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Mawson’s Antarctica

A remarkable retracing of the historic voyage of Sir Douglas Mawson’s Australasian Antarctic Expedition
Starting at:
Per Person
$ 42,535
Up to 15% savings
Length
24 Days
Embark
Hobart
Disembark
Dunedin
Starting at:
Per Person
$ 42,535
Up to 15% savings

Highlights

  • Navigate through gleaming pack ice alive with Weddell and leopard seals, Adélie and emperor penguins and whales feeding in fathomless leads.
  • Discover the historic Commonwealth Bay as we attempt to make a rare and much-coveted landing at Cape Denison, the site of Mawson’s huts.
  • Skirt rowdy beaches crowded with harems of New Zealand (Hooker’s) sea lions to reach gnarled rātā forests where rare yellow-eyed penguins can be found.

Retrace the historic voyage of Sir Douglas Mawson’s Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) and experience the grandeur of remote East Antarctica. Cross the Antarctic Circle and cruise the pack ice, skirting majestic ice cliffs and marvelling at beautifully sculpted icebergs. Keep watch for emperor and Adélie penguins porpoising along the ice edge, orcas patrolling for prey, and snow petrels soaring against a backdrop of the vast Antarctic Ice Sheet.

Continue towards Commonwealth Bay and the fabled Cape Denison. Conditions permitting, make landfall to explore what remains of Mawson’s main base, and find yourself transported back to the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. Then onwards to Dunedin, with a pause to enjoy the ruggedly beautiful New Zealand subantarctic islands, where nesting royal albatross, the endemic yellow-eyed penguin (hoiho), and lush megaherb meadows await.

Standard Activities

Bird Watching
Bird Watching
blindness
Hiking
presentation
Lectures
camera 2
Photography Workshops
water aerobics
Polar Plunge
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing

Itinerary Day to Day

Day 1

Arrive Hobart

Arrive in Hobart, where you will be met by a representative and transferred with your fellow expeditioners to your assigned pre-voyage hotel. If you are already in Hobart, we ask you to make your way to your hotel. This afternoon, visit the hospitality desk in the lobby to collect your luggage tags. Please clearly label the tags with your name and ship cabin number. Our team will confirm details regarding your embarkation day, answer any questions and provide you with information on where to dine or purchase last minute items.

That evening, enjoy light refreshments as you meet your fellow expeditioners at a Welcome Reception and Pre-Embarkation Briefing. Afterwards, enjoy your evening in Australia’s southernmost capital city. You may like to indulge in a sumptuous meal at one of Hobart’s celebrated restaurants, or perhaps enjoy a leisurely stroll along the historic waterfront.

Assigned accommodation: To be advised

Hobart as seen from the Rosny Hill Lookout
Hobart
Embarkation Point
Day 2

Embarkation

Days 3-5

At Sea

Days 6-7

Macquarie Island

Days 8-10

At Sea

Days 11-13

East Antarctic Coast

Days 14-15

Commonwealth Bay

Days 16-19

At Sea

Days 20-22

New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands

Day 23

At Sea

Day 24

Disembark in Dunedin

Route Map

There are 5 main destinations visited
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Departure Dates

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December 11 - Jan 3, 2026
Hobart, Australia
$ 42,535 - $ 67,830
Up to 15% savings
Up to 25% off

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Extra Activities

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Sea Kayaking

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What's Included

  • All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
  • One night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Hobart on Day 1.
  • Onboard accommodation during voyage, including daily cabin service.
  • All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage.
  • Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner.
  • Captain’s Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
  • All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.
  • Educational lectures and guiding services provided by Expedition Team.
  • Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consultation).
  • One 3-in-1 waterproof, polar expedition jacket.
  • Complimentary use of Muck Boots during the voyage.
  • Comprehensive pre-departure information.
  • Port surcharges, permits and landing fees.
  • Wi-Fi. *Please note we travel to remote regions and therefore the connection can be unreliable.

What's Excluded

  • Mandatory travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges.
  • International or domestic flights – unless specified in the itinerary.
  • Transfers – unless specified in the itinerary.
  • Airport arrival or departure taxes.
  • Passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination fees and charges.
  • Hotel accommodation and meals – unless specified in the itinerary.
  • Optional excursions and optional activity surcharges.
  • All items of a personal nature, including but not limited to alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), gratuities, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses or phone charges.
  • Note: A $15 USD per person per day gratuity for the crew is automatically added to your onboard account. It is at your discretion if you would like to remove the tip (or adjust the amount) when you settle your bill. It is not necessary to tip the expedition team members. This gratuity amount is included for suites as part of their ‘Suite Benefits’.