New Zealand and the Subantarctic Islands ex Auckland
20 Days - National Geographic Orion
Discover New Zealand from the North Island to its most remote islands in the Southern Ocean. Explore natural wonders like Abel Tasman National Park and Milford Sound, and visit towns that tell the country’s story. Admire the Art Deco architecture of Napier, and get acquainted with Māori culture in Gisborne. Cap off the experience amid penguins and sea lions in New Zealand’s seldom-visited subantarctic islands, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Home » 20 Day National Geographic Orion: Southern Odyssey – New Zealand and the Subantarctic Islands ex Auckland
Itinerary Highlights
- Get immersed in beauty: scenic beaches and lush native forests in the North Island and deep fjords and dramatic landscapes in the South Island
- Discover the history and dynamic culture of New Zealand and the Māori people
- Explore the sub-Antarctic islands which remain almost completely protected from human activity and are home to a diverse collection of endemic plant and animal species
- Delve into New Zealand’s cultural riches—from Napier’s Art Deco architecture to historical Māori sites
- Visit Abel Tasman National Park to discover its golden sand beaches, abundant birdlife, and native forests
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Auckland, New Zealand
- Day 2: Auckland / Embark Ship
- Day 3 and 4: Exploring Coastal New Zealand
- Day 5: Gisborne
- Day 6: Napier
- Day 7 and 8: Abel Tasman National Park or Marlborough Sounds / At Sea
- Day 9 and 10: Milford Sound and Dusky Sound
- Day 11: Snares Islands
- Day 12 and 13: Auckland Islands / At Sea
- Day 14 to 16: Macquarie Island, Australia / At Sea
- Day 17 and 18: Campbell Island / At Sea
- Day 19: Stewart Island
- Day 20: Dunedin / Disembark Ship
Day 1: Auckland, New Zealand
Arrive in Auckland and transfer to our hotel. Join us for a welcome briefing this evening to meet your fellow travelers.
Arrival Time: Arrive by 4:00 p.m.
Day 2: Auckland / Embark Ship
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before joining a tour of this vibrant city center. We stop for lunch midday before embarking National Geographic Orion in the late afternoon.
Day 3 and 4: Exploring Coastal New Zealand
As we continue south along the North Island’s verdant coast, we let nature guide us as your Captain and Expedition Leader choose our next site for exploration.
Day 5: Gisborne
Today we delve into the cultural riches of Gisborne—the site of the first European landing in New Zealand in 1769. The city’s warm, sun-filled climate reflects its disposition and complements its rich soils, bountiful islands, miles of sandy beaches, and resource-rich oceans. Visit a local marae —a traditional meeting place—and gain insight into the history and culture of the people of this region. In the afternoon, discover the greenery of a local arboretum, and cap the day off with a wine tour and tasting.
Day 6: Napier
Spend the morning getting to know Napier, the Art Deco capital of New Zealand. Choose to discover the city’s unique architecture on an art tour, or leave the city behind and join us on a Gannet Safari Tour where we have close encounters at a large Australasian gannet colony.
Day 7 and 8: Abel Tasman National Park or Marlborough Sounds / At Sea
Today we arrive at the South Island of New Zealand where golden beaches and dense rainforests border the snow-capped Southern Alps. By special permission from the Department of Conservation, visit either Abel Tasman National Park or Marlborough Sounds. Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand's smallest national park, is renowned for its beaches and rugged granite cliffs that kiss the shoreline. Alternatively, discover the stunning, sea-drowned valleys of Marlborough Sounds. Explore either on hikes and walks with our naturalists or just by relaxing at the beach. Spend the next day at sea as we sail south toward Fiordland National Park.
Day 9 and 10: Milford Sound and Dusky Sound
Over the course of two days we will explore Fiordland National Park, home to fourteen individual fiords. Here we'll discover hundreds-meter-high waterfalls, the snowcapped peaks of Milford Sound, and the thickly forested islets of Dusky Sound, which host a myriad of bird species overhead, including the kākā.
Day 11: Snares Islands
Located south of the New Zealand mainland in the remote Southern Ocean, today we begin our exploration of the wild and beautiful subantarctic islands. These remote islands play host to abundant and unique wildlife, with many species of birds, plants, and invertebrates found nowhere else in the world. Two small rocky islands, North East and Broughton, comprise the Snares, the closest subantarctic islands to New Zealand. The islands are covered with heavy tussock grass and wind-beaten forests of tree daisies. The Snares are home to huge numbers of breeding birds: the 99 recorded species include albatross, Antarctic terns, and Snares crested penguins.
Day 12 and 13: Auckland Islands / At Sea
Spend the next several incredible days discovering New Zealand and Australia’s subantarctic islands and their surrounding waters—the entire marine landscape designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. We have special permission to explore these strictly regulated islands, which are protected at the highest level of conservation status by the New Zealand government, and considered “bird central” among top ornithologists around the world. Keeping a flexible weather-dependent schedule, we plan to explore several intriguing islands.
The Auckland Islands are the largest of New Zealand’s subantarctic islands, with the richest flora, prolific birdlife, and an interesting human history. If we are fortunate, we may see rare yellow-eyed penguins as they move to and from their nests in the forests beyond the beach.
Day 14 to 16: Macquarie Island, Australia / At Sea
We will spend two days at remote Macquarie Island, a protectorate of Australia and a World Heritage site. Macquarie is home to a large variety of wildlife, including thousands of seals and millions of penguins. Four species of penguin breed here. The endemic royal penguin has a population estimated at 850,000. Gentoo and southern rockhopper penguins also breed here. And imagine landing on a single beach with 100,000 pairs of king penguins, the third largest such colony in the world!
Our time at sea between islands presents an opportunity to head up to the bridge to watch the calm business of navigation. Or spend these days enjoying the ship’s spa, and fitness center. Take some time to browse the library or play a board game in the glass-enclosed observation lounge. And listen to a variety of engaging talks from our staff, including photo talks.
Day 17 and 18: Campbell Island / At Sea
A large island, surrounded by 4 smaller islands and innumerable rocks and islets, the Campbell Island group is officially the southernmost territory of New Zealand. Covered with endemic grasses and thick vegetation and boasting steep terrain, Campbell is dramatic and beautiful. Here we will find six species of albatross, an endemic duck (the Campbell Island teal), and an endemic snipe, as well as numerous songbirds and sea birds who breed on the island. Three species of penguin also make their home on here.
Day 19: Stewart Island
Stewart Island, known in Māori as Te Punga o Te Waka a Māui, is positioned firmly at the heart of Māori mythology. Today we’ll explore the island’s rare native birdlife as well as its well-preserved podocarp forest, alive with a cacophony of birdsong. In the afternoon, discover Stewart Island’s nearby neighbor, Ulva Island, where we’ll hike with naturalists to discover its unspoiled rainforest.
Day 20: Dunedin / Disembark Ship
Today we disembark on New Zealand’s South Island in Dunedin, known for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture. Have breakfast aboard the ship before disembarking and joining a tour of this vibrant city center. We stop for lunch midday before transferring to the airport for flights home.
Departure Time: Depart after 5:00 p.m.
Cabin Details
Category 1 Cabin
18m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, oval window, WIFI, A/C, closet, writing desk, chair, private marble bathroom, shower, bathroom amenities, luggage storage, TV, non-smoking.
Category 2 Cabin
18m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, oval window, WIFI, A/C, closet, writing desk, chair, private marble bathroom, shower, bathroom amenities, luggage storage, TV, non-smoking.
Category 3 Suite
20m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, large window, WIFI, A/C, closet, writing desk, chair, private marble bathroom, shower, bathroom amenities, sitting area, sofa, luggage storage, TV, non-smoking.
Category 4 Deluxe Suite
21m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, large window, WIFI, A/C, closet, writing desk, chair, private marble bathroom, shower, bathroom amenities, separate sitting area, 2 cushion sofas, luggage storage, TV, non-smoking.
Category 1S Cabin
15m², double bed, window or 2 portholes, WIFI, A/C, closet, writing desk, chair, private marble bathroom, bathroom amenities, luggage storage, TV, non-smoking.
Category 5 Suite
21m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, french balcony, large window, WIFI, A/C, closet, writing desk, chair, private marble bathroom, shower, bathroom amenities, open living area, sofa, luggage storage, TV, non-smoking.
Category 3S Cabin
20m², 2 single beds, 2 windows, WIFI, A/C, closet, writing desk, chair, private marble bathroom, shower, bathroom amenities, luggage storage, TV, non-smoking.
Category 6 Owner's Suite
32m², queen bed, french balcony with the exception of #509 which has double windows, WIFI, A/C, closet, writing desk, chair, private marble bathroom, shower, vanity, bathroom amenities, separate sitting area, sofas, luggage storage, TV, non-smoking.
National Geographic Orion Deckplan
Specifications
- Crew: 60
- Officers: International
- Guests: 102
- Tonnage: 4050
- Length: 337 Feet / 103 Metres
- Width: 46 Feet
- Speed: 15 Knots
- Passenger Decks: 4
- Built: 2003
- Registry: Bahamas
Whats included?
- One pre-voyage hotel night in Auckland
- Activities/shore excursions as specified
- Lectures and presentations by expedition leaders and naturalist staff
- Group transfers
- All meals during your voyage
- Selected alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages
- Use of kayaks
- Port fees and service taxes
- Gratuities
What’s not included?
- International airfares
- Internal airfares
- Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable
- Travel insurance
- Any item not listed as included