Cruising to Antarctica from New Zealand / Australia
Cast off on a cruise to East Antarctica from New Zealand or Australia, and you’ll enjoy an adventure like no other. Discover a remote and icy wonderland where nature reigns supreme, and every experience leaves an unforgettable mark on your soul.
An Antarctic cruise from New Zealand is a rare chance to explore the continent’s wilder and more remote eastern side. Unlike most expeditions, which depart from South America, these journeys offer a unique adventure into truly untouched Antarctic wilderness.
These elite expeditions rank among the world's most epic and exclusive voyages. They demand resilience and a taste for adventure, crossing the remote Southern Ocean for days.
Considered to be the seafaring adventure of a lifetime, a cruise from New Zealand to Antarctica is a journey of extraordinary rewards. Visit wildlife havens like Macquarie, Snares, Auckland, and Campbell Islands. Cast your eyes on colossal icebergs. Explore historic sites from the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, following in the wake of legends like Scott and Shackleton.
Contact our Antarctica Specialists today to enquire and book your berth on a memorable cruise to Antarctica from New Zealand or Australia. They'll help you find the right ship and itinerary to match your needs and desires.
East Antarctica is a monumental testament to nature's grandeur, most notably distinguished by its colossal ice sheet. Spanning approximately 10 million square kilometres, the East Antarctic Ice Sheet is unparalleled in scale, containing an astonishing 90% of the world's freshwater ice. This awe-inspiring expanse blankets the vast majority of the Antarctic continent.
Towering glaciers, some measuring over two kilometres in thickness, dominate the landscape, shaping the region's character and influencing global climate patterns. Within this icy realm lies the Geographic Pole of Inaccessibility, an emblem of extreme isolation and endurance, marking the farthest point from any coastline on the continent. Here, in frigid temperatures and relentless winds, explorers have confronted the limits of human resilience, adding to the lore of Antarctic exploration.
Amidst this frozen wilderness, an astonishing delicate ecosystem thrives, showcasing resilient species like emperor penguins and Weddell seals, adapted to survive in the harshest conditions.
An intrepid cruise to Antarctica from New Zealand typically last between 26 and 32 days – double or triple the duration of the more classic Antarctic cruises that depart from South America. On these extended trips to the farthest reaches of the Ross Sea and the Southern Ocean, you’ll experience more of everything that makes Antarctica expeditions unique. More days at sea, more wildlife and wilderness, bigger icebergs, more ice-covered mountains and more intense and immersive experiences.
Short on time? You can also cast off on an expedition to the subantarctic islands from New Zealand without making landfall in Antarctica proper.
If you’ve just started to plan your Antarctic adventure, read our Ultimate Antarctica Guide to learn more about travelling to this incredible bucket-list destination.
