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.

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.


Scott & Shackleton’s Antarctic - Ross Sea Expedition
Scott & Shackleton’s Antarctic - Ross Sea Expedition

Embark on an extraordinary adventure to the seldom visited Ross Sea from New Zealand and walk in the footsteps of…

Duration: 22 Days
Ship: Le Soleal
Next Departure Date: 16 Feb 2025
Scott & Shackleton’s Antarctic - Ross Sea Expedition
On Sale
Scott & Shackleton’s Antarctic - Ross Sea Expedition

Embark on an extraordinary adventure to the seldom visited Ross Sea from New Zealand and walk in the footsteps of…

Duration: 22 Days
Ship: Le Soleal
Next Departure Date: 26 Jan 2025
Scott & Shackleton’s Antarctic - Ross Sea Expedition
On Sale
Scott & Shackleton’s Antarctic - Ross Sea Expedition

Embark on an extraordinary adventure to the Ross Sea from New Zealand, retracing the steps of legendary explorers. Sailing from…

Duration: 22 Days
Ship: Le Soleal
Next Departure Date: 26 Jan 2026
Semi-circumnavigation of Antarctica
On Sale
Semi-circumnavigation of Antarctica

Embark on a thrilling journey from Ushuaia to Christchurch, immersing yourself in the awe-inspiring beauty of Antarctic landscapes and rich…

Duration: 34 Days
Ship: Hanseatic Inspiration
Next Departure Date: 28 Jan 2025
Mawson’s Antarctica
On Sale
Mawson’s Antarctica

Retrace the historic voyage of Sir Douglas Mawson’s Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) and experience the grandeur of remote East Antarctica.…

Duration: 24 Days
Ship: Douglas Mawson
Next Departure Date: 11 Dec 2025
Ross Sea Odyssey
On Sale
Ross Sea Odyssey

Experience one of the most remote, historic sectors of the deep South in comfort on this exploratory expedition aboard the…

Duration: 25 Days
Ship: Douglas Mawson
Next Departure Date: 16 Jan 2026
Mawson’s Antarctica: Along the East Coast
On Sale
Mawson’s Antarctica: Along the East Coast

There are few destinations that spark travel wanderlust quite like East Antarctica. From penguins, whales and seals to icebergs and…

Duration: 25 Days
Ship: Scenic Eclipse
Next Departure Date: 15 Dec 2024
In the Wake of Scott & Shackleton: Ross Sea Antarctica
In the Wake of Scott & Shackleton: Ross Sea Antarctica

The Ross Sea region of Antarctica is one of the most remote places on Planet Earth and one of the…

Duration: 28 Days
Ship: Heritage Adventurer
Next Departure Date: 07 Jan 2025
Epic Antarctica - Crossing the 7th Continent
On Sale
Epic Antarctica - Crossing the 7th Continent

Calling all pioneers, history buffs and adventure lovers for an epic adventure across the southern seas. Follow in the footsteps…

Duration: 34 Days
Ship: Douglas Mawson
Next Departure Date: 08 Feb 2026
Unexplored Antarctica between Two Continents
On Sale
Unexplored Antarctica between Two Continents

Charcot, Bellingshausen, Dean, Fisher, Ross, Amundsen… Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the names of these legendary explorers resonate at every moment.…

Duration: 31 Days
Ship: Le Commandant Charcot
Next Departure Date: 16 Jan 2026
Unexplored East Antarctica & French Southern Lands
On Sale
Unexplored East Antarctica & French Southern Lands

The theatre of mythical expeditions and a refuge for fascinating wildlife that is among the wildest on the planet, East…

Duration: 29 Days
Ship: Le Commandant Charcot
Next Departure Date: 17 Feb 2026
Antarctica's Ross Sea: Majestic Ice & Wildlife
Antarctica's Ross Sea: Majestic Ice & Wildlife

The White Continent has piqued the imagination of explorers for centuries. Let it inspire yours when you voyage to East…

Duration: 24 Days
Ship: Scenic Eclipse
Next Departure Date: 08 Jan 2025