Heritage Expeditions

Heritage Expeditions Ambassadors for conservation, pioneers of discovery, and leaders in expedition travel to the world’s best-kept secrets.

Small Ship Cruise Pioneers exploring Antarctica, Japan, the South Pacific, Kimberley, New Zealand, the Arctic, Iceland, the British Isles and Europe aboard expedition vessels Heritage Adventurer, Heritage Discoverer & Heritage Explorer Every year Heritage Expeditions voyages with small groups of between 18 and 140 intrepid travellers to some of the most unique and remote islands, coasts and shorelines on earth aboard their expedition ships Heritage Adventurer and Heritage Explorer on voyages ranging from 5 – 29 days. Founded in 1985 by the Russ family in Christchurch, New Zealand, Heritage Expeditions is still proudly family-owned and operated. Contributing to conservation through experiential learning and providing funds for research and management, they are pioneers in environmentally-responsible expedition travel offering intimate group excursions to Antarctica and the Subantarctic Islands, through the Pacific, Asia, Australia and around New Zealand on their purpose-built expedition ships. Each expedition is meticulously planned and led by a team of botanists, ornithologists, naturalists and experts in their field, ensuring passengers maximise every opportunity to learn, discover and experience as much as possible, while minimising the impact of their visit and returning as ambassadors for these very special places.

A new era of expedition… Awesome to see a spotlight on Heritage Discoverer in the latest issue of Motorhomes, Caravans &...
11/09/2026

A new era of expedition… Awesome to see a spotlight on Heritage Discoverer in the latest issue of Motorhomes, Caravans & Destinations NZ, celebrating an exciting new chapter with her inaugural preview voyage to the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and the Falklands Islands.

Check it out below.

“Winter cruise a sound idea.” We couldn’t agree more!Thrilled to see journalist Stephen Jaquiery’s Southern Fiords Disco...
08/09/2026

“Winter cruise a sound idea.” We couldn’t agree more!

Thrilled to see journalist Stephen Jaquiery’s Southern Fiords Discovery experience on board Heritage Explorer featured in the Otago Daily Times. From untamed weather and spectacular scenery to unforgettable wildlife encounters, Stephen captures what makes exploring Fiordland in winter so special.

Check out the full story below.

Meet the locals… Komodo Dragons, Whale Sharks, Wilson’s Bird of Paradise and Sea Turtles are just some of the wild inhab...
08/09/2026

Meet the locals… Komodo Dragons, Whale Sharks, Wilson’s Bird of Paradise and Sea Turtles are just some of the wild inhabitants awaiting us on our Indonesian Explorer voyage. We can’t wait to encounter this iconic wildlife once again as our South Pacific season officially gets underway!

Images © F. Wardle, S. Bradley & D. Brown, Heritage Expeditions

Congratulations to Richard Young Photography, whose mesmerising photograph of the Ross Ice Shelf, captured on board our ...
06/09/2026

Congratulations to Richard Young Photography, whose mesmerising photograph of the Ross Ice Shelf, captured on board our In the Wake of Scott & Shackleton voyage, has been named a finalist in the Resene Landscape category of the 2026 New Zealand Geographic Photographer of the Year competition.

A spectacular image from an unforgettable journey!

I'm a finalist in the 2026 New Zealand Geographic Photographer of the Year.

My photograph 'Threshold', of the Ross Ice Shelf was photographed in New Zealand's Antarctic dependency earlier this year. It's up alongside the other finalists in what's always an incredible showcase of NZ photography.

Voting is now open, and the winners will be announced at the Awards Night in Auckland on October 21st. Head over and have a look through all the finalists and vote for your 5 favourites.

👉 https://www.nzgeo.com/photography/photographer-of-the-year-2026-finalists

New Zealand Geographic
New Zealand Photography Workshops
Heritage Expeditions

Some interesting findings from Campbell Island through the Department of Conservation’s seabird research.Encouraging sig...
04/09/2026

Some interesting findings from Campbell Island through the Department of Conservation’s seabird research.

Encouraging signs for some of the iconic seabirds that nest here, along with valuable new information to help monitor these crucial populations.

Read the full report below.

Forest & Bird's iconic Bird of the Year returns for 2026!Get behind your favourite bird in one of Aotearoa’s much-loved ...
03/09/2026

Forest & Bird's iconic Bird of the Year returns for 2026!

Get behind your favourite bird in one of Aotearoa’s much-loved wildlife competitions, celebrating the incredible diversity of native species across the country.

From familiar faces to rare and threatened species, every bird has a story worth celebrating – and your vote is a great way to show your support for New Zealand’s unique birdlife.

Which bird will take the crown? Have your say!

NEW VOYAGE, NEW ADVENTURESJourney to some of the world’s most isolated and breathtaking regions on a 22-day expedition c...
03/09/2026

NEW VOYAGE, NEW ADVENTURES

Journey to some of the world’s most isolated and breathtaking regions on a 22-day expedition cruise of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula. Encounter incredible wildlife, historic sites, towering icebergs and spectacular landscapes along the way.

Swipe through to discover more about the remarkable places we’ll explore.

Book your adventure here - https://tinyurl.com/32djtm5x

02/09/2026

An incredible moment from our friends at Ulva's Guided Walks, where a flock of Yellow-crowned Parakeet/Kākāriki emerged to forage around the forest floor.

Endemic to New Zealand and notoriously elusive, spotting these beautiful birds together is a truly special encounter on Ulva Island.

We’re proud to continue our ongoing partnership with the Antarctic Heritage Trust supporting the special 40th anniversar...
24/08/2026

We’re proud to continue our ongoing partnership with the Antarctic Heritage Trust supporting the special 40th anniversary Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ to the 'heart of Antarctica' the Ross Sea.

Next January eight lucky young people aged 18-30 will have the opportunity to travel aboard our ‘In the Wake of Scott & Shackleton’ voyage and step inside the iconic expedition bases of Captain Robert Falcon Scott and Sir Ernest Shackleton, cared for by the Trust on behalf of the world, and learn firsthand about the challenges of the world’s largest cold-climate heritage conservation program in one of the world’s harshest and most remote environments.

Know an Inspiring Explorer up for the adventure of a lifetime? Applications are now open on the Trust's website.

People aged 18-30 can apply for a 2027 Antarctic expedition.

24/08/2026

One of those Kimberley moments you wish could last forever… A Humpback Whale, lobtailing the water as our Kimberley Explorer guests watched on in awe. A truly unforgettable wildlife encounter.

Video © H. Lamb, Heritage Expeditions

Address

Antarctic House, 53B Montreal Street
Christchurch
8023

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+6433653500

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