03 Jan 2022

Unforgettable Adventures at the Auckland Islands

Guests on our Beyond Fiordland voyage enjoyed excellent expedition conditions as Spirit of Enderby across the mirrored surface of Carnley Harbour with no wind or swell.

Our first stop was the wreckage of the Grafton which sank on 3 January 1864 - exactly 158 years ago. Not much of her remains today other than the final remnants of a wooden skeleton at the water's edge. Inside the Rata forest, where the sun filters through the trees illuminating the bright red blossoms, we explore the rocks that once belonged to the forge, built to make nails to build a replacement boat to escape the Auckland Islands.

Our next stop was Victoria Passage in the Western Arm of Carnley Harbour. Conditions were so good that we launched the Zodiacs and ventured through the rocky, narrow passage to the south side of Adams Islands. In the black basalt cliffs we observe white dots, White-capped Albatross nesting within tussock and megaherbs. Making our way around to the eastern side we explore a cave which transforms into a spectacular cathedral after our Zodiac passes through its narrow entrance.

Active guests enjoy the opportunity to scale the steep flanks to the South West Cape and observe the White-capped Albatross colony from above while incredible saucer-shaped lenticular clouds hang suspended in the sky.

Image from file © K.Riedel, Heritage Expeditions