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.

These images were taken with Nikon D300 using RAW format.