Home to nearly half the world’s penguin and albatross species, the sub-Antarctic Islands of New Zealand and Australia are spectacular birding paradises hidden in the remote reaches of the Southern Ocean. Millions of penguins populate these islands—on tiny Macquarie Island alone are more than 850,000 pairs of royal penguins, found nowhere else in the world—and the biodiversity includes endangered yellow-eyed penguins, endemic species of albatross, and amazing flora. Aboard the 48-guest Spirit of Enderby, an icebreaker built for polar research (the cabins are basic but the food is excellent and the staff superb), we have the rare privilege of exploring these dramatic islands, one of the wildest, least visited, and most intriguing parts of our planet.

Itinerary at a Glance

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Days 1-2
Hobart, Tasmania

Arrive in Hobart, and the next day, embark aboard the Spirit of Enderby.

Days 3-5
At Sea

Lectures by our naturalists introduce us to the fascinating ecology of the Southern Ocean of Tasmania and New Zealand, and we watch on deck for pelagic birds.

Days 6-7
Macquarie Island

Macquarie Island World Heritage Area—54° 38' degrees south!—is the only place to see royal penguin (Eudyptes schlegeli), found in the hundreds of thousands here. They share this extraordinary sub-Antarctic wildlife refuge with stately king penguins as well as gentoo and rockhopper, as we discover on our landings at Sandy Bay and the Australian scientific station.

Days 8-9
Campbell Island

On magnificent Campbell Island Nature Preserve, a World Heritage Site 400 miles south of New Zealand, introduced species have been removed successfully, resulting in a phenomenal renaissance of birdlife and endemic flora including early-flowering megaherbs, creating a wildflower spectacle to behold. Birdlife includes Campbell Island shag, southern skua, Antarctic tern, rare New Zealand pipit, and the beautiful light-mantled sooty albatross.

Days 10-11
Auckland Islands

Everything from penguins to parakeets can be seen on the Aucklands, the remains of two eroded volcanoes. We climb up to a hilltop colony of shy albatross (Thalassarche cauta) and cruise by Zodiac along coastal forests to spot New Zealand falcon. On Enderby Island, we visit the world’s main breeding ground for Hooker’s sea lion and look for bellbird, red-crowned parakeet, yellow-eyed penguin, and possibly sub-Antarctic snipe.

Days 12-13
Snares Island / Port of Bluff, New Zealand

In “the Snares,” our Zodiacs bring us along sheltered bays to see endemics including Snares crested penguin and Buller’s albatross. Six million sooty shearwaters nest here. Arrive in Port of Bluff on Day 13 and depart from Invercargill, New Zealand.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

What the Trip is Like

The trip is rated Level 1, Easiest. It is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active. Some agility is required for getting in and out of the Zodiac landing crafts. There are shore excursions featuring walks. Note that this expedition is in the Southern Ocean, where there may be cold, windy weather and rough seas. Landing sites vary depending on weather and sea conditions.

Explanation of Trip Levels