The Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand and Australia are some of the most remote and special places on the planet. They are a haven for endemic plants and wildlife, providing a very unique opportunity to witness their beauty in an undisturbed setting.
We had the privilege of visiting five of the islands during an expedition from New Zealand to the Ross Sea of Antarctica. This trip was 28 days in total, and we spent a full day at The Snares, Campbell Island, Enderby Island, Macquarie Island, and a shorter visit to Hardwick on Auckland Island.
After visiting South Georgia on the other side of the world, we were both curious and excited to see how this group of islands would both compare and differ.
Suffice it to say that they are truly one of the most special places on the planet. If you get the opportunity to visit any of them, do not hesitate. As for us, we’re obsessed and can say with conviction that this may have been our first visit to the subantarctic islands of New Zealand, but it won’t be our last.
We hope that we can share more information about these magical places and inspire you to plan your own trip to visit them.
Introduction to the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand
New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands are a group of remote islands that are situated between New Zealand and Antarctica. The five main groups are the Snares, Bounty, Antipodes, Auckland, and Campbell Islands.
These island groups are spread across a vast area, ranging from about 700 to 1,500 kilometers southeast of New Zealand’s South Island. They are uninhabited except for scientific research teams and occasional visitors on permitted expedition cruises. Their isolation and harsh climate have helped preserve unique ecosystems found nowhere else in the world.
These islands are internationally recognized for their ecological importance and are designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. They provide critical breeding grounds for numerous seabirds, including albatrosses and penguins, as well as marine mammals, such as New Zealand sea lions and fur seals.
Many plant species are endemic and adapted to the cold, windswept conditions. Strict biosecurity measures are in place to protect these fragile environments, ensuring that visitors leave no impact on the delicate ecosystems. If that doesn’t make you excited about visiting them, I don’t know what will!
The New Zealand Subantarctic Islands
The Snares
The Snares are located about 200 kilometers south of New Zealand’s South Island. Unlike other Subantarctic Islands, they were never heavily impacted by human activity, meaning their ecosystems remain largely intact.
The islands are home to dense forests of tree daisies, providing habitat for millions of nesting seabirds, including endemic Snares crested penguins and several species of albatross.
Due to their ecological significance, the Snares are a nature reserve with strict protections, and landing is prohibited to prevent any disturbance to wildlife.
While not being able to land might seem like a disappointment, believe us when we say that Zodiac cruising along the coastline is just as amazing. Being on the water level offers close-up views of the islands’ rugged terrain, thick vegetation, and abundant wildlife.
We were able to observe large colonies of the endemic Snares crested penguins as they navigated rocky shores. From the zodiac, we were also able to navigate closely to the bottom of the famous penguin slide, a place where the penguins move from the far top of the island to the sea.
New Zealand fur seals rest on the rocks, offering great observation opportunities, and it was easy to spot seabirds such as Cape petrels and Buller’s Albatross overhead.
The strict conservation measures ensure that we, as visitors, can experience the islands without impacting their fragile ecosystem. This is something we support, and cannot say that the restrictions lessened our experience.
Campbell Islands
Campbell Island is the southernmost of New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands, sitting approximately 600 kilometers south of the South Island. It is the largest of the group and features a dramatic landscape of steep cliffs, deep fjords, and windswept tussock-covered hills.
The island was once used for farming, but has undergone extensive ecological restoration, with sheep and rats eradicated to allow native vegetation and wildlife to recover.
Today, it is a crucial breeding site for several seabird species, including six types of albatross. The Southern Royal Albatross nests in large numbers across the island’s slopes and is an absolute highlight to see during a visit. Yes, we saw them, and yes, it was incredible!
The island is also home to several unique megaherbs. These large, colorful flowering plants are unique to these islands and have adapted to the harsh subantarctic climate.
During our visit, we enjoyed both a morning Zodiac cruise along the coastline and a guided afternoon hike to explore the wildlife-rich terrain.
Our morning Zodiac cruise along the coastline provided an opportunity for us to see the endemic Campbell Island teal, an endemic flightless duck once thought to be extinct. We also viewed several endemic Campbell Island shags.
On land, we spent the afternoon hiking along a well-maintained boardwalk that leads to the Col Lyall Saddle. The route allowed us to view the nesting Southern Royal Albatross up close as they performed their courtship displays.
The island’s remote and windswept setting, combined with its thriving birdlife and restored natural environment, makes it a highlight of any subantarctic expedition.
Enderby Island
Enderby Island is part of the Auckland Islands group, located about 465 kilometers south of New Zealand’s South Island. It is one of the most accessible and ecologically significant islands in the Subantarctic region.
Unlike the main Auckland Island, which has a rugged, mountainous interior, Enderby Island features open plains, coastal cliffs, and dense patches of rata forest. It is an important breeding ground for rare species, including the yellow-eyed penguin and the endemic Auckland Island teal.
The island is also home to one of the world’s rarest sea lions, the New Zealand (or Hooker’s) sea lion, which gives birth to its pups on Enderby’s sandy beaches during the summer months.
In the morning, we enjoyed a Zodiac cruise along the coastline of Enderby Island. It was a feast for the eyes, with towering basalt columns and lush vegetation. The highlight was seeing a small group of Yellow-Eyed penguins on the rocks.
We also enjoyed some fantastic sightings of the endemic Auckland Island Teal foraging in the bull kelp and Auckland Island shags sitting on the rock in close range for some incredible photo opportunities.
In the afternoon, we made a landing at Sandy Bay. We hiked across the island on a well-defined track.
Along the way our route passed through a thick Southern Rata forest, flowering megaherb fields and a colony of nesting Southern Royal Albatross, before reaching the windswept coastal cliffs.
Back at Sandy Bay, we spent over an hour observing a large group of New Zealand sea lions going about their daily business on the beach.
It was chaos, but a special sight to see. Near the end of our visit, two yellow-eyed penguins emerged from the bush and made their way to the sea.
I’d call that a successful day at Enderby Island without any hesitation.
Auckland Island
Auckland Island is the largest and most rugged of New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands, located approximately 465 kilometers south of the South Island. Its landscape is dominated by steep cliffs, deep fjords, and dense forests of southern rata, which provide a habitat for a wide range of wildlife.
Unlike some of the smaller Subantarctic Islands, Auckland Island has a history of human occupation, including failed attempts at settlement and its use as a refuge for shipwreck survivors. Despite past human activity, it remains a critical breeding ground for rare species, including the yellow-eyed penguin, Auckland Island shag, and the New Zealand sea lion.
Introduced species such as pigs, cats, and mice have impacted native wildlife, but conservation efforts are ongoing to restore the island’s ecosystem.
One of the most historically significant sites on Auckland Island is Hardwicke, a short-lived British settlement established in 1849 in Port Ross. Intended as a whaling station and colony, the settlement was abandoned after just three years due to harsh conditions, poor soil, and isolation.
We made an evening landing at Hardwicke to see the remnants of the failed settlement, including old graves from early settlers. The site provided some intense insight into the challenges faced by those who attempted to colonize this remote part of the world.
Walking among the ruins, with native birds now reclaiming the landscape, highlights the resilience of nature in contrast to the struggles of human settlers.
Bounty Islands
The Bounty Islands are the most isolated of New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands, located about 700 kilometers east of the South Island. This small, uninhabited archipelago consists of 13 granite islets and numerous exposed rocks, with no vegetation beyond patches of algae and lichen.
The islands are known for their extreme remoteness, harsh weather, and sheer cliffs rising directly from the sea, making them a challenging environment for wildlife. Despite this, they support massive seabird colonies, including the world’s entire population of Bounty Island shags and a significant number of erect-crested penguins.
We didn’t visit the Bounty Islands during our trip, but Heritage Expeditions does offer an itinerary that will take you there if it’s on your list. I know it’s on ours!
You can visit the Snares, Bounty, Antipodes, Auckland, Campbell, Macquarie, and Chatham Islands on this 17-day trip: Birding Down Under: Subantarctic and Chatham Islands
Antipodes Islands
The Antipodes Islands are a remote and uninhabited group of volcanic islands located about 860 kilometers southeast of New Zealand’s South Island. Their rugged terrain consists of steep cliffs, tussock-covered slopes, and rocky outcrops with no natural sheltered anchorages.
The islands are home to unique wildlife, including the endemic Antipodes parakeet and Reischek’s parakeet, both of which have adapted to life in this harsh environment. Large colonies of erect-crested and rockhopper penguins breed along the rocky shores, while albatrosses and petrels nest on the higher slopes.
Due to their protected status as a nature reserve and their challenging conditions, landings are not permitted, and visiting the Antipodes Islands is limited to Zodiac cruising. Travelers fortunate enough to explore the coastline from the water can witness the island’s dramatic volcanic cliffs, abundant seabirds, and the isolation that defines this untouched wilderness.
We didn’t visit the Antipodes Islands during our trip, but Heritage Expeditions does offer an itinerary that will take you there if it’s on your list. We have also added this one to ours!
You can visit the Snares, Bounty, Antipodes, Auckland, Campbell, Macquarie, and Chatham Islands on this 17-day trip: Birding Down Under: Subantarctic and Chatham Islands
Macquarie Island (Australia)
Macquarie Island lies about 1,500 kilometers southeast of Tasmania and 1,200 kilometers southwest of New Zealand. Politically part of Australia, it is one of only two places on Earth where rocks from the Earth’s mantle are actively exposed above sea level due to geological uplift. This fact has earned it the status of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The island is a globally significant breeding site for wildlife, home to vast colonies of king, royal, gentoo, and rockhopper penguins, as well as large populations of elephant and fur seals.
Conservation efforts, including the eradication of introduced species like rabbits and rats, have helped restore its fragile ecosystem, allowing native vegetation and wildlife to thrive.
Visiting Macquarie Island with Heritage Expeditions is a highlight of any Subantarctic expedition as it offers the chance to experience its incredible biodiversity up close.
We spent an entire day making two landings, enjoying a Zodiac cruise, and sailing past Hurd Point.
Our first landing was at the research station at Buckles Bay on the Isthmus. This station is operated by the Australian Antarctic Division. The work done here provides insight into ongoing scientific studies and conservation efforts.
It was pouring rain during our visit, but we were still able to hike the loop to Hasselborough Bay and also up to Razorback Lookout. We saw plenty of elephant seals, gentoo penguins, king penguins, and some old oil digesters.
In the afternoon, we landed at Sandy Bay to see a large endemic Royal penguin colony and a King Penguin Colony. We had to hike up and across a plateau before arriving at a viewing platform at the Royal penguin colony. This is one of the most spectacular penguin sightings you can have on earth.
At Lusitania Bay, the beach was too thick with penguins to attempt a landing. So, we observed the largest King penguin colony on the island from the water.
Macquarie Island can be compared to South Georgia in terms of dramatic landscapes and biodiversity. It is not to be missed and was the highlight of our Subantarctic adventures.
How to visit the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand
Visiting the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand and Australia is only possible through permitted expedition cruises. These islands are highly protected and have no permanent human settlements. Access is strictly controlled to preserve their fragile ecosystems, with all visits requiring special permits and adherence to biosecurity measures.
Expedition cruises typically depart from New Zealand, with itineraries ranging from 8 to 20 days, depending on the number of islands included. The voyages often take place between November and March, when the weather is more favorable and wildlife activity is at its peak.
Landings are made using Zodiacs, allowing travelers to explore select islands on foot, while other islands, such as the Snares, Bounty and Antipodes Islands, can only be experienced via Zodiac cruising due to their rugged coastlines.
We visited with Heritage Expeditions
Heritage Expeditions is the leading operator in the region, with over 35 years of experience navigating the Subantarctic Islands. Founded by a family of biologists, the company is known for its expertise, conservation focus, and commitment to providing small-group, immersive wildlife experiences.
Unlike larger cruise lines, Heritage Expeditions operates purpose-built expedition ships that allow for landings at remote locations and deeper exploration of the islands. We sailed with them on their 140-passenger Heritage Adventurer.
With experienced naturalists, conservationists, and expert guides on board, Heritage Expeditions provides unparalleled access and insight into these remote, wildlife-rich islands.
They offer Subantarctic specific itineraries with different island combinations depending on your interests and desired length of trip. It is also possible to visit the Subantarctic islands as part of a larger expedition to Antarctica from New Zealand. This is what we did.
We were on the 28-day In the Wake of Scott & Shackleton: Ross Sea Antarctica itinerary. Stopping in the Subantarctic islands on either side of visiting Antarctica was an incredible experience that we would highly recommend.
Our trip to the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand was in partnership with Heritage Expeditions and Adventure Life. However, all opinions, stories, advice, and insane love of penguins are 100% ours, as always.
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