Southern Odyssey: New Zealand and the Subantarctic Islands

Days 1-3

U.S. / Auckland, New Zealand

Depart on an overnight flight, cross the International Date Line, and arrive in Auckland, where we check into our hotel. Join us for a welcome briefing this evening to meet your fellow travelers.

Day 4

Auckland / Embark Ship

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before joining a tour of this vibrant city center. We stop for lunch midday before embarking National Geographic Orion in the late afternoon.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 5-6

Exploring Coastal New Zealand

As we continue south along the North Island’s verdant coast, we let nature guide us as your Captain and Expedition Leader choose our next site for exploration.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

Gisborne

Today we delve into the cultural riches of Gisborne—the site of the first European landing in New Zealand in 1769. The city’s warm, sun-filled climate reflects its disposition and complements its rich soils, bountiful islands, miles of sandy beaches, and resource-rich oceans. Visit a local marae —a traditional meeting place—and gain insight into the history and culture of the people of this region. In the afternoon, discover the greenery of a local arboretum, and cap the day off with a wine tour and tasting.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8

Napier

Spend the morning getting to know Napier, the Art Deco capital of New Zealand. Choose to discover the city’s unique architecture on an art tour, or leave the city behind and join us on a Gannet Safari Tour where we have close encounters at a large Australasian gannet colony.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 9-10

Abel Tasman National Park or Marlborough Sounds / At Sea

Today we arrive at the South Island of New Zealand where golden beaches and dense rainforests border the snow-capped Southern Alps. By special permission from the Department of Conservation, visit either Abel Tasman National Park or Marlborough Sounds. Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand's smallest national park, is renowned for its beaches and rugged granite cliffs that kiss the shoreline. Alternatively, discover the stunning, sea-drowned valleys of Marlborough Sounds. Explore either on hikes and walks with our naturalists or just by relaxing at the beach. Spend the next day at sea as we sail south toward Fiordland National Park.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 11-12

Milford Sound and Dusky Sound

Over the course of two days we will explore Fiordland National Park, home to fourteen individual fiords. Here we'll discover hundreds-meter-high waterfalls, the snowcapped peaks of Milford Sound, and the thickly forested islets of Dusky Sound, which host a myriad of bird species overhead, including the kākā.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13

Snares Islands

Located south of the New Zealand mainland in the remote Southern Ocean, today we begin our exploration of the wild and beautiful subantarctic islands. These remote islands play host to abundant and unique wildlife, with many species of birds, plants, and invertebrates found nowhere else in the world. Two small rocky islands, North East and Broughton, comprise the Snares, the closest subantarctic islands to New Zealand. The islands are covered with heavy tussock grass and wind-beaten forests of tree daisies. The Snares are home to huge numbers of breeding birds: the 99 recorded species include albatross, Antarctic terns, and Snares crested penguins.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 14-15

Auckland Islands / At Sea

Spend the next several incredible days discovering New Zealand and Australia’s subantarctic islands and their surrounding waters—the entire marine landscape designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. We have special permission to explore these strictly regulated islands, which are protected at the highest level of conservation status by the New Zealand government, and considered “bird central” among top ornithologists around the world. Keeping a flexible weather-dependent schedule, we plan to explore several intriguing islands.

The Auckland Islands are the largest of New Zealand’s subantarctic islands, with the richest flora, prolific birdlife, and an interesting human history. If we are fortunate, we may see rare yellow-eyed penguins as they move to and from their nests in the forests beyond the beach.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 16-18

Macquarie Island, Australia / At Sea

We will spend two days at remote Macquarie Island, a protectorate of Australia and a World Heritage site. Macquarie is home to a large variety of wildlife, including thousands of seals and millions of penguins. Four species of penguin breed here. The endemic royal penguin has a population estimated at 850,000. Gentoo and southern rockhopper penguins also breed here. And imagine landing on a single beach with 100,000 pairs of king penguins, the third largest such colony in the world!

Our time at sea between islands presents an opportunity to head up to the bridge to watch the calm business of navigation. Or spend these days enjoying the ship’s spa, and fitness center. Take some time to browse the library or play a board game in the glass-enclosed observation lounge. And listen to a variety of engaging talks from our staff, including photo talks.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 19-20

Campbell Island / At Sea

A large island, surrounded by 4 smaller islands and innumerable rocks and islets, the Campbell Island group is officially the southernmost territory of New Zealand. Covered with endemic grasses and thick vegetation and boasting steep terrain, Campbell is dramatic and beautiful. Here we will find six species of albatross, an endemic duck (the Campbell Island teal), and an endemic snipe, as well as numerous songbirds and sea birds who breed on the island. Three species of penguin also make their home on here.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 21

Stewart Island

Stewart Island, known in Māori as Te Punga o Te Waka a Māui, is positioned firmly at the heart of Māori mythology. Today we’ll explore the island’s rare native birdlife as well as its well-preserved podocarp forest, alive with a cacophony of birdsong. In the afternoon, discover Stewart Island’s nearby neighbor, Ulva Island, where we’ll hike with naturalists to discover its unspoiled rainforest.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 22

Dunedin / Disembark Ship

Today we disembark on New Zealand’s South Island in Dunedin, known for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture. Have breakfast aboard the ship before disembarking and joining a tour of this vibrant city center. We stop for lunch midday before transferring to the airport for flights home.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch