Trip Code: ACAEDMMA
DIFFICULTY RATING: 2 (light adventure)
Start: Hobart, Australia
Finish: Dunedin, New Zealand
SHIP: Douglas Mawson
Australia, Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand & Antarctica
11/12/2025
Breakfast at hotel & All meals, snacks, tea and coffee onboard & Beer, house wine & soft drinks with dinner
Group Transfers throughout
Hotel & Cabin on board ship
Daily Antarctica & Sub-Antarctic Island Excursions in location when possible/permitted, Zodiac Cruising, Onboard Expert Lectures & Briefings by the Experienced Expedition Team
NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather & ice conditions
Travel back in time to the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) of Sir Douglas Mawson and take in the majesty of isolated East Antarctica. Travel through the Antarctic Circle on pack ice, avoiding towering ice cliffs and taking in the exquisitely formed icebergs. Watch for snow petrels soaring against the massive Antarctic Ice Sheet, orcas patrolling for prey, and emperor and Adélie penguins porpoising along the ice edge. Proceed toward Commonwealth Bay, home of the legendary Cape Denison. If the weather permits, set out to investigate the remnants of Mawson's main station and experience a journey back in time to the heroic era of Antarctic exploration. After that, travel to Dunedin, stopping along the way to take in the untamed splendor of the New Zealand subantarctic islands, home to endemic yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho), royal albatross nesting sites, and verdant megaherb meadows.
*Save up to 15% on selected departures and cabins. Discounts are on sale until 31 Oct 2024 and subject to availability. Discounts are not combinable with any other promotions except back-to-back voyage or loyalty discounts. Discounts and pricing are subject to change and may be withdrawn or varied at any time. Price based on triple share cabin.
PLEASE NOTE: Pricing is subject to change and availability at the time of booking. Contact us for more information.
Arrive in Hobart, where you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred with your fellow expeditioners to your assigned pre-voyage hotel. If you are already in Hobart, we ask you to make your way to your hotel. This afternoon, visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality desk in the lobby to collect your luggage tags. Please clearly label the tags with your name and ship cabin number. Our team will confirm details regarding your embarkation day, answer any questions and provide you with information on where to dine or purchase last minute items.
In the evening, enjoy light refreshments as you meet your fellow expeditioners at a Welcome Reception and Pre-Embarkation Briefing. Afterwards, enjoy your evening in Australia’s southernmost capital city. You may like to indulge in a sumptuous meal at one of Hobart’s celebrated restaurants, or perhaps enjoy a leisurely stroll along the historic waterfront.
This morning, enjoy breakfast and check-out. Please ensure your cabin luggage is fitted with cabin tags clearly labelled with your name and cabin number. By 11.00 am, take your cabin luggage to hotel reception, prior to, or at check-out. Your luggage will be stored and transferred directly to the port for clearance, to be placed in your cabin ahead of your arrival on board. Please keep any valuables or personal items with you throughout the day.
Your morning is at leisure to explore Hobart.
Settle into your beautifully appointed cabin and discover the many public spaces designed with your comfort in mind. This luxurious vessel is yours to explore! As we throw the lines and set sail down the Derwent River, join your expedition team on deck to enjoy panoramic views of the Hobart foreshore, and the dramatic fluted columns of the Tasman Peninsula. From Storm Bay we set a southerly course, following in the wake of the vessel Aurora, which carried Sir Douglas Mawson’s Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) 100 years ago.
On an expedition such as this, the journey is as significant as the destination. Sea days are a wonderful opportunity to relax, meet your fellow travellers and learn about the history, environment and local wildlife in this fascinating corner of the globe.
As you acclimatise to life on board, your expedition team is available to answer any questions you may have and offer pro-tips on photography and birdwatching. With decades of collective experience in the region, they love to share their expertise and enthusiasm with fellow travellers. Specialists across a range of fields will offer entertaining talks and presentations on the local wildlife and history, which you won’t want to miss!
Once you’ve settled in, you may like to pamper yourself with a sauna, or work out at the onboard gym. For the bookworms, our well-equipped polar library is the perfect place to while away the hours at sea, and the bar is a vibrant social hub to get to know your fellow expeditioners.
As you take in the vast expanse of the Southern Ocean, spare a thought for Mawson and his party, who made this transit aboard the Aurora, a wooden vessel no longer than an Olympic swimming pool! Mawson reported sightings of many whales and albatross in these waters, so spend some time out on deck with your binoculars - or grab a ‘cuppa’ and find a vantage point in one of our spacious observation lounges.
As they sailed towards Antarctica, Mawson and his men encountered ‘an exquisite scene’. Macquarie Island (known affectionately as Macca) rises steeply from the Southern Ocean in a series of emerald summits: a beautifully fierce, elemental landscape teeming with life.
Keep your binoculars handy because this subantarctic refuge is home to 3.5 million breeding seabirds, including no less than four species of penguin! Alongside boisterous colonies of tuxedoed kings, charming gentoos, robust rockhoppers and endemic royal penguins, you’ll find three types of fur seals and a large proportion of the world’s elephant seals. Layer up and head out on deck to experience the sound, sight (and smell!) as you approach one of the largest concentrations of life in the Southern Ocean.
Remember to keep an eye out for Macca’s kelp forests—these remarkable underwater ecosystems are quite mesmerising as their fronds sway back and forth on the water’s surface.
In addition to being a globally recognised and protected wildlife refuge, Macquarie Island played an important role in Antarctic history. It was here, in 1911, that five men disembarked Mawson’s Aurora and established a radio relay station which would transmit the first communication from Antarctica to the outside world.
As Macquarie Island slips over the horizon, keep watch for wandering, grey-headed, black-browed and light-mantled albatross, which may follow the ship to bid you farewell as you continue south.
Close observers may notice a subtle change in the character of the sea as you cross the Antarctic Convergence. Beyond this zone where the waters of the north and south mix, the sea surface temperature drops by about 4°C (39°F), signalling your entry into the Antarctic. Mawson reported spotting ‘innumerable’ birds in these waters, so keep watch for porpoising penguins, flocks of fluttering Antarctic petrels, or perhaps the more solitary snow petrel. You’re not far from the Antarctic Circle, so your first iceberg can’t be far away!
Sea days are a great opportunity for some R & R as you digest your subantarctic experiences and prepare for the next phase of your voyage. Relax and unwind your way, perhaps meeting newfound friends at the bar, treating yourself to a sauna, or editing some images in the comfort of your cabin.
As we continue along the path taken by the Aurora in 1911, join your expedition team in the lecture room for presentations about Antarctic ice, wildlife, and of course the remarkable story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition. Led by Australian geologist and explorer Sir Douglas Mawson, the expedition successfully charted vast swathes of previously explored Antarctic coastline, and over 6000 kilometres of the interior. Despite its tremendous contribution to the advancement of Antarctic science, the expedition is perhaps best known for its nail-biting tales of triumph and tragedy. Hear the story of the extraordinary sledge journey undertaken by Mawson, Ninnis and Mertz, and rediscover why this remains one of the most incredible polar survival stories of all time.
When Captain John King Davis skillfully steered the Aurora through heavy pack ice in 1912, the Australasian Antarctic Expedition became the first to chart this stretch of coastline. As you sail into these waters over a century later, you are entering one of the most inaccessible and seldom-visited parts of Antarctica.
Find a spot on deck as the Captain navigates carefully through glittering fields of frozen ocean, or rug up for a Zodiac cruise through the pack, keeping watch for elegant emperor penguins, sweet-faced Weddell seals resting on ice, and the unmistakable ‘pouf’ of an orca’s exhalation. Embrace the spirit of exploration as your expedition team designs your voyage from day to day, bringing decades of experience to selecting the ideal sites based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities.
For many expeditioners, approaching Commonwealth Bay evokes a profound sense of awe and humility. This is where Mawson and his men established their Main Base, on the shores of a ‘beautiful, miniature harbour’ at the foot of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. Imagine their dismay when they realised that their ice-free oasis lay directly in the path of fierce katabatic winds, which rushed like rapids off the Polar Plateau! Despite its unfortunate position, Main Base housed eighteen expedition members for up to two years in this bay Mawson dubbed the ‘Home of the Blizzard’.
Katabatic winds and ice permitting, we will make landfall on the storied shores of Cape Denison, where several of the huts of Mawson’s Main Base still stand. The Magnetograph House and the Main Hut, where the men lived and worked, remain largely intact despite over a century of exposure to the elements. Bleached pine cladding bears witness to the passage of time, and ice drifts partially fill the huts, the past literally frozen in time. Scientific instruments and scattered personal items provide an intimate glance into the austere daily lives of Mawson and his men.
In addition to being the site of Mawson’s huts, Cape Denison provides a rare ice-free refuge for Antarctic wildlife, including nesting Adélie penguins, snow petrels and Wilson’s storm petrels. Weddell, elephant and leopard seals regularly haul out to rest on the rocky shores. You may like to wander along pebbly beaches, or perhaps ramble up a snow-covered ridge to a vantage point over this spectacularly monochrome landscape.
Before leaving East Antarctica our Captain will attempt to manoeuvre us into position over the South Magnetic Pole. Spare a thought for Mawson who, accompanied by fellow Australian geologist T.W Edgeworth David and Scottish doctor Alistair Mackay, undertook a gruelling three month march to become the first to stand in the vicinity of the South Magnetic Pole in January 1909. Conveniently for us, the Pole has since migrated out to sea, so we can celebrate its attainment with a glass of bubbly in the comfort of the ship’s bar!
We leave the grandeur of the ice to the seals and penguins and head northwards, but our voyage is far from over. In the days ahead there is plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home. If the mood takes you, join your expedition team in the lecture room for presentations and polar film showings, or meet your new travel mates in the bar, library or observation deck to reminisce on your Antarctic experiences.
These days at sea also offer time and space to reflect on the emotions and special moments you’ve lived over the past two weeks. You may like to review your photos, jot some notes in a journal, mark your passage on a map, and reflect on your journey so far.
As you approach the rugged New Zealand subantarctic islands you have a rare opportunity to spot the endemic white-capped mollymawk (a type of albatross) in flight. The largest of the mollymawk family, over ninety percent of its population breeds on the Auckland Islands. Keep an eye out also for the playful New Zealand sea lion and southern right whale, which are known to frolic in these waters.
Scattered across the Southern Ocean 465 kilometers (300 miles) south of New Zealand, these islands have been visited by Polynesian and Māori navigators for centuries, and are of great cultural and spiritual significance to Ngāi Tahu, the indigenous peoples of New Zealand’s South Island. Here you have the opportunity to witness a finely tuned subantarctic ecosystem populated by unique endemic species such as the yellow-eyed penguin (hoiho) and Campbell mollymawk.
As your journey draws to a close, take some time to reflect on the experiences of the past few weeks. Perhaps take some time to organise your photos, jot some more notes in your journal or simply relax and soak up the ambiance on board as you farewell your travel mates . . . until next time!
We hope you become ambassadors for Antarctica and tell your family, friends and colleagues about your journey to this magical place, advocating for its conservation and preservation so that they might one day visit the region to experience what you have been lucky to see and do here.
After breakfast, farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature.
Note: At the conclusion of the voyage, we do not recommend booking flights departing prior to 12.00 pm on the day of disembarkation in case there are delays.
*Cruise itinerary is subject to change depending on weather conditions, ice conditions and other factors.
Travel through shimmering pack ice that is home to whales eating in unfathomable depths, Adélie and emperor penguins, Weddell and leopard seals, and penguins.
Explore the historic Commonwealth Bay while we try to land at Cape Denison, the location of Mawson's huts, a rare and highly sought-after opportunity.
Walk along boisterous beaches teeming with harems of New Zealand (Hooker's) sea lions to reach the rare yellow-eyed penguins that live in twisted rātā woods.
Setting sail in 2025, is the latest cutting-edge vessel, the Douglas Mawson. Honouring the famed Australian geologist and explorer, this purpose-built ship epitomises Mawson’s pioneering ethos, dedicated to discovery. It boasts the innovative Ulstein X-BOW®, enabling seamless traversal of waves for swifter, more comfortable voyages, with reduced fuel consumption and emissions. Accommodating an average of 154 adventurers, it offers tranquil journeys to the world’s most rugged terrains, with many of the cabins featuring private balconies.
In addition to its advanced features, the Douglas Mawson offers an array of amenities helping to connect fellow travellers, enhancing the floating base camp experience. After a day of exploration, guests can relax in the heated outdoor swimming pool or one of two Jacuzzis on the rear deck. For the more active, hit the gym before unwinding in the sauna. Guests can also enrich their knowledge at the Citizen Science Centre and then indulge in culinary delights at one of two restaurants. Passengers can also simply relax in comfort across multiple observation areas, admiring wildlife or breathtaking landscapes.
Facilitating seamless access to Zodiacs, the vessel is equipped with dedicated boarding points and an activities platform, ensuring swift, efficient, and safe embarkation, minimising wait times for extended periods of exploration. The mudroom provides lockers for gear and boots storage, alongside rapid drying areas for clothing, enhancing the overall expedition experience.
Ice Class:
Length: 104.4m
Breadth: 18.4 mMax
Draft: Cruising
Speed: 15.5 Knots – maximum speed only used in case of emergencies
Electricity: 220V, 60HZ AC. Universal plug Passenger
Capacity:154
View Ship Details
We believe that appropriate accommodation should add to the authentic travel experience, as well as providing utmost enjoyment. For that reason our accommodation is scrutinised by our staff on the ground frequently, ensuring the properties adhere to our high standards. This key will help you understand the levels of accommodation available on this tour.
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Luxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.
Optional Activities vary for each itinerary. Limited spaces available. Contact your Destination Specialist for pricing & availability.
Experience the unforgettable thrill and serenity of kayaking in Antarctica as part of a small, expertly guided paddling group.
Learn MoreMawson's Antarctica ex Hobart | Douglas Mawson from USD 28,301 | ||
Departing | Ending | Duration |
---|---|---|
11 Dec 2025 | 03 Jan 2026 | 24 |
Prices are based on per person, twin share* (unless otherwise stated for triple/quad cabins)
Prices are correct at time of publishing but are subject to change at any time.
Itinerary is subject to change depending on government regulations, weather and ice conditions
* Landings at the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand are by permit only as administered by the Government of New Zealand.
1 Night hotel accommodation in Hobart, pre-cruise Day 1
Cabin accommodation on board Douglas Mawson
All meals whilst on board ship and breakfast in the hotel
Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner
Captain’s Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages
All scheduled landings & excursions
Guiding and lectures by English-speaking expedition leader and team
All port fees
All landing fees
Expedition jacket provided (yours to keep)
A pair of expedition boots for use during voyage
Wi-Fi (Please note we travel to remote regions and therefore the connection can be unreliable)
Airfares to and from embarkation/disembarkation city
Transfers – unless specified in the itinerary
Visa fees (if applicable)
Travel insurance
Beverages (other than tea and coffee)
All items of a personal nature, including but not limited to alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses or phone charges.
Gratuities for the crew
Pre or post cruise travel expenses
Optional activities & excursion surcharges
Available upon request. Subject to availability, contact us for more details.
Departure date, fuel surcharges, cabin category, currency fluctuations, seasonality and availability.