Little
Shearwater. Small petrels on the
horizon and close by include Fairy
Prion and Broad-billed Prion. We
will recap the highlights of our
expedition and enjoy a farewell dinner tonight as we complete
the last few miles of our journey.
Day 14: Chatham Islands – Waitangi *
The Chatham Archipelago
consists of one large island and
numerous smaller islands and
rocky islets. Only two of the islands
are inhabited. They represent
New Zealand’s eastern most
territory. The islands were originally
settled by East Polynesians.
In the 1400s the population
became isolated and interestingly
developed its own distinct culture.
The islands were discovered by
Europeans in the 1790s. Sealers
and settlers followed and then
in the 1830s Maoris from New
Zealand invaded killing and
enslaving many of the indigenous
people. The impact of the original
settlers, the European and later
the Maori people on the native
flora and fauna was disastrous.
Introduced animals, hunting, fires
and land clearing wiped out
many species of endemic birds.
Fortunately a number survived
on the offshore islands in the
archipelago.
With a new generation has
come a new awareness and
a willingness to be part of a
concerted conservation effort.
A number of private reserves
have been established, a lot
of replanting has taken place
and predators are being
controlled. Today we will visit one
of the original private reserves
established by a local family
on the south coast of the main
island where there is a very good
chance to see the endemic
Chatham Island Pigeon and
Warbler. The pigeon was close
to extinction until recently, and
is now in good numbers. We
will travel by local bus to the
reserve. The road takes us through
developed farmland where we
will undoubtedly see numerous
introduced species and possibly
the Weka. Near our landing in
Waitangi there is a good chance
of seeing the endemic Chatham
Island Shag. This afternoon we
cruise back along the south
coast, this is where the only
known population of the Taiko
breeds and also where they are
attempting to establish a new
population of the Chatham Island
Petrel in a predator free area.
We have seen both Taiko and
Chatham Island Petrel in this area
on previous expeditions.
Day 13: Pyramid Rock and South East Island *
As we continue toward the
Chatham Archipelago, there
are excellent opportunities
for pelagic birding today. In
particular, we will look out for
the Chatham Island Petrel which
has been seen on this leg of the
voyage before. In the past we
have observed the very rare
Chatham Island Taiko in this area.
Endemic to the Chatham Islands,
the Chatham Island Taiko – also
known as the Magenta Petrel –
is among New Zealand’s most
endangered species. It is one of
the world’s rarest seabirds with a
population estimated to number
less than 150. This afternoon we
will cruise around spectacular
Pyramid Rock, a basalt outcrop south of Pitt Island. This is the only
breeding place of the Chatham
Island Albatross.
During the afternoon we arrive
at South East Island. This has to
be one of the world’s greatest
nature reserves and landings
are not permitted. However we
should obtain good views of the
very rare New Zealand Shore
Plover and Chatham Island
Oystercatcher from the Zodiacs
as we cruise along the coast.
We should also see the Pitt Island
Shag which nests on the island.
Day 12: Bounty Islands *
We arrive at the incongruously
named Bounty Islands, the remote
northernmost of the five New
Zealand Subantarctic groups; they
were discovered by Captain Bligh
just months before the infamous
mutiny. Here inhospitable granite
knobs, tips of the submerged
Bounty Platform, are lashed by the
Southern Ocean. They are home
to thousands of Salvin’s Albatross,
Erect-crested Penguins, Fulmar
Prions and the endemic Bounty
Island Shag – the world’s rarest. We
plan to arrive in the early morning
and if conditions are suitable
we will cruise by Zodiac around
the granite outposts to take a
closer look at the birds which
breed there. New Zealand Fur
Seals which were almost hunted
to extinction in the Subantarctic
Islands are present in large
numbers.
Sailing towards the Chatham
Islands there are opportunities to
see a good selection of birdlife
as we sail. These should include
Wandering Albatross, Northern
Royal Albatross, Mottled Petrel,
Soft-plumaged Petrel, Broad-billed
Prion, White-chinned Petrel and
Black-bellied Storm-Petrel as well as
Wilson’s Storm-Petrel. Other possible
sightings include White-capped
Albatross, Northern Giant Petrel,
Cape Petrel, Antarctic Fulmar,
Sooty Shearwater, Little Shearwater and Grey-backed Storm-Petrel.
We will also start to keep a lookout
for the Chatham Island Petrel.
Day 11: Antipodes Islands *
The Antipodes group of islands is
the most isolated and perhaps
the least known of New Zealand’s
Subantarctic Islands. Sealers lived
here in the decades immediately
after their discovery in 1806. Mice
are the only introduced animal on
the islands but efforts to eradicate
them will hopefully see that their
days are numbered. The islands
are of volcanic origin, but are
heavily eroded especially the
western shoreline. The largest of
the group is Antipodes Island.
Landings are not permitted so we
plan to cruise, along the coastline
by Zodiac where we have a good
chance of seeing the Antipodes
Parakeet, the largest of New Zealand’s parakeets. This species
has an entirely green head. We
will also look for the Reischek’s
Parakeet, a subspecies of the
Red-crowned Parakeet found in
the Auckland Islands and on the
Chatham Islands. We also see the
Antipodes subspecies of the New
Zealand Pipit. Good views of both
Erect-crested and Rockhopper
Penguins can be expected along
the coast where they often breed
in mixed colonies.
Day 10: At Sea *
At sea en route to the Antipodes,
it is a day for pelagic birding.
Species commonly seen in this
area include Wandering Albatross
species, Southern Royal Albatross,
Black-browed Albatross,
Campbell Island Albatross, Light-
mantled Sooty Albatross, Salvin’s
Albatross, Grey-headed Albatross,
Northern and Southern Giant
Petrel, the Sooty Shearwater and the Little Shearwater. This region of
the Southern Ocean is one of the
few places where the Fairy Prion,
Fulmar Prion and Antarctic Prion
occur together, providing a good
opportunity for comparison. Other
species to be on the lookout for
include the Soft-plumaged Petrel,
Mottled Petrel, White-headed
Petrel, Grey-faced Petrel, White-
chinned Petrel, Grey-backed
Storm-Petrel, Wilson’s Storm-Petrel,
Black-bellied Storm-Petrel and the
Common Diving-Petrel.
Day 9: Campbell Island – Perseverance Harbour *
Today we explore Campbell
Island, New Zealand’s
southernmost Subantarctic
territory. Its history is as rich and
varied as the other islands we
have visited. Discovered in 1810
(by the same sealing captain
who discovered Macquarie
Island) it too was soon occupied
by sealers who introduced rats
and cats which have since been
eradicated. The vegetation
which the great English botanist,
Sir Joseph Hooker described in
1841 as having a “Flora display
second to none outside the
tropics” is now flourishing and is
nothing short of spectacular.
We will offer a number of
options which will enable you
to explore the island. There will
be extended walks towards
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. Other
birds which we will search for include the teal and snipe, and
the endemic shag can be seen
on the harbour. Other birds we
should see include Light-mantled
Sooty Albatross, Northern Giant
Petrel, Southern Skua, Red-billed
Gull, Black-backed Gull, Antarctic
Tern, Redpoll, Dunnock and New
Zealand Pipit.
Day 8: At Sea *
At sea en route to Campbell
Island and time to unwind after
the adventures of Macquarie
Island. Look for cetaceans
and albatross, join a lecture or
catch up on your photos and
journaling.
Days 6 to 7: Macquarie Island *
The great Australian Antarctic
Explorer Sir Douglas Mawson once
called Macquarie Island “One of
the wonder spots of the world.”
You are about to discover why as
we spend two days exploring this
amazing Island. It was one of the
first of the Subantarctic Islands to
obtain World Heritage Status and
that was largely due to its unique
geology. It is one of the few
places on earth where mid-ocean
crustal rocks are exposed at the
surface due to the collision of
the Australian and Pacific Plates.
The island was discovered in 1810
and was soon ravaged by sealers
who introduced various animals
including rats, mice, cats and
rabbits. The native bird population
was virtually eliminated and plants
destroyed. The Tasmanian National
Parks and Wildlife Service which
administered the island recently
embarked on a very ambitious
eradication program which
appears to have been successful.
The island is now predator free
and both the birds and plants are
responding. It is amazing to witness
the regeneration and the increase
in the number of birds.
Macquarie Island is home to four
species of penguin, Kings, Royals,
Gentoo and Rockhopper. The
Royal Penguin occurs nowhere else
in the world. During our visit we will
land at two sites (subject of course
to weather and sea conditions)
and you will get a chance to see,
observe and photograph all four
species, although the Rockhopper
is much harder to capture than
the others. Macquarie also has
a large population of Southern
Elephant Seals. Pups are born
in October and weaned in
November when the breeding
adults return to sea. The weaners
and sub adults lie around on the
beaches. The weaners go to sea
sometime in January, running the
gauntlet of Orcas or Killer Whales
who are waiting offshore. We
plan a landing at the Australian
Antarctic Research Base at Buckles Bay where you will be able to
meet with scientists and base
staff. The original base was
established in 1947 and the
island has been ‘manned’ since
then. It is one of the longest
continuously occupied bases in
the Subantarctic.
Day 5: At Sea *
As we make our way south
through the Furious Fifties also
known as the Albatross latitudes,
the birding especially south of
the Auckland Islands should be
good. We will have a series of
presentations on the biology
and history of the Subantarctic Islands. We will also prepare you
for our visit to Macquarie Island.
Species that we may see include
the Wandering Albatross, Royal
Albatross, Black-browed Albatross,
Light-mantled Sooty Albatross,
Salvin’s Albatross, Grey-headed
Albatross, Northern and Southern
Giant Petrel, Sooty Shearwater
and Little Shearwater. There should
be plenty of prions including Fairy,
Fulmar and Antarctic, identifying
them is not easy – but we should
get some great views. Other
species to be on the lookout for
include the Soft-plumaged Petrel,
Mottled Petrel, White-headed
Petrel, Grey-faced Petrel, White-
chinned Petrel, Grey-backed
Storm-Petrel, Wilson’s Storm-Petrel
and Black-bellied Storm-Petrel.
Day 4: Auckland Islands – Enderby Island *
The Auckland Islands group
was formed by two volcanoes
which erupted some 10-25
million years ago. They have
subsequently been eroded and
dissected by glaciation creating
the archipelago as we know
it today. Enderby Island is one
of the most beautiful islands in
this group and is named for the
distinguished shipping family.
This northern most island in the
archipelago is an outstanding
wildlife and birding location and
is relatively easy to land on and
walk around. The island was
cleared of all introduced animals
(pests) in 1994 and both birds and
the vegetation, especially the
herbaceous plants, are recovering
both in numbers and diversity.
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,
a rare member of the seal family.
Beachmaster bulls gather on the
beach defending their harems
and mating with the cows shortly
after they have given birth of a
single pup. During our day ashore there
will be several options, some
longer walks, some shorter walks
and time to spend just sitting
and enjoying the wildlife. The
walking is relatively easy, a
board walk traverses the island
to the dramatic western cliffs
from there we follow the coast
on the circumnavigation of the
island. Birds that we are likely to
encounter include the following
species: Southern Royal Albatross,
Northern Giant Petrel, Auckland
Island Shag, Auckland Island
Flightless Teal, Auckland Island
Banded Dotterel, Auckland
Island Tomtit, Bellbird, Pipit, Red-
crowned Parakeet, Yellow-eyed
Penguin and Light-mantled
Sooty Albatross. There is also a
very good chance of seeing the
Subantarctic Snipe.
Day 3: The Snares – North East Island *
The closest Subantarctic Islands
to New Zealand, they were
appropriately called The Snares
as they were once considered
a hazard for sailing ships.
Uninhabited, they enjoy the
highest protection as Nature
Reserves. It is claimed by some
that these islands are home to
more nesting seabirds than all of
the British Isles together. We plan to
arrive early in the morning and as
landings are not permitted we will
Zodiac cruise along the sheltered
eastern side of the main island if
weather conditions are suitable.
In the sheltered bays, we should see the endemic Snares Crested
Penguin, Snares Island Tomtit and
Fernbirds. There are hundreds of
thousands of Sooty Shearwaters
nesting on The Snares; the actual
number is much debated.
Day 2: Port of Bluff *
Today we enjoy breakfast in
the hotel restaurant and have
the morning free to explore
Queenstown 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 introduce
you to your expedition team and
our voyage plans. You are invited
to join the expedition team in the
Observation Lounge and up on
the Observation Deck as we set
our course to The Snares and our
adventure begins.
Day 1: Queenstown *
Guests should make their way to
the Copthorne Lakefront Hotel where we
will spend the first night of the
expedition. 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.
* = Indicative