Journey to the Sub Antarctic Islands for the adventure of a lifetime
by Andrew Mevissen
Hidden below the South Island of New Zealand and above the great white continent of Antarctica lies one of the world’s last, truly unspoilt environments. The Sub-Antarctic Islands are abundant with wildlife and home to breathtaking scenery that few ever lay their eyes upon. Also known as the ‘Forgotten Islands’, the tiny dots that make up the wild, unpopulated Sub-Antarctic Islands are possibly the world’s best kept secret and are only able to be seen by modern-day explorers journeying to the region aboard expedition cruise ships.
Most people have not even heard of these spectacularly wild islands, lying south-east of New Zealand in the Southern Ocean, let alone seen them. The six main island groups that comprise the Sub-Antarctic Islands are The Snares Islands, Auckland Islands, Campbell Island, Antipodes Islands, Bounty Islands and Macquarie Island. These special, untamed places are World-Heritage-listed, placing them in a group of 180 natural sites around the world deemed ‘the most important and significant habitats on the planet.’
With the most recent figures from 2015 showing that only 650 travellers visited the Sub-Antarctic Islands that year, it’s no wonder they are known as the ‘Forgotten Islands’. More people attempt to climb Mount Everest each year (800). However, the islands are filled with fascinating wildlife, including 11 of the world’s penguin species and breathtaking landscapes that are perfect for intrepid nature lovers. The abundant wildlife thrives in the isolated conditions of the Sub-Antarctic Islands. Serving as a ‘life raft,’ the islands provide critical breeding grounds and refuges for countless species and also create the perfect opportunity for travellers to view and photograph these rarely seen animals in their natural, untouched environment.
The Snares Islands, alone, boast more nesting sea birds than the entire realm of the British Isles, including the broad-billed prion, the endemic, mottled petrel and the most numerous of all, the sooty shearwater, with a couple of million visiting each year. The Snares is also home to the crested penguin, and a towering granite slope that penguins use as a slide to launch into the sea. With no introduced land mammals ever introduced to the island, the Snares is one of the most pristine locations in the world and its wonders are only able to be viewed in ship’s Zodiacs that venture as close to the shore as possible, as landing ashore is prohibited to protect the fragile ecosystem.
Lying southwest is Macquarie Island. The Australian-owned island is almost halfway to Antarctica and is often the most distant island that Sub-Antarctic voyages venture to. Natural history film maker, David Parer, said: “The rock that forms it is the only island on Earth which has actually been pushed up almost 3000 metres from the ocean floor up to the surface.” The Island is home to the magnificent royal penguin, which is endemic to Macquarie Island, with an estimated 850,000 living there. Travellers have the opportunity to see them up close. With over three million birds in total, including king penguins – the second biggest species of penguin with some growing up to a metre tall, gentoo penguins and multiple species of albatross, Macquarie Island is a birdwatcher’s dream. Macquarie Island also has a breeding colony of elephant seals. Named for their large, trunk-like nose, the giant mammals are the largest marine mammal that isn’t a cetacean.
Despite sharing the name with Antarctica, the Sub-Antarctic Islands do not share the same icy landscapes. Instead, they offer tourists a diverse range of striking views perfect for travel photographers looking to capture moments that stand out amongst the plethora of tourist photos on social media. From the rugged landscape of the Auckland Islands, made up of the remains of two ancient volcanoes, to the mega-herb filled, green landscapes of Campbell Island, breathtaking scenery is everywhere on a Sub-Antarctic cruise. With guided walks available on Campbell Island, guests can see the giant perennial wildflowers called mega-herbs up close. With plants such as the Campbell Island carrot that can flower up to two metres tall, the island offers a natural landscape like no other in the world.
The only way to see these remote, far-flung islands is by small expedition cruise ships. The small ships allow travellers to get intimate with the majestic beauty of these ‘Forgotten Islands.’ Onboard experts travel with you to guide your journey and provide insight on the unique and diverse flora and fauna of the Sub-Antarctic Islands.
To experience one of the most remote, beautiful and wildlife-abundant destinations on the planet, contact us at Cruise Traveller for the adventure of a lifetime.