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.
“We have so much to be excited about with our most comprehensive and adventurous season yet,” commented Hayley Peacock-Gower, CMO of Aurora Expeditions. “Not only will we be introducing our third purpose-built vessel, the Douglas Mawson, but we will explore more of Antarctica’s regions than we have before in a single season, visiting the Antarctic Peninsula, the Weddell Sea, East Antarctica, the Ross Sea, Antarctic Circle, South Georgia, the Falklands and the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands.
New expeditions include:
Mawson’s Antarctica
Hobart/Dunedin, 24 days, 11 December 2025-03 January 2026 on the Douglas Mawson – 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.
Ross Sea Odyssey
Dunedin/Dunedin, 25 days, 16 January-09 February 2026 on the Douglas Mawson – Step back into the heroic age of Antarctic exploration to discover a wildlife wonderland. As you journey south, spot yellow-eyed penguins and royal albatross on New Zealand’s Auckland and Campbell Islands.
Subantarctic Discovery
Dunedin/Dunedin, 15 days, 02 January-16 January 2026 on the Douglas Mawson – 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. 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
Dunedin/Ushuaia, 34 days, 08 February-12 March 2026 on the Douglas Mawson – Calling all pioneers, history buffs and adventure lovers for an epic adventure across the southern seas. 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.
Antarctica Active (All Inclusive Activities)
Ushuaia/Ushuaia, 15 days, two departures on the Greg Mortimer – On these activity-packed sailings, 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.
Coastal Tasmania: Untamed Wilderness
Hobart/Hobart, 11 days, 01 December-11 December 2025 – Tread some of Tassie’s greatest trekking treasures by day and rejuvenate on your floating base camp each night. Explore wild coastlines and far-flung islands, land on secluded beaches, trek through pristine wilderness, and celebrate stunning vistas from towering peaks.