A place of wild beauty and extraordinary friendliness, you’ll love getting to know New Zealand over 24 days of wonder.
After falling in love with the ‘City of Sails’, Auckland, you’ll discover ancient kauri forests and the spectacular beauty and historical significance of the Bay of Islands. Explore ‘Middle earth’ before taking in the geothermal wonders of Rotorua. Continue with a visit to Wellington before hopping on a ferry to the South Island. Sample crisp Sauvignon Blanc in its place of origin, and marvel at the diverse marine life along the East Coast before arriving in Christchurch. This city will delight visitors with its resilience and positive outlook before crossing the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine. Franz Josef Glacier is a highlight, as is the energy and passion of Queenstown, while waking up to the views of Milford Sound and Mount Cook will be a treasured memory for years to come.
Experience one of the most remote, historic sectors of the deep South in comfort on this exploratory expedition aboard the luxurious Douglas Mawson. Your journey begins in the subantarctic, where yellow-eyed penguins waddle through wizened rata forests and royal albatross nest amid megaherb moors. Cross the Antarctic Circle and cruise the pack ice, keeping watch for emperor and Adélie penguins porpoising along the ice edge, orcas patrolling for prey and snow petrels soaring against a backdrop of the vast Antarctic Ice Sheet. Embrace the spirit of adventure as you continue along the Victoria Land Coast and into the Ross Sea, where the Antarctic Ice Sheet flows into the world's largest floating ice shelf. These are historic waters, where the explorers of the Heroic Age staged their bold assaults on the South Geographic Pole. Hear the stories of their expeditions and attempt to land at some of their remarkably well-preserved huts.
Navigate through gleaming pack ice - alive with Weddell and leopard seals, Adélie and emperor penguins
Revel in the richness of the unique Ross Sea ecosystem - part of the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area
Visit rowdy beaches - crowded with harems of New Zealand sea lions
Explore rata forests - where rare yellow-eyed penguins can be found
Reflect on the remarkable achievements of the Heroic Age explorers - visit some of their historic huts
Discover the beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Australian and New Zealand Subantarctic Islands on this in-depth expedition to one of the most rugged regions of this part of the world. Witness rich endemic birdlife flourishing on Stewart and Ulva Islands, including the iconic brown kiwi and friendly flightless weka. Celebrate under the crimson blossoms of the flowering rata, affectionately known as the southern Christmas tree. Experience the majesty of Fiordland's deep Sounds and Zodiac-cruise the craggy coast of the Snares and wander through enchanting rata forests on the Auckland Islands, where you can spot endemic mollymawks and hear stories of the early sealers, settlers and explorers.
Explore the antipodean subantarctic - a sanctuary for millions of breeding albatross, penguins and seals.
Discover the delicate subantarctic ecosystem and albatross nesting ground - of mystical Campbell Island
Visit rowdy beaches - crowded with harems of New Zealand sea lions
Explore rata forests - where rare yellow-eyed penguins can be found