Damon Mcknight
Antarctica is known as the world's last great wilderness, and there are several ways to get there from Australia. You can join an Antarctica cruise departing from Australia (Tasmania) or New Zealand, or fly to South America and join a cruise from either Ushuaia, Argentina, or Punta Arenas, Chile. Antarctica Flights offers chartered flights from Australia to Antarctica, and Aurora Expeditions offers charter flights from Punta Arenas, Chile, to King George Island. The easiest way to get to Antarctica is from South America, and most expeditions depart from Ushuaia, Argentina, involving a sail across the Drake Passage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flight Time | 1 hour and 45 minutes |
| Departure Location | Hobart, Australia |
| Arrival Location | King George Island |
| Aircraft | 787 Dreamliner |
| Flight Number | Required for processing by Australian Border Force |
| Alcohol | Not permitted |
| Fresh Food | Not permitted |
| Checked Baggage | Yes |
| Carry-on Baggage | Yes |
| Passport Validity | 6 months after scheduled return to Australia |
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What You'll Learn
- Fly to South America and join a cruise to Antarctica from Ushuaia
- Fly to Punta Arenas, Chile, and cruise the Antarctic Peninsula
- Fly to King George Island from Chile
- Join an Antarctica cruise departing from Australia (Tasmania) or New Zealand
- Get a job with the Australian Government's Antarctica program
Fly to South America and join a cruise to Antarctica from Ushuaia
One option for travelling from Australia to Antarctica is to fly to South America and then join a cruise departing from Ushuaia, the southernmost city on the continent. This option is ideal if you want to avoid longer cruises that include a lot of days at sea. Cruises from Ushuaia tend to be shorter and typically last between 10 and 26 days, including the crossing of the Drake Passage.
To reach Ushuaia from Australia, you can take a flight to Buenos Aires via Auckland, and then catch an internal flight to Ushuaia. This journey will take approximately 20 hours in total, and it is recommended to include a couple of nights in Buenos Aires and a day for rest and sightseeing in Ushuaia before and after your cruise.
There are a variety of cruises departing from Ushuaia, ranging from 8 to 20 days in duration. These cruises typically pass through the Beagle Channel and the challenging waters of the Drake Passage, before reaching the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. Some cruises also include visits to penguin colonies, kayaking excursions, and tours of Patagonia.
When planning your trip, consider factors such as your budget, the number of passengers, your preferred travel dates, and the level of luxury and amenities you desire. Keep in mind that the best time to visit Antarctica is during the Southern summer, from November to March, when temperatures are milder and wildlife is more abundant.
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Fly to Punta Arenas, Chile, and cruise the Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctica is one of the most remote destinations in the world, and flying there from Punta Arenas, Chile, is a quick and efficient way to reach the majestic Antarctic Peninsula. This option saves you several days of sailing across the Southern Seas, allowing more time to explore the Antarctic Peninsula and its impressive fjords, glaciers, and wildlife.
The flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island, the gateway to Antarctica, takes around two hours. This flight skips the two-day ship crossing of the Drake Passage, a notorious part of the sail to Antarctica, known for its rough seas. By flying over this passage, you can avoid seasickness and discomfort and increase your chances of spotting wildlife and visiting historical sites once you arrive in Antarctica.
Several companies offer fly-and-cruise packages from Punta Arenas, with itineraries ranging from 6 to 20 days. These cruises typically include exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Shetland Islands, and Glacier Alley. Some cruises also offer Zodiac cruises, where you can get up close to penguins, whales, seals, and glaciers.
To get to Punta Arenas, you can fly from Santiago, Chile, or Buenos Aires, Argentina. From Santiago, the flight to Punta Arenas is approximately 4.5 hours. Overland transportation by bus between Punta Arenas and Ushuaia, Argentina, is also an option and takes about 12 hours.
When planning your trip, keep in mind that even the shortest cruises from Punta Arenas to Antarctica will require a minimum of one week, and a three-week timeframe is recommended to fully experience this once-in-a-lifetime destination.
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Fly to King George Island from Chile
King George Island is among the most highly populated regions in Antarctica and has one of the most heavily trafficked airports on the continent. The island is 75 miles from the Antarctic Peninsula and is the most important staging and connection hub in the region. The island's airport, Teniente R. Marsh, is managed by Chile and flights arrive to and from Punta Arenas in Patagonia. The Chilean DAP Airlines flies frequently, transporting travellers to their Antarctic cruise ships and back to Punta Arenas.
To fly to King George Island from Chile, you can book a flight with DAP Airlines from Punta Arenas. DAP Airlines offers both single-day flights to the island and fly-to-cruise itineraries. However, it's important to note that the weather conditions need to be favourable for the plane to take off and land on King George Island. You may need to plan on spending several days in Punta Arenas in case of delays.
Additionally, King George Island serves as a common starting point for cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. These fly-cruise expeditions tend to be more expensive, but they can save you time and provide a more comfortable alternative to a lengthy cruise across the Drake Passage.
When planning your trip, keep in mind that visiting Antarctica requires a significant time commitment. Even the shortest cruises from nearby Ushuaia, Argentina, range from 10 to 26 days, and a three-week minimum timeframe is generally recommended for a trip to Antarctica from Australia.
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Join an Antarctica cruise departing from Australia (Tasmania) or New Zealand
Antarctica is one of the most remote continents on Earth, and cruises departing from Australia or New Zealand offer an unparalleled opportunity to explore its untouched wilderness. These cruises typically depart from either Hobart in Australia or Invercargill in New Zealand, and they focus on the Commonwealth Bay area or the Ross Sea—some of the most remote regions on Earth, visited by only a few hundred people each year.
One of the biggest advantages of Antarctica cruises from Australia or New Zealand is that you can board your ship and head straight to Antarctica without needing to take any international flights. However, this means you'll spend more time at sea, and the journey is longer. The trade-off is worth it for many, as these cruises offer the chance to witness the immense natural landscapes and seascapes of this incredibly remote yet ruggedly beautiful part of the world.
The cruises typically take about six to seven days to arrive at the white continent, and this journey can be broken up by visits to Macquarie, Snares, Auckland, and Campbell Islands, all rich in wildlife and nature. Once you've arrived in Antarctica, you will spend time around Commonwealth Bay, where you can see the historic Mawson's Huts, or the Ross Sea region, with its majestic landscapes. This part of Antarctica is also where the explorers Scott, Shackleton, and Amundsen gained fame with their expeditions to be the first to reach the South Pole.
The price of a cruise to Antarctica from Australia or New Zealand tends to be more expensive due to the longer cruise duration. Prices range from $25,000 to $60,000 for 22 to 34 days. Keep in mind that a three-week minimum timeframe is recommended for any trip to Antarctica from Australia, so be sure to plan your itinerary accordingly.
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Get a job with the Australian Government's Antarctica program
One way to get to Antarctica from Australia is to get a job with the Australian Antarctic Program (AAP), led by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), based in Kingston, Tasmania. The AAD is part of the Australian Government's Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
Australia has three research stations in Antarctica – Casey, Davis, and Mawson – and one on the sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island. Each station is like a small town, with a diverse and dedicated workforce, including station leaders, tradespeople, scientists, doctors, chefs, and communications experts.
To apply for a job with the AAP, you can browse available positions on their website and join their mailing list to be notified when recruitment opens. Some jobs may also list 'highly desirable' or 'desirable' requirements, and while these are not essential, they may make your application more competitive. All prospective participants deploying for three months or longer, or who will be in a deep-field environment, are required to complete a Psychological (Adaptability) Assessment, which includes an online personality questionnaire and an interview with a registered psychologist.
Winter expeditioners' start and end dates vary depending on the station. Those employed at Casey or Davis typically depart Hobart in October or November and return about 12 months later. For Mawson or Macquarie Island, the departure is usually in March or April, with a return around the same time the following year. Expeditioners employed in winter jobs complete both a winter and summer season in Antarctica.
Alternatively, you can consider commercial flight and cruise options to get to Antarctica from Australia.
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