Southern Odyssey: New Zealand and the Subantarctic Islands

Prices from / per person

$28,962.00

cruise features

Overview

20 Days / Premium / Small Ship (13-200)
Wildlife

Sea Lions ● Penguins ● Birds
Activities

Hiking / Walking / Lectures
Embarkation / Disembarkation

Auckland, New Zealand / Dunedin, New Zealand or
Dunedin, New Zealand / Auckland, New Zealand
Cruise Partner/Vessel

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic / National Geographic Orion
Cruise Dates

Nov 15th – Dec 4th, 2024 (Southbound)
Dec 3rd – Dec 22nd, 2024 (Northbound)
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102

Passengers

9

Expedition Members

54

Staff / Crew

1:11

Passenger / Expedition Ratio

2

Shore Landings/Day*

These are approximate numbers and should be confirmed for each trip
* Except sea days

Trip Summary

Discover New Zealand from the North Island to its most remote islands in the Southern Ocean. Explore natural wonders like Abel Tasman National Park and Milford Sound, and visit towns that tell the country’s story. Admire the Art Deco architecture of Napier, and get acquainted with Māori culture in Gisborne. Cap off the experience amid penguins and sea lions in New Zealand’s seldom-visited subantarctic islands, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Expedition Moment – Making Landfall on Remote Macquarie Island

Only 1,000 permits are approved each year for Australia’s remote Macquarie Island. Pair that with the fragile weather systems which can make landfall difficult, and it quickly becomes a destination that very few people are privileged to see. But as guests aboard National Geographic Orion recently discovered, those who arrive are richly rewarded with dazzling sights that include 800,000 breeding pairs of the endemic royal penguin.

2024 Southbound Route (Multiple Routes Available)

Arrive in Auckland and transfer to our hotel. Join us for a welcome briefing this evening to meet your fellow travelers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Highlights

– Get immersed in beauty: scenic beaches and lush native forests in the North Island and deep fjords and dramatic landscapes in the South Island
– Discover the history and dynamic culture of New Zealand and the Māori people
– Explore the sub-Antarctic islands which remain almost completely protected from human activity and are home to a diverse collection of endemic plant and animal species
– Delve into New Zealand’s cultural riches—from Napier’s Art Deco architecture to historical Māori sites
– Visit Abel Tasman National Park to discover its golden sand beaches, abundant birdlife, and native forests

  • Excursions, hotels, and airport transfers, as indicated in the itinerary.
  • Selection of exploration tools curated to your destination, such as Zodiacs and glass-bottom boats, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, snorkeling equipment (including wetsuits, masks, and fins), and other state-of-the-art gear.
  • Guidance and company of our leading expedition staff.
  • All meals as indicated in the itinerary, both aboard and onshore. Meals are inspired by regional cuisine and locally sourced where possible.
  • Hors d’oeuvres inspired by regional cuisine and locally sourced where possible.
  • 24-hour access to snacks, premium coffees and teas, non-alcoholic beverages, and filtered water.
  • Beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits aboard all ships, with the exception of Sun Goddess and Oberoi Philae. We are also pleased to offer a selection of super premium wines and liquors available for purchase.
  • Beer and wine with meals aboard Oberoi Philae and Sun Goddess. Additional alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.
  • Crew gratuities aboard National Geographic Endurance, National Geographic Resolution, National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Orion, Sea Cloud, Sea Cloud II, Lord of the Glens, Oberoi Philae, Sun Goddess, and The Jahan.
  • Laundry services aboard Oberoi Philae and Sun Goddess.
  • Complimentary Starlink-enabled Wi-Fi internet is available to all guests aboard our Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic fleet, enabling email, messaging, and social media. Enhanced and Premium internet packages are available for purchase, which may enable video chat, web browsing, and streaming (connectivity permitting).
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi internet is available to all guests aboard Sea Cloud, Sea Cloud II, Lord of the Glens, Oberoi Philae, Sun Goddess, and The Jahan (connectivity permitting).
  • Presentations on your destination by expedition staff and expert guest speakers.
  • Complimentary reusable water bottle to fill at onboard water refill stations.
  • The services of a physician, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or paramedic  where available.
  • Morning stretch classes and 24-hour access to exercise equipment where available.
  • 24-hour access to lounges, observation decks, library stocked with regionally relevant literature, and other shared spaces.
  • Complimentary Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic parka or jacket on select Arctic and Antarctic voyages.
  • Assistance by the onboard National Geographic Photography Expert (National Geographic Endurance, National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Orion, National Geographic Resolution) and Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor (all ships).
  • Access to the OM System Photo Gear Locker with the latest gear to try out on loan (aboard our Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic fleet).
  • Park and site entrance fees, special access permits, and port taxes.
  • Airfare (except flights when indicated as included), pre- and post-expedition extensions, additional hotel nights, and private transfers (except when indicated as included).
  • Travel protection plans and passport, visa, and immigration fees.
  • Laundry, spa treatments, scuba diving, and phone services (except when indicated as included).
  • Enhanced and premium Wi-Fi plans, which may enable video chat, web browsing, and streaming (connectivity permitting).
  • Crew gratuities aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, National Geographic Islander II, National Geographic Venture, National Geographic Quest, National Geographic Sea Bird, National Geographic Sea Lion, and Delfin II.

* Unused services or items included in our programs are non-refundable.

2024 Season

20 Day sailing Southbound November 15th – December 4th, 2024.

20 Day sailing Northbound December 3rd – December 22nd, 2024.
For other similar sailings in 2024 and 2025, please contact us.

Itinerary note: Routing may vary and stops may be subject to modification and/or permitting.

transportation

Transfers

Arrive in Auckland and transfer to our hotel. Following lunch on the last day, you will be transferred to the airport for flights home.

vessel details

Specifications and Deck Plans

View detailed vessel specifications and the deck plan layout for the National Geographic Orion.

optional activities

Enjoy Natural Scenery & Local Life

Contact our adventure cruise specialists to discuss pre and post cruise land tours and turn your cruise into a more complete and personalized journey.

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