Ross Island

Historic explorations and Antarctic science

Curated by Vinod Kumar Jain & Amit Jain · All Frontier Global · free, no login · reviewed 2026-07-05

The journal

Mount Erebus smoked faintly against a sky scrubbed clean of clouds, its plume the only moving thing for miles. I walked out near Hut Point where Scott's old shelter still stands, boards silvered by a century of wind, and felt how thin the line is here between exploration and simple endurance.

Things to do

Scott Base · Research base

Tour New Zealand's Antarctic research station with modern facilities and polar heritage. Best: Nov–Feb

Shackleton's Hut, Cape Royds · Historic site

Explore the preserved 1908 Nimrod expedition hut where Shackleton's team overwintered. Best: Nov–Feb

Cape Royds Adélie Colony · Wildlife colony

Visit the world's southernmost Adélie penguin colony, studied continuously for decades. Best: Dec–Feb

Observation Hill · Viewpoint

Climb the volcanic hill above McMurdo to Scott's memorial cross and sweeping views of the sound. Best: Dec–Jan

Ross Island Adelie Penguin Rookeries · Park

Ancient breeding colonies of Adelie penguins on ice-free rocky peninsulas. Best: Nov–Mar

Arrival

Airport

Christchurch, New Zealand (CHC) — Fly or cruise from Christchurch across the Southern Ocean.

SIM / data

NZ SIM/eSIM before departure; no signal in the Ross Sea.

Money on arrival

Carry NZ dollars and USD; onboard costs are prepaid.

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