Subantarctic Discovery
Welcome to AE Expeditions’ Subantarctic Discovery expedition. Discover the primordial beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Australian and New Zealand Subantarctic Islands on this in-depth exploration of a most rugged region of the antipodes. Witness richly endemic birdlife flourishing on Stewart and Ulva Islands, including the iconic brown kiwi (southern tokoeka) and friendly flightless weka. Celebrate under the crimson blossoms of the flowering rātā, affectionately known as the ‘southern Christmas tree’. Experience the humbling majesty of Fiordland’s deep Sounds, and Zodiac cruise the craggy coast of the Snares, breeding grounds for the rare Snares crested penguin and Buller’s albatross. Heading back north, we may visit mystical Campbell Island, where meandering boardwalks lead you past flowering megaherb moors to nesting grounds of southern royal albatross. On the Auckland Islands, wander through enchanting rātā forests, spot endemic mollymawks and hear stories of the sealers, settlers and explorers that preceded us.
AE Expeditions is a small Australian cruise line which specialises in off-the-beaten-track voyages led by remote area experts.
The company’s adventurous co-founders, Greg and Margaret Mortimer, established AE Expeditions in 1991 and had by the following year, already begun running voyages to Antarctica
Adventure has a new name. Setting sail in 2025, our new state-of-the-art ship, the Douglas Mawson, is the last in a line of purpose-built vessels that have redefined small ship expedition cruising.
