Mawson’s Antarctica: Along the East Coast

Fly from the UK to Queenstown. Queenstown is the kind of place that will leave you breathless – in more ways than one. There are the high altitudes of the Southern Alps, mirror-like Lake Wakatipu, dreamy vine-laced countryside and the atmospheric town itself, where wood fires crackle and wine glasses toast the end of another remarkable day.
Enjoy your one-night stay in Queenstown.

This morning you will be transferred via coach from Queenstown to Bluff, where your ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht awaits. Marvel at the awe-inspiring scenery of rugged mountains, serene lakes, and lush forests.

Step on board Scenic Eclipse II and be warmly greeted with a glass of Champagne. Settle into your luxurious suite, meet your butler and fellow guests and toast to the journey ahead.

The most southernmost town in New Zealand, Bluff (or The Bluff as it is locally known) is perhaps the most European of all the settlements in the country. Called Campbelltown until 1917, the city was officially renamed after the 265 meter conical hill that towers above it. One of the farthest corners of the British Empire, the inaugural Royal Tour of New Zealand by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, concluded at Bluff in January 1954. Nowadays however, it is the Bluff oysters that are the stars of the show. Reputed to be the best in the world, these local heroes are what have really put Bluff on the map and are celebrated every May with a lively festival honouring Ostrea chilensis (that’s Latin for Bluff oyster). But gastronomy aside (and it is mostly oyster related), Bluff offers the adventurous traveller much in the way activity. Gateway to Stewart Island, day trippers here might enjoy hopping on the ferry for the hour long trip to Stewart Island, or New Zealand’s third island. Unspoilt, tranquil and stunning, Stewart Island is a showcase for New Zealand’s undiscovered tourism spots due to its privileged (yet remote) position in the world. However, for those who wish to stay on the mainland, the Bluff Maritime Museum is a “must visit” for anyone travelling along the Southern Scenic Route, with fascinating historical information about the many early shipwrecks in these challenging southern waters and coastlines. The comprehensive network of walking tracks will delight the ornithologists amongst you – just don’t forget your binoculars!

The most southernmost town in New Zealand, Bluff (or The Bluff as it is locally known) is perhaps the most European of all the settlements in the country. Called Campbelltown until 1917, the city was officially renamed after the 265 meter conical hill that towers above it. One of the farthest corners of the British Empire, the inaugural Royal Tour of New Zealand by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, concluded at Bluff in January 1954. Nowadays however, it is the Bluff oysters that are the stars of the show. Reputed to be the best in the world, these local heroes are what have really put Bluff on the map and are celebrated every May with a lively festival honouring Ostrea chilensis (that’s Latin for Bluff oyster). But gastronomy aside (and it is mostly oyster related), Bluff offers the adventurous traveller much in the way activity. Gateway to Stewart Island, day trippers here might enjoy hopping on the ferry for the hour long trip to Stewart Island, or New Zealand’s third island. Unspoilt, tranquil and stunning, Stewart Island is a showcase for New Zealand’s undiscovered tourism spots due to its privileged (yet remote) position in the world. However, for those who wish to stay on the mainland, the Bluff Maritime Museum is a “must visit” for anyone travelling along the Southern Scenic Route, with fascinating historical information about the many early shipwrecks in these challenging southern waters and coastlines. The comprehensive network of walking tracks will delight the ornithologists amongst you – just don’t forget your binoculars!

At the very southern tip of the South Island, Bluff is one of New Zealand's oldest European settlements. It began life as a whaling station in the 1830s and has retained its strong ties to the sea, with one of the world’s few natural oyster beds sitting just offshore in the Foveaux Strait. Bluff is the gateway to Stewart Island and Antarctica beyond, offering travellers a taste of the rugged character of an oystering port.

Freechoice:
Invercargill Sights & Transport World: Visit Invercargill to admire antique vehicles at the Transport World Museum and enjoy the town’s stunning gardens.

Southern Sojourn: Explore Southland's art and history from Bluff, starting with a scenic drive to Gore. Visit the Moonshine Museum and Eastern Southland Art Gallery, where you'll discover local and international artworks.

Bluff Scenic Drive & Walking Tour: Discover Stirling Point, the southernmost tip of the South Island, and explore Bluff Hill for panoramic views. Travel along the scenic coastline to Oyster Cove Marina, enjoy Ocean Beach's wild beauty, and explore seafaring history at the Bluff Maritime Museum.

This 160-kilometre-long chain of volcanic islands, some of them still active, straddles the Antarctic Circle. Here, you’ll have a front-row seat to one of the greatest convergences of wildlife in the world.

Humpbacks, fin and minke whales may put on a show while we are nearby, breaching, blowing, and slapping their tails. Crabeater, Weddell Ross Sea Seals and leopard seals loll about, sunbaking between swims. Join a Discovery Excursion or just take in the view from the Observation Deck or your private verandah.

Throughout the day, themed dining and entertainment experiences will keep the festive celebrations alive – it will be the whitest Christmas you’ve ever had.

Discovery:
Daily experiences may include cruising on Zodiacs, stepping ashore to view vast penguin rookeries or historic huts, and kayaking around icebergs. Wherever your voyage takes you, you will have countless “pinch me" moments.

The chain is named after British mariner Captain Balleny, who reported seeing smoke billowing from its 1,340-metre summit when exploring the area in 1839. Almost completely mantled by ice, Young Island is the northernmost island in the archipelago. At the other end of the chain, Sturge is the southernmost island.

Utilise your binoculars from your suite or head for the telescopes in the Observation Lounge and take in the astonishing bird life, including enormous breeding colonies of southern fulmers and snow petrels. Gain deep insights from your expert polar Discovery Team about the region and its rich birdlife.

Discovery:
Enjoy daily Scenic Discovery excursions. Cruise on the Zodiacs around ice formations, step onto islands to view vast penguin rookeries and seals. Kayak and stand-up paddleboard around icebergs and hear the ice cracking and whales feeding below.

Straddling the Derwent River at the foot of Mt. Wellington's forested slopes, Hobart was founded as a penal settlement in 1803. It's the second-oldest city in the country after Sydney, and it certainly rivals its mainland counterpart as Australia's most beautiful state capital. Close-set colonial brick-and-sandstone shops and homes line the narrow, quiet streets, creating a genteel setting for this historic city of 215,000. Life revolves around the broad Derwent River port, one of the deepest harbors in the world. Here warehouses that once stored Hobart's major exports of fruit, wool, and corn and products from the city's former whaling fleet still stand alongside the wharf today.Hobart sparkles between Christmas and New Year's—summer Down Under—during the annual Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race. The event dominates conversations among Hobart's citizens, who descend on Constitution Dock to welcome the yachts and join in the boisterous festivities of the crews. The New Year also coincides with the Tastes of Tasmania Festival, when the dockside area comes alive with the best of Tasmanian food and wine on offer in numerous cafés, bars, and waterfront stalls. Otherwise, Hobart is a placid city whose nightlife is largely confined to excellent restaurants, jazz clubs, and the action at the Wrest Point Casino in Sandy Bay.The Hobart Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre hours are weekdays 8:30–5:30 and Saturday 9–5.

Your voyage ends in Hobart – knowing there’s still nothing between you and Antarctica but swathes of icy ocean helps take away the sting of everyday life. After breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to your new friends and the dedicated Scenic Eclipse crew, who have made your voyage so remarkable. Fly home carrying once-in-a-lifetime memories with you, or choose to extend your journey to explore the captivating city of Hobart. Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Please book your flight to depart out of Hobart after 12:00 PM.

Please note, the itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons and weather conditions. As such, Scenic cannot guarantee the cruise will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above.