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Peregrine Travel Centre

In the Wake of Mawson – East Antarctica

In the Wake of Mawson – East Antarctica

From $ 26,410 AUD

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Description

Retrace the steps of legendary Australian geologist and explorer Sir Douglas Mawson on this immersive 26-day cruise into East Antarctica. Venturing from Hobart, Tasmania, all the way down to the great seventh continent and back up to Bluff, New Zealand, this exclusive polar expedition has been made possible by the conservation efforts of Mawson’s Huts Foundation. The itinerary includes Macquarie Island, Campbell Island, the Auckland Islands, The Snares, and Commonwealth Bay where Mawson’s Huts mark the home base of those early East Antarctic explorations. These huts offer travellers a rare and first-hand connection to the events of 1911–14, and the wildlife and birdlife found throughout the expedition is varied and often quite rare, with emperor penguins and endangered New Zealand sea lions among those we hope to sight. With wild coastal landscapes, awe-inspiring Antarctic scenery and riveting stories of bold adventure, In the Wake of Mawson might just be the expedition of a lifetime.

Trip Name
In the Wake of Mawson - East Antarctica
Last Updated
2018-02-10
Days
26
Capacity
48
Highlights
  • Make no mistake, this is a real adventure. Travelling across the Southern Ocean in a small boat like the early polar explorers is an unforgettable thrill
  • Hard to reach but well worth the effort, Mawson's Hut is one of those special places that few travellers have seen – even fewer than have climbed Mt Everest. To connect first-hand Sir Douglas Mawson’s legendary explorations is one of the most exciting opportunities in polar travel today
  • These islands are heaven for twitchers and wildlife lovers alike, as albatross, prion and petrel abound – not to mention rare New Zealand sea lions and the possibility of emperor penguins on the Antarctic coast
  • With Zodiac excursions, you’ll be able to get up close and personal with the wildlife and landscapes and capture next-level photos of these beautiful coastlines
  • Learning the biology and history of this part of the world is an essential part of the journey, so settle in and soak up the knowledge of onboard naturalists who deliver video-supported lectures throughout the trip

Itinerary

No two Polar voyages are the same and this is part of the excitement of travelling in these remote regions. Weather, ice conditions and wildlife will all affect where your ship is able to access, and most importantly, where your Expedition Team think you will get the best possible experience from your trip. On board, daily updates are given to advise what the specific itinerary will be for the next day based on local conditions. Published itineraries cannot be guaranteed but an amazing voyage full of adventure and once-in-a-lifetime experiences is guaranteed.

Day 1 - Hobart
A city steeped in colonial heritage, beautiful waterways and top-notch cuisine makes for the perfect jump-off point to the Antarctic. Consider arriving a little earlier to explore what Tasmania’s capital has to offer; the world-renowned Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) certainly deserves a day trip. Your adventure begins with a private tour and reception at the Mawson’s Huts replica in Hobart. This is a good opportunity to meet fellow adventurers and some of the expedition team ahead of tomorrow’s embarkation.
Day 2 - Hobart
The expedition team welcomes you aboard as we embark. Set sail across Storm Bay, heading past Bruny Island and the Tasman Peninsula, bound for Macquarie Island.
Day 3-5 - At Sea
As we make our way through an area known as the roaring forties (the area at 40–50 degrees in latitude that experiences ferocious westerly wind currents), there will be a series of video-supported lectures on the biology and history of the subantarctic islands and the Southern Ocean. Bird sightings may well include the wandering albatross, royal albatross, black-browed albatross and light-mantled sooty albatross; also keep an eye out for the fairy prion, fulmar prion and Antarctic prion.
Day 6-7 - Macquarie Island
Macquarie Island supports one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in the Southern Ocean, including four different species of penguin: king, rockhopper, gentoo and the endemic royal. The plan is to spend time around Sandy Bay and Buckles Bay, and take a guided tour of the Australian Antarctic Division Base. There’s also the chance to spot southern elephant seals in slumber on the beaches.
Day 8-10 - At Sea
Steaming ever southward through the Southern Ocean, with albatrosses and petrels soaring above, the captain will manoeuvre the ship between drifting icebergs and in close for your first photography of the ice. There’s a special cause for celebration when we pass into Antarctica’s realm of 24-hour daylight.
Day 11-16 - Commonwealth Bay and the East Antarctic Coastline
For our first East Antarctic landing, we touch down at Cape Denison in Commonwealth Bay, weather permitting. This is where Mawson’s Huts are found, and we’ll have the chance to explore them and their surrounds. Thanks to the Mawson’s Huts Foundation and their conservation efforts, it’s now possible to enter these historic huts and connect first-hand with the remarkable 1911–1914 expedition. On our explorations we hope to not only spot gorgeous Adelie penguins, but land at an emperor penguin colony. Meanwhile, the majesty of East Antarctica’s coastline comes in the form of immense glaciers and vivid white beaches.
Day 17-20 - At Sea
Leaving the spectacular scenes of Antarctica behind, take the opportunity to enjoy some quieter time at sea – perhaps trading photos with other travellers, or simply kicking back and recovering from the extensive daylight hours of the Antarctic. On the way to Campbell Island, a series of lectures will prepare you for the following day.
Day 21-22 - Perseverance Harbour, Campbell Island
We take time to explore Campbell Island, New Zealand’s southernmost subantarctic territory. A number of optional activities are available, allowing you to get the most out of this World Heritage-listed island.
Day 23 - Carnley Harbour, Auckland Islands
Our next stop is Carnley Harbour, once the caldera of the Carnley volcano. As well as choosing from a range of optional activities, you can make the challenging scramble to see a shy albatross (also known as a shy mollymawk or white-capped albatross).
Day 24 - Enderby Island, Auckland Islands
We plan to land at Sandy Bay, one of three breeding areas in the Auckland Islands for the New Zealand sea lion. Also known as Hooker’s sea lion, or whakahao in Maori language, the New Zealand sea lion a rare member of the seal family and a delight to observe frolicking on shore.
Day 25 - North East Island, The Snares
North East Island is the largest of The Snares, and it’s known to have more nesting seabirds than all of the British Isles put together. Arriving early in the morning, set off on a cruise along the sheltered eastern side of the rugged coastline by Zodiac.
Day 26 - Invercargill
Arrive at the port of Bluff early this morning. After a final breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travellers as the journey comes to an end. A complimentary coach transfer will take you to either a central city point or the airport.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
09-12-201803-01-2019AUD $ 26,410MainDeckTwin(sharedFacilities)
09-12-201803-01-2019AUD $ 32,360MiniSuite
09-12-201803-01-2019AUD $ 33,945Suite
09-12-201803-01-2019AUD $ 29,055Superior
09-12-201803-01-2019AUD $ 30,905SuperiorPlus

Accommodation

Expedition cruise ship 24 nights,hotel 1 night

Transport

Expedition cruise ship,zodiac

Map

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