Lying 360 kilometres south of Stewart Island, the Auckland Islands is a group of eight rugged islands, positioned close to each other and separated by narrow sea channels. Dominated by the remains of two 12-million-year-old volcanoes, the islands are the largest of New Zealand’s sub-Antarctic islands known for their steep cliffs and towering mountains and 196 native species of flora
Making our way here means crossing an often-tempestuous sea, but when we reach the Auckland Islands, we can drop anchor in the lee of the islands. The weather here is usually damp and overcast, without being very cold. Evidence exists of Polynesian voyagers having settled here as early as the 13th century. During the sealing era, many ships were wrecked in this region and relics of this period remain, including the ruins of huts and gravestones.
These islands are beautiful and striking, with cliffs rising from the sea and slopes blooming with New Zealand native plants such as southern rata and megaherbs. These unusual forests are home to many unique birds and carry fascinating stories of shipwrecked seamen and wartime coastwatchers.
Here, we will go ashore at Enderby Island to spend time birdwatching. Spot myriad rare birds which nest here, including the Southern Royal albatross, Northern giant petrel, Auckland Island shag, red-crowned parakeet, and yellow-eyed penguin. At Sandy Bay, you may also spot the Hooker’s sea lion.
On Auckland Island, we explore the remains of Hardwicke Settlement at Port Ross which was abandoned after three years in the early 1800s. If weather permits, there may be an opportunity to climb the slopes to observe the shy albatross colony nesting in the tussock grass. Later, we may cruise by Zodiac or Xplorer through the sheltered inlets of Carnley Harbour, climbing through rata forest to take in the views from a vantage point, or visiting a historic site on the islands.
Numerous heritage sites abound here including:
- Castaway Finger Posts which guided shipwrecked sailors to castaway depots
- Sandy Bay Boatshed which was a lifeline for shipwrecked survivors to row to
- Stella Hut, a surviving castaway depot
- Enderby Settlement – an ill-fated planned settlement
- Derry Castle grave site on Enderby Island
- World War Two lookout huts designed to keep watch for enemy naval vessels
- The expedition site where a rare sighting of Venus was recorded to measure the Earth’s distance from the sun