Aurora Expeditions in Sydney, Australia | Travel Agent

Aurora Expeditions

Locality: Sydney, Australia

Address: Level 2, 35 Buckingham street 2010 Sydney, NSW, Australia

Website: https://www.auroraexpeditions.com.au/

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25.01.2022 We are honoured and thrilled to announce that Aurora Expeditions has been named as the 'World’s Leading Polar Expedition Operator 2020' in the World Travel Awards! Thank you so much for your votes and support. World Travel Awards Founder, Graham E. Cooke stated Despite the unprecedented challenges faced by the travel and tourism sector this year, Aurora Expeditions continues to lead the way in ship-based adventures. Its strive for excellence remains unrivalled and I am delighted that it has been acknowledged by both the travel trade and travellers alike."

22.01.2022 Wait, what? A penguin incognito! This stealthy gentoo penguin is going undercover on its daily run from rookery to sea in search of sustenance. Following the deep grooves carved into a 'penguin highway' by thousands of travelling penguins, half of its body is concealed by the snow!

18.01.2022 Well before Dr Roger Kirkwood (Expedition Leader and Naturalist) was a polar guide, he was a marine biologist. In fact, his first 10 voyages to Antarctica were as a research scientist studying krill, zooplankton, seals, penguins and albatross. This year he has returned his roots, taking up a contract as a research scientist with the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) - Aquatic Sciences. He and his family have moved from Victoria and, after a two-wee...k quarantine, they are happily settling into life in suburban Adelaide. While the exact nature of his projects is still uncertain, he’s looking forward to the possibility of studying long-nosed fur seals, dolphins and Australian sea lions. His work may involve assessing the interactions between marine wildlife and human industries such as sardine purse-seine fisheries and gill-net fisheries, studying the population demography of Australian sea lions on Kangaroo Island or ecosystem modelling of marine communities in Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent. Good luck Roger, we can’t wait to hear about your research projects!

17.01.2022 Today we're taking a virtual journey to Onekotan Island, a remarkable island-within-an-island in the Kuril Islands, on the western rim of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Situated in the often turbulent seas between Japan and Kamchatka, Onekotan Island has many moods. On a calm day, the gently sloping cone of Mt Krenitsyn is reflected in the placid waters of Koltsevoe Lake (Ring Lake). On days like this you can land a Zodiac on the stony beach, cross the shallow creeks and hike ...across lush meadows to take in spectacular views from the rim of the crater. But when the weather picks up the island becomes completely inaccessible, exposed to the ferocious Pacific Ocean and battered by winds that whip salt spray into the sky. Once inhabited by the Ainu people, and later by Russian soldiers, today Onekotan Island has a population of zero. These days Onekotan Island is peaceful, but it has fiery origins. Onekotan Island emerged from the sea as a volcano, and less than 10,000 years ago an explosive eruption led to the collapse of its crater. This formed the almost perfectly round caldera of Tao-Rusyr, 7.5km wide, and it wasn't long before the waters of Ring Lake flooded in. Today the picturesque cone of Mt Krenitsyn (1,324m) rises within the lake. It has only ever erupted once, in 1952. These unique 'Russian doll' volcanoes are a wonderful sight, accessible only by ship. We hope you've enjoyed this little journey to Onekotan Island - thanks for joining us! You can read more about our new Kuril Islands voyage here and also pre-register to be first in line for our early bird offers which will be on sale to the general public in November. Pictured is the snow-covered Onekotan Island. Captured by NASA Earth Observatory

16.01.2022 Do you have a favourite seabird colony? Seabirds are the ultimate wanderers, soaring across the skies and finding refuge on rugged coastlines or craggy sea stacks scattered across the ocean. From South Georgia to Scotland, Ireland to Antarctica, we love watching as seabirds come and go from their colonies. Here are a few of our favourite seabird hotspots a little closer to our home in Sydney, Australia: 1. Investigator Islands, an archipelago off the western coast of South A...ustralia's Eyre Peninsula is a recognised 'Important Bird Area' with populations of the vulnerable fairy tern, as well as Cape Barren geese and the rock parrot. 2. Albatross Island (Tangatema) off the north-west coast of Tasmania is home to an incredible 5000 pairs of shy albatross, some 40% of the world's population! 3. Black Pyramid, not far from Albatross Island, supports a colony of Australasian gannets 12,000 pairs strong - the largest in Tasmania. 4. Pedra Branca, off the south-eastern tip of Tasmania, is part of an 'Important Bird Area' that supports over 1% of the world populations of shy albatrosses and Australasian gannets. We are so fortunate to live in a country of wild, remote landscapes and remarkable seabird colonies! What are your favourites? Let us know in the comments below!

16.01.2022 You can live in an igloo in the Arctic or a palafito in Patagonia. You can live in an apartment, treehouse or tent in Australia. But do people live in Antarctica? Find out on our blog

15.01.2022 For our Canadian paramedic and kayak guide Russell, life has changed in some unexpected and exciting ways over the past few months. In April he traded up his small 2 x 3 metre (6 x 9 foot) caravan for a small cabin in Pemberton, not far from Whistler in Canada. Russell describes the cabin, which was built in the 50’s, as ‘quite run-down’, but the perfect project for him and his brother. Alongside his full-time job working as a paramedic, Russell has spent many happy hours w...ith his brother, bringing their cabin up to scratch, and they're hoping to have it ready to live in through the winter. Given that temperatures often drop below -20 C (-4F) in Pemberton, this is no small task! But Russell and his brother are fully committed to the timeline because (in Russell’s words) ‘once winter hits, oh boy, tools will be dropped, skis will be grabbed, sleds will be jumped on, and it’ll be off to the mountains as much as possible till spring!’ Wishing you an awesome winter Russell! See more

14.01.2022 Today we're taking a virtual journey to the Misool Marine Reserve, in South Raja Ampat Indonesia. This is the first in our series of 'Hope Spots', special areas recognised by Mission Blue, that play a critical role in the overall health of the ocean and the planet. If you love to dive, chances are you've heard of Misool. Known for its marine megafauna like manta rays, hawksbill sea turtles and grey reef sharks. It also has more fish, corals and molluscs than anywhere else in ...the world. Not so long ago, the health of the reef was under threat due to a range of human practices from shark finning and turtle egg poaching to unregulated destructive fishing techniques. In 2005, a group of locals partnered with private enterprise to create a privately-managed marine reserve. Since then, the impact on the reef has been profound. According to recent scientific studies, between 2007 and 2013, fish biomass within the Misool Marine Reserve increased by 250%, with recovery surpassing 600% at some key dive sites. There's more great news for marine megafauna, with 25 times more sharks and manta rays observed within the boundaries of the reserve than outside. As a Hope Spot, Misool Marine Reserve provides inspiration for all, and a template for other coastal communities facing similar challenges. By promoting ethical business practices and harnessing community support, it's possible to move towards a sustainable future for our oceans. Have you heard of similar stories in coastal areas near you? You can read more about our new Raja Ampat voyage here https://bit.ly/2V0WnwB Stijn Dijkstra @furstset

12.01.2022 What do you do to cheer up your mates? When Shackleton and his men found themselves stranded on sea ice after their ship, the Endurance, was crushed, their comfortable life on board the ship was thrown into chaos. With an journey into the unknown ahead of them, Shackleton ordered his men to pack only the most essential items. He limited each man to two pounds in weight - any more would slow them down and jeopardize their safety. But he made one exception: a 12lb Winds...or zither-banjo that belonged to the expedition's jovial meteorologist, Leonard Hussey. Hussey was no virtuoso and could only play a few songs, but his lively tunes kept the team’s spirits high. When the ice was melting beneath them and they were stranded in damp camps for months at a time, jolly Irish jigs like ‘It’s a long way to Tipperary’ helped them keep on going. Shackleton knew the importance of boosting morale when times got tough, and the banjo became a symbol of hope amidst the challenges they faced. In 1959 Hussey donated the banjo (pictured here), with the signatures of every man on the expedition, to the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London. Do you play an instrument? Knit? Do origami? Share your favourite isolation pastimes with us in the comments below!

11.01.2022 The fattest bear has been crowned, congratulations to King Chonk! Every year Explore.org runs the ''Fat Bear Week' tournament to celebrate the success of the bears at Brooks River in Katmai National Park, Alaska. You can see some incredible before and after pictures here as these bears head into hibernation http://bit.ly/3Fat-Bear-Week

10.01.2022 Throwback to last summer in the Scottish Isles - "This was my first season exploring the outer isles of Scotland with Aurora Expeditions. We were lucky enough to have plenty of days of calm seas to explore outside the sheltered bays where we found basalt sea cliffs riddles with sea caves and arches like this one. Not only are they spectacular to look at and paddle through, they can be a handy shortcut through the headlands!" Photo and words by Toby Story, our amazing kayaking guide! @storyimages.au

10.01.2022 Did you know that from Argentina, it's only a couple days at sea and you can see some of the biggest king penguin colonies on earth? In South Georgia, the sound and sight of hundreds of thousands of these majestic birds stops you in your tracks. We try to take our time on land, to give everyone a chance to settle in. After a while things come into focus and you can witness beautiful moments of connection and tenderness, just like this gorgeous capture from @Chriswdc. S...outh Georgia photo credit @Chriswdc See more

10.01.2022 Is anyone else using this time to study up on things you've always wanted to know more about? Today we wanted to make you aware of this amazing free course about the Arctic environment. This fascinating program will give you an insight into the natural ecosystems of the Arctic from ice, ocean and atmosphere to the role permafrost plays in a warming world. ... Sign up to learn from with teachers from the University of the Arctic, the University of Alberta and the University of Tromso. All from your kitchen counter/living room / the comfort of your bed! What an amazing world we live in! https://www.coursera.org/learn/arctic-introduction-climate Matt Horspool

09.01.2022 We are celebrating Polar Week 2020, 20-26th of September by sharing the answers to our most commonly asked questions. Q.1: Antarctica contains around 90% of the world's ice and 70% of the world's fresh water so how can it be a desert? Find out on our blog

09.01.2022 Nature-lovers around the world are discovering the joys of our own backyards. Lately we've been exploring the wonderful penguin populations close to our home here in Australia. The little penguin is the smallest penguin in the world, barely as big as a bowling pin! It is also the only penguin species that breeds in Australia, and can be found across our southern states. Montague Island (Baranguba) boasts the largest little penguin colony in our home state of New South Wales. ...This windswept island off the coast of Narooma, is home to around 8,000 breeding pairs, as well as the largest permanent fur seal colony in NSW. This time of year is also perfect for whale-watching, as humpback and right whales make their way to Antarctica for the summer feeding season. Maybe a visit to Montague Island is on the cards this spring? Have you visited before or would you plan to? Pictured first is a pair of little penguins on Philip Island, VIC, Australia. Photo credit to @PhillipIslandNatureParks. Pictured second is an Australian fur seal or a brown fur seal.

08.01.2022 Have you heard the tale of the first European sighting of the Tammar wallaby? In 1629, European explorers on the Dutch ship Batavia became shipwrecked on the Houtman Abrolhos, a small island chain off the coast of West Australia. The brutal story of what followed is remembered as a shocking tale of maritime horror. As part of the unfolding nightmare, a group of men were sent to the nearby Wallabi Island, in what was meant to be an impossible search for freshwater. ... Left for dead, the men not only discovered abundant freshwater, but also became the first Europeans to see the tiny Tammar Wallaby. These tiny macropods are not much bigger than a rabbit and are found today on islands across western and southern Australia. They hold the record for the smallest macropod (a family of plant-eating marsupials) and, unlike the Europeans who observed them, they have the enviable ability to drink seawater! Photo credit: Exceptional Kangaroo Island

07.01.2022 After a busy work schedule saw Jared Hobbs (Naturalist/Photography Guide) spend an incredible 336 days away from home (!) last year, life suddenly took on a distinctly slower pace in March this year. Jared has been embracing the change, settling into daily life with his wife and springer spaniel on the beautiful Pender Island near Victoria, Canada. Immersing himself in the natural playground that is his backyard, Jared’s days are filled with outdoor activities like kayaking, ...mountain biking and road riding. On the work front, he’s continuing in his role as director of his small biological consultancy, J Hobbs Ecological Consulting. His field projects take him deep into the wonderful BC wilderness, and have included working on flammulated owls, peregrine falcons, snakes, amphibians and butterflies. Spending all this time so close to home has also given him the opportunity to expand his professional photography portfolio with some of his more elusive neighbours, like the western screech-owl, American goldfinch and the Great Basin (Desert) Spadefoot! You can see some of his beautiful images here http://www.hobbsphotos.com/galleries.php See more

07.01.2022 Are you ready to start planning your next adventure? Our new 2022 Arctic and Global voyages and early bird offer of savings of up to 25%* have just gone live on site! From the Russian Far East to Costa Rica, Raja Ampat to Baja California, there are incredible itineraries to look forward to in 2022! Check out our Early Bird offer & our new Book with Confidence Program here https://bit.ly/2uEarly_Bird_Offers BONUS: If you have travelled with us before you will also receive an additional 5% on top of the early bird offer^!. *T&C's apply. ^Loyalty T&C's apply

05.01.2022 How do penguins, seals and whales adapt to sub-zero temperatures, months of darkness and some of the strongest winds on Earth in Antarctica? What exactly are krill? And how is the Antarctic ecosystem responding to a warming ocean? Read about all this and more in our latest blog

05.01.2022 Have you ever encountered a penguin? Maybe you admired their sleekness as they sped past your Zodiac like torpedos, or their coolness in the face of a blizzard. Maybe you sat and watched them navigate their penguin highways and had a giggle at their waddling or tobogganing antics. Penguins are beloved by many, and our warming world raises questions about how penguins will manage. On our blog we investigate how Antarctic penguins are faring - there's some good news! - and what you can do to help them continue to flourish. You can read it here

05.01.2022 Who's suffering from penguin withdrawal syndrome? We are missing our feathered friends, but for those of us living in the southern hemisphere, relief may not be too far away! Of the 18 penguin species on Earth, all except one live south of the equator (the Galapagos penguin lives just north), and only four of them live in Antarctica. The others can be found in scattered colonies from Africa to South America, New Zealand and Australia! The Little penguin (formerly fairy pengui...n) is the smallest penguin in the world, just a little taller than a school ruler (33cm). Despite their small stature, they can swim up to 50km in one day! These remarkable seabirds are found only in New Zealand and southern Australia, with colonies along the coastline from Western Australia to South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales - some of them on the beaches of our biggest cities! So if you live in southern Australia, a little penguin fix may not be far away! Does anyone have any penguin-watching plans coming up? credit: Phillip Island Wildlife Parks. Phillip Island off the south coast of Australia is home to approx 32,000 breeding adults.

02.01.2022 QUIZ TIME: Time to test your knowledge! 2020 has sparked a global return to our roots - quite literally! - with kitchen gardens popping up in backyards, on decks and in pots all around the world. As we learn the ins and outs of growing vegetables from home, we thought we'd take a look into how people grow food in the coldest, driest, windiest place on Earth: Antarctica! We've compiled a fun little quiz to learn about how people have battled the elements and managed their gardens in Antarctica - click on the link here to take the quiz https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LKPKZYC

01.01.2022 Over the next few months we'll be sharing some updates from the Aurora Expeditions team. From expedition leaders to historians, ski guides to reservations, our team is spread across the globe from our headquarters in Sydney to Norway, Canada and even the Azores! We're looking forward to sharing some stories of the slightly different adventures we've been taking while international travel is off the cards. Here's our first update from Ulyana Horodyskyj (Geologist and Glaciol...ogist) Since returning home from Antarctica last season, Ulyana has been bringing her energy and enthusiasm to a range of projects in her beautiful hometown of Boulder, Colorado. She and her husband have been climbing local summits as part of their Summits, Songs and Science project to inspire and connect people around the world, while promoting the joys and benefits of mountaineering, music and science. Their most recent climb was Gannett Peak, a striking, glaciated mountain in the US state of Wyoming. Ulyana has also started working as a research associate for the Alaska Climate Research Center (based at the University of Alaska Fairbanks). She’s responsible for analysing climate data and producing monthly reports on the state of the climate in Alaska. She is also the Alaska associate state coordinator for CoCoRaHs (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network), a program that involves citizen scientists in the collection of weather data across the United States. Recently, Ulyana was selected as a sponsored ‘local guide’ by Swedish outdoor equipment brand, Fjallraven. Congratulations Ulyana!