12 Jan 2025

An unbelievable day of adventure on Macquarie Island

We arrived at Macquarie Island in classic Subantarctic conditions. Thanks to the skill of our fantastic bridge team, we launched our Zodiacs to shore at the Isthmus. We were welcomed on the beach by representatives from the nearby Tasmanian Parks and the Australian Antarctic Division station, along with playful Southern Elephant Seals.

After dividing into small, guided walking groups, we explored the area. We soaked in the historic remains of the digesters – once used to produce penguin oil, Elephant Seal wallows, views from Ridgeback track, and moulting King Penguins before arriving at the outskirts of the station itself. Here we saw Gentoo Penguins (the only occasion that we would on this voyage) and the storm-lashed Hasselborough Bay, where numerous Skua and Giant Petrel were observed, including the rare white morph Southern Giant Petrel.

After lunch on board, we landed at Sandy Bay, where we were rewarded with spectacular views of King Penguins marshalled on the beach of the dramatic coast. We also observed large numbers of Royal Penguins (endemic to Macquarie Island). These charismatic crested penguins offered spectacular viewing at their colony and the ‘penguin highway’ on the beach as they passed up and down.

Once back aboard we were treated to another delicious meal to warm up. As we finished dinner, our expedition leader announced that we would be offered a short Zodiac cruise or a paddle for the Kayakers in the evening sunshine at the spectacular King Penguin colony of Lusitania Bay. Audible cheers were heard throughout the dining room. The cruise did not fail to deliver, and not only was the huge King Penguin colony viewed we also observed some Eastern Rockhopper Penguins and Macquarie Island Shags.

Back on board Heritage Adventurer, we cruised by the largest Royal Penguin colony on Macquarie Island, at the island's southern tip, Hurd Point. This provided one last memorable sight of Macquarie before a shout of whales was heard and we were fortunate enough to witness Killer Whales to top off a fantastic day under the full moon!

Images © C. Finch, Heritage Expeditions

Images © C. Finch, Heritage Expeditions