The Subantarctic Islands are wild and beautiful, home to an abundance of unique and wonderful wildlife.
The Subantarctic Islands consist of five island groups - Antipodes, Auckland, Bounty, Campbell and Snares. All the islands are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, affording the highest conservation status and protection.
These islands are probably more isolated now than they were when they were discovered in the late 1700s and early 1800s and were regularly visited by sealers, whalers, and government steamers searching for castaway sailors.
The Antipodes Islands are the most isolated and perhaps the least known of New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands. These volcanic islands are home to a wide variety of bird species including the endemic Antipodes snipe, two species of parakeet, Antipodean wandering albatross, erect-crested and rock hopper penguins, plus nine species of burrowing petrel.
The Campbell Island group lies approximately 660 kilometres south of Bluff and is a truly magnificent place of rugged scenery, unique flora and abundant wildlife. An important breeding area for the southern royal albatross and a breeding site for several species of seabirds, in addition to the endemic Campbell teal and Campbell snipe, Campbell Island also hosts numerous penguin species including, yellow-eyed, rockhopper and erect-crested penguin.
The bare and windswept Bounty Islands have been identified as an Important Bird Area owing to it being the breeding site for erect-crested penguins, Salvin's albatross, and Bounty shags. In the Auckland Islands, the seabirds range from the tiny storm petrel to the Antipodean wandering albatross, one of the largest flying birds in the world. Meanwhile, it's claimed by some that the Snares, appropriately named as they were once considered a hazard for sailing ships, are home to more nesting seabirds than all the British Isles.
The Subantarctic Islands are tiny sanctuaries for some of the most abundant and unique wildlife on the planet. This epic expedition provides a rare opportunity to discover these wild islands, perfect for pelagic enthusiasts, penguin fanatics, and those interested in island endemics. Find out more about Birding Expedition Down Under
Scheduled to set sail in 2025, the Douglas Mawson is a new state-of-the-art expedition vessel. Named after the legendary Australian geologist and explorer, the ship embodies the intrepid spirit of its namesake. This purpose-built vessel has been designed to push the boundaries of expedition cruising. Find Out More about Douglas Mawson
