Epic New Antarctic Voyages Departing from Australia and New Zealand | Travel News
The next few Antarctic seasons will see an exciting expansion of expedition routes from Australia and New Zealand, opening access to some of the most remote and seldom-visited parts of the frozen continent.
Traditionally, most Antarctic cruises depart from Ushuaia, Argentina, heading across the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula — the continent’s most accessible region. But new itineraries now push deeper into East Antarctica and the Ross Sea, a vast bay tucked far below the South Pacific.
Upcoming expeditions will depart from Hobart, Invercargill, Dunedin, and Timaru, offering travelers an opportunity to explore areas rarely reached by tourists. Routes often include stops at New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands and Australia’s remote Macquarie Island — both UNESCO World Heritage–listed for their exceptional wildlife and conservation value.
The modern vessels leading these journeys, including Scenic Eclipse II, Douglas Mawson, and Le Commandant Charcot, are designed for polar exploration, combining advanced technology with environmental responsibility. Many itineraries follow in the footsteps of early explorers such as Sir Douglas Mawson, offering insights into the history of Antarctic discovery.
Step into a world where adventure meets timeless discovery. Every journey requires you to trace the paths of famous explorers while revealing hidden answers about the White Continent. The land reveals its otherworldly beauty through ice and wind-carved formations which support penguins and whales and wild natural splendor. The Antarctic expeditions go beyond exploration since they represent a call to discover Earth's final untouched territory.
The Emperor Penguins of Weddell Sea
Sail into the icy heart of the Weddell Sea on a 13-day voyage, where massive icebergs drift and emperor penguins gather across one of Antarctica’s most breathtaking landscapes.
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Unexplored East Antarctica & French Southern Lands
Embark on a 29-day odyssey from Hobart to Cape Town, exploring East Antarctica’s frozen frontiers, the Magnetic South Pole, and the remote French Southern Lands.
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In the Wake of Jean-Baptiste Charcot
Trace the legendary route of Charcot across the Antarctic Circle. Explore hidden bays, towering glaciers, and pristine wildlife havens on this unforgettable 15-day expedition.
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In 2028, the luxury icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot is set to make history as the first cruise ship to circumnavigate the entire Antarctic continent — a landmark voyage spanning 18,000 kilometres and stopping in Hobart mid-journey.
These long-distance voyages mark a new era for polar tourism from the Southern Hemisphere, highlighting both adventure and scientific awareness in one of the planet’s last true wildernesses.
