Journey into the wilds of New Zealand’s Southern Ocean from the deep and quiet fiords of Murihiku (Southland) to the mysterious and protected wildlife reserves and still remote landscapes of the subantarctic Campbell and Auckland Islands. Hike through colourful fields of mega herbs, visit the ‘world’s loneliest tree’, learn the histories of the land and meet with locals to encounter vibrant cultures along the way. See diverse and rare endemic wildlife up close including albatross, penguins, seabirds and the New Zealand sea lion. A small ship expedition to these islands is an education in pristine isolated environments and a glimpse into an unspoiled natural world.
- Explore the stillness of rarely visited Dusky and Doubtful Sounds in southern Fiordland, and encounter many species of wildlife, include the Fiordland crested penguin and New Zealand fur seal
- Stroll through the quiet forests of Ulva Island to spot New Zealand’s iconic birds, including the Stewart Island Weka, South Island Saddleback, Yellow-and Red-crowned Parakeet (Kakariki) and Rifleman (New Zealand’s smallest bird).
- Discover New Zealand’s Subantarctic UNESCO World Heritage islands, including the Snares, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands, Antipodes and Bounty Islands
- In some of the world’s most precious and wild habitats, spot incredibly rare birdlife including the yellow-eyed rockhopper and erect-crested penguins, northern giant petrel and 10 species of albatross
- Climb through the red-flowering rata forest and ethereal megaherb pastures on the Auckland Islands to a viewpoint, from where you can gaze over the misty seascape of the Southern Ocean
- Learn about the brutal history of the sealers and whalers who frequented these islands in the 19th century, and visit the ‘world’s loneliest tree’, a Sitka Spruce planted in 1907 on Campbell Island
- Spend time on Chatham Islands, meeting the locals and learning of the remarkable history of the Moriori people, surrounded by one of the most remote communities on earth