Style: October 30, 2020

84 Style | Promotion
Subantarctic exploration
Experience some of the least visited islands on the planet, in luxury.
In New Zealand, we are blessed with
the sheer volume of spectacular scenic
opportunities on offer, so famous and
wondrous that the world beats a path to
our doorstep to experience them. Well,
they would if they could! For us locals,
though, there is an extra special, rarely
visited gem. It is one of the least visited
regions on the planet, yet for us it is so
accessible – even now. Discover the
subantarctic islands.
Located in the Southern Ocean, these
are a scattering of fascinating islands that
sit in what sailors call the ‘Roaring Forties’
and ‘Furious Fifties’; the latitudes between
40 and 60 degrees south of the equator.
Essentially, they are tiny specks of land in
the ocean between here and Antarctica.
Five groups belong to New Zealand,
Bounty, Antipodes, Campbell, Auckland
and Snares islands, while Macquarie Island
is Australian. Each is a designated World
Heritage site offering its own unique
landscape, flora and fauna. The islands
range in size, from the Bounty Islands at
135ha to Auckland Island at 53,000ha.
Protected both by remoteness and
legislation, the number of visitors each
year is strictly controlled in order to
maintain their pristine and precious
environments. They are difficult to reach
and the numbers of people who visit each
year are less than those who reach the
top of Mount Everest. No wonder they
are a refuge for numerous species of flora
and fauna, many found nowhere else in
the world.
As with the Galápagos Islands, their
isolation has resulted in several species
evolving independently, making them a
fascinating study for scientists. Macquarie
Island also has the unique geological
feature of being the only place in the
world where rocks from the earth’s mantle
(the molten rock 6km below the ocean
floor) are exposed above sea level.
So, how best to experience them in
the days of travel bubbles? Why, in a
champagne bubble, of course!
The French cruise ship operator Ponant
is a world leader in luxury expeditions,
with discoveries of the expedition
activities celebrated back on-board with
inclusive champagne (or your preferred
congratulatory drink), as part of Ponant’s
inclusive open bar.
ABOVE CLOCKWISE: The
Col Lyall Saddle Boardwalk,
Campbell Island, with
panoramic views over the
stunning megaherbs and out
to Perseverance Harbour.
Photo: Mick Fogg; Musgrave
Inlet, Auckland Island: Regular
Zodiac excursions provide
guests an intimate wilderness
experience to view otherwise
unreachable sites. Photo:
Adrian Freyermuth; Elephant
seals (such as these ‘weaners’)
are just one of the numerous
charismatic species that make
Macquarie Island such a oncein-a-lifetime
destination. Photo:
Mick Fogg.
OPPOSITE CLOCKWISE
FROM TOP LEFT: The infinity
pool onboard Le Lapérouse
beckons under the summer
sun; A prestige stateroom, a
spacious and functional cabin to
return to after a day of activities;
Treat yourself to a massage or
beauty therapy, whilst enjoying
uninterrupted views of the
Southern Ocean; More private
yacht than ship, the beautiful
Le Lapérouse hosts only 160
guests in a chic, intimate setting.
Photos: Nicolas Matheus.