Antarctica is the southern-most continent on the earth and the site of the south pole. Virtually uninhabited, the ice-covered landmass is known for the Lemaire Channel, amazing passageways guarded by ice-bergs, Shackleton’s Hut, Gentoo penguins and migrating blue whales. However, what many people forget is that Antarctica is just a hop, skip and a jump from Tasmania, and you can now take a sight-seeing day trip over the continent with Antarctica Flights.
Antarctica Flights now offer day-long round trip flights that depart Australia from Hobart Domestic Airport in Tasmania. The very first Hobart-Antarctica-Hobart flight will be departing around 7am and returning around 9pm on November 25th, 2018. Antarctica Flights will fly you over the mountain ranges, ice formations and scenery for two and a half to three hours, however you will spend four hours hovering above the Antarctica Treaty area.
The flight path for the trip is chosen according to weather conditions, and maximising the viewing potential of the scenery.
Prices start at $1,199 and range up to $7,999 and include on-board Antarctic explorers to talk you through what you’ll see, full bar service, meal service, explorer kit and entertainment system.
Departing from Hobart is a world first for Antarctic Flights, who usually depart from airports in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide.
Upcoming flights from those locations to Antarctica for the sight-seeing trip are:
Sydney: 18 Nov 2018
Melbourne: 31 Dec 2018
Perth: 26 Jan 2019
Melbourne: 10 Feb 2019
Brisbane: 10 Nov 2019
Adelaide: 24 Nov 2019
According to the Antarctica Flights website, this is what you can expect from your trip:
“The flight provides a full day of Antarctic experience. Our flight from Australia ranges between 9,500 – 10,500kms round trip (approximately 12.5 hours) depending on your departure city. Expert Antarctic expeditioners are onboard to talk on the polar environment and its history while video screenings depict life on the ground.”
“Approximately three hours south of Australia, passengers will usually see the first scattered ice followed by dozens of icebergs and ice floes. We then cross the South Magnetic Pole where you will start to view the rugged mountainous topography of the Antarctic mainland.”
“With up to four hours over the ice and the remaining hours to enjoy the bespoke service including premium drinks, delicious meals and talks from Antarctic expeditioners – there is never a dull moment.”
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