31 Dec 2024

Sunshine and wildlife on Enderby Island

It was an early rise as we were out on deck watching our arrival at Enderby Island eagerly anticipating what the day would bring. The weather was impeccable and totally out of the ordinary – blazing sun and sheltered from the northerly wind! Anchoring outside Sandy Bay, some disembarked for the long hike around the northeast of Enderby Island, taking in the views of the coast and stopping at the historic Derry Castle reef. The long walk also showcased fantastic fields of the megaherb Bulbinella rossii and the gnarled and twisted Rātā forest, currently in full bloom. Others opted for Zodiac cruising the impressive basalt cliffs, shag rookeries, kelp beds with resident Auckland Island Teal and even a cruise out to Rose Island. The wildlife was the star of the show today. Gamming Southern Royal Albatross just metres from the boardwalk, Light Mantled Sooty Albatross soaring above us, and morning views of the Yellow-eyed Penguin/Hoiho going out to sea. At this time of year, one of the major highlights is watching the carnage unfold at Sandy Bay where the colony of New Zealand Sea Lions haul out for breeding. Hundreds of Sea Lions were hanging out in groups, with beach master males defending their harems, while the new pups fed from their mothers and grouped in creches. 

For New Year’s Eve, we had a surprise bonus outing in the evening as our Captain sailed into Port Ross at the northern end of Auckland Island. We made a rare outing into the remains of the Hardwicke Settlement, a failed colonisation endeavour from the 1850s. We heard tales of ingenuity, hardship, shipwrecks and woe as we gathered around the historic cemetery and the Victoria Tree as the sun set for the final time in 2024.  

Images © R. Brown, Heritage Expeditions