Beyond Fiordland - New Zealand's Wildest Islands

Meet at an Invercargill central city hotel and be transferred to the Port of Bluff for embarkation. The captain and expedition team are waiting to greet you on arrival at the ship. Explore the Spirit of Enderby and join the captain on the bridge or fellow travelers on deck as you set sail.

As you make your way through the Southern Ocean you can expect some of the best pelagic birding on this leg of the journey with great views during the crossing which may include Wandering Albatross, Royal Albatross, Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, Campbell Island Albatross and Little Shearwater.

Explore Campbell Island, New Zealand’s southernmost Subantarctic territory. With a number of options which enables you to explore the island including an extended walk to Northwest Bay. There is also an easier walk to the Col Lyall Saddle. All of these options allow you the opportunity and time to enjoy the Southern Royal Albatross which nest here in large numbers. Visit areas of the island which contain outstanding examples of the megaherbs for which the island is renowned. Birds you may see include Teal, Snipe, Rockhopper Penguins and Antarctic Tern.

This very large sheltered harbor is rich in human history, arrive mid-morning entering the harbor through the eastern entrance which is guarded on both sides by dramatic cliffs and rugged tussock covered hills. Your activities here today are totally weather dependent. If the weather is fine there is an opportunity to climb to the South West Cape and visit the Shy Mollymawk colony. Above the colony, see Gibson’s Wandering Albatross breeding. Alternatively, there is an opportunity to Zodiac cruise along the coast of Adams Island, Western Harbour and Victoria Passage. Visit Camp Cove, the Tagua Bay coastwatcher’s station, and lookout, or Epigwatt where the remains of the ‘Grafton’ which was wrecked here in 1864 can be seen.

Enderby Island is one of the most beautiful islands in this group, this northernmost island in the archipelago is an outstanding wildlife and birding location and is relatively easy to land on and walk around. Land at Sandy Bay, one of three breeding areas in the Auckland Islands, for the Hookers or New Zealand Sea Lion. During your day ashore there are several walking options, and time to spend just sitting and enjoying the wildlife. Birds that you might encounter include Southern Royal Albatross, Northern Giant Petrel, Auckland Island Shag, Auckland Island Flightless Teal, Auckland Island Tomtit, Bellbird, Red-crowned Parakeet, Yellow-eyed Penguin and Light-mantled Sooty Albatross.

The closest Subantarctic Islands to New Zealand, comprising of two main islands and a group of five islands called the Western Chain; they are uninhabited and enjoy the highest protection as Nature Reserves. Zodiac cruising along the sheltered eastern side of the main island we should see the endemic Snares Crested Penguin, Snares Island Tomtit, and Fernbirds.

New Zealand’s third island is a wonderfully tranquil place; the scenery of untouched bushland is stunning. Explore Ulva Island which is rich in history and wildlife, being a predator-free island from 1997 the birdsong and wildlife is some of the best. In Paterson Inlet, you have time at Boulder Bay and West End Beach, or just enjoy some time around Post Office Bay and Sydney Cove. Wildlife you may get to see while walking the tracks include Stewart Island Robin, Stewart Island Weka, South Island Kaka, Kereru (wood pigeon), Mohua (yellowhead), Red Crowned Parakeet, Fantail, Bellbird, and Tui. There are many more species that may also be seen. In the afternoon visit the historic Norwegian whaling station in Prices Inlet and Kaipipi Bay.

This is an area rich in history, majestic scenery and abundant in wildlife. Captain Cook and his crew landed here on HMS Resolution in 1773, the first Europeans to visit Fiordland, spending five weeks in Dusky Sound, historically this region is very important and shaped the future of New Zealand. From the middle of the 19th Century, this unexplored interior Fiordland coastline attracted the attention of those in search of hidden greenstone or New Zealand jade. Fiordland’s West Coast is only accessible by sea, making it the most remote region of New Zealand’s mainland, its isolation has been beneficial because its beauty remains unspoiled and its historic sites undisturbed. Waterfalls, streams, rivers, and fiords are enveloped with misty veils that come and go. A rugged terrain, the thickly forested floors are covered with ferns, lichens, and mosses. Bottlenose Dolphins, Fiordland Crested Penguins, and Little Penguins are all resident in the fiords; during your time here look out for them. Your schedule gives you the flexibility to visit as much as possible; areas to visit during our time in Fiordland include Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sounds and Acheron Passage, Astronomer’s Point and Pickersgill Harbour. 

Arrive at the Port of Bluff early in the morning. After breakfast, disembark and board your complimentary coach transfer to either a central city point or to the airport.