Mawson’s Antarctica: Along the East Coast

Welcome to Queenstown, for your overnight stay to enjoy the high altitudes of the Southern Alps, mirror-like Lake Wakatipu, vine-laced countryside and atmospheric town. Enjoy your one-night hotel 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.

At the very southern tip of the South Island, Bluff is one of New Zealands 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 Southlands art and history from Bluff, starting with a scenic drive to Gore. Visit the Moonshine Museum and Eastern Southland Art Gallery, where youll 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 Beachs wild beauty, and explore seafaring history at the Bluff Maritime Museum.

While exploring the luxurious spaces on board Scenic Eclipse II, you’ll have the chance to meet some of the experts who will bring the places you visit to life. The Discovery Team will enrich your East Antarctica experience with their encyclopaedic knowledge of geology, glaciology, photography, marine biology, history, ecology and more. They will fascinate you with facts and stories beyond anything you can find in guidebooks or websites. These insights will be revealed as you cross the Southern Ocean, with the Discovery Team hosting regular lectures and discussions in your Discovery Yachts state-of-the-art theatre.

It’s time to ease into your ultra-luxury surroundings. This might be the day you sleep in, conserving energy for the activities ahead, then relax in your suite, which provides you with the comforts of a 6-star hotel. Learn more about your new home from your Captain and crew at the open bridge. They will share details about your Discovery Yacht’s world-class technology, which includes two on board helicopters^ and a submersible^, offering exclusive ways to explore across your journey. Then visit the theatre to hear today’s presentations from the Discovery Team.

Today you’ll cross the Antarctic Convergence, where the cold waters of the Antarctic circumpolar current meet and mingle with warmer waters to the north. Icebergs will begin to pop up around you, albatross are a common sight, and the nutrient-rich waters are popular among orcas, seals, penguins and whales. Feel the excitement build as the polar Discovery Team shares with you all the details on how your Zodiac and other discovery excursions will work. Get familiar with the team and your polar equipment. Due to the extraordinary nature of this region, Discovery excursions throughout your Expedition Voyage are dependent on the ice and weather conditions. Your experienced Captain and specialist polar Discovery Team, who have made countless journeys to Antarctica, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, making the most of your time in this spectacular destination.

Commonwealth Bay was Australia’s gateway to Antarctica. Embark on an unforgettable adventure as you step into the shoes of the legendary Sir Douglas Mawson, retracing his historic 1911–14 Australasian Antarctic Expedition. Discover the remote, wild beauty of East Antarctica as you navigate the iconic Commonwealth Bay, explore Mawsons Main Base huts, and immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes that defined the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. This is your chance to experience the extraordinary - just as the pioneers did over a century ago. Discovery: Weather and ice conditions permitting, youll have the opportunity to step back in time and visit the historic Mawson’s Huts, immersing yourself in the experience of the explorers from that remarkable expedition. All guests will receive a complimentary helicopter-shuttle flight to access the huts which will operate over the next three days for all guests to visit the huts. As you venture further into the Antarctic region, join our Discovery Team in the theatre for lectures that provide deep insights about the fantastic world around you. Daily experiences may include cruising on Zodiacs, stepping ashore to view vast penguin rookeries or historic huts and kayaking around icebergs. Depending on ice conditions, submersible dives and paddling may also be possible.

Mawson famously named Commonwealth Bay "Home of the Blizzard" due to the dramatic weather conditions he faced during his expedition. Today, these historic huts and other significant sites offer a vivid and immersive experience of this remarkable era in Antarctic history—bringing it to life far beyond what any journal or book could capture. Choose to book a treatment# at the tranquil Senses Spa. Perhaps an ESPA facial or an alternative therapy including Ayuverdic massage or Japanese shiatsu. Afterwards, hold on to that feeling of calm for a while longer in the Zen-like space of the Salt Therapy Lounge. Discovery: Weather and ice conditions permitting, youll have the opportunity to step back in time and visit the historic Mawson’s Huts, immersing yourself in the experience of the explorers from that remarkable expedition. 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.

This part of East Antarctica not only hosts Mawson’s huts but also offers a rare ice-free sanctuary for Antarctic wildlife, including nesting Adélie penguins, snow petrels, and Wilson’s storm petrels. Discovery: Weather and ice conditions permitting, youll have the opportunity to step back in time and visit the historic Mawson’s Huts, immersing yourself in the experience of the explorers from that remarkable expedition. 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.

You might sail past a number of immense glaciers that carve through East Antarctica, making for incredible spectacles. It’s hard to comprehend the scale of the Mertz Glacier, an enormous hunk of crystalised ice more than 30km wide that gleams like a turquoise jewel. Sunlight cascades over its waves like liquid silver; in the troughs between are shadows of azure. The 9km-wide Suvorov Glacier is similarly impressive, an endless bank of white unfurling into the distance. There are no trees or shrubs; flora is just a sprinkling of occasional lichen, moss and algae. This is what infinity looks like. Discovery: Enjoy daily 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. To see more of East Antarctica from above or below the horizon book a helicopter^ or a submersible^ experience.

After a couple of active days ashore, today is yours to do as much or as little as you want. Perhaps you´d like to take things slowly, starting with breakfast brought to your suite by your butler.  Check the daily program to see what lecturers or discussions the Discovery Team are running and learn more about this extraordinary part of Antarctica. Explore more of the up to 10 all-inclusive on board dining experiences today, sampling fine French cuisine at Lumière or vibrant Asian fusion at Koko’s. Alternatively, choose to dine in the comfort of your suite and have your evening nightcap brought by your butler, choosing from a range of premium wines, beers and spirits.

Sea days aboard Scenic Eclipse II offer a perfect opportunity to unwind, connect with fellow guests, and dive into the rich history, environment, and unique wildlife of this captivating part of the world. Our guest experts, as well as the Discovery Team, will deliver engaging talks and presentations on the local wildlife and history. As we journey toward the Balleny Islands, take advantage of the Discovery team lectures designed to prepare you for the exciting visits ahead.

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.

Sea days aboard offer a perfect opportunity to unwind, connect with fellow guests, and dive into the rich history, environment, and unique wildlife of this captivating part of the world. Experts from various fields will deliver engaging talks and presentations on the local wildlife and history. As we journey toward the western part of the Ross Sea, take advantage of the Discovery team lectures designed to prepare you for the exciting visits ahead. In the evening, settle in at the spacious Scenic Lounge Bar to enjoy your beverage of choice, whether it be aged whisky or a glass of wine.

Sea and ice conditions will guide your days in the western Ross Sea, where youll find the Possession Islands—an intriguing cluster of small, rugged islands and rocks spanning approximately 7 miles (11 km). These seldom-visited outcrops are home to tens of thousands of penguins. Enjoy panoramic views of the Admiralty Mountains across the water and explore the striking rock formations and coastal caves. 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. To see more of East Antarctica from above or below the horizon book a helicopter^ or a submersible^ experience.

Spend another day in the Possession Islands for further exploration or stay on board and spend some time in the Observation Lounge on Deck 5. Be enchanted by the endless horizons of the ocean from the panoramic glass windows or look through the Swarovski telescopes searching for wildlife. Discovery: Partake in 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.

Experience the awe-inspiring majesty of the worlds largest floating ice mass—a natural fortress that often unleashes fierce weather, with gale-force winds driving snow across the landscape. Just 800 miles from the South Pole, these towering 30-metre-high ice cliffs once halted early explorers in their tracks. As we cruise along, you might be lucky enough to witness the dramatic sight of icebergs calving, a breathtaking moment to cherish.

After almost three weeks of active explorations, enjoy some downtime today in the expansive 550sqm Senses Spa. Before celebrating New Year’s Eve, enjoy a treatment# in the luxurious Senses Spa or stretching out in a class at the PURE: Yoga & Pilates Studio. Bring in the New Year with joyful celebrations this evening. Sip Champagne as you cruise through the world’s coldest, iciest and most mesmerising continent. It’s a special New Year’s Eve full of unforgettable moments shared with your new friends. Relax in one of the cabanas on Deck 10 with a warm drink and look out over the icy sea as Scenic Eclipse II begins its journey north. Alternatively, join the Discovery Team in the theatre to discuss the incredible sites you’ve seen over your time in East Antarctica.

Perhaps you’d like to begin the day with a fitness class, followed by a soak in the heated Vitality pool. Reward your active start by calling your butler to bring breakfast to your room. Then make a date with new friends to re-live Antarctic memories over a relaxed lunch at the Yacht Club. During the day, the theatre comes alive with captivating lectures from our polar Discovery Team. Be sure to check the Daily Program on your TV for timing—you won’t want to miss these inspiring sessions! The only thing you need to do now is decide which bar or lounge to move to, making the most of the all-inclusive beverage menu, including premium top-shelf wines and spirits.

When you’re visiting some of the world’s most fragile ecosystems, you have a commitment to protect them for future generations. Take advantage of our open bridge policy to meet with the Captain and his team to find out all about Scenic Eclipse II’s state-of-the-art technology and environmentally sustainable systems that aim to leave as small a footprint as possible. Alternatively, enjoy lectures from the expert polar Discovery Team in the state-of-the-art theatre or look for the region’s unique wildlife using your suite’s binoculars or Swarovski telescopes in the Observation Lounge. Later, choose one of up to 10 dining experiences and spend time with your new friends – enjoy a casual lunch at Azure Bar & Café and an elegant dinner at Elements.

The state-of-the-art theatre on Deck 4 is the hub for on board entertainment. The advanced cinemascope technology and multiple viewing screens create an immersive 270-degree experience, complete with a sparkling night sky ceiling. Enjoy supremely comfortable reclining lounge chairs and a full range of drinks. During the day, the theatre hosts talks and lectures from our expert polar Discovery Team. Visiting Antarctica positively breeds environmental ambassadors and you’ll be keen to learn more over an enrichment lecture. At night, enjoy a performance in the theatre before you retreat to your ultra-luxury suite with a nightcap.

Thousands of penguins. Countless seals and whales. Unique birdlife. Endless expanses of ice. The remarkable sights of the world’s southernmost continent take a while to digest. Sometimes, quiet contemplation is the best way to do that – perhaps editing images, writing in your journal, marking highlights on a map. Or join the Discovery Team for one last lecture to recap an extraordinary adventure. Then meet your fellow guests to relive every moment that sparked joy over the last three weeks. Toast a remarkable voyage over a glass of Champagne and one more exquisite meal.

End your journey in the same way you began it – by indulging in Scenic’s truly all-inclusive philosophy. Enjoy an unrivalled selection of premium beverages available on board all day, every day, across eight bars and lounges and including premium gin, saké and more than 130 varieties of whiskey. Make your reservation for the Night Market @ Koko’s, where chefs prepare unique dishes inspired by the street markets of Asia while you watch from behind the hot and cold grill. Knowing that you share this night with your chef and only seven other guests make it all the more memorable.

Your voyage ends in Hobart, the culmination of an unforgettable journey into one of the last unexplored corners of the planet. After breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to your new friends and the dedicated Scenic Eclipse II crew, who have made your voyage so remarkable. Fly home carrying once-in-a-lifetime memories or choose to extend your journey to explore the captivating city of Hobart. Please book your flight to depart out of Hobart after 12:00 PM. ^Flights on board our two helicopters and submersible experiences are at additional cost, subject to regulatory approval, availability, weight restrictions, medical approval and weather, ice and tidal conditions. #Spa treatments at additional cost. +All drinks on board, including those stocked in your mini bar, are included, except for a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits. Specialty restaurants require a reservation, enquire on board. The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the voyage will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Locations listed within East Antarctica are subject to weather and operational conditions. Sightings cannot be guaranteed. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.