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    🛳️🇦🇶 ❄️ Mawson's Antarctica ❄️🇦🇶🛳️
    24 Days
    From $40,500* per person twin share
    Save up to 20%
    Aurora Expeditions: Mawson’s Antarctica aboard the Douglas Mawson

    Departing from 11 December and continuing into the 2026 Antarctica cruise season, this expedition offers a rare opportunity to explore East Antarctica without the need to travel via South America or endure the notoriously rough Drake Passage. Although the upfront cost may be higher, the savings in time, logistics, and comfort make this a smart and worthwhile investment. Avoiding one of the world’s most treacherous sea crossings is a major advantage.

    Retrace the legendary journey of Sir Douglas Mawson’s Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) and witness the untouched grandeur of the Antarctic Circle. Cruise through pack ice, glide past towering ice cliffs, and marvel at the sculpted beauty of ancient icebergs. Watch for emperor and Adélie penguins porpoising along the ice edge, orcas on the hunt, and snow petrels soaring across the polar sky.

    Continue toward Commonwealth Bay and the storied Cape Denison. If conditions allow, step ashore to explore the remnants of Mawson’s historic base. This is a powerful portal to the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. The voyage concludes in Dunedin, with a final flourish through New Zealand’s subantarctic islands. Here you’ll find nesting royal albatross, the rare yellow-eyed penguin (hoiho), and vibrant megaherb meadows.
    Inclusions
    Discover new frontiers in Antarctica from Australia
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    Inclusions

    Exclusions

    Inclusions

    Inclusions

    • All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
    • One night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Hobart on Day 1.
    • Onboard accommodation during voyage, including daily cabin service.
    • All meals, snacks, tea, coffee, soft drinks and juices during voyage.
    • Beer and house wine with dinner.
    • Captain’s Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
    • All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.
    • Educational lectures and guiding services provided by Expedition Team.
    • Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consultation).
    • One 3-in-1 waterproof, polar expedition jacket.
    • Complimentary use of Muck Boots during the voyage.
    • Comprehensive pre-departure information.
    • Port surcharges, permits and landing fees.
    • Wi-Fi*

    * Please note we travel to remote regions and therefore the connection can be unreliable.

    Exclusions

    • International or domestic flights – unless specified in the itinerary.
    • Transfers – unless specified in the itinerary.
    • Airport arrival or departure taxes.
    • Passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination fees and charges.
    • Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges.
    • Hotel accommodation and meals – unless specified in the itinerary.
    • Optional excursions and optional activity surcharges.
    • All items of a personal nature, including but not limited to alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), gratuities, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses or phone charges.

    Note: A $15 USD per person per day gratuity for the crew is automatically added to your onboard account. It is at your discretion if you would like to remove the tip (or adjust the amount) when you settle your bill. It is not necessary to tip the expedition team members. This gratuity amount is included for suites as part of their ‘Suite Benefits’.

    Valid for travel
    2025-2026 Season
    Offer expires
    30 Nov 2025 unless sold prior

    Itinerary

    Collapse all Expand all

    Day 1

    Arrive in Hobart

    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.

    That 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.

    Assigned accommodation: The Tasman Hobart

    Day 2

    Embarkation Day

    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.

    Day 3

    At Sea

    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.

    Day 4

    At Sea

    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.

    Day 5

    At Sea

    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.

    Day 6

    Macquarie Island

    “Penguins were in thousands on the uprising cliffs, and from rookeries near and far came an incessant din . . . seabirds of many varieties gave warning of our near approach to their nests” Douglas Mawson, 1911.

    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.

    Day 7

    Macquarie Island

    “Penguins were in thousands on the uprising cliffs, and from rookeries near and far came an incessant din . . . seabirds of many varieties gave warning of our near approach to their nests” Douglas Mawson, 1911.

    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.

    Day 8

    At Sea

    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.

    Day 9

    At Sea

    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.

    Day 10

    At Sea

    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.

    Day 11

    East Antarctic Coast

    ‘The tranquility of the water heightened the superb effects of this glacial world. Majestic tabular bergs, lofty spires, radiant turrets . . . illumined by pale green light within whose fairy labyrinths the water washed’. Douglas Mawson

    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.

    Day 12

    East Antarctic Coast

    ‘The tranquility of the water heightened the superb effects of this glacial world. Majestic tabular bergs, lofty spires, radiant turrets . . . illumined by pale green light within whose fairy labyrinths the water washed’. Douglas Mawson

    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.

    Day 13

    East Antarctic Coast

    ‘The tranquility of the water heightened the superb effects of this glacial world. Majestic tabular bergs, lofty spires, radiant turrets . . . illumined by pale green light within whose fairy labyrinths the water washed’. Douglas Mawson

    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.

    Day 14

    Commonwealth Bay

    “Seals and penguins on magic gondolas were the silent denizens of this dreamy Venice. In the soft glamour of the midsummer midnight sun, we were possessed by a rapturous wonder—the rare thrill of unreality.” Douglas Mawson

    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!

    Day 15

    Commonwealth Bay

    “Seals and penguins on magic gondolas were the silent denizens of this dreamy Venice. In the soft glamour of the midsummer midnight sun, we were possessed by a rapturous wonder—the rare thrill of unreality.” Douglas Mawson

    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!

    Day 16

    At Sea

    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.

    Day 17

    At Sea

    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.

    Day 18

    At Sea

    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.

    Day 19

    At Sea

    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.

    Day 20

    New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands

    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.

    Day 21

    New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands

    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.

    Day 22

    New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands

    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.

    Day 23

    At Sea

    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.

    Day 24

    Disembark Dunedin

    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.

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    Your travel arrangements will also be subject to the Principals’ terms and conditions including limits on liability and conditions of carriage. You are responsible for reading the Principals’ terms and conditions before paying for your booking or reservation.

    Links to a list of our commonly used Principals Terms and Conditions can be found here. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and you should you wish to sight any other Principals Terms and Conditions then you should contact your PTM.

    Subject to the Australian Consumer Law, TravelManagers will not be liable for any loss or damage, injury, delay, inconvenience, or expense caused by a Principal. TravelManagers will not be liable for events beyond its control or the control of the Principals including, without limitation, strikes, accidents, pandemics or outbreaks of infectious diseases, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances or force majeure (Acts of God).

    TravelManagers may receive fees, commissions, gifts or financial incentives from the Principals and other third parties in relation to your travel arrangements.

    2. Travel Insurance

    We recommend that you take out a travel insurance policy at the time you pay for your travel. You should ensure that such insurance will protect you against medical expenses arising from sickness or injury during your travel and protect you against loss or damage to your belongings. The Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade also strongly recommends you take out travel insurance.

    If your travel arrangements involve group travel or a group event it is your responsibility to ensure you have travel insurance which is suitable for and covers those travel arrangements. You warrant that you have made appropriate enquiries and sought advice on your specific travel insurance requirements.

    Please note that some credit card providers will provide the card holder with travel insurance. Where you are paying for all or any part of the services arranged through us by credit card and you intend to use travel insurance provided by the credit card provider you acknowledge that TravelManagers has offered you travel insurance and that you waive any claim against TravelManagers in respect of any loss or damage you may suffer as a result of you failing to take out any or adequate travel insurance.

    3. Prices

    Prices for travel services, including transportation, hotels and tour packages, are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Such changes may be due to factors beyond our control, including but not limited to changes in supplier costs or currency fluctuations. You may be required to pay any additional amounts resulting from these changes.

    4. Payment

    If payment has not been made by the specific date which TravelManagers will advise you, your bookings may be cancelled. Payments may be made by direct deposit or cheque. If you wish to pay by credit card it is necessary to check with us first as some airfares and package holidays cannot be paid for by credit card. In certain circumstances your credit card will be charged by the Principal. In these instances, you authorise TravelManagers to pass on your credit card details to the Principal. Credit Card payments may incur surcharges.

    TravelManagers will add an additional surcharge to payments made by credit card. Please check with us for current charges. When your credit card is processed by TravelManagers you agree to not have your payment ‘charged back’ or reversed by your credit card provider where the services have been provided. Payments can be made via BPAY. They can be made directly from your savings/cheque account. All cheques must be made payable to TravelManagers Australia Pty Limited.

    Direct Deposits can be made to the TravelManagers’ bank account:
    ANZ BSB: 012 172 Account: 4967-59407.

    Under no circumstances will TravelManagers accept cash payments, nor should payments be made to any other bank account.

    TravelManagers will not be liable for any loss caused by a failure of a tour manager or tour wholesaler to make payments to TravelManagers for reservations for airfares and services made on behalf of a tour group or any individual traveller.

    5. Fees and Charges

    5.1 Cancellation fees

    If you cancel a confirmed reservation or booking the Principal is likely to charge you a cancellation fee. Further, some tickets may be non-refundable or non-transferable. It is important to check the position with us before you confirm arrangements and/or before you cancel any confirmed reservations. Please read the Principal’s special conditions in relation to your travel arrangements.

    In addition to any cancellation fee charged by a Principal, if a confirmed reservation or booking is cancelled for any reason (including but not limited to a cancellation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic or a force majeure event), TravelManagers will retain its commission paid and/or service fee charged in respect of the travel arrangements. You acknowledge that the retention by TravelManagers of the commission and/or service fee is fair remuneration for the work done by TravelManagers in arranging your travel arrangements.

    5.2 Changes to bookings or reservations

    If you wish to change a confirmed reservation or booking you are likely to incur fees. In some cases, it may not be possible to change a reservation or booking or to cancel or it may be uneconomic for you to do so. You should always check the cost before requesting changes to your travel arrangements. Please read the terms and conditions of the Principals which apply to your travel arrangements.

    Unless otherwise stated in your costings and itinerary document in addition to any fee charged by a Principal, TravelManagers will charge you a fee to process an amendment to a confirmed booking or reservation based on the rate of $50.00 per hour plus GST. There is a minimum fee of $25.00 plus GST.

    5.3 Refunds

    If your travel arrangements are cancelled for any reason (including force majeure) after you have paid, no refund will be available to you until TravelManagers receives the monies from the Principal involved. In most cases, the Principal will charge a cancellation fee and in some instances you may not be able to claim a refund.

    TravelManagers is not responsible for any delays by a Principal in processing a refund. You should be aware that airlines may take a significant amount of time to process a refund.

    Should the price of an airfare, cruise or tour be reduced after you have made payment your right to a refund (if any) is governed by the terms and conditions which apply to the airfare, cruise or tour as determined by the airline, cruise line or tour operator.

    Unless otherwise stated in your costings and itinerary document in addition to any fee charged by a Principal, TravelManagers will charge you a fee to process a refund request based on the rate of $50.00 per hour plus GST. There is a minimum fee of $25.00 plus GST.

    TravelManagers earns commissions and/or charges service fees in making your travel arrangements. TravelManagers reserves the right to retain the commissions and service fees that is earned on your booking from any refund should your booking be cancelled for any reason (including for force majeure).

    6. Passport and Visa Requirements

    Prior to confirming your travel arrangements, you should check your passport and establish that it will remain current for the entire period of your travel. Certain countries require that your passport remains valid for a period of up to twelve months after the date upon which you are scheduled to leave such country. You may be denied entry to a country if your passport expires within 12 months. You should clarify visa requirements with the Embassies of the countries that you plan to visit as certain countries may require you to take out a visa dependent on whether you are travelling on an Australian or a foreign passport. The authorities in some countries (including The USA) require holders of Australian passports to take out a visa for entry into their country where the traveller has been sentenced or imprisoned or been convicted of certain types of criminal offence. A visa may be required where a contagious disease or a serious health problem exists. It is the responsibility of each member of the travelling party to ensure that they have a valid passport and the necessary visa/s for the destinations to be visited.

    7. Re-entry Visas for Australia

    Re-entry visas will/may be required for travellers leaving Australia holding a foreign passport. If you hold a foreign passport then it is your responsibility to make your own enquiries and satisfy yourself as to the position in regard to your passport and/or visa requirements before leaving Australia.

    8. Vaccinations and COVID-19 proof of vaccination

    Certain countries and Principals require that travellers be vaccinated against specific infection (including but not limited to COVID vaccinations) and/or diseases. TravelManagers strongly recommends that you check with your doctor and the embassies of countries to which you are travelling to with respect to any health requirements.

    As Governments and Principals start to open and accept clients their requirements for Covid vaccinations, PCR Tests and other requirements are constantly evolving. Whilst your personal travel manager may assist you in navigating these travel requirements you are ultimately responsible for all medical and travel-related documentation required by state, federal or international authorities that allow entry or exit into their state, territory, return to Australia or overseas travel from Australia to another country.  You should ensure that you have satisfied yourself that you have all the required documents before booking your travel and keep yourself up to date on any changes to these requirements.

    If provided by you, you authorise TravelManagers Australia to store a copy of all relevant COVID vaccination certificates and forward a copy to any Principals as reasonably required.

    You acknowledge that your failure to produce a copy of a valid COVID vaccination certificate may lead to your booking being cancelled and as a result, you may incur cancellation fees which will be subject to the Principals’ terms and conditions as well as the fee’s outlined in clauses 5.2 and 5.3.

    9. Checking Travel Arrangements

    We have exercised care in putting together the arrangements requested by you in regards to your travel and accommodation. It is important that you check all of the documentation handed to you in relation to your proposed travel and accommodation to ensure that it fully meets with your requirements and to ensure that there have been no misunderstandings. All documents, in relation to international travel, must be issued in the name of the passport holder. You may be denied carriage if the name varies.

    9.1 We strongly recommend that you contact your airline prior to any travel to ensure that the scheduled departure time has not changed.
    9.2 We strongly recommend that you familiarise yourself with current travel advisories/information from smartraveller.gov.au before you travel.
    9.3 Payment of any excess baggage charges is the Traveller’s sole responsibility.
    9.4 Carry on baggage is subject to security rules on the carriage of various items. It is your responsibility to check with the relevant authorities.

    10. Responsibility

    10.1 TravelManagers accepts no responsibility for any loss, cost or expense that arises or is incurred by the customer to the extent that it arises or is incurred directly or indirectly as a result of any booking made by, or on behalf of, the customer independently of TravelManagers.

    10.2 Mobility and fitness

    Before confirming your travel arrangements, it is your responsibility to inform your Personal Travel Manager of any medical conditions, mobility concerns, or dietary restrictions. While we are committed to fulfilling your needs, you acknowledge that certain suppliers may encounter limitations in service availability.

    10.3 Travelling with children

    Minimum age requirements may apply to specific travel services, such as cruise travel. Additionally, legal regulations govern the travel of children without one or both parents or legal guardian, with specific guidelines enforced by airlines, cruise lines, and various countries. It is essential you inform your Personal Travel Manager if you are travelling with children. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the necessary permission for the child’s travel and provide the documents to TravelManagers Australia if required. Failure to adhere to these requirements may result in denied boarding or other travel-related consequences.

    10.4 Advice for pregnant travellers

    If you’re pregnant and planning to travel, it is your responsibility to research your destination before you go. We encourage you to consult your doctor and understand any potential risks that may arise. Airlines and cruise lines have specific rules on when you can travel while pregnant. Please advise your Personal Travel Manager before committing to your travel arrangements about the rules or restrictions that could affect your travel plans.

    11. Complaints

    TravelManagers endeavours to deliver exceptional quality professional travel services. We are committed to being responsive to the needs and concerns of customers and to resolve your complaint as quickly as possible. Customer feedback is welcomed as it helps us improve our service delivery to you. Full details of our Complaints Handling Policy can be found here.

    12. Your rights under Australian Consumer Law

    Nothing in these terms and conditions is to be read as excluding, restricting, or modifying your rights under the Australian Consumer Law and other legislation given to consumers in relation to the supply of goods and services.