05 Dec 2019

Adventures at Carnley Harbour

"Good morning good people", our Expedition Leader Judd Hill gently woke us over the PA at 0530 hours to a beautiful morning as Spirit of Enderby approached Musgrave Inlet. In less than half an hour we were out on the water, Zodiac cruising along the rocky shoreline watching Eastern Rockhopper Penguins and Auckland Island Shags basking in the early morning light.

After cautiously exploring the dark confines of a sea cave via Zodiac and the open-topped cathedral next door, we made our way back to the ship for a well-deserved hearty breakfast as we steamed towards Carnley Harbour.

With the winds picking up on our arrival we sought the shelter of Tagua Bay, landing on the shore of main Auckland Island. Taking the opportunity to stretch our legs we walked along the rocky shore and through the Rata forest spotting Tui, Bellbird, Tomtit, Red-crowned Parakeet and New Zealand Sea Lions as we made our way up to a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the bays and across the caldera of this ancient volcano.

With flushed, smiling faces we made our way back to Spirit of Enderby where we spent the afternoon relaxing and attending lectures on the wildlife that awaits us on Macquarie Island.

Images © A.Rheborg & A.Chavanne, Heritage Expeditions