New Zealand’s five groups of subantarctic islands – rugged, lonely and uninhabited – literally drop off the map, unknown to most Kiwis, let alone the rest of the world. Further south, indeed halfway to the Antarctic itself, lies Macquarie Island, uniquely situated on a boundary between the earth's tectonic plates. Here the Australian government maintains a research station.

Access to all these islands is strictly controlled, and for the ordinary traveller is possible only by joining an expedition cruise such as those operated by Heritage Expeditions.

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