Day 1   Afternoon flight from London bound for Auckland.

Day 2   In flight (much of the day being ‘lost' as we cross the International Dateline).

Day 3   Morning arrival at Auckland, from where we take a connecting flight to Invercargill at the southern tip of South Island. Upon arrival in Invercargill, we will transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay and a chance to meet up with the rest of the passengers taking the subantarctic cruise.

Day 4   After breakfast we will transfer to our ship which will be berthed at the nearby Port of Bluff. After boarding we will make ready for departure, setting a course for Snares Island to the south of New Zealand proper. This first leg of our journey will provide our first opportunity to see pelagic species. Watch out for Gibson's (split from Wandering), Southern Royal, White-capped (or Shy) and Salvin's (split from White-capped) Albatrosses, and Sooty Shearwaters – there are an estimated 60 million of the latter nesting on Snares Island! In addition, Mottled Petrel, Broad-billed Prion and Common Diving Petrel should all feature on the list for the first time today.

Day 5   Snares Island is the first of the subantarctic islands that we will be visiting. It is an amazing place – more seabirds nest on this small island than there are seabirds around the entire British Isles! We will make landfall in the early morning, marvelling at the incredible numbers of Sooty Shearwaters and Common Diving Petrels sweeping past as they head out to sea after leaving their nesting burrows ashore. Landings are not permitted, so we will zodiac cruise the sheltered eastern side. We should see all but one of the birds that are found on the island. Snares Island (or Snares Crested) Penguins are plentiful around the coast, as are Cape Petrels. Southern Buller's (or Buller's) Albatross nest here late in the season and may already be in the vicinity. Cruising in the sheltered bays we will see the endemic races of the Tomtit and the Fernbird (the former is an unusual, all-black form and may represent a distinct species), while Red-billed Gulls, Antarctic Terns and White-fronted Terns will be feeding around the coastline. Later we will sail for the Auckland Islands.

Day 6   As dawn breaks we will be at Enderby Island in the Aucklands group, a great island to bird. We will make a landing at Sandy Bay, the main breeding ground for the New Zealand (or Hooker's) Sealion. As well as an impressive number of sealions we should also see Yellow-eyed Penguin, Southern Royal and Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Northern Giant Petrel, the endemic Auckland Island Shag, the flightless Auckland Island Teal (split from Brown Teal) and the Auckland Islands races of Double-banded Dotterel and Tomtit. We will spend some time searching for the delightful little Auckland Island Snipe, another subantarctic islands endemic, which we should find creeping through the rich herbage. Other, more widespread birds include Subantarctic Skua, Red-billed Gull, Red-crowned Parakeet, Bellbird and Australasian (or New Zealand) Pipit, plus introduced Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, Common Starling, Lesser Redpoll and European Goldfinch. Sometimes the dashing New Zealand Falcon makes an appearance. On Derrycastle Reef there is a good chance to see Bar-tailed Godwit, Ruddy Turnstone and perhaps other migratory waders. Later we sail south towards the main Auckland Islands group.

Day 7   After we arrive at Carnley Harbour, in the south of the main Auckland Islands, there will be an opportunity for the more energetic to climb up to the White-capped Albatross colony at Southwest Cape. The scenery here is dramatic, with the wave-lashed cliffs far below and wonderful views over the southern Aucklands, while all around one large numbers of White-capped Albatrosses sit on their nests, display to their mates, preen each other or sail past on those long, long wings. Gibson's Albatrosses nest amongst the grassy tussocks on the high plateau above the White-capped Albatross colony. We should get marvellous views of these huge birds as they will be nesting at this time. We may also see one of the New Zealand Falcons that frequent the vicinity. Those electing to remain on board will visit one of a number of historic sites in the area.

Day 8   As we continue towards Macquarie, surely one of the most inaccessible birding Meccas in the world, the excitement will be palpable. We will be at sea all day, providing us with yet another wonderful opportunity to see pelagics, including a fantastic selection of albatrosses which will likely include our first Wandering, Grey-headed and Campbell (split from Black-browed), as well as White-chinned and White-headed Petrels, and Grey-backed and Black-bellied Storm-Petrels.

Day 9   We will arrive at far-flung Macquarie Island, the most southerly of the subantarctic islands, in the early afternoon. We shall hope to land at both the ANARE base and at Sandy Bay. We will also zodiac cruise in Lusitania Bay. It is, of course, the only place in the world where one can observe the Royal Penguin and there is certainly no shortage of these. We will visit a large breeding colony at Sandy Bay, reachable by boardwalk, below which thousands of these cute creatures loaf on a sandy beach. Some individuals are so inquisitive that if you sit down they will wander over and tentatively peck at your rubber boots! The handsome King Penguin is also found in large numbers, while two other penguin species breed on Macquarie Island, the Gentoo and the Rockhopper. In addition, we will also see the endemic Macquarie Island Shag. Common Starlings also eke out a meagre existence in this harsh place at the veritable ends of the earth, while Lesser Redpolls are of particular interesting to visiting Aussie birders, this being their only Australian locale!

Day 10   We will continue our exploration of Macquarie Island and then depart for Campbell Island.

Day 11   At sea today we will see a similar range of seabird species to those we saw en route from the Auckland Islands to Macquarie Island, perhaps with the addition of Southern (or Antarctic) Fulmar, Blue Petrel and, with luck, Grey Petrel.

Day 12   Campbell Island is a great spot. Sadly rats got ashore shortly after the island was discovered and they have wrecked havoc with many of the smaller nesting petrels and prions. Nevertheless, there is still some great birding and an opportunity to get some good photographs, especially Southern Royal Albatross. We will be able to sit quite close to these huge but gentle seabirds and we may well see their elaborate bill-clattering courtship ritual. We will spend a whole day ashore in order to see these and other breeding species such as Rockhopper Penguin, the beautiful, gentle-looking Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, Northern Giant Petrel, the endemic Campbell Island Shag, Subantarctic Skua, Red-billed and Kelp Gulls, and Antarctic Tern. Resident passerines include the inevitable introductions: Dunnock and Lesser Redpoll. The island is famous for its ‘megaherbs', unique subantarctic flowering plants that will just be coming into bloom at the time of our visit. Campbell Island scenery is impressive with great lowering headlands, mile after mile of sheer cliffs, sweeping bays and pinnacle-shaped offshore stacks.

Day 13   At sea en route to Antipodes Island. This is another day for pelagic species, with more southerly elements continuing to predominate: Antipodean (also split from Wandering), Campbell and Grey-headed Albatrosses, Southern Giant Petrel and Little Shearwaters should all be encountered. We will endeavour to sort out Fairy Prion, Fulmar Prion and Antarctic Prion, which are not always easy, but we should get some great views while puzzling over these tricky little ‘tubenoses'. Other species to be on the lookout for include Soft-plumaged and Grey-faced (or Great-winged) Petrels, and Wilson's Storm-Petrel. With luck we could come across a rarity such as Kerguelen Petrel.

Day 14   It is an overnight trip to the Antipodes Island, one of the most isolated of the subantarctic islands. Weather permitting, we will zodiac cruise the coastline. We will be keen to see the uncommon Antipodes Island Parakeet and also the well-marked endemic race of the Red-crowned Parakeet. We will also see the endemic Antipodes race of the Australasian Pipit. Introduced Common Starlings and Lesser Redpolls are also present. Both Rockhopper and Erect-crested Penguins frequent the coastline and there are usually a good number of Antarctic Terns and Kelp (or Southern Black-backed) Gulls present. As we depart Antipodes Island this evening we will keep a watch out for the Grey Petrel. Although it is a winter breeder there may still be one or two birds present.

Day 15   En route to the Bounty Islands today we should see Northern Buller's (or Pacific) Albatross, which has been split from (northern) Buller's, and White-faced Storm-petrel, as well as many of the more widespread seabirds. We will reach the Bounty Islands in time for a late afternoon zodiac cruise. These inhospitable granite rocks are lashed by the Southern Ocean and here we will find both Erect-crested Penguin, a species restricted to the Bounty Islands and Antipodes Island, and the endemic Bounty Island Shag. In addition, Fulmar Prions nest on the islands and, unusually for a prion, are active around the cliffs in daylight.

Day 16   A day at sea with the chance to see more of the species seen yesterday and to look out for new ones such as Northern Royal Albatross and Chatham Albatross (split from White-capped) as we near the Chatham Islands. As we head northwards there is a small but real chance of encountering Chatham Island Petrel, which breeds only in the Chathams, and we will all secretly be hoping for the miraculous appearance of a Magenta Petrel (or Taiko), a near-extinct species that breeds in the Chathams and which has only been seen at sea a few times in the modern era.

Day 17   Today we arrive at the Chatham Islands. This remote archipelago has been isolated for thousands of years and both the birds and plants show a high degree of endemism. Sadly, many of the species have become extinct because of extensive development and burning. As we approach the Chatham Islands we will sail past Pyramid Rock, the breeding ground of the Chatham Island Albatross. Later we will visit South East Island. Landings are not permitted on this island, but we will be able to have excellent close view of the endemic Pitt Island Shag, Chatham Island Oystercatcher and the attractive Shore Plover from the zodiacs. Only about 150 individuals of the latter survive, so to see this remarkable shorebird feeding on the wave-cut rock platforms will be one of the highlights of our visit to the Chathams.

Day 18   During our birding excursion on Chatham Island itself we should see the endemic Chatham Island Shag, Pitt Island Shag, the rather portly Chatham Island Pigeon (split from New Zealand Pigeon) and Chatham Island Gerygone (or Chatham Island Warbler). We will also be looking out for the endemic race of the Tomtit. Other species we should see include Little Penguin, White-faced Heron, Black Swan, Pacific Black (or Grey) Duck, Weka (a bold, chicken-sized rail), Masked Lapwing (known locally as Spur-winged Plover), Double-banded Dotterel, Red-billed Gull, White-fronted Tern, Australasian (or New Zealand) Pipit, Welcome Swallow and Tui, and also some introduced European species such as Dunnock, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Common Chaffinch, Lesser Redpoll and Yellowhammer.

Days 19-20   As we travel towards the mainland we will cross what is known as the Chatham Rise, a relatively shallow area of water compared with the surrounding ocean. This is also a great place for pelagic seabird watching with an overlap of both northern (i.e. temperate zone) species and those birds that favour southern latitudes. We can expect to see Cook's and Westland Petrels, Flesh-footed, Buller's and Hutton's Shearwaters, and Australasian Gannet, as well as more Northern Royal and Chatham Albatrosses, and ‘water-walking' White-faced Storm-Petrels.

Day 21   Our ship will arrive in the morning at the port of Dunedin. Later we will transfer to Dunedin airport for an afternoon flight to Auckland where we connect with an evening flight bound for London.

Day 22   Midday arrival at London.

Accommodation & Road Transport: The hotel in Invercargill is of normal Birdquest standard. For details of the ship, see the introductory section. The transfers to the ship in mainland New Zealand and the only road excursion on the Chathams are by coach.

Walking: The walking effort is mostly easy, but there are a few optional harder walks.

Climate: Quite mild at this season. Temperatures range from cool to warm in the north of the subantarctic islands region and from cool to fairly cold in the south (although even in the south it can feel relatively warm on a sunny day if there is no wind). It feels decidedly cold on windy days at sea in the far south, however! Sunny spells are interspersed with (often longer) overcast periods and some rain is to be expected. In mainland New Zealand the weather is generally similar in character, but temperatures are typically quite warm at this time of year.

Bird/Sea Mammal Photography: Opportunities are excellent for much of this tour.

Important: Landings on some of the subantarctic islands are by permit only as administered by the Governments of New Zealand and Australia, and on rare occasions permits are refused. It is also important to bear in mind that circumstances may be encountered during the voyage which will make it necessary or desirable to deviate from the planned itinerary. These circumstances include poor weather conditions and unexpected opportunities for making additional zodiac excursions. The expedition leader will provide more information at the start of the voyage and keep you fully informed throughout. While as many landings as possible will be made, almost none of these are crucial in terms of actually seeing the local birdlife, which can almost invariably be seen from the ship or during an inshore zodiac excursion. Sometimes the cruise departure/arrival points in New Zealand may alter, but normally plenty of notice is provided.

Tour Dates: These are provisional and will be confirmed by 31st August 2008.