Australian adventure travel company Aurora Expeditions has released its new Antarctica 2025-26 season, which is set to be its most adventurous yet.
The season, which also features Australia and New Zealand, includes 32 voyages across three purpose-built small ships – the Greg Mortimer, Sylvia Earle and the brand-new Douglas Mawson. Along with Aurora’s best-selling Antarctic Explorer and Spirit of Antarctica voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula, there are eight new itineraries visiting regions including East Antarctica, the Ross Sea and the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands, as well as a circumnavigation of Tasmania.
Two new departure ports have also enhanced the travel options available to Antarctic adventurers, with four Antarctic voyages departing from Hobart, Australia or Dunedin, New Zealand.
The season is packed with a variety of ‘choose your own adventure’ options, including three Ultimate Adventures with land and sea combinations, eight voyages offering a ‘Fly the Drake’ option, and two new all-inclusive activity voyages for travellers who want to supercharge their trips with as much action as possible, including camping, snorkelling, snowshoeing, paddling and more.
The are also 36 single berths on offer across the season on the Douglas Mawson, a new feature of Aurora’s soon-to-come third vessel, catering to the growing solo traveller segment.
New expeditions include:
Mawson’s Antarctica
During this 24-day itinerary departing Hobart on December 11, 2025 aboard the Douglas Mawson, you’ll retrace the historic voyage of Sir Douglas Mawson’s Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) and experience the grandeur of remote East Antarctica for a voyage travelling over Christmas and New Year. Cross the Antarctic Circle towards Commonwealth Bay and the fabled Cape Denison, and if conditions permit, make landfall to explore what remains of Mawson’s main base, and find yourself transported back to the heroic age of Antarctic exploration.
Be sure to keep watch for porpoising Adélie and emperor penguins, orcas patrolling for prey, and snow petrels soaring against the backdrop of the vast ice sheet. As you explore the New Zealand subantarctic islands, you might also spy unique endemic species such as the yellow-eyed penguin and Campbell mollymawk.
Ross Sea Odyssey
Step back into the heroic age of Antarctic exploration to discover a wildlife wonderland on this 25 day journey departing Dunedin on January 16, 2026 aboard the Douglas Mawson. As you journey south, spot yellow-eyed penguins and royal albatross on New Zealand’s Auckland and Campbell Islands before crossing the Antarctic Convergence and entering pack ice alive with orcas, seals and emperor penguins. The expedition days within the Ross Sea offer icy drama, rich wildlife experiences and extraordinary stories of human exploration and survival.
Subantarctic Discovery
Perched on the Antarctic Convergence, Australia and New Zealand’s subantarctic islands are home to some of the most abundant and unique wildlife on earth, which you’ll explore on this 15-day cruise aboard the Douglas Mawson departing Dunedin on January 2, 2026. New Zealand’s Auckland and Campbell islands are home to yellow-eyed penguins, sea lion harems and courting southern royal albatross. Immerse yourself in magnificent Fiordland.
Epic Antarctica: Crossing the 7th Continent
Calling all pioneers, history buffs and adventure lovers for an epic adventure across the southern seas, this 34-day epic aboard the Douglas Mawson departs Dunedin for Ushuaia on February 8, 2026. Follow in the footsteps of explorers such as Scott, Ross, Amundsen and Shackleton and embark on a journey very few people on this planet have made. Sail beyond the Antarctic Circle, uncover wonders of the Ross Sea, explore the Antarctic Peninsula and the incredible sights in between! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the beauty and majesty of this remote and pristine environment.
Antarctica Active (All Inclusive Activities)
On these two activity-packed 15-day sailings, departing from Ushuaia, you will experience the wonders of Antarctica on a deeper level. Not only will you enjoy Zodiac excursions and guided walks offered on all our voyages, you will also paddle among icebergs in protected bays and perhaps glimpse wildlife close up. Step into your own snowshoes for a gentle hike, where breathtaking views await. For the ultimate overnight adventure in Antarctica, pack a sleeping bag for a sleepover on the ice.
Coastal Tasmania: Untamed Wilderness
Tread some of Tassie’s greatest trekking treasures by day and rejuvenate on your floating base camp each night during this 11-day itinerary departing from Hobart on December 1, 2025. Explore wild coastlines and far-flung islands, land on secluded beaches, trek through pristine wilderness, and celebrate stunning vistas from towering peaks.
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