Macquarie Island Adventure: Boating Induction - Part 2

From the last post (Boating Induction - Part 1) we had just dropped off Chris, Josh and Dave at the beach just north of Brothers Point hut. As the weather and conditions were still ideal for boating, the plan was to travel northward back towards VJM.

Instead of taking the most direct route, it was decided to explore and practice manoeuvres inshore. We made our way slowly through the inshore kelp beds and rock stacks. It was an interesting perspective of the coast we walked along on day 3 of our field training.

Drifting in and out of the kelp covered rocky outcrops just north of Brothers Point

Plenty of thick kelp clinging to the rocks

Aaron enjoying the boating induction

As we drifted in and out of the kelp and rocky outcrops, we were given a different perspective of the wildlife. The water that we were travelling through was so clear.

A different perspective of the king penguin colony at the northern end of Sandy Bay

Giant Petrel

Another view of the king penguins north of Sandy Bay

Macquarie Island is unique in its formation. Unlike other sub-Antarctic islands - it is the elongated and exposed tip of a chunk of oceanic crust that has been 'simply squeezed toward the surface like toothpaste from a tube.' (R A Kerr, Science, 1993)

The rocks of the island have only have been exposed above the surface of the sea for 700,000 years which is only the blink of an eye in geological time.

From the boats the rugged and jagged peaks and slopes of this young island are revealed.

The 'raw' rugged peaks and slopes of Macquarie Island are visible along its entire coastline

The rugged exposed rock slopes can be seen along the coast

The clear waters between the kelp covered rocky outcrops

The clear water provides a vivid colour contrast to the green colour of the vegetation covering the slopes beneath the 'young' jagged peaks

As we travelled north we saw more of the amazing wildlife, some of which is endemic to Macquarie Island.

Macquarie Island cormorant (shag)

Fur seals - there are 3 different species - Subantarctic, Antarctic and New Zealand

We slowly made our way north, reaching the distinctive rock stacks known as the Nuggets. From the boats we were able to view this spectacular natural feature form a different angle. The Nuggets are visible from the station and provide an obvious landmark. From my perspective of weather observations - the Nuggets are a visibility marker being 3.9 km (south) from the weather station.

Heading north towards Nuggets Point and the Nuggets

From station we only see two of the three Nuggets

It is only when you are close that you realise the how beautiful and amazing they are

The very distinctive vegetation and geological features of the Nuggets - especially the 'skirt' of kelp

Side view - obvious delineation of flora. Also note several cormorants on the 'shelf' and the vivid colour of the water

This is the view of two of the Nuggets with one hidden in the lee

After the Nuggets we headed north towards Landing Beach. It was decided that, as the weather was still ideal for boating, we would continue the boating induction and head north a short distance around North Head.

After the Nuggets we headed north towards Landing Beach

Heading north

The only access to North Head is via the Wireless Hill track which starts at the station near Cumpston's Cottage. Only 1.5 km long it is a steep ridge at the very north of the island separated from the rest of the island by a short narrow isthmus (mostly just above sea level). Part of the northern section of North Head has restricted access all year with most of the rest having restricted access between the 16th of November and the 30th of September.

So the boat trip around this amazing part of Macquarie Island was a great opportunity.

North Head - the view from the boats shows how steep and rugged the coast is

Negotiating the narrow channel between North Head and the large rock stack of Tern Rock

The view south from aside North Head - Tern Rock on the left and the Nuggets can be seen in the distance on the far left

There are many kelp covered rock stacks close inshore to North Head

The steep and massive Tottan Head about 2/3rds of the way up the east side of North Head

Gorilla Head Rock just off the eastern tip of North Head

We travelled just around North Head where we experienced a small westerly swell. It also gave us a unique view down towards the western side of the island.

Just off North Head - Gorilla Head Rock on the left and Tottan Head further south on the right

View form just north of North Head with a glimpse of the western side of the island on the right

From just north of North Head - Looking west towards the distant Handspike Point

We then retraced our route back down the eastern side of North Head, this time getting a closer look at a big rock stack near the northern tip, populated by roosting cormorants. I also had a glimpse of a Rockhopper penguin colony perched at the base of a steep gully.