Warming hearty soups served after zodiac excursions and dives, a sub-Antarctic expedition tradition essential for warming up.

Shipboard Hot Soups

Many expedition vessels departing Hobart stock premium Tasmanian cheeses, wines, smoked salmon, and artisan breads.

Tasmanian Produce

The traditional warming drink after a cold-water dive in sub-Antarctic seas, served on the vessel's aft deck.

Hot Chocolate and Rum

Some expedition vessels serve locally sourced Southern Ocean seafood including Patagonian toothfish and king crab when available.

Fresh Seafood

Dining on Macquarie Island expeditions is provided entirely by the expedition vessel. Cruise operators typically serve high-quality meals designed for cold-weather conditions, with hearty soups, warming main courses, and energy-rich fare suited to active days in sub-Antarctic conditions. There are no restaurants, cafes, or shops on the island itself. The research station maintains its own mess facilities for scientific personnel. Expedition guests should expect comfortable shipboard dining with an emphasis on nourishing food after cold days spent exploring ashore and in the water.

Luxury waterfront hotel on Hobart's docks, ideal for pre-expedition stays with premium rooms and restaurant.

MACq 01 Hotel Hobart

Boutique art hotel in historic Hobart warehouse, walking distance to expedition departure berths.

Henry Jones Art Hotel

Heritage boutique hotel with gardens, offering comfortable pre-voyage accommodation in central Hobart.

Islington Hotel Hobart

Self-contained apartments in Hobart's historic Salamanca precinct, near restaurants and expedition departure points.

Salamanca Wharf Hotel

Macquarie Island is a sub-Antarctic Australian territory located approximately 1,500 kilometres southeast of Tasmania, roughly halfway between Australia and Antarctica. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most remote and ecologically significant islands on Earth, where the entire ocean floor has been thrust above sea level by tectonic forces, creating a unique geological wonder. Diving in these frigid sub-Antarctic waters rewards the intrepid explorer with extraordinary encounters: vast kelp forests, colonies of king and royal penguins, fur seals, elephant seals, and an incredible diversity of cold-water marine invertebrates found nowhere else. The waters surrounding Macquarie Island are part of the Macquarie Island Commonwealth Marine Reserve, offering pristine ecosystems largely untouched by human activity. Access is extremely limited, typically requiring expedition cruise vessels departing from Hobart or New Zealand. For the dedicated cold-water diver, Macquarie Island represents one of the ultimate frontier diving experiences on the planet.

Macquarie Island

Walk among hundreds of thousands of king penguins at Lusitania Bay and Sandy Bay, one of the largest penguin colonies in the world.

King Penguin Colony Visit

Observe the endemic royal penguin, found only on Macquarie Island, with over 850,000 breeding pairs at Finch Creek and other rookeries.

Royal Penguin Colony

Watch massive southern elephant seals hauled out on beaches, with dominant bulls weighing up to four tonnes competing for territory.

Elephant Seal Viewing

Trek the challenging overland route across the island's plateau, passing through tussock grassland and witnessing the extraordinary geology.

Island Overland Track

Visit the Australian Antarctic research station established in 1948, learning about ongoing scientific programs and the island's human history.

ANARE Station Tour

View exposed ocean floor rocks thrust above sea level by tectonic forces, a globally unique geological phenomenon that earned the island UNESCO status.

Geological Sites

Observe wandering albatross, giant petrels, and other sub-Antarctic seabirds nesting on cliff ledges and grassy slopes.

Seabird Watching

Macquarie Island is accessible only by expedition cruise vessel, typically departing from Hobart, Tasmania or Bluff, New Zealand. The sea voyage takes approximately 3-4 days each way. There are no commercial flights or regular passenger services. A small number of specialist expedition operators include Macquarie Island on sub-Antarctic itineraries, usually combined with other Southern Ocean islands.

Dive Sites in Macquarie Island