Antarctic Cruises from Australia & New Zealand

Embark on an extraordinary adventure with cruises from Australia and New Zealand to East Antarctica! Discover the pristine beauty of the world’s most remote continent as you sail through the Southern Ocean, encountering breathtaking icebergs, diverse wildlife, and stunning landscapes. These expeditions offer an unparalleled opportunity to explore East Antarctica’s untouched wilderness, from the historic Mawson’s Hut to the majestic landscapes of the Ross Sea.

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Visit our main Antarctic cruises page with prices from $7,981pp

Cruises typically depart from either Hobart in Australia, Invercargill in New Zealand or Ushuaia in Argentina and focus on either the Commonwealth Bay area or the Ross Sea. These are some of the most remote regions of the earth and only a few hundred people are able to visit each year. Wildlife is abundant and it is in this region that the relics of the ‘heroic period’ of Antarctic exploration can be seen and experienced. Some of the wildlife you might experience while exploring the Ross Sea include the Antarctic and Snow Petrel, the Adélie and Emperor Penguin, and south polar skua. Marine mammals in the Ross Sea include Orca, the Antarctic minke whale, Weddell and Crabeater seals, and the formidable leopard seal.


There are also a few shorter cruises offered each season which focus on the sub-Antarctic islands such as Macquarie Island, Campbell Island, Snares Island and Auckland Island. home to the southern royal albatross. These remote islands are home to a rich diversity of plants, seabirds and marine mammals, many of which are endemic to the region. Often the longer cruises to the Ross Sea will include stops at some of these islands.

With a landscape that almost defies description, a journey to Antarctica is simply life-changing. Travellers are invited to join us on a small ship expedition cruise as we explore the planet’s most remote continent with its unspoilt, awe-inspiring scenery and incredible wildlife encounters.

Antarctica is the fifth largest, coldest and driest continent on Earth. Not only are travellers given the opportunity to observe the abundance of wildlife it has to offer from the comfort of their expedition vessel, but also to gain inspirational insights from a dedicated and knowledgeable crew.

Many consider Antarctica as the last frontier, and few get to experience its marvels. Travel to the end of the earth and explore the vast wilderness of the great white continent on one of our many incredible Antarctic expeditions.

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Antarctica
Small Ship Expeditions

Ultimate Antarctica Adventure from Ushuaia to Dunedin

35 Days aboard SH Minerva

from $37,311pp

Departs 02 Feb 2027

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Antarctica
Small Ship Expeditions

Complete Antarctica Circumnavigation

63 Days aboard Le Commandant Charcot

from $209,410pp

Departs 10 Jan 2028

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Antarctica
Small Ship Expeditions

On Sale

In the Wake of Scott & Shackleton: Ross Sea Antarctica

28 Days aboard Heritage Adventurer

from $49,365pp

Departs 06 Jan 2027

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Antarctica
Small Ship Expeditions

On Sale

Scott & Shackleton’s Antarctic Ross Sea Expedition (26/27)

22 Days aboard Le Soleal

from $41,460pp

Departs 25 Jan 2027

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Antarctica
Small Ship Expeditions

On Sale

Expedition semi-circumnavigation of Antarctica: one of the greatest feats of our time

33 Days aboard Hanseatic Spirit

from $43,337pp

Departs 01 Feb 2027

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Antarctica
Small Ship Expeditions

On Sale

Epic Antarctica: Crossing the 7th Continent

33 Days aboard Greg Mortimer

from $57,112pp

Departs 07 Jan 2027

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Antarctica
Small Ship Expeditions

Unexplored Western Antarctica between Two Continents

31 Days aboard Le Commandant Charcot

from $98,770pp

Departs 10 Jan 2028

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Antarctica
Small Ship Expeditions

Unexplored Eastern Antarctica between Two Continents

31 Days aboard Le Commandant Charcot

from $110,640pp

Departs 11 Feb 2028

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FAQs:

Most Antarctica cruises departing from Australia and New Zealand visit the remote Ross Sea region, East Antarctica, and the wildlife-rich subantarctic islands such as Macquarie, Campbell, and the Auckland Islands. These voyages focus on dramatic ice landscapes, historic explorer sites, and rare wildlife encounters, offering a more adventurous and less-visited alternative to the classic Antarctic Peninsula routes.

Guests may see species such as Antarctic and Snow Petrels, Adélie and Emperor Penguins, south polar skuas, whales (e.g. Antarctic minke), and seals — including Weddell, Crabeater and possibly leopard seals.

Yes, there are a few shorter cruises each season focused solely on sub-Antarctic islands rather than the main Antarctic landmass. Most of these also depart from Australia and New Zealand. You can see them here: Sub-Antarctic Islands

Because they visit some of the most remote and least-visited parts of the Southern Ocean — regions that only a few hundred people reach each year. The combination of wild, pristine ice landscapes, historic polar-exploration heritage sites, and abundant wildlife offers a very rare and adventurous polar experience.