11 Dec 2022

The Captivating Creatures of Campbell Island

The promise of an amazing adventure loomed large this morning as Heritage Adventurer dropped anchor in the glassy, calm waters of Campbell Island's Perseverance Harbour - New Zealand's Southern-most island.

With two choices to experience the magic of Campbell Island some chose to enjoy a Zodiac cruise around the harbour where we observed Campbell Island Teal, Shags and lone Rockhopper Penguins. The entrance of the harbour provided an albatross bonanza with Campbell, Grey-headed, and Southern Royal filling the skies here. After the Zodiac cruise and lunch, we were invited to join a walk along the Col-Lyall Saddle boardwalk where we enjoyed Southern Royal Albatross gamming and the thrill of spotting the elusive and expertly camouflaged Campbell Island Snipe.

The more energetic among us hiked up Mt Honey (569m) where similar wildlife encounters were enjoyed with Campbell Island Snipe and nesting and gamming Southern Royal Albatross dotted the mountainside.

Capping off an incredible day we experienced the astounding sight of the more than 20,000-plus colony of Campbell, Grey-Headed, and Black-Browed Albatross as we sailed into the evening.