Taking a Remote Break at the Antipodes Islands

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antipodes islands

Source: Department of Conservation www.doc.govt.nz – photo by James Russell

A visit to the Antipodes Islands is like no other. As the least visited of New Zealand’s Marine Reserves, they are volcanic and inhospitable for anybody looking for a long-term living solution. Antipodes Island is sub-Antarctic, and has had World Heritage status since 1998. Thanks to their volcanic nature, you can only pay a visit to a few of these islands. This doesn’t mean you should feel disappointed, as when you do get there you will experience an array of wildlife you cannot feast your eyes on at many of the Marine Reserves.

The Antipodes’ Wildlife

Are you a fan of birds? Thanks to the Antipodes’ location, there are birds you will see on the accessible islands that you will not see anywhere else. The Antipodes Snipe and Pipit are unique to the island, so if you enjoy bird spotting, your visit is an excellent opportunity to grab some pics and cherish them. If you prefer vibrant species, the multi-coloured parakeet is available in abundance. Its flamboyant nature is accompanied by its startling call, which you won’t forget in a hurry.

Naturally, there is one bird that everybody looks forward to seeing when they visit a sub-Antarctic environment: penguins. If you think seeing penguins in a zoo is cute, wait until you see them waddling around in their natural environment. True penguin devotees will adore seeing the Rock Hopper species, which—as their name suggests—hop from rock to rock.

A New Marine Reserve

Do you know what else is spectacular about the Antipodes? They only obtained their marine reserve status in 2014. When you reach the islands, you will soon see why. Sadly, there hasn’t been any seals there since the early 19th century. However, in addition to the spectacular birds already mentioned, there are 71 species of plants for you to take in. Patches of megaherbs rest alongside tall prickly ferns, giving the type of rustic look you might associate with films like Jurassic Park.

The Antipodes You Can Visit

You may be excited about enjoying the Antipodes, but you need to familiarise yourself with the islands you can visit before you set off. Severalislands make up the Antipodes, but the New Zealand government has advised that you only visit the main one. Due to their volcanic and rocky nature, the others are not safe for visitors. Historically, there have been some spectacular shipwrecks at the forbidden islands. Now don’t worry, this isn’t likely to happen with modern boats. These wrecks occurred in the 19th century when boating was much more perilous. The vessel you choose is likely to be much safer.

Getting to the Antipodes is a magnificent journey in itself. They lie in the Southern Ocean, around 47 to 52 degrees south. Your journey to The Antipodes is 860KM south of Stewart Island and Rakiura, so you need to pack for a long trip. When you first land at the main island, you immediately have easy access to the cliffs that surround it. Their summits reach as high as 500 feet, with one of the highest altitudes on the islands as a whole reaching 1320.

As the marine reserve that is least visited, The Antipodes present an excellent opportunity for you to enjoy a unique journey. After exploring them, it will be hard to find such rugged sub-Antarctic beauty again.

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