05 Feb 2023

An Auspicious Arrival to the Auckland Islands

It was a rainy day with slight fog as we arrived 480 kilometres south of Bluff at the Auckland Islands on board Heritage Adventurer for a Subantarctic appetiser of wilderness and wildlife encounters on our way to the Ross Sea.

We were spoiled for choice with 3 options for our day on Enderby Island.

The first group ashore set off on the circuit walk, spotting the regenerating bush and megaherbs first-hand with plenty of wildlife along the cliffs.

The second group opted to spend the day on the boardwalk and Northern Cliffs taking in the beautiful scenery for some amazing photos of the island.

The third group took a morning Zodiac cruise to the former site of the Hardwicke Settlement on the main Auckland Island, with a bonus sighting of Rockhopper Penguins in the water on the return journey. They then spent the after-lunch hours ashore on Enerby Island exploring the boardwalk and Northern Cliffs.

We all had a chance to see the Sandy Bay beach area, boardwalk, and Northern Cliffs here along with the southern rātā forest, Hooker's/New Zealand Sea Lion colony, Yellow-eyed Penguins/Hoiho, Southern Royal Albatross and nesting Light-mantled Sooty Albatross. What a treat to see the Royals so close to the boardwalk gathering for a gaming session in the afternoon.

 All this on top of spotting a Humpback Whale in the Bay - so many incredible ways to enjoy the glorious New Zealand Subantarctic.

Image (c): K.Sutherland