Simon Flower

Visiting Antarctica from New Zealand (or even Tasmania)

The vast majority of Antarctic expedition cruises depart from Ushuaia, a city at the southern tip of Argentina in Tierra del Fuego. For travellers from Australia or New Zealand, it’s quite a journey just to reach Ushuaia.

Antarctica from Hobart; makes sense right?

One in every three inquiries about traveling to Antarctica starts with a question: “Can I depart from New Zealand or Tasmania?” The answer from us is yes; absolutely; there are cruises that offer these routes.

But only a small number of people choose them.

So, wouldn’t it make sense to start closer to home, from Dunedin or Hobart?

Well, not exactly.

Ok, so this isn’t exactly to scale (thats me trying to use an AI app), but what I’m trying to do is show that the distances between Australia and Antarctica are three times those between South America and Antarctica. Hence the travel time is three times as long

Here’s the catch: the Antarctic continent is much, much further from Australia and New Zealand than it is from South America. Less than 48 hours after leaving Ushuaia, you could be stepping onto the Antarctic Peninsula, surrounded by penguins.

In contrast, reaching Antarctica from New Zealand takes several days of voyaging across open seas. While a 10-night cruise from Ushuaia offers multiple days exploring iconic Antarctic sights—penguins, seals, whales, icebergs, abandoned whaling huts—a cruise from New Zealand requires at least three weeks. Naturally, that longer duration comes with a heftier price tag.

That said, if your budget and schedule allow, sailing to Antarctica from New Zealand is an adventure well worth considering. Why? There are some extraordinary rewards unique to this journey.

1. It is a completely different part of Antarctica - much more remote and rarely visited.

Antarctic expeditions from New Zealand take you further south into the continent than any other sea route.

Called “the heart of Antarctica, by many experts,” the Ross Sea region is really one of the last untouched marine sanctuaries on Earth. With minimal human impact to date, this pristine expanse remains a haven for wildlife and a privilege to explore—granted to only a few hundred visitors each year.

The East Antarctic coastline, among the most remote places on the planet, spends much of the year sealed beneath thick ice. During its brief window of accessibility, the landscape is shaped by relentless katabatic winds that cascade from the polar ice cap, creating an environment as harsh as it is breathtaking.

Thousands of travellers visit the Antarctic Peninsula each year. Just a few hundred see the other coastline of the Ross Sea.

Antipodes Subantarctic Islands (A. Woods)

Musgrave Inlet (T. Kraakman)

2. You can include the sub-Antarctic islands including Macquarie Island.

Along the journey from new Zealand to east Antarctica most trips visit the remote (and for most people, inaccessible) sub-Antarctic islands such as The Snares (NZ), Auckland (NZ), Macquarie (AU), and Campbell Islands (NZ)

These remote outposts not only provide a welcome pause on the long voyage but also serve as an introduction to the incredible Southern Ocean ecosystem, with Antarctica at its core. Without these very interesting stopovers en route the trip would involves many tedious days at sea.

Macquarie Island is home to a number of penguin breeds including the Emperor (A. Russ)

Southern Ocean Iceberg (N. Russ)

Emperor Penguins and Zodiacs in Ross Sea (H. Expeditions)

3. Emperor penguins

You’ll see plenty of wildlife on all Antarctic cruises – seabirds, whales, seals and of course lots of penguins.

But on departures from South America you are not likely to see Emperor penguins – the largest of the species.

On an Antarctic cruise from New Zealand you are almost guaranteed to see Emperor Penguins along with many other types,
And on Macquarie Island you will see King Penguins and a penguin breed unique to the island – the Royal penguin.

4. If you are really into history then east Antarctic is where you need to be - it's the site of the heroic age of Antarctic exploration.

This part of Antarctica was first charted in 1840 by the French explorer Dumont d’Urville who named the Adelie penguins after his wife.

This coast was the focus of Sir Douglas Mawson’s Australian Antarctic Expedition of 1911–1913.

Often called the “Home of the Blizzard,” this area is a place of extreme conditions and extraordinary history.

Scattered across these icy landscapes are the preserved remnants of the “Heroic Age” of Antarctic exploration. Historic huts and sites, such as Borchgrevink’s Hut at Cape Adare, Shackleton’s Hut at Cape Royds, Mawson’s Huts at Cape Denison, and Scott’s Huts at Cape Evans and Hut Point, offer an unparalleled glimpse into the lives of the early explorers.

Old Whaling Station (H. Expeditions)

Visiting these landmarks, surrounded by the stark beauty of Antarctica, is a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience the raw determination and bravery of those who first dared to conquer this frozen frontier.

But remember – this is an expedition and an exact itinerary is subject to weather and sea conditions – sometimes the ice makes some huts inaccessible.

Scott’s Hut, Cape Evans (M. Maloney)
Visited by just a few hundred people a year

Experience the golden age of Antarctic exploration.
Cape Royds Hut (A. Russ)

5. And yes, its easier to get to Dunedin than Ushuaia - saving you many hours of flying to South America.

Explore the Grotto Musgrave Inlet (K. Riedel)

Or those seeking true wilderness and exclusivity, the Ross Sea Antarctic route offers a rare chance to explore one of the last unspoiled frontiers on the planet.

Conclusion; so is it worth it?

Well I say yes but with qualification.

Visiting Antarctica from Australia or New Zealand places you among a tiny minority of Antarctic travellers. Hardly anyone visits Antarctica and of those fewer than 1% experience this part of the continent. This makes it one of the most remote and exclusive expedition journeys on Earth. Combined with extraordinary wildlife encounters, polar history and the sheer scale of the landscapes, it offers an adventure unlike any other.

That said, these voyages aren’t for everyone. The vast distances involved mean itineraries are typically three weeks or longer, with prices to match. Even after factoring in international airfares, travelling to Antarctica via South America will almost always be the more affordable option.

If your goal is simply to visit Antarctica, departing from South America remains the obvious choice. But if you’re seeking one of the world’s last great frontier expeditions, departing from Australia or New Zealand delivers an experience that few travellers will ever have the opportunity to enjoy.

And if you’re interested in chatting to me about all the options for travelling from New Zealand or Australia to Antarctica, click in here to make an appointment for me to give you a call for a no obligation chat.

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Simon Flower is owner of Expedition Partners, a travel company that specialises in expedition travel to Antarctica, the Arctic, Kimberley and beyond.

Expedition Partners work with over a dozen operators and over 20 vessels that offer Antarctic cruises. Their speciality is matching the right traveller with the right vessel.

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About Simon Flower

Originally from the United Kingdom, Simon has worked in the travel industry for over thirty-five years. He is passionate about genuine expedition style travel and has travelled to both the Arctic and Antarctic on expedition vessels.

Expedition Partners (formerly Flower Travel) specialise in expedition style travel by small ship cruise and private rail journeys.

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